What is the medical definition of diarrhea?
What is the medical definition of diarrhea?
Diarrhea is loose, watery stools three or more times a day. Diarrhea may be acute, persistent, or chronic: Acute diarrhea is a common problem that typically lasts 1 or 2 days and goes away on its own. Persistent diarrhea lasts longer than 2 weeks and less than 4 weeks. Chronic diarrhea lasts at least 4 weeks.
What are the causes of Diarrhoea?
What Causes Diarrhea?
- Alcohol abuse.
- Allergies to certain foods.
- Diabetes.
- Diseases of the intestines (such as Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis)
- Eating foods that upset the digestive system.
- Infection by bacteria (the cause of most types of food poisoning) or other organisms.
- Laxative abuse.
- Medications.
What are the symptoms of Diarrhoea?
Signs and symptoms associated with diarrhea may include:
- Frequent loose, watery stools.
- Abdominal cramps.
- Abdominal pain.
- Fever.
- Bleeding.
- Lightheadedness or dizziness from dehydration.
What should you eat if you have diarrhea?
The BRAT diet. Here’s another bit of good advice from Mom for treating diarrhea – eat the BRAT diet: bananas, rice (white), applesauce and toast. When your health is good, physicians usually recommend whole-grain, high-fiber foods. But high-fiber foods could spell trouble when you have diarrhea.
What are the symptoms of diarrhoea?
Signs and symptoms associated with diarrhea may include: Loose, watery stools. Abdominal cramps. Abdominal pain. Fever. Blood in the stool. Bloating. Nausea.
What are the dangers of diarrhea?
The biggest danger from diarrhea is dehydration. With diarrhea there is an increased loss of water and electrolytes in the liquid stool. Dehydration can result when these losses are not replaced and a deficit of water and electrolytes develops.
What is the fastest way to stop diarrhea?
Over-the-counter medicine is one of the fastest ways to stop diarrhea. Try a medication such as Imodium, DiaClear, Kaopectate or Pepto-Bismol. However, they can cause side effects, such as headaches or nausea.