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Overview of Diarrhoea: Symptoms, causes, and treatment
Dr. Ajay KohliDec 11, 2024
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We've all experienced the discomfort of diarrhoea. While it's usually a temporary inconvenience, persistent symptoms can signal a more serious problem. Let's explore the causes, complications, and treatment options for this common ailment.
Contents
What is Diarrhoea?
One is said to have diarrhoea if they pass watery and loose stools more than three times a day. Normally, diarrhoea resolves on its own in a few days. However, if it persists, it may be due to a more serious underlying cause, such as Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Gastroenteritis, or Celiac Disease.
Types of Diarrhoea
Diarrhoea can be categorised by its duration and the factors causing it. These types help identify the signs and symptoms of diarrhoea, which is essential for proper diagnosis and treatment. These are:
Acute Diarrhoea
Acute diarrhoea is a common short-term condition characterised by frequent, loose stools. It typically lasts for a few days and often resolves on its own. The most common causes of acute diarrhoea include viral infections (such as norovirus and rotavirus), bacterial infections (like Salmonella, E. coli, and Campylobacter), and food poisoning. Symptoms of acute diarrhoea may include abdominal cramps, nausea, vomiting, and fever.
Persistent Diarrhoea
Persistent diarrhoea is a longer-lasting condition that continues for 2-4 weeks. It can be caused by various factors, including bacterial or parasitic infections, inflammatory bowel diseases (such as Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis), food intolerance, and certain medications. Symptoms of persistent diarrhoea may include frequent loose stools, abdominal pain, weight loss, and fatigue.
Chronic Diarrhoea
Chronic diarrhoea is a long-term condition that lasts for more than 4 weeks. It can be caused by a variety of underlying medical conditions, including inflammatory bowel diseases, irritable bowel syndrome, celiac disease, and malabsorption syndromes. Symptoms of chronic diarrhoea may include persistent loose stools, rectal urgency, abdominal pain, weight loss, and malnutrition.
Traveller's Diarrhoea
Traveller's diarrhoea is a common condition affecting people who travel to regions with different sanitation standards. Bacterial or viral infections often cause it and typically result in watery stools, abdominal cramps, and nausea. Prevention strategies include practising good hygiene, avoiding contaminated food and water, and considering prophylactic antibiotics in high-risk areas.
Signs and Symptoms of Diarrhoea
People may have just Diarrhoea, or this may be accompanied by the following symptoms.
Bloating
Vomiting
Stomach aches or abdominal cramps
Mucus in stools
Diarrhoea is the main symptom of gastrointestinal infections. In such cases, diarrhoea signs and symptoms may include fever, fatigue, and light-headedness. If diarrhoea is left untreated, it can lead to complications like dehydration and malabsorption, often linked to danger signs of diarrhoea that require immediate medical attention.
What Causes Diarrhoea?
The most common cause of diarrhoea is viral gastroenteritis. Other diarrhoea causes include:
Bacterial and parasitic infections
Toxins in food
Consuming food items that upset the digestive system
Food allergies (lactose intolerance, gluten intolerance)
Certain medications, such as antibiotics and antacids
Digestive system disorders such as Irritable Bowel Disease, Crohn's Disease, and Ulcerative Colitis
Radiation therapy
Malabsorption syndrome
Abdominal surgeries like appendectomy and gallbladder surgery
Treatment for Diarrhoea
Acute diarrhoea can be treated with over-the-counter medications like loperamide and bismuth salicylate. These medications, however, are not recommended for people who have blood in the stools and/or fever. These symptoms may indicate infection. If diarrhoea lasts for more than 2 days, you must consult a doctor.
If your diarrhoea persists longer, your doctor may recommend treatments based on the underlying cause. For instance, loose motion causes such as infections can be treated with antibiotics or anti-parasitic medications. Here’s an overview of possible treatments:
Antibiotics and anti-parasitics: If diarrhoea is caused by an underlying infection, your doctor may recommend antimicrobial drugs to treat the infection.
