Diarrhea (diarrhea): causes, treatment, symptoms, diet for diarrhea

Diarrhea
(scientific name
diarrhea
) is a pathological condition in which frequent bowel movements are observed, and the stool becomes liquefied (from mushy to watery). The stool may contain particles of mucus, pus, undigested food and even blood, have a pungent odor and an unusual color.

In a newborn baby who is breastfed, the frequency of bowel movements on average corresponds to the number of feedings (up to 6 times a day). Gradually, the frequency of stool decreases and by 6 months it stabilizes at the level of one or two times a day. Similar regularity in bowel function is typical for an adult. Deviations in one direction or another can be considered as bowel disorders.

Prolonged or severe diarrhea is dangerous to health, as it threatens dehydration.

Causes of diarrhea

bacterial and viral infections (acute intestinal infections - AII), parasitic infestations. Acute respiratory infections are second only to acute respiratory infections (ARVI) in prevalence;
enzyme deficiency: absolute - occurs, for example, with diseases of the pancreas, intolerance to milk sugar - lactose, and relative - with an excess of indigestible foods in the diet (food rich in plant fiber and fats), overeating;
chronic diseases of the gastrointestinal tract (chronic colitis, enteritis, Crohn's disease, etc.) - when its mucous membrane is damaged, the absorption of nutrients is impaired;
violations of the quantitative and qualitative composition of the intestinal microflora (dysbacteriosis);
surgical pathology (appendicitis, polyps, intestinal tumors);
nervous overstrain, emotional stress (“bear disease”);
vitamin deficiency (deficiency of vitamin B2, niacin, etc.);
side effects of certain medications (sorbitol, magnesium preparations, antacids, some antihypertensive drugs, antibiotics, antidepressants, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, etc.), overdose of laxatives.

It is difficult to find a person who has never suffered from diarrhea in his life - such a problem happens to each of us more than once. Perhaps that is why they often treat it lightly, letting things take their course and not seeking medical help in a timely manner. Meanwhile, “banal diarrhea” can be a manifestation of very serious, sometimes life-threatening diseases. If diarrhea develops, you need to remember the main alarming symptoms that require immediate medical attention:

the appearance of mucus and blood in the stool;
stool has a tar-like color and consistency (sometimes accompanied by vomit that resembles coffee grounds);
passing copious watery stools more often than 15-20 times a day;
copious light-colored stools against the background of a drop in body temperature below normal;
combination of diarrhea and high fever;
a combination of diarrhea, abdominal pain and severe vomiting;
diarrhea lasts more than three days, despite prescribed treatment;
diarrhea is accompanied by disturbances of consciousness;
diarrhea for more than 2 days in an elderly person or a child under one year old;
diarrhea appears periodically for no apparent reason, accompanied by weight loss and weakness.

If you have detected at least one of the listed symptoms, there is no need to hesitate. But this does not mean that in other cases seeking medical help is not necessary. Particularly serious consequences of diarrhea

may occur in old age and childhood, due to the particularly rapid onset of dehydration.

Diarrhea has a variety of not only causes, but also manifestations. First of all, this concerns the appearance of excreted feces: their consistency, color, visible impurities. This is very important for diagnosis. Let's look at the most common options.

Survey

Watery diarrhea always indicates problems with the digestive system. A gastroenterologist or infectious disease specialist examines patients with complaints of watery diarrhea. To verify the clinical diagnosis, a comprehensive examination of the gastrointestinal tract is necessary using laboratory and instrumental methods to detect morphological changes and establish the cause of diarrhea. The most valuable in diagnostic terms are:

Radiography
. Using plain radiography of the abdominal cavity, the condition of the patient's gastrointestinal tract is quickly assessed. For a detailed study of the inner surface of the digestive tract, oral contrast with barium sulfate is used. The method is quite informative in detecting non-infectious processes that cause watery stools.
Ultrasonography
. A non-invasive examination method is used as a screening diagnosis to exclude severe organic diseases of the digestive system and neoplasms. An abdominal ultrasound can reveal signs of an inflammatory process. Sonography is also performed to assess the condition of the pancreas.
Stool analysis
. To study the processes of digestion and absorption of food, a microscopic examination of feces is carried out with pH measurements. Watery diarrhea is often caused by infectious processes, so all patients undergo bacteriological culture of stool and analysis for helminth eggs. To exclude ulcerative destructive processes, the Gregersen reaction is indicated.
Serological reactions
. Searching for antimicrobial antibodies or specific antigens in the blood is the most accurate way to determine various infectious diseases, especially viral ones. The study may not be sufficiently informative in the first few days from the onset of the disease, when the concentration of antibodies in the blood has not yet increased.

As an additional general clinical method, a biochemical blood test is used to help determine the degree of malabsorption and protein deficiency. If specific lesions of the gastrointestinal tract wall are suspected, endoscopic examination with biopsy is recommended. To assess the exocrine function of the pancreas, a blood test for amylase and lipase is sometimes prescribed.

