Diarrhea is characterized by frequent urge to defecate, accompanied by loose stools. Diarrhea or diarrhea, as such a disease does not exist, this is just one of the symptoms that can manifest itself in certain diseases or under the influence of certain factors.

What causes diarrhea

Diarrhea can be triggered by the following conditions:

• stressful situations, a sense of fear;
• insufficient production of enzymes for digestion and absorption of nutrients from food;
• the presence of bacterial and viral infections;
• intestinal bleeding;
• food or drug poisoning;
• taking antibiotics;
• diseases of the digestive tract;
• the presence of tumors.

In addition to frequent loose stools, the patient may experience the following symptoms:

• bloating;
• flatulence;
• abdominal cramps, pain;
• seething;
• decreased appetite;
• weakness;
• increased sleepiness;
• heaviness in the abdomen;
• vomit.

With a simple indigestion, all symptoms disappear after 1-2 days, and do not pose a danger to the body, but if diarrhea continues for more than 3 days, then you need to consult a specialist, since such symptoms may indicate more serious illnesses.

Diarrhea video and treatment

What kind of diarrhea can be treated at home?

If the diarrhea is not accompanied by other symptoms that may indicate the presence of an acute infectious or other disease, then treatment can be carried out at home. But there are signs, at the appearance of which it is necessary to urgently contact an ambulance:

• the appearance of bloody spots in the stool;
• high body temperature;
• severe dizziness;
• black feces;
• the appearance of redness and itching of the skin, redness of the face;
• vomit;
• loss of consciousness.

If the patient has taken measures to eliminate the symptoms, but vomiting and diarrhea continue for more than 24 hours, urgent medical intervention is necessary, since such symptoms may indicate serious pathologies.

Nutrition for diarrhea

Many people are interested in how to cope with diarrhea at home as quickly as possible, because it is not always possible to visit a doctor, or the causes of an upset stomach are known. There are several home remedies that can help eliminate diarrhea.

First of all, it is necessary to determine what kind of food the stomach reacts to, what needs to be excluded, and what is better to introduce into the diet, since food is directly related to the disease. The reason for the appearance of diarrhea can be the use of foods that are not absorbed by the body, poor-quality food, poisoning, diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, and more.

Oddly enough, but rejection of some products can bring quick relief for the patient, first of all, pain, bloating, and the number of urges to defecate decreases.

To do this, it is necessary to introduce more healthy foods into the diet and reduce the use of harmful ones. Give preference to food with a fixing effect, but at the same time, it should be easily absorbed by the intestines, such foods include:

• rice, buckwheat and oatmeal;
• boiled dietary meat of chicken, rabbit or turkey;
• boiled potatoes;
• lean biscuits, crackers and crackers;
• baked apples;
• Garnet;
• strong tea.

With severe diarrhea, the following foods should be excluded from the diet:

• dairy products;
• coffee;
• alcoholic drinks;
• spicy food;
• fried, smoked;
• flour, butter;
• fruits;
• raw vegetables.

Such a diet should be followed in the acute course of diarrhea, as well as after cessation for another 3-4 weeks, this will make it possible to avoid relapse.

Home medication for diarrhea

The pharmaceutical market offers a large selection of fast acting antidiarrheal drugs that are available without a doctor's prescription. Such medicines are divided into several types, which differ in their action:

• drugs aimed at thickening feces;
• drugs that slow down intestinal peristalsis;
• probiotics are live beneficial bacteria.

When using these medications, you must use them correctly. In the presence of blood streaks in the stool and an elevated temperature, it is forbidden to use the drugs on your own, since such symptoms can indicate a serious illness. In the case when, in addition to diarrhea, the patient is not worried about anything, antidiarrheal drugs can be used only 6 hours after the onset of increased stool frequency.

Drugs that will quickly help to cope with diarrhea:

1. Smecta is an adsorbing agent that helps eliminate diarrhea caused by intestinal infections. This tool is allowed to be used from birth. It is produced in the form of a powder, which must be stirred in warm water before use. Smecta helps to relieve diarrhea, heartburn and nausea.
2. Loperamide, Imodium, Supreol - treatment comes after a couple of hours, it helps to get rid of diarrhea, of an infectious nature.
3. Polyphepan - suitable for the treatment of infants and adults, helps to get rid of diarrhea caused by infections. Release form - powder, which is pre-mixed with water.
4. Enterofuril - is an antimicrobial drug, treatment is aimed at eliminating infectious diarrhea. Produced in the form of a suspension, it tastes good. Permitted to use from birth.
5. Kaopektat - is prescribed for diarrhea of ​​any nature. The release form is in the form of a suspension and tablets. Suitable for the treatment of children under 6 years of age and pregnant women.
6. Enterosgel is a strong adsorbing agent that helps to remove toxins, pathogenic bacteria and allergens from the body. But it is worth considering that when taking other medicines, it will not give a full treatment.
7. Probiotics - drugs are prescribed simultaneously for treatment with antibacterial agents, for "traveler's diarrhea" and dysbiosis. They help to populate the intestinal microflora with beneficial bacteria, thereby improving the functioning of the digestive system. These drugs include: Linex, Enterol, Hilak Forte, etc.
8. Activated carbon is a strong adsorbing agent, despite its low cost. It helps to remove harmful bacteria, slags and toxins, but you should not take it for a long time, because in addition to harmful substances, it is able to remove vitamins. Effective only in the treatment of food poisoning, because it removes only microorganisms that have not had time to be absorbed into the blood. You should not use activated charcoal for dysbiosis, or for viral diarrhea, as this can only worsen the condition. This drug is approved for use by pregnant women.

