Diarrhea

JennyUKGB

How to cure Diarrhea. (How to Stop Diarrhea): In many cases of diarrhea, replacing lost fluid and salts is the only treatment needed. Adults should consume broth, soup, fruit juices, soft fruits, or vegetables. Children should drink a special liquid that has all the nutrients they need. These solutions are sold without a prescription in grocery stores or drugstores. Pedialyte, Ceralyte, or Infalyte are some examples. Taking medicine to stop diarrhea can be helpful in some cases. Medicines that are available without a doctor's prescription include loperamide (Imodium) and bismuth subsalicylate (Pepto Bismol and Kaopectate). Stop taking these medicines if symptoms get worse or if diarrhea lasts more than 2 days. If a particular food or medicine is the cause, you should avoid it. Also, while you are waiting for the diarrhea to end, you should avoid foods that can make it worse: milk and milk products, such as ice cream or cheese high-fat or greasy foods, such as fried foods foods that have a lot of fiber, such as citrus fruits very sweet foods, such as cakes and cookies As you feel better, begin eating soft, bland food, such as bananas, plain rice, boiled potatoes, toast, crackers, cooked carrots, and baked chicken without the skin or fat. Children can eat bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast (sometimes called the BRAT diet). People who are visiting other countries and eat food or drink water contaminated by bacteria, viruses, or parasites can develop traveler's diarrhea. You can prevent it by being careful: Avoid drinking tap water or using ice cubes made from tap water. Avoid drinking unpasteurized milk or eating dairy products made from it. Avoid eating raw fruits and vegetables unless they can be peeled and you peel them yourself. Do not eat raw or rare meat or fish. Do not eat meat or shellfish that is not hot when served to you. Do not eat food sold by street vendors. You can safely drink bottled water, carbonated soft drinks, and hot drinks like coffee or tea. Diarrhea is a common problem. Diarrhea is caused by bacteria, viruses, parasites, some foods or medicines, or diseases that affect the digestive system. Diarrhea is dangerous if you become dehydrated. Replacing lost fluids is the main treatment for diarrhea. Talk to a doctor if you have strong pain in the abdomen or rectum, a fever, blood in your stool, signs of dehydration, or severe diarrhea for more than 3 days (1 day in the case of children). If you are worried call a doctor! In the UK you can get in touch with NHS Direct. In the US try American College of Gastroenterology 4900–B South 31st Street Arlington, VA 22206–1656 Phone: 703–820–7400 Fax: 703–931–4520 Internet: www.acg.gi.org Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 1600 Clifton Road NE. Mail Stop G37 Atlanta, GA 30333 Phone: 404–371–5900 Fax: 404–371–5488 Internet: www.cdc.gov International Foundation for Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders P.O. Box 170864 Milwaukee, WI 53217 Phone: 1–888–964–2001 or 414–964–1799 Fax: 414–964–7176 Email: iffgd@iffgd.org Internet: www.iffgd.org North American Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition P.O. Box 6 Flourtown, PA 19031 Phone: 215–233–0808 Fax: 215–233–3939 Email: naspghan@naspghan.org Internet: www.naspghan.org

JennyUKGB

Diarrhea and Kids Children can have acute and chronic forms of diarrhea. Causes include bacteria, viruses, parasites, medications, functional bowel disorders, and food sensitivities. Infection with the rotavirus is the most common cause of acute childhood diarrhea. Rotavirus diarrhea usually resolves in 3 to 9 days. Children who are 6 to 32 weeks old can be vaccinated against the virus with a vaccine called Rotateq. If your child has diarrhea, do not hesitate to call the doctor for advice. Diarrhea is especially dangerous in newborns and infants, leading to dehydration in just a day or two. A child can die from dehydration within a few days. The main treatment for diarrhea in children is rehydration to replace lost fluid quickly. Take your child to the doctor if there is no improvement after 24 hours or if any of the following symptoms appear: stools containing blood or pus black stools a temperature above 102 degrees signs of dehydration Medications to treat diarrhea in adults can be dangerous for children and should only be given with a doctor’s guidance. Be careful - a child with diarrhea can get dehydrated