Adsorbents are used to reduce the frequency of watery diarrhea

Watery diarrhea (“water diarrhea”)

Its causes can be both bacterial and viral infections. The most severe of them, of course, is cholera, but salmonellosis and acute intestinal infections of viral etiology are much more common. The small intestine is affected by pathogen toxins, this is accompanied by the release of large amounts of water and salts dissolved in it into the intestinal lumen (stool may resemble “rice water”), without adequate replenishment of electrolytes, fatal dehydration can occur. Requires hospitalization in a specialized hospital (intestinal infections department).

Self-diagnosis and treatment are unacceptable. Diarrhea due to intestinal infections may not always be accompanied by nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain and fever (in weakened patients, as well as in the terminal stages of cholera, body temperature may drop below normal); treatment directly depends on the type of causative agent of the disease, which is impossible to determine at home.

Enterofuril

This antidiarrheal drug has a wide spectrum of action. Unlike other antimicrobial agents, Enterofuril does not suppress the beneficial intestinal microflora, but even restores it. The drug is sold in the form of a suspension, which is not absorbed into the blood, but works in the lumen of the gastrointestinal tract, destroying the infection. That is why the medicine has minimal side effects. And do not be afraid of the rich shade of the drug - this is not a dye, but the natural color of the active substance - nifuroxazide.

Enterofuril

Bosnalek, Bosnia and Herzegovina

Enterofuril is a broad-spectrum antimicrobial agent, a derivative of 5-nitrofuran.
Active against gram-positive microorganisms (Streptococcus aureus, Staphylococcus pyogenes, Clostridium), gram-negative enterobacteria - E. coli, Salmonella spp., Shigella spp., Klebsiella spp., Enterobacter spp., Vibrio cholerae, Campylobacter jejuni, Edwarsieila, Citrobacter, Yersinia enterocolitica . from 212

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Black diarrhea

The most serious reason that can cause black loose stools is esophageal, gastric or intestinal bleeding (for example, varicose veins of the esophagus, gastric or duodenal ulcers, tumors). When blood comes into contact with digestive enzymes, it turns black. Tar-like stool indicates fairly heavy bleeding. If it is localized in the stomach, sometimes coffee-ground vomiting occurs. Critical blood loss can occur quite quickly - the patient must be taken to a surgical hospital as soon as possible. Sometimes blackening of the stool is caused by taking certain medications (activated carbon, iron, bismuth, vitamin-mineral complexes).

Smecta

This anti-diarrhea drug is an enterosorbent. “Smecta” is sold in sachets, in the form of a powder that needs to be dissolved in water. If a child has diarrhea, you can buy Smecta with some flavor, which will make it easier for the baby to take. Prescribed remedy for heartburn, bloating and diarrhea. The medicine has virtually no side effects or contraindications.

Smecta

IPSEN (Bofur Ipsen), Ukraine

Symptomatic treatment of pain associated with diseases of the esophagus, stomach, duodenum;
intestinal colic; acute and chronic diarrhea (especially in children). from 123

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White diarrhea

Often occurs in children under one year of age. In this case, it can be caused by feeding with certain artificial formulas, overfeeding with milk, introducing new foods into complementary foods, an excess of hard-to-digest carbohydrates, and is sometimes observed during teething.

More serious causes of white diarrhea, which can occur in both children and adults: disorders of the gallbladder (partial or complete obstruction of the biliary tract), hepatitis (jaundice).

Whitening of the stool can be caused by medications that interfere with liver function (tetracycline, aspirin, ibuprofen, paracetamol, methotrexate, oral contraceptives, anti-tuberculosis drugs).

Furazolidone

You can buy “Furazolidone” (with the active ingredient of the same name) for diarrhea without a prescription; the drug is available in tablet form. This antimicrobial agent effectively fights pathogens in the intestines, as well as protozoa. Furazolidone has a wide spectrum of antimicrobial action and also strengthens the immune system. The drug is prescribed for dysentery, microbial infections, and for diarrhea with giardiasis. Contraindications: pregnancy, breastfeeding, age under 3 years, severe kidney disease. As for side effects, we recommend that you carefully read the instructions for the drug.

Furazolidone

JSC Avexima, Russia; Marbiopharm, Russia; "Moskhimfarmpreparaty" named after. N. A. Semashko, Russia; YuzhPharm, Russia; Update, Russia; JSC Dalkhimfarm, Russia; OJSC Borisov Plant of Medical Preparations (Borimed), Belarus

Furazolidone is an antibacterial drug.
Used for the treatment of patients with infectious diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, genitourinary system, and skin, in particular: bacillary dysentery, typhoid, paratyphoid, enterocolitis, giardiasis, diarrhea of infectious etiology, food poisoning, trichomonas infection, including trichomonas colpitis , as well as vaginitis, urethritis, cystitis and pyelitis, patients with infected wounds and burns. from 36

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Possible complications of diarrhea

dehydration (even death): this is indirectly evidenced by such signs as dry lips, tongue, decreased turgor of the skin and eyeballs, severe thirst, rapid breathing, and rare urination;
loss of salts by the body (occurs in combination with loss of fluid) can cause convulsions;
exhaustion of the body, hypovitaminosis (with chronic diarrhea);
intoxication (poisoning with bacterial or viral toxins);
hemorrhoids, rectal prolapse, ulcerations and fissures.