After the frequency of loose stools decreases or completely recedes, taking medications must be stopped, otherwise they can have the opposite effect - constipation. Also, when using the drugs on your own, you should not exceed the recommended dose due to the lack of effect, since the action begins 1-2 hours after the first dose.

Alternative treatment for diarrhea

Not only medications can get rid of diarrhea, but also folk remedies, which are safer and have fewer contraindications. First of all, with diarrhea, the body suffers from dehydration, therefore, it is necessary to replenish the water-salt balance with the help of the following solution: add ¼ tsp to a liter of water. salt and ¼ tsp. soda. Also, to replenish fluid in the body, it is necessary to consume more warm water, compotes and freshly squeezed juices.

There are many folk remedies that will quickly help get rid of diarrhea, these include:

1. Starch. It is necessary to dilute the solution: mix ½ cup of warm water with 1 tsp. potato starch. Such a remedy has a strong fortifying effect on a par with some medications.
2. Chicken stomachs. It is necessary to prepare a powder from a yellow film from chicken stomachs. To do this, separate it, rinse and dry it on a plate, and then grind it into powder with a rolling pin. Drink 1 tbsp with warm water. l. powder, if the stool has not recovered, the next day you must repeat the reception.
3. Welding. It is necessary to brew strong black tea and drink 3 times a day, in the absence of infection, diarrhea disappears within 24 hours.
4. Onion peel. Put 1 liter of water with onion skins on the fire, bring to a boil and cook for 5 minutes. Then turn off the gas and let it brew for about 30 minutes. Strain through a gauze cloth and use throughout the day. This amount is enough for several days.
5. Lemon juice. Dilute 1 tbsp in 250 ml of warm water. l. lemon juice. It is better to drink through a straw so as not to harm the enamel of the teeth. This remedy works well for severe nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.
6. Garnet. Only the pomegranate rind should be used. Grind it, add 2 tbsp. l. in a glass of warm water, bring to a boil and leave on fire for half an hour. Then filter the infusion and take 2 tbsp half an hour before meals. l.
7. Mint infusion. Grind the mint to make 1 tbsp. l., pour a glass of boiling water over it and let it brew for about 30-40 minutes. Strain and cool the product. Take the medicine in small sips in the morning and evening. In addition to treating diarrhea, it helps to relieve belching.
8. Bird cherry fruits. You can make a delicious infusion from this berry, for this you need to boil a glass of water and add 1 tbsp. l. fruits and leave for 15 minutes. Let cool slightly, take ¼ glass throughout the day. The same antidiarrheal effect can be achieved by simply consuming the fruits fresh.
9. Oak bark. Grind oak bark or purchase ready-made at the pharmacy. Pour 1 tsp. powder with a glass of water and put on fire for 10 minutes. The resulting product is taken in a tablespoon up to 3 times a day.

Traditional medicine helps to cope with such an unpleasant ailment as diarrhea, which interferes with having a good time. With the help of infusions, you can quickly fix the chair without harming the body. But it is worth remembering that such methods should not be used for prolonged diarrhea, more than 2 days, as well as in the presence of concomitant symptoms that may indicate the presence of an infection. Therefore, it is necessary to immediately consult a specialist and not self-medicate, especially when it comes to children and pregnant women.

Diarrhea(popular name - diarrhea) - a painful condition of the human body, accompanied by frequent loose (watery) stools and, in most cases, pain in the abdomen, high fever and vomiting.

Diarrhea (diarrhea)- a symptom that causes, therefore, quite dangerous for children and the elderly, which, if not given proper attention, can lead to serious consequences, including death.

According to statistics for 2009, more than 1.5 million children (under the age of 5) died from diarrhea in third world countries.

Types of diarrhea

Medicine distinguishes between two types of diarrhea (diarrhea) - acute and chronic, the symptoms of which are generally similar. The main difference is the duration of other accompanying symptoms.

Acute diarrhea

The duration is usually short, 1-14 days. The causes of loose stools in acute diarrhea can be: allergic reactions to drugs, food poisoning, as well as various infections (viruses, bacteria).

