Diarrhea

Diarrhea is the passage of loose or watery stools. It often occurs along with abdominal cramps, vomiting, or fever. With diarrhea, stools move so quickly through the intestines that the body is unable to absorb the fluid in them.

Causes

Diarrhea can be caused by bacteria, viruses, emotional upset, stress, some chronic bowel disease, and certain medications. With bacterial infections of the colon, diarrhea is usually more severe and lasts longer. Prolonged diarrhea may also be a symptom of conditions such as giardiasis (if you have been traveling), amebic dysentery, Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, or food allergies.

Treatment

Most diarrhea resolves on its own with self-care steps, usually within 2 days. When a diet of clear liquids does not help, your doctor may prescribe a medication that will slow down activity of the bowel. These medications are not recommended for children.

Self-Care Steps for Diarrhea

• Drink room-temperature liquids.

• Avoid alcohol, smoking, caffeine, milk, and fruit juice.

• Do not eat if your stomach feels very upset or crampy.

• Drink fluids to prevent dehydration. Throughout the day, sip a few ounces of water or diluted broths, sports drinks, soda, or rehydration solutions.

• When your appetite returns but the diarrhea remains, try eating ripe bananas, rice, applesauce, white toast, cooked cereal, potatoes, chicken, turkey, or cooked carrots.

• Until diarrhea is gone, avoid fresh fruits, green vegetables, alcohol, greasy or fatty foods, and highly seasoned or spicy foods.

• If necessary, take over-the-counter antidiarrheal medications such as Pepto-Bismol, Kaopectate for temporary relief. However, avoid taking these medications continually. They may prolong the length of diarrhea or cause more serious problems. (Note: Products that contain bismuth salicylate may temporarily darken the stools or tongue.)

• Call your doctor if you believe the diarrhea could be caused by a medication you are taking. Diarrhea is a common side effect of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), antibiotics, gold compounds, and antidepressants.

• Call your doctor if diarrhea lasts longer than 72 hours.

Preventive Care for Diarrhea

• To prevent the spread of organisms that can cause diarrhea, wash your hands after you use the toilet or diaper a baby and before you eat or prepare food. Remember to wash your hands in warm, soapy water if you have touched uncooked meat products.

• Handle and cook foods carefully. Unpasteurized dairy products and undercooked fish, poultry, eggs, and meat can have bacteria that can cause diarrhea and other gastrointestinal problems. Always cook foods thoroughly. Wash cutting boards and utensils in warm, soapy water. Eat only pasteurized products. Be sure to keep hot foods hot and cold foods cold. Harmful bacteria can grow in foods left at room temperature for too long.

• If you have diarrhea, avoid preparing food for others unless you wash your hands thoroughly. Do not work as a server or cook in any food-service position until your diarrhea is completely gone and you know you are not spreading your illness to others.

• If you are traveling to a foreign country, avoid drinking or cooking with unpurified water. Water can be purified by boiling it for 15 to 20 minutes, by adding iodine or chlorine drops or tablets, or by using a special water filter. It is very important to follow product directions exactly when using any water-purifying product. Travelers should also avoid fresh fruits and vegetables unless the foods have been washed thoroughly in purified water and can be peeled. Be wary of foods such as melons, which are often injected with water to increase their weight.