Linex

Linex is sold without a prescription and is available in the form of drops, powder and capsules. This is a probiotic that contains live bacteria L. Acidophilus, B. infantis and E. Faecium. They are quite enough to normalize the intestinal microflora and improve bowel movements. "Linex" is prescribed in the complex therapy of microbial and viral intestinal infections, as well as after treatment with antibiotics. Remember that the drug is incompatible with alcohol and should not be washed down with hot liquid.

Linex

Sandoz (Sandoz), Germany; Lek Pharmaceuticals dd., Slovenia

Linex is a combination drug containing 3 different types of lyophilized viable lactic acid bacteria from different parts of the intestine, which are part of the normal intestinal flora, maintain and regulate the physiological balance of the intestinal microflora.
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Treatment

For treatment of diarrhea, it is best to turn to professionals, since diarrhea can have many causes, and the approaches to treating each of them are fundamentally different.

If, due to special circumstances (for example, being in a hard-to-reach area), it is impossible to immediately receive medical help, the main treatment consists of replenishing fluid and salt losses, as well as reducing intoxication (if there is an infection). For this purpose, there are special salt mixtures (for example, rehydron, oralite), which are diluted with water according to the instructions and constantly taken orally in small portions, in small sips. To reduce intoxication, sorbents (activated carbon, etc.) are used, which do not allow microbial toxins to be absorbed.

You should be especially careful with drugs that slow down intestinal motility, since delayed excretion of infected stool leads to increased intoxication. It should also not be done without identifying the causes of diarrhea

take antibiotics.

All of the above measures can be regarded only as temporary, and at the first opportunity, in any case, it is necessary to seek medical help in order to clarify the diagnosis and adjust the treatment of diarrhea.

So, for example, if the cause lies in infection, the doctor, after conducting tests, will select a suitable antimicrobial agent. In case of dysbacteriosis, which can be both a cause and a consequence of diarrhea, it is advisable to take special medications that restore normal microflora. Enzyme deficiency may require taking enzyme medications.

Sulgin Avexima

This is one of the most frequently prescribed remedies for infectious diarrhea, which has long been present on the Russian market. "Sulgin Avexima" perfectly suppresses the proliferation of pathogenic microflora. However, doctors do not recommend taking this drug for a long time, since it interferes with the absorption of vitamins and nutrients in the intestines. After a short course of treatment with this drug, it is recommended to take a vitamin complex. You can buy Sulgin Avexima with a prescription and only on the recommendation of a doctor.

Sulgin Avexima

JSC Avexima, Russia

Sulgin Avexima is an antimicrobial bacteriostatic agent.
The mechanism of action is due to antagonism with para-aminobenzoic acid (PABA) and competitive inhibition of dihydropteroate synthetase, which leads to disruption of the synthesis of tetrahydrofolic acid, necessary for the synthesis of purines and pyrimidines. Inhibits the growth of Escherichia coli and reduces the synthesis of thiamine, riboflavin, and nicotinic acid in the intestines. SULGIN has a bacteriostatic effect on Streptococcus spp., Staphylococcus spp., Escherichia coli, Shigella dysenteriae, Proteus vulgaris. from 52

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Diet for diarrhea

Diet is one of the components of treatment. Since with any diarrhea there is irritation (and often severe inflammation) of the intestinal mucosa, food should be as gentle and easily digestible as possible. For diarrhea it is recommended:

drink more (drinks at room temperature, warm), the preferred drinks are simple drinking water, water-salt mixtures, warm tea, weak jelly, astringent and enveloping herbal teas and infusions. Alcohol, milk, fruit juices, carbonated drinks should be avoided;
do not eat if you have no appetite (this is a protective reaction of the body);
When you have an appetite, you can start with secondary broths, oatmeal or rice porridge (in water), dried white bread, mashed potatoes, boiled lean meat (a little, pureed). Then you can try boiled and baked vegetables and fruits. Food should be semi-liquid, homogeneous, it should be taken often and little by little;
Until stool is completely normalized (and preferably for some time after), fresh fruits and vegetables, as well as alcohol, fatty, spicy and fried foods should be avoided.

Imodium Express

For non-infectious diarrhea, Imodium Express is often prescribed, the active ingredient of which is loperamide. The drug has a strengthening effect and can be prescribed in the complex treatment of infectious diarrhea. You can buy Imodium in the form of lozenges - to make the drug work faster, the tablet can be placed under the tongue. So if diarrhea has started acutely and you need emergency help, pay attention to Imodium Express.

Imodium Express

Catalent UK Swindon Zaidis Limited / Janssen-Cilag S, UK / Italy

The anti-diarrhea remedy Imodium Express dissolves on the tongue in just 3 seconds, does not require drinking water and has a pleasant mint taste.
Imodium helps stop diarrhea from the first use: the proven formula of tablets for diarrhea (diarrhea) slows down the time it takes for contents to pass through the intestines. Imodium helps preserve the natural intestinal microflora, preventing it from being washed out during diarrhea. from 144

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