Chronic diarrhea

Chronic diarrhea (diarrhea) is persistent, prolonged diarrhea (diarrhea) with possible periods of remission. Chronic diarrhea (diarrhea) can lead to weakening and dehydration of the body, as well as be a symptom of an underlying disease, so it is imperative that you see a doctor so that he can prescribe treatment for an intestinal disorder.

Possible causes of chronic diarrhea (diarrhea) as a bowel disease: ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease, IBS (irritable bowel syndrome), drug therapy, endocrine diseases, etc.

Symptoms accompanying diarrhea (diarrhea) are as follows:

• feces with blood;

Urgently see a doctor if:

• diarrhea lasts more than 2 days in a child, more than 5 days in an adult;
• high body temperature;
• feces that are dark, bloody, or mucus;
• there is severe and prolonged abdominal pain (more than 2 hours);
• there was nausea and vomiting;
• diarrhea started after a trip to Africa, Asia and other exotic corners of the planet;
• there are signs of dehydration.

A doctor should be consulted urgently if any of the above symptoms occur in infants or the elderly.

Causes of acute diarrhea:

The causes of chronic diarrhea:

In most cases, diarrhea resolves on its own within 2 days. The main thing these days is to stick to a diet, and also to prevent dehydration. That is why experts prescribe to patients an abundant drink and other means that prevent the body from losing the necessary amount of fluid for its normal functioning.

If diarrhea does not go away within 2 days in a child, 5 days in an adult, consult a doctor who, based on the examination, can prescribe medications, and, if necessary, send you to a hospital for tests and treatment.

Basically, the treatment of diarrhea includes the following set of measures:

- diet;
- support of the body's water balance;
- medical treatment at home;
- treatment in a hospital (if the doctor has concerns or the diarrhea does not go away for a long time).

Diet for diarrhea

What to eat for diarrhea? Here are some helpful tips:

- In case of diarrhea, it is necessary to consume an abundant amount of liquid (water, still mineral water, broth), preferably warm or at room temperature.

- If you have no appetite, abdominal cramps are felt, then it is better to refrain from eating;

- Eat food in small doses;

- If the infant has diarrhea, continue breastfeeding, if artificial feeding. If artificial feeding is used, replace cow's milk with clean water.

With diarrhea, you must give up the following foods:

• fatty and fried foods;
• coffee;
• alcohol;
• milk and fermented milk products (yoghurts, fermented baked milk);
• fruit juices (except apple juice);
• grapes, plums and most other fresh fruits;
• legumes, beets, radishes, radishes, cucumbers and other green vegetables;
• sweets;
• sauces, ketchups, mayonnaises and spices;
• black bread

What to eat for diarrhea:

• boiled rice, oatmeal and other cereals;
• white bread crackers;
• potatoes and other boiled or baked vegetables;
• lean meat, can be in the form of cutlets or meatballs, but always steamed or boiled;
• applesauce;
• bananas.

Diarrhea medications

Medication is best taken after a doctor's appointment. If, nevertheless, there is such a need, then they can be taken, but strictly follow the instructions for use and remember that if OTC antidiarrheal drugs are taken for a long time, diarrhea can become chronic and provoke more serious disorders in the body.

Antidiarrheal group: Enterol, Eubikor, Mezim Forte, Smecta, Enterosgel, Imodium, Hilak Forte, Loperamide Acri, Panzinorm Forte, Lopeedium, Polysorb MP "," Linex "," Polyphepan "," Diosmektit "," Coapektat "," Enterosorb ".

To prevent dehydration:"Regidron", "Hydrovit".

Intestinal antiseptics: Nifuroxazide (Enterofuril, Ersefuril, Stopdiar), Rifaximin (Alpha Normix), Intetrix.

For infectious diarrhea: Galavit.

Diarrhea with colitis is treated with drugs that relieve inflammation.

Attention! Salicylate-containing products may temporarily darken the tongue or stool.

Antibiotics for diarrhea

Antibiotics for diarrhea are prescribed only by a doctor, and only after diagnosing the body and identifying the "infectious" cause of diarrhea.

Prevention of diarrhea

To prevent diarrhea, the following rules must be followed:

- always wash your hands, especially after the street, toilet, contact with money, before eating, before contact with food for cooking. Hands should be washed with warm water and soap.

- before use, fruits and vegetables must be thoroughly washed;

- diarrhea and other problems with the gastrointestinal tract can cause: non-pasteurized dairy products, meat, eggs;

- do not eat food that has expired;

- meat, before eating, must undergo a complete heat treatment;

- in the kitchen, including places and items for cooking food, must be clean (tables, knives, boards, plates, etc.);

- do not leave cooked food warm for a long time, because it is an excellent breeding ground for bacteria harmful to the body.

