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What is Diarrhea?
Diarrheal disease is responsible for about 19 percent of child deaths among countries in the developing world with the highest child mortality. 1 Poor nutrition and inadequate sanitation and clean water make diarrheal disease a major source of mortality across all regions. These underlying causes are linked directly to poverty. Children are at greatest risk between the ages of about 6 to 11 months. As they are weaned, infants are exposed to unsafe food, water, and unsanitary surroundings. They begin to lose the protective effects of their mothers immunity and the immunological benefits of breast milk. Inadequate feeding practices may undermine their nutritional status. This is the period when growth curves often dip sharply. Proper nutrition, especially exclusive breastfeeding in the first six months and then continued breastfeeding through at least age two, is one of the most important interventions for the control of diarrheal disease. Infants under six months who are only partially breastfed are 8.6 times more likely to die from diarrhea than infants exclusively breastfed. 2 Continued and more frequent feeding during and after bouts of diarrhea is crucial for recovery. Attention to feeding can also stop the deadly synergy between under nutrition and repeated illnesses.
Three Types of Diarrhea: Acute watery diarrhea Dysentery (bloody diarrhea) Persistent diarrhea (lasting more than 14 days) Symptoms of Diarrhea 1. Loose or watery stools are the symptoms of diarrhea. 2. Blood stools can be symptoms of diarrhea. 3. Cramping is the symptoms of diarrhea. 4. Abdominal pain can be symptoms of diarrhea. 5. Nausea can be symptoms of diarrhea. 6. Bloating can be another symptom of diarrhea. 7. Dehydration can be the symptoms of diarrhea. 8. Dry mouth can be the symptoms of diarrhea. 9. Weariness in body can be symptoms of diarrhea.
Dehydration
Diarrhea can cause dehydration. Loss of electrolytes through dehydration affects the amount of water in the body, muscle activity, and other important functions. Dehydration is particularly dangerous in children, older adults, and people with weakened immune systems. Dehydration must be treated promptly to avoid serious health problems, such as organ damage, shock, or comaa sleeplike state in which a person is not conscious.
Signs of dehydration in adults include thirst less frequent urination than usual dark-colored urine dry skin fatigue dizziness light-headedness Signs of dehydration in infants and young children include
dry mouth and tongue no tears when crying no wet diapers for 3 hours or more sunken eyes, cheeks, or soft spot in the skull high fever listlessness or irritability
Viral infections. Many viruses cause diarrhea, including rotavirus, norovirus, cytomegalovirus, herpes simplex virus, and viral hepatitis. Infection with the rotavirus is the most common cause of acute diarrhea in children. Rotavirus diarrhea usually resolves in 3 to 7 days but can cause problems digesting lactose for up to a month or longer.
Parasites. Parasites can enter the body through food or water and settle in the digestive system. Parasites that cause diarrhea includeGiardia lamblia, Entamoeba histolytica, and Cryptosporidium. Functional bowel disorders. Diarrhea can be a symptom of irritable bowel syndrome.
Intestinal diseases. Inflammatory bowel disease, ulcerative colitis, Crohns disease, and celiac disease often lead to diarrhea. Food intolerances and sensitivities. Some people have difficulty digesting certain ingredients, such as lactose, the sugar found in milk and milk products. Some people may have diarrhea if they eat certain types of sugar substitutes in excessive quantities. Reaction to medicines. Antibiotics, cancer drugs, and antacids containing magnesium can all cause diarrhea.
Foods to Avoid During Diarrhea 1. Avoid Fruit Juices during diarrhea. 2. Avoid Peas during diarrhea. 3. Avoid Pears during diarrhea. 4. Avoid Plumbs during diarrhea. 5. Avoid Apricots during diarrhea. 6. Avoid Prunes during diarrhea. 7. Avoid Peaches during diarrhea. Mode of Transmission Ingestion of contaminated food and water. Signs and Symptoms Passage of watery stools at least 3x a day. Excessive thirst. Sunken eyeballs and fontanel.
Immediate Treatment: Give Oral Rehydration Solution (ORESOL), rice soup (am) to replace lost body fluid. Continue feeding.
Also, when people are dehydrated, their skin does not flatten back to normal right away after being gently pinched and released. Anyone with signs of dehydration should see a health care provider immediately. Severe dehydration may require hospitalization. Although drinking plenty of water is important in preventing dehydration, water does not contain electrolytes. Adults can prevent dehydration by
also drinking liquids that contain electrolytes, such as fruit juices, sports
drinks, caffeine-free soft drinks, and broths. Children with diarrhea should be given oral rehydration solutions such as Pedialyte, Naturalyte, Infalyte, and CeraLyte to prevent dehydration.
If children have diarrhea, parents or caregivers should not hesitate to call a health care provider for advice. Diarrhea is especially dangerous in newborns and infants, leading to severe dehydration in just a day or two. Children can die from dehydration within a day.
Stool culture. A sample of stool is analyzed in a laboratory to check for bacteria, parasites, or other signs of disease and infection.
Blood tests. Blood tests can be helpful in ruling out certain diseases.