JennyUKGB

What is diarrhea? Diarrhea is loose, watery stools. A person with diarrhea typically passes stool more than three times a day. People with diarrhea may pass more than a quart of stool a day. Acute diarrhea is a common problem that usually lasts 1 or 2 days and goes away on its own without special treatment. Prolonged diarrhea persisting for more than 2 days may be a sign of a more serious problem and poses the risk of dehydration. Chronic diarrhea may be a feature of a chronic disease. Diarrhea can cause dehydration, which means the body lacks enough fluid to function properly. Dehydration is particularly dangerous in children and older people, and it must be treated promptly to avoid serious health problems. See Dehydration. People of all ages can get diarrhea and the average adult has a bout of acute diarrhea about four times a year. In the United States, each child will have had seven to 15 episodes of diarrhea by age 5. What causes diarrhea? Acute diarrhea is usually related to a bacterial, viral, or parasitic infection. Chronic diarrhea is usually related to functional disorders such as irritable bowel syndrome or inflammatory bowel disease. A few of the more common causes of diarrhea include the following: Bacterial infections. Several types of bacteria consumed through contaminated food or water can cause diarrhea. Common culprits include Campylobacter, Salmonella, Shigella, and Escherichia coli (E. coli). Viral infections. Many viruses cause diarrhea, including rotavirus, Norwalk virus, cytomegalovirus, herpes simplex virus, and viral hepatitis. Food intolerances. Some people are unable to digest food components such as artificial sweeteners and lactose—the sugar found in milk. Parasites. Parasites can enter the body through food or water and settle in the digestive system. Parasites that cause diarrhea include Giardia lamblia, Entamoeba histolytica, and Cryptosporidium. Reaction to medicines. Antibiotics, blood pressure medications, cancer drugs, and antacids containing magnesium can all cause diarrhea. Intestinal diseases. Inflammatory bowel disease, colitis, Crohn’s disease, and celiac disease often lead to diarrhea. Functional bowel disorders. Diarrhea can be a symptom of irritable bowel syndrome. Some people develop diarrhea after stomach surgery or removal of the gallbladder. The reason may be a change in how quickly food moves through the digestive system after stomach surgery or an increase in bile in the colon after gallbladder surgery. People who visit foreign countries are at risk for traveler’s diarrhea, which is caused by eating food or drinking water contaminated with bacteria, viruses, or parasites. Traveler’s diarrhea can be a problem for people visiting developing countries. Visitors to the United States, Canada, most European countries, Japan, Australia, and New Zealand do not face much risk for traveler’s diarrhea. See Preventing Traveler’s Diarrhea. In many cases, the cause of diarrhea cannot be found. As long as diarrhea goes away on its own, an extensive search for the cause is not usually necessary. Diarrhea may be accompanied by cramping, abdominal pain, bloating, nausea, or an urgent need to use the bathroom. Depending on the cause, a person may have a fever or bloody stools.

JennyUKGB

Are there any natural cures for diarrhea? Diarrhea is an increase in the water content of the feces, accompanied by bloating and an increased frequency of bowel movements. Diarrhea is often a necessary life process, used to quickly eject toxins that have been consumed, before the body absorbs them. Diarrhea is a sign of a functioning immune system and should only be treated if absolutely necessary. If the diarrhea contains blood, the patient should seek emergency health care immediately. Otherwise, the main concern when one suffers from diarrhea is dehydration. Because an excess of fluid is being ejected from the body, water and salts must be replenished. It is important to drink water that has been infused with salts or electrolytes. This will help to restore a balance of fluids to the body. While most of the time the best cure for diarrhea is patience, there are times when stopping the diarrhea is crucial. If dehydration is a serious risk, then diarrhea must be stopped immediately. If potable water is not readily accessible, then dehydration must be prevented at all costs. Diarrhea may be easily cut short with charcoal. Charcoal accomplishes the same thing as most over-the-counter diarrhea treatments. By eating a small amount of charcoal, you are allowing the fluids in your stomach to be absorbed, thus slowing their flow out of your body. Herbs Herbs such as quercitin, chamomile and marshmallow root are swelling reducers and can be made into teas. Teas are made by adding approximately one teaspoon of herb per one cup of water. The patient should drink this mixture three to four times each day while suffering from diarrhea. Herbs such as barberry, licorice root and goldenseal are infection fighters, and may be able to get to the root of the cause of the diarrhea. Some diarrhea-absorbing herbs include carob powder, blackberry leaf and slippery elm powder. These substances work in much the same way as charcoal. Homeopathy The following are a few examples of many of the homeopathic remedies meant for diarrhea, and the specific types of diarrhea they are meant to cure: Arsenicum album — Especially for “traveler's diarrhea,” diarrhea which is especially strong-smelling and accompanied by a burning sensation in the stomach and around the anus. This may also be used preventatively while traveling. Chamomilla — Recommended for children and those with green, frothy diarrhea. Pulsatilla — Meant for the diarrhea that accompanies the consumption of too much fruit or rich, greasy food; stools are green in infants and of changing consistencies in older children. Other Remedies Acupuncturists may offer relief from lasting diarrhea and a simplified diet rich in complex carbohydrates can help the condition as well. Those who are wary of Western medicine may be surprised to find that over the counter diarrhea medications are merely sulfates. Whenever possible it is best to allow diarrhea to run its natural course. You can drink apple cider too .. or flat coke.

father has emphysema and scrotal hernia but has very frequent diarrhea just started and weight loss. would these all be connected