- try not to drink raw water or any untreated water, especially of unknown origin. To purify the water, boil it for 15 minutes, and then use it. Water can also be purified using special filters, as well as by adding tablets or drops of iodine and chlorine to it.

- do not eat fruits or vegetables that have not yet ripened, for example: strawberries, melons, watermelons. Often, such berries and fruits are pricked by unscrupulous producers with "chemistry", which provokes their rapid ripening and naturally frequent poisoning of their customers.

Diarrhea in adults: causes and treatment at home

Diarrhea is particularly uncomfortable. If it leaves with impurities of pus (blood), it may even be dangerous.

Persistent chronic diarrhea in adults inevitably leads to.

It is necessary to take urgent measures and know how to treat diarrhea correctly, because the discharge of loose stools with water more than 8-10 times a day can completely flush useful vitamins and microelements from the intestinal cavity.

What is diarrhea in an adult?

Persistent diarrhea in an adult - symptom with loose stools more than 6 times a day, exceeding the dose of 300-400 mg.

The process of fermentation in the intestine is observed against the background of the development of pathogenic microflora (intestinal invasions), rapidly multiplying, creating whole colonies with the absorption of minerals, useful components from the intestinal walls, causing.

If diarrhea does not go away in an adult, the condition does not stabilize after 3 days in a row, then dehydration can occur in a matter of hours, when urgent measures will have to be taken to replenish the body with nutrients, to normalize the water-salt balance in order to avoid the manifestation of serious complications.

Causes of occurrence

There can be many reasons leading to a modification of the composition of the microflora of the large intestine, the washing out of beneficial bacteria.

The main causes of diarrhea in adults:

Most often, diarrhea in adults causes intestinal damage with an acute viral infection (lamblia , , wood lice, enteroviruses , salmonella).

Infections, as they accumulate in the walls of the large intestine, lead to a modification of the composition of the microflora, the development of serious pathogenic diseases.

Medications can provoke diarrhea in adults:

• laxatives;
• anticholinesterase;
• antibiotics;
• probiotics;
• cytostatics leading to indigestion.

If there is diarrhea without fever in an adult, then the reason for the acceleration of intestinal motility lies in:

• overvoltage;
• stress;
• acute character;
• hepatitis;
• overheating in the sun.

Diarrhea with additional symptoms

Rarely, when diarrhea in adults against the background of gastrointestinal disorders, other accompanying signs are absent. Often they join when diarrhea is worried about the symptoms:

• nausea, vomiting with the discharge of mushy loose stools, alternating with constipation - signs of infection with intestinal invasions, a consequence of intoxication (poisoning) of the body;
• increased gassing;
• discharge of clay, gray feces;
• cramps, colic in the abdomen - a sign of intestinal infection;
• temperature increase +37.5 g with acute appendicitis;
• headache;
• weakness;
• discharge of greenish-brown feces with mucus, blood, an increase in temperature above +38 degrees with salmonellosis;
• bleeding is a sign of Crohn's disease;
• muscle weakness, decreased vision, constipation accompanied by diarrhea, stool passage more than 5 times a day - with ulcerative colitis or or;
• ), passing up to 10 times a day, pain and rumbling in the abdomen, pallor (desiccation) of the dermis, dryness and a bitter taste in the mouth are signs of Crohn's disease.

Worth knowing! In case of colic in the right quadrant of the abdomen at the bottom, an increase in temperature above +38 g, the discharge of feces with blood, you need to urgently consult a doctor (gastroenterologist, proctologist). Bleeding with diarrhea may indicate a fistula , abscess, development of the inflammatory process. These are dangerous symptoms of intestinal disorders that should not be ignored.

Of course, a one-time short-term diarrhea without fever and vomiting in an adult is unlikely to cause serious harm to health. But, regardless of the nature of diarrhea, it is worth rehydrating the body, replenishing the lack of fluid, thereby maintaining the water-salt balance.

Types and stages

Doctors divide diarrhea into 2 types:

1. acute with a duration of 1-3 days, the reason for which is damage by viruses (bacteria), allergy to drugs, food poisoning;
2. chronic with fairly prolonged diarrhea, periodically changing to remission, which indicates the development of a latent disease (ulcerative colitis,), a failure in the endocrine system.

The types are distinguished:

• diarrhea with water in an adult in case of infection of the body with viruses, bacteria, followed by the release of toxic substances, the settling of bacteria in the intestinal walls, the development of diseases (dysentery, salmonellosis);
• intoxicating;
• enzymatic;
• infectious;
• medicinal;
• with bleeding;
• fatty (a common form of diarrhea, a consequence of impaired absorption of food, a failure in the digestive system. Provoking factors - diseases of the pancreas () with the inability to produce juice in the required amount or bacterial infection);
• inflammatory (a consequence of the development of an inflammatory process in the intestinal walls, a number of diseases (Crohn's disease, malignant tumor, immunodeficiency);
• secretory (provoked by toxic substances, fatty acids, drugs, alcohol, cancer (carcinoma)).
• osmotic (a consequence of an increase in osmolar components in the amount located in the lumen of the rectum. The peculiarity of this form is the discharge of liquid feces even in the absence of meals, i.e. on an empty stomach. some medicines (Cholestyramine, Lactulose, magnesium sulfate, Neomycin)).

