Disease does cause many negative effects to the body and also mentally. one of them is a diarrhea disease, diarrhea has the effect, among others, makes the body limp, less powerful and also does not fit. Let's find out about diarrhea and conditions contained.
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What is diarrhea?

Diarrhoea is the passing of increased amounts (more than 300g in 24 hours) of loose stools.

It is often caused by a virus or bacteria and can be acute (short term) or chronic (long term) - lasting more than two to three weeks.

Most people are affected by diarrhea at some time in their lives. It is often accompanied by stomach pains, feeling sick and vomiting. It is usually due to consumption of drinking water contaminated with bacteria, undercooked meat and eggs or inadequate kitchen hygiene - in other words, an infection.
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Diarrhea normally only lasts for a few days, but it can be very stressful when it occurs.

Globally, seven children die of diarrhea every minute, mainly due to poor quality drinking water and malnutrition, which still affects the majority of the world population.
What causes diarrhea?

    * Diarrhea is mainly caused by bacterial and viral infections and food poisoning.
    * Diarrhea can also be caused by bacteria or viruses that have been transmitted from person to person. For this reason, it is important to wash your hands with soap and water after using the toilet.
    * You cannot assess the quality of food or detect contamination by its smell or the way it looks. Food which is 'off' might be obvious but contaminated food usually looks and tastes fine.

Diarrhea occurs when the micro-organisms irritate the mucous membrane of the small or large intestine resulting in an abnormally large quantity of water in the motions. The irritated gut becomes very active, contracting excessively and irregularly (colic). This can be accompanied by nausea, vomiting, and cold sweats. In some cases the motions may include some blood.
Food poisoning

Certain bacteria (usually staphylococci) irritate the digestive tract by producing toxins. These toxins affect the mucous membrane much sooner, a few hours after consumption, compared with bacterial infection. For this reason, people with inflammation or sores on their hands should not prepare food for others.
Other causes

When taking antibiotics, many people suffer diarrhea, which may continue after the antibiotic course has finished. The diarrhea occurs because the antibiotic alters the intestinal bacterial environment. It is not an allergic reaction. In rare cases it requires medical treatment.
Chronic diarrhea

Chronic diarrhea can be a symptom of many disorders:

    * irritable bowel syndrome
    * acute, recurrent or chronic intestinal infections
    * chronic intestinal inflammation (ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease)
    * chronic pancreatitis, which produces fatty stools
    * laxatives
    * lactose intolerance
    * improper diet (consumption of too much alcohol, coffee or sweets)
    * metabolic disorders such as diabetes and thyrotoxicosis
    * intolerance to gluten (wheat protein).

What are the symptoms of diarrhea?

    * Frequent, watery motions.
    * Loss of appetite.
    * Nausea, vomiting.
    * Stomach pains.
    * Fever.
    * Dehydration.

If the diarrhea lasts more than three weeks, it is considered chronic.
What are the warning signs?

    * Blood in the motions.
    * Pus in the motions (yellow mucus).
    * Inability to drink liquids because of vomiting.
    * Dehydration - symptoms include excreting small amounts of dark urine, drowsiness, dry mucous membranes and thirst. Dehydration as a result of diarrhea is a particular risk for young children and the elderly.
    * Pronounced drowsiness due to dehydration or intoxication.
    * Acute diarrhea in infants.
    * Acute diarrhea in very old people.

What can be done at home?

    * In cases of acute diarrhea it would be wise to drink more fluids (3-4 litres a day), preferably containing sugar and salts. Ready-mixed rehydration sachets (eg Dioralyte, Rehidrat) can be bought from the pharmacist and added to drinking water.
    * A sufficient intake has been obtained when the urine becomes light yellow in colour.
    * Eat something containing salt, such as crisps or soup.
    * Maintain good standards of hygiene.
    * Eat normally as soon as your appetite returns but if you have suffered an acute attack of diarrhea, avoid foods containing milk for a couple of days.

When should the doctor be consulted?

    * When one of the warning signs outlined above is present.
    * When the diarrhea has occurred during or following a trip abroad - travellers' diarrhea.
    * When the diarrhea has lasted more than one to two weeks.

How is diarrhea treated?

Diarrhea can usually be treated safely 'at home' and normally goes away by itself within a week. Treatment with antibiotics is therefore rarely needed, and may cause side effects, such as chronic diarrhea.

Antidiarrheal agents, such as loperamide (eg Imodium), may be used, except in cases where there is blood or pus in the motions or if the diarrhea is accompanied by high fever.

It has not been proven that freeze-dried lactic acid bacteria can prevent travellers' diarrhea.

During visits abroad, boil all drinking water, or drink water from sealed bottles only. In addition, you should only eat vegetables that have been boiled or peeled and avoid ice-cream and salads (which may have been washed with unclean water).