peterhutch asked:


 

Diarrhea means that you have loose, watery stools more than three times in one day. You may also have cramps, bloating, nausea and an urgent need to have a bowel movement.

Causes of diarrhea include bacteria, viruses or parasites, certain medicines, food intolerances and diseases that affect the stomach, small intestine or colon. In many cases, no cause can be found.

What causes diarrhea?

Bacterial infections. Several types of bacteria consumed through contaminated food or water can cause diarrhea. Common culprits include Campylobacter, Salmonella, Shigella, and Escherichia coli (E. coli).

Viral infections. Many viruses cause diarrhea, including rotavirus, Norwalk virus, cytomegalovirus, herpes simplex virus, and viral hepatitis.

Diarrhea can also be a symptom of more serious diseases, such as dysentery, cholera, or botulism, and can also be indicative of a chronic syndrome such as Crohn’s disease or severe mushroom poisoning syndromes. Though appendicitis patients do not generally have diarrhea, it is a common symptom of a ruptured appendix. It is also an effect of severe radiation sickness.

Infectious diseases. There are a few infectious diseases that can cause chronic diarrhea, for example, Giardia lamblia . Patients with AIDS often have chronic infections of their intestines that cause diarrhea.

Symptoms of Diarrhea

Signs and symptoms associated with diarrhea may include:

Frequent, loose, watery stools

Abdominal cramps

Abdominal pain

Fever

Blood in the stool

Bloating

Other common infectious diarrheas may be caused by bacteria. These bacteria irritate the bowel and make it pour out fluid. The inflammation may also be associated with cramping abdominal pain. “Travelers’ diarrhea” is due to particular bacteria common in certain areas of the world.

Diagnosis of Diarrhea

Sigmoidoscopy

For a sigmoidoscopy, the doctor uses a special instrument called a colonoscope, which is a long, flexible tube that is about as thick as your index finger and has a tiny video camera and light on the end, to exam your rectum and lower part of your colon. During the procedure, everything will be done to help you be as comfortable as possible. Your blood pressure, pulse and the oxygen level in your blood will be carefully monitored.

How Is Diarrhea Treated?

If you have a mild case of diarrhea, you can just let it run its course, or you can treat it with an over-the-counter medicine.Common brand names include Pepto-Bismol, Imodium A-D and Kaopectate, which are available as liquids or tablets. Follow the instructions on the package.

Foods like rice, dry toast, and bananas can sometimes help with diarrhea.

Avoid over-the-counter anti-diarrhea medications unless specifically instructed to use one by your doctor. Certain infections can be made worse by these drugs. When you have diarrhea, your body is trying to get rid of whatever food, virus, or other bug is causing it. The medicine interferes with this process.

The type of drink is not as important as simply replenishing lost water. But avoid milk. It will make diarrhea worse. Diet soft drinks do not provide the calories that dehydrated people may need, so regular soda or soft drinks may be selected to replace lost water.

Other treatments are available, depending on the cause of symptoms. For example, the bulk agent psyllium helps some patients by absorbing excess fluid and solidifying stools; cholestyramine, which binds bile acids, is effective in treating bile salt induced diarrhea. Low fat diets or more easily digestible fat is useful in some patients. New antidiarrheal drugs that decrease excessive secretion of fluid by the intestinal tract is another approach for some diseases.



FUDALA

peterhutch asked:


 

Causes of Dehydration

Dehydration is caused by a variety of reasons. Some causes include diarrhea, fever, vomiting, excessive sweating, or overeating. However, the most common cause is simply lack of fluid intake. Because thirst is not always a symptom of dehydration, it’s vital to drink plenty of fluids when out in the wilderness, whether you’re thirsty or not.

Dehydration is most often caused by a viral infection that causes fever, diarrhea, vomiting, and a decreased ability to drink or eat.

Common viral infections causing vomiting and diarrhea include rotavirus, Norwalk virus, and adenovirus.

Sometimes sores in a child’s mouth (caused by a virus) make it painful to eat or drink, which helps to cause or worsen dehydration.

Dehydration signs and symptoms include,

Headache or nausea

Decreased blood pressure

Dizziness or fainting

Loss of appetite, dry mouth and dry skin

Reduced amount of urine production that is usually dark yellow. In severe condition there may be no urine output at all.

The most important symptom of dehydration is increased thirst. Depending upon other symptoms, a person can have mild, moderate, or severe dehydration.

Mild dehydration: Symptoms of this type of dehydration are increased thirst, a dry mouth, alertness or restlessness, a normal urine output.

Moderate dehydration: Symptoms of this type of dehydration are increased thirst, a dry mouth, drowsy or irritable, with or without a reduced urine output. The pulse may beat fast and breathing may be deep.

An increase in thirst is one of the first symptoms of dehydration. When the body doesn’t receive the amount of water it is losing, dehydration increases causing a decrease in urine production and perspiration. Water that is stored in cells begins to move into the bloodstream, and unless a sufficient amount of water is consumed, tissues, especially brain cells, lose moisture and breakdown. When this occurs, the person experiences severe confusion, which could lead to coma.

Treatment of Dehydration

Drinking fluids is usually sufficient for mild dehydration. It is better to have frequent, small amounts of fluid (using a teaspoon or syringe for an infant or child) rather than trying to force large amounts of fluid at one time. Drinking too much fluid at once can bring on more vomiting.

Electrolyte solutions or freezer pops are especially effective. These are available at pharmacies. Sport drinks contain a lot of sugar and can cause or worsen diarrhea. In infants and children, avoid using water as the primary replacement fluid.

For mild dehydration, drinking plain water may be all you need. However, if both water and electrolyte losses have occurred, electrolytes (especially sodium and potassium) should also be replaced. There are a number of flavoured commercial drinks that have been formulated to replace the salts (electrolytes) lost during vigorous exercise. These drinks can be used to prevent dehydration or to treat mild dehydration. Just drinking plenty of fluids and consuming a little additional salt during or after exercise will also work. If you have heart or kidney problems, consult your doctor about safely replacing fluids before exercising.



GARFIELD