Important! With profuse diarrhea, accompanied by vomiting and high fever, patients are subject to urgent hospitalization. There is a high probability of contracting salmonellosis, cholera.

Diagnostics

In acute diarrhea, at the initial stage, there is liquid feces and a sharp elimination of electrolytes from the body. First of all, the doctor will conduct a visual examination of the skin integument for the presence.

With prolonged diarrhea, a decrease in turgor, dryness of the integument, a drop in blood pressure indicators, an increase in heart rate with a calcium deficiency, convulsions, a symptom of a "muscle cushion" are already visually visible.

The main indicator for making an accurate diagnosis is. Also, patients will have to pass if they suspect the development of an inflammatory process in the digestive tract (in the walls of the liver, pancreas), then:

• blood test (biochemical, clinical) to determine foci of inflammation, dysfunctions of the pancreas (liver), leading to the development of chronic diarrhea;
• gastroscopy;
• irrigoscopy;
• Ultrasound for examining the internal organs in the abdominal cavity;
• sigmoidoscopy;
• colonoscopy.

Treatment

If persistent bouts of diarrhea are often disturbed, then an integrated approach to the conduct of therapeutic procedures is required. It is important to identify provoking factors, prevent the development of complications and dehydration of the body, contribute to the restoration of necessary resources, replenishment with useful components (minerals).

Therapy for diarrhea is etiotropic with the prescription of drugs after the interpretation of the results obtained, the examinations carried out, and the identification of the causes of the onset of diarrhea. At the heart - medicines, additionally - folk remedies.

If diarrhea is worried, treatment in adults is recommended to start with activated carbon- excellent enterosorbent with absorbing effect. When calculating the dosage, it is important to take into account the weight - 1 tablet per 10 kg of body weight.

For example, with a weight of 60-70 kg, you need to drink up to 6 tablets per day with a sufficient amount of water.

It is activated carbon that perfectly binds water, covering the intestinal walls with a protective layer. But you should not be afraid of the appearance of black feces. Charcoal is good for diarrhea, especially caused by eating spoiled foods.

Also, with food diarrhea, will have a positive effect on the gastrointestinal tract. Linex and to activate functions in the walls of the large intestine, normalize the correct functioning of the small intestine.

If, nevertheless, diarrhea does not go away for 3 days in a row, medications become powerless, there are spastic pains during bowel movements, dark urine, yellowing of the skin, light-headedness, discharge of green (black) diarrhea with impurities of fresh blood, then these are critical symptoms requiring immediate medical attention.

IMPORTANT! If bloody diarrhea is worried, then patients need hospitalization, which is especially dangerous for children and the elderly.

Medication is prescribed based on symptoms in adults. So, with watery stools, the goal is to prevent dehydration, to restore the water-electrolyte balance. As first aid:

• solutions (Uralite, Hydrolit);
• pain relievers (No-shpa, Loperamide).

When developing a treatment, the etiology of the origin of diarrhea is taken into account, so self-medication is excluded. You can not recklessly take unknown drugs without the appointment of a specialist.

• For diarrhea caused by pathogenic bacteria, the main prescriptions are synthetic antimicrobial drugs, antibiotics ( , Ofloxacin, Trimoxazole).
• With the enzymatic type of diarrhea, the basis is enzymatic agents.
• With an infectious form - sorbents, antibiotics, antiseptics.
• For IBS, chronic bowel diseases - anti-inflammatory (glucocorticoid) drugs.
• For diarrhea with bleeding - antiulcer drugs, hemostatics, infusion.
• In case of intestinal infection - antimicrobial drugs, enterosorbents to remove harmful poisons and toxins from the body.

If the cause of diarrhea is overeating, then antispasmodics, sorbents with an astringent antidiarrheal effect ( Enterosgel, Smecta).

Reference! Dysbacteriosis can be caused by antibiotics, so the goal of treatment is to maintain the beneficial microflora in the intestines, to stimulate its reproduction. To help - lactobacilli, probiotics, sorbents.

