Diarrhea is the condition of having at least three loose or liquid bowel movements each day. It often lasts for a few days and can result in dehydration due to fluid loss. Signs of dehydration often begin with loss of the normal stretchiness of the skin and changes in personality. This can progress to decreased urination, loss of skin color, a fast heart rate, and a decrease in responsiveness as it becomes more severe.The most common cause is an infection of the intestines due to either a virus, bacteria, or parasite; a condition known as gastroenteritis. These infections are often acquired from food or water that has been contaminated by stool, or directly from another person who is infected. It may be divided into three types: short duration watery diarrhea, short duration bloody diarrhea, and if it lasts for more than two weeks, persistent diarrhea. The short duration watery diarrhea may be due to an infection by cholera, although this is rare in the developed world. If blood is present it is also known as dysentery.
SYMPTOMS
- An urgent feeling that you need to have a bowel movement
- Thin or loose stools
- Watery stool
- Nausea and vomiting
- Bloating in your belly
- Cramps
- Blood, mucus, or undigested food in the stool
- Weight loss
- Fever
CAUSES
Usually, diarrhea is caused by a virus that infects the gut. Some people call it "intestinal flu" or "stomach flu." It can also happen due to:
- 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
- Overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism)
- Radiation therapy
- Running (Some people get “runner’s diarrhea”)
- Some cancers
- Surgery on your digestive system
- Trouble absorbing some nutrients (Doctors call this “malabsorption.”)
No comments:
Post a Comment