Diarrhea is a disorder of structure or function in a human, animal, or plant, especially one that produces specific symptoms or that affects a specific location and is not simply a direct result of physical injury.


What is Diarrhea ?


As per WHO,  Diarrhoea is defined as the passage of three or more loose or liquid stools per day (or more frequent passage than is normal for the individual). Frequent passing of formed stools is not diarrhoea, nor is the passing of loose, "pasty" stools by breastfed babies.

It is usually the symptom of gastrointestinal infection, which can be caused by a variety of viral, parasitic and bacteria organisms.As per UNICEF report, diarrhoeal diseases account for nearly 1.3 million deaths a year among children under-five years of age making them the second most common cause of child deaths worldwide. Over half of the deaths occur in just five countries: India, Nigeria, Afghanistan, Pakistan and Ethiopia. It is both preventable and treatable. Severe diarrhoea leads to fluid loss and may be life-threatening particularly in young children and people who are malnourished or have impaired immunity. Infection is spread through contaminated food or drinking-water or from person to person as a result of poor hygiene. Diarrhoea caused by contaminated food or water while travelling is often known as traveller’s diarrhoea.

 

Diarrhea Symptoms


Diarrhea is associated with symptoms depending on the cause and who is affected.

Symptoms include:

  • Watery stools
  • Abdominal cramps
  • Thin or loose stools
  • Sense of urgency to have a bowel movement
  • Nausea and vomiting

In addition to the symptoms described above, the symptoms of complicated diarrhoea include:

  • Persitent diarrhoea can lead to dehydration
  • Blood, mucus, or undigested food in the stool
  • Weight loss
  • Fever


Diarrhea Causes


Diarrhoea usually occurs when fluid cannot be absorbed from the contents of   bowel or when extra fluid is secreted into   bowel causing watery faeces.

Short-term diarrhoea :  Diarrhoea is usually a symptom of gastroenteritis (a bowel infection). It can be caused by:

  • A virus, such as a Norovirus or Rotavirus
  •  A Parasite , such as the Giardia intestinalis,   that causes Giardiasis
  • Bacteria, such as Campylobacter, Clostridium difficile (C. difficile), Escherichia coli (E. coli), Salmonella and Shigella: they all may cause food poisoning

Other causes of short-term diarrhoea include:

  • Emotional upset or anxiety
  • Intake of too much coffee or alcohol
  • Any food allergy
  • Appendicitis (painful swelling of the appendix)
  • Damage to the lining of the intestines due to radiotherapy.

Diarrhoea can also sometimes be a side effect of medicineslike :

  • Antibiotics
  • Antacid medicines that contain magnesium
  • Some medicines that are used in chemotherapy
  • Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs(NSAIDs)
  • Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)
  • Statins - cholesterol-lowering medicines
  • Laxatives - medicine used to help empty   bowels, if   constipated

Long-term diarrhoea

  • Bowel cancer - which can cause diarrhoea and blood in   stools
  • Chronic pancreatitis - inflammation of the pancreas, a small organ that produces hormones and digestive juices
  • Coeliac disease - a gastrointestinal tract disorder   where one is intolerant to the protein gluten
  • Crohn's disease - a condition that causes inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract
  • Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) - a poorly understood condition where the normal functions of the bowel are disrupted
  • Microscopic colitis - a type of inflammatory bowel disease that causes watery diarrhoea
  • Ulcerative colitis - a condition that affects the colon (large intestine)
  • Cystic fibrosis - an inherited condition that affects the lungs and digestive system
  • Persistent diarrhea can also sometimes occur following a gastrectomy. This is a surgical operation to remove part of the stomach - for example, as a treatment for stomach cancer.

Diarrhea can also sometimes be caused by bariatric surgery (weight loss surgery that is used as a last resort to treat people who are dangerously obese).

                                                                                                                                      

Diarrhea Diagnosis


The following diarrhoeal conditions should be further investigated:

  • In infants
  • Moderate or severe diarrhoea in young children
  • Associated with blood
  • Associated non-cramping abdominal pain, fever, weight loss, etc.
  • In travellers
  • In food handlers, because of the potential to infect others;
  • In institutions such as hospitals, child care centers, or geriatric and convalescent homes.

Stool sample: To know the cause of the infection

Blood test: Blood test is generally done to test the signs of inflammation which may suggest disease like inflammatory bowel disease If the cause of diarrhoea is still not clear, then patient may be advised for further investigations. Like:

  • Sigmoidoscopy - Where an instrument called a Sigmoidoscope (a thin, flexible tube with a small camera and light on one end) is inserted into rectum and up into sigmoid colon, S-shaped last part of the colon.
  • Colonoscopy - A similar procedure that uses a larger tube, called a colonoscope, to examine large intestine called colon.


Diarrhea Prevention


To prevent the spread of infections that cause diarrhoea, always maintain high standards of hygiene. For example:

  • Wash hands thoroughly before eating or preparing food and after going to the toilet.
  • To get toilet clean, including the handle and the seat, with disinfectant after each bout of diarrhoea.
  • Avoid sharing towels, cutlery or utensils with other household members.
  • Avoid returning to work or school until at least 48 hours after the last episode of diarrhoea.