Medicines, a list of the best and most effective drugs

The following remedies will help to cure diarrhea:

• sorbents for adsorption, removal of bacteria (viruses, toxins) from the intestines - bismuth, Smecta, De-nol, Polyphepan;
• phytopreparations with astringent action to reduce intestinal secretion ( Potentilla root, oak bark, chamomile);
• enzymes ( Pancitrate, Mezim, Festal, Creon) to replenish the deficiency of digestive juice, simulate impaired absorption in the intestine;
• (Lopedium, Imodium) to reduce intestinal motility, activate intestinal activity, enhance absorption capacity;
• antispasmodics ( No-shpa, Papaverine) to relieve agitated peristalsis;
• anti-inflammatory drugs to reduce intestinal mucus production ( Sulfasalazine, Indomethacin, Diclofenac);
• hormonal agents ( Prednisolone, Metipred) solely as prescribed by a doctor;
• antiseptics with antimicrobial effect to suppress streptococci, salmonella, Escherichia coli ( Enterofuril, Intetrix);
• immunomodulators ( Galavit) to relieve attacks of intoxication, improve overall health;
• probiotics, indispensable for imbalance of intestinal microflora, diarrhea, regardless of etiology ( Enterol, Baktisubtil, Linex, Hilak forte).

Diarrhea is popularly called a traveler's disease, since it is on the road, trips to countries with hot climates that indigestion, bloating, and the accumulation of unnecessary intestinal gases are often observed.

Pharmaceuticals today offers various new generation drugs with a combined effect in the composition with simethicone - an antifoam agent to eliminate the unpleasant feeling of intestinal distention, spastic pain, disorders in ( Kaopektat, Imodium, Simethicone, Loperamide).

Alternative home treatments

Timely referral to specialists for diarrhea in adults will avoid serious consequences.

Related Videos

Interesting

Diarrhea is not a disease, but only a symptom. It can be a sign of one of several dozen diseases. It can be difficult to understand the reasons for the appearance of loose stools without consulting a specialist and examinations.

Causes of loose stools

Diarrhea in an adult can be caused by a variety of factors.

• Infectious diarrhea (the most common) is a consequence of the action of pathogenic bacteria (with dysentery, salmonellosis, cholera), viruses (rotavirus, enterovirus), protozoa (amebiasis) or helminths.
• Toxic diarrhea occurs against the background of poisoning with heavy metals, poisonous mushrooms or products of its own metabolism (for example, against the background of uremia in severe kidney disease).
• Drug-induced diarrhea - as a side effect of taking antibiotics, iron supplements, digitalis, some psychotropic drugs, with an overdose of laxatives.
• Gastrogenic liquid stool is observed against the background of gastritis with a reduced secretory function, stomach cancer, after resection of the stomach.
• Pancreatogenic - accompanies acute and chronic pancreatitis, cystic fibrosis, cancer of the pancreas.
• Hepathogenic diarrhea is associated with chronic liver diseases - hepatitis and cirrhosis.
• Hereditary and congenital deficiency of one or another enzyme leads to malabsorption in the small intestine and loose stools. Lactose deficiency is a variant of the norm and is manifested by diarrhea when eating dairy products.
• Removal of an extended fragment of the small intestine also disrupts the processes of normal absorption and leads to a thinning of the stool ("short bowel syndrome").
• Allergic reactions to food are reflected not only on the skin, but also on the mucous membrane of the gastrointestinal tract, causing diarrhea ("intestinal allergies").
• Inflammatory lesions of the large intestine change its motility, which is manifested by diarrhea (any colitis, irritable bowel syndrome).
• Colon tumors can cause liquefaction of stool or alternating diarrhea and constipation.
• Some endocrine pathologies lead to unpleasant symptoms - thyrotoxicosis, adrenal insufficiency, diabetes mellitus.
• Metabolic disorders (amyloidosis, hypovitaminosis) also prevent the formation of normal stools.
• Autoimmune diseases (scleroderma) can be accompanied by liquefaction of stool.
• Also, neurogenic diarrhea is distinguished against the background of neurological and mental diseases. A fairly common example is "bear disease" - episodes of loosening of the stool associated with short-term stress (before an exam, public speaking, etc.).

What can be loose stools

Feces for diarrhea can vary in color and consistency. This is very important for correct diagnosis and correct treatment.

• Black loose stools indicate that a sufficiently large amount of blood has been mixed. It is designated by a special term - melena. The appearance of such an alarming symptom requires urgent hospitalization, search for the source of bleeding and its elimination.
• Certain foods can also color the stool. Remember if you have consumed beets, prunes, dark berries, tomatoes, coffee, liver over the past two days.
• The black color of feces can be caused by the intake of iron, bismuth, activated carbon.
• Infectious diarrhea is usually very loose stools (like water), often frothy, and, with some bacterial infestations, green or yellow in color.
• With any inflammatory lesion of the colon, stools can be mucus and blood clots.
• With a disease of the pancreas, the feces are not only liquid, but also fatty - they shine and are poorly washed off the walls of the toilet bowl.
• Loose stools with foam occurs when carbohydrates are incompletely digested, for example, with the same lactase deficiency.