Oral rehydration solution: If you have dehydration and/or electrolyte imbalance, you may be advised to take ORS solution.
Probiotics: Probiotics can help improve gut health and thus, treat diarrhoea.
Diagnosis of Diarrhoea
Your doctor would take a detailed history of your health condition to determine the severity of Diarrhoea and its probable causes. Your doctor may ask the following questions.
How long have you had Diarrhoea?
How often do you pass stools?
Do you experience any other symptoms?
Do you find any colour changes in your stools?
What are the other health problems you have?
What medications are you taking?
Are you allergic to any kind of food?
Have you recently travelled anywhere abroad? (to check for Traveller’s Diarrhoea)
During the physical examination, your doctor would check your vital signs and signs of dehydration, assess your abdomen for abdominal tenderness and check abdominal sounds.
To confirm the underlying cause of Diarrhoea, your doctor might recommend one or more of the following tests.
Stool tests: These tests are helpful to determine gastrointestinal health. Stool culture can be ordered to check for infections in the gastrointestinal system.
Colonoscopy: In this test, a long tube with a light source and camera fit at the end, is inserted into the colon through the rectum. This helps to check for abnormalities in the wall of the colon. This test also allows the collection of a small sample of the colon tissue for histopathological testing.
Blood tests: Blood tests are useful to check for abnormalities in the electrolyte and micronutrient levels which may indicate complications such as dehydration and malabsorption.
Fasting tests: Your doctor may ask you to avoid certain foods such as dairy and gluten rich foods to check if you have food intolerance and your Diarrhoea responds to change in diet.
How can I Prevent Diarrhoea?
Following these measures, you can prevent Diarrhoea.
Wash hands often with mild soap
Sanitise hands frequently using alcohol-based sanitisers
Cook food in a clean and safe way
Avoid eating out as much as possible, especially from street vendors and food trucks
Clean fruits and vegetables well before consuming them raw
Avoid eating uncooked meat
When you are travelling, follow these measures to prevent Travellers’ Diarrhoea.
Do not drink or brush your teeth with tap water
Only drink pasteurised milk
Conclusion
By understanding how diarrhoea is caused, individuals can better manage and address the condition. From infections and food intolerances to more serious health issues, pinpointing the root cause is essential for selecting the right treatment. Whether the solution lies in rehydration, medications, or dietary adjustments, addressing the symptoms promptly can prevent complications like dehydration. It's important to stay informed about the signs and seek medical advice when necessary, as the right approach can significantly speed up recovery and reduce the risk of ongoing health problems.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here’s a list of common queries related to Diarrhoea.
When do I need to go to a doctor for Diarrhoea?
You should consult a doctor if
you have Diarrhoea for more than 2 days
you have blood in your stools
you show signs of dehydration
you have fever over 102-degree Fahrenheit
you have severe abdominal pain
you have passed stools more than 6 times in 1 day
you are frequently vomiting
How do antibiotics cause Diarrhoea?
Antibiotics like Clindamycin and Erythromycin interfere with the gut bacteria. They harm beneficial bacteria and may favour growth of bad bacteria. This may lead to Diarrhoea.
How do I know if I am dehydrated?
Dehydration is a common complication of diarrhoea. If you feel thirsty all the time, have a dry mouth, pause dark-coloured urine, have a reduced frequency of urination, feel fatigued and have dry skin, you are probably dehydrated. Any person suffering from diarrhoea must increase their water intake to prevent dehydration.
How do I know if I have malabsorption?
Reduced appetite, bloating and passing gas, passing greasy and foul-smelling stools indicate that you may have malabsorption. If you experience such symptoms, please contact your doctor.
What should I avoid eating when I have Diarrhoea?
When you have diarrhoea, you should avoid taking caffeinated drinks, alcohol, spicy foods, dairy products, foods rich in sugar, oily and greasy foods, and beverages containing artificial sugar.
References
Disclaimer: The content on this page is generic and shared only for informational and explanatory purposes. Please consult a doctor before making any health-related decisions.
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