Infectious diarrhea is usually accompanied by nausea, vomiting, and fever within 37 - 38 ° C. In patients, the abdomen "twists", spastic pains are expressed in the umbilical (and with dysentery - in the left iliac) region. There is weakness and signs of intoxication of the body. Immediately after a meal, loose stools are excreted in cases of impaired motility or nervous regulation of the gastrointestinal tract.

A one-sided approach to treatment will not eliminate the cause of the disease. Therefore, there is no universal pill for loose stools. Each case must be correctly diagnosed. The doctor will prescribe a comprehensive treatment, and then the diarrhea will go away along with the underlying cause. However, there are basic postulates of stool thinning behavior.

1. Stick to your diet. In order not to overload the gastrointestinal tract, give up fried, fatty, spicy, salty foods and smoked meats. Avoid sugary drinks and soda. Limit dairy products. The menu should be thermally, chemically and mechanically gentle. This means that it is best to steam, boil or bake dishes. Porridge, mashed potatoes, soups are welcome. Do not eat dry food that is too hot or cold.
2. Organize a rational diet - in small portions, but often enough. In case of an infectious disease, eat according to your appetite.
3. Watch out for dehydration. Together with liquefied stool, the body loses a lot of water and salt. Their deficiency must be replenished with special solutions (Rehydron, Oralit). If it is impossible to drink the missing volume of fluid, intravenous administration of saline with the addition of potassium, calcium and other electrolytes is prescribed.
4. Reception of sorbents (Smekty, Polisorba, Enterosgel, activated carbon) will make trips to the toilet less frequent, since the drugs have a blocking effect. They, like a sponge, absorb toxins and fragments of microorganisms, therefore, they are especially successfully used for intestinal infections.
5. Enzymes are usually included in the treatment of diarrhea. Any breakdown of the gastrointestinal tract reduces the ability to digest and assimilate food. The administration of medicinal digestive substances helps to maintain the weakened function.

What to do with diarrhea?

If stool liquefaction is not an isolated episode, there is an admixture of blood, mucus, pus in the feces, they have changed their usual color, consult a doctor. Acute diarrhea may be a reason for emergency hospitalization in the infectious diseases department of the hospital. If you feel well, consult with a therapist or gastroenterologist, complete all the prescribed examinations.

If you develop loose stools, do not resort to folk methods. Self-medication is often not only useless, but also dangerous, as it delays the patient's request for qualified medical care. Every day of delay can threaten health and life.

Who doesn't know from TV commercials what to do if an adult has diarrhea? Drink a "magic" pill that will stop diarrhea instantly! However, any doctor will say that such "treatment" will not help at best, and harm at worst. Firstly, drugs for diarrhea do not work instantly, they only reduce, and secondly, the use of such drugs is contraindicated in a number of diseases. What to do when you suffer from loose stools?

Diarrhea is not a disease, but a symptom that indicates a malfunction in the gastrointestinal tract or in the body as a whole. Therefore, it is impossible to cure diarrhea without knowing what causes it. Diarrhea is the discharge of loose stools, both once and with an increased frequency of bowel movements. If such a violation disappears in 2-3 weeks, we are talking about acute diarrhea, more than 21 days - chronic.

In a normal state, the body of a healthy adult person releases 100 - 300 g of formalized feces daily or at another frequency that is comfortable for a particular gastrointestinal tract. Liquefaction and accelerated evacuation of stool occur due to a sharp increase in water content: with diarrhea, feces are 90% liquid. The amount of faeces suggests the etiology of diarrhea:

• disturbances of intestinal motility usually do not increase the daily volume of feces, it is excreted often, but in small portions;
• if the problem is in the absorption of substances by the intestinal wall, there is a significant increase in the volume of feces due to the mass of undigested food.

The main causes of loose stools in adults are:

Such diarrhea usually resolves in 3-4 days, and the person who is sick is likely to be able to associate the onset of diarrhea with previous events.

However, the causes of diarrhea in an adult can be more serious:

• infection with bacteria, viruses, protozoa (dysentery, salmonellosis, intestinal flu);
• inflammatory diseases of the digestive system (gastritis, hepatitis, ulcers);
• functional organ failure (deficiency of certain enzymes);
• diseases of the gastrointestinal tract of unknown etiology (Crohn's disease);
• toxic damage (lead poisoning, mercury).

In such cases, it is not enough just to stop the diarrhea: a diagnosis should be made and qualified treatment should be carried out, often in a hospital setting. As for the clinical manifestations of diarrhea, they may be mild. This applies to ordinary indigestion, when in addition to loose stools, abdominal cramping and dyspeptic symptoms (boiling, bloating,) can be observed.

In the case of food poisoning, weakness, fever, nausea and vomiting, refusal to eat, and fever may join the pain. Intestinal infections and viral diseases are accompanied by similar symptoms.

Symptoms of dehydration are warning signs that require immediate attention. Dry skin and mucous membranes, chapped lips, intense thirst, infrequent urination, dark urine occur with debilitating diarrhea, and this condition poses a great danger: the pulse rises, blood pressure drops, muscle cramps may begin.

What to do with diarrhea in an adult - first aid

In order to prevent dehydration, water and salts lost by the body must be compensated for with abundant drinking: it is best to take rehydrating solutions (Rehydron and analogues), in their absence, you can drink saline, salted water, chamomile tea. Prevention of dehydration should be started as soon as it becomes clear that loose stools are not an isolated case.

Especially if the diarrhea is profuse and persistent, has been going on for several days, accompanied by vomiting. It is necessary to pay attention to the presence of blood in the feces. It can appear with dysentery, ulcerative colitis,.

Depending on the established diagnosis, the doctor will select a specific treatment, but there are general rules that must be followed in any case of diarrhea. This is a dietary food, intake of adsorbent drugs, enzymes.

Diet for diarrhea in an adult

Eating habits obviously affect bowel movement. Many foods have an irritating effect on peristalsis, and should be forgotten about them with diarrhea until complete recovery. These are spices, raw vegetables, plums and other laxatives.

Some foods have a strengthening effect, so in the first few days of the diet, you need to limit yourself to the following set of dishes:

• wheat bread croutons;
• vegetable purees;
• slimy porridge;
• mashed meat and fish of lean varieties (steam, boiled);
• tea, blueberry jelly, bird cherry decoction, rice water.

You can start your diet with a "hungry" day: drink only strong sweet tea (8-10 cups during the day).

If diarrhea is caused by lactose, gluten intolerance, then diet is the main, and often the only, treatment factor. With these diseases, nutritional therapy is prescribed, completely excluding products containing milk sugar and cereal protein, gluten.

The diet is important: you need to eat often (every 3 hours) and in small portions.

The diet must be followed throughout the treatment and beyond, but after the first "tough" days, you can remove restrictions and expand the diet, adhering to the following principles:

Thus, we list the products that are prohibited:

• any fried meat;
• offal;
• saturated broths;
• fatty fish, cooked in any way, and lean fish, if it is fried, canned, smoked;
• milk, cream of high fat content;
• scrambled eggs, hard-boiled eggs;
• cabbage in any form, beets, spicy roots, turnips, radishes, cucumbers;
• canned vegetables;
• mushrooms;
• sour berries and fruits;
• pastries and bread;
• carbonated drinks, kvass, cold drinks.

What, then, can you eat with diarrhea in adults? Here is an approximate list of dishes from which it is recommended to compose a diet menu:

• steam cutlets from minced meat, meat puree (you can from "children's" jars), soufflé;
• boiled fish (such as pollock, cod), fish meatballs, steamed cutlets;
• cereals boiled in water, you can add a little milk, a piece of butter to the finished porridge;
• rice pudding;
• puree soups in vegetable or weak meat broth;
• boiled pasta;
• fermented milk drinks;
• fresh cottage cheese;
• omelet, soft-boiled eggs;
• boiled, baked or pureed vegetables: potatoes, pumpkin, zucchini, green beans;
• baked fruit, in compote, some fresh strawberries;
• jelly and mousse from berries and fruits;
• croutons from white bread, drying, biscuits like "Maria";
• water, tea, compote, cocoa without milk.

In addition to diet, it is important to organize the correct drinking regimen. The fluid entering the body should be several liters in volume in order to fully compensate for the loss of water with diarrhea.

Since micronutrients are washed out with loose stools, plain water is not very suitable for drinking. It is better to take glucose-salt drinks, which will replenish the loss of electrolytes, maintain normal blood sugar levels, in addition, salt contributes to fluid retention in the body.

There are special preparations for the preparation of rehydrating drinks, these are Regidron, Citroglucosolan, Gastrolit, but in their absence, you can prepare a liquid with your own hands, diluting it in a liter of water:

Instead of potassium chloride, you can pour a decoction of dried apricots, freshly squeezed orange juice into the solution. You need to drink in small portions, but constantly throughout the day.

Medicines for treating diarrhea in an adult

As an important piece of advice, it should be noted that diarrhea in an adult that has not passed in 3 days is a reason to see a doctor. Chronic diarrhea can be a sign of serious illness, even with some forms of cancer.

You should also see a doctor if the temperature with diarrhea rises above 38, signs that are uncharacteristic for indigestion or poisoning appear: rash, yellowness of the skin and eyes, discharge of dark urine, sleep disturbances. Constant excruciating abdominal pain should not be the norm (cramping pains before and during bowel movements are acceptable).

Black or green diarrhea, vomiting mixed with fresh or clotted (dark) blood, fainting, signs of severe dehydration indicate the criticality of the situation: it is necessary to urgently call an ambulance.