Everyone, even a healthy person, has experienced diarrhea, or diarrhea. The reasons for its appearance are a huge number, starting with incompatible food products and ending with very serious infections.
In this article, we will not consider severe infections accompanied by painful diarrhea, such as cholera and others. This is a separate topic.
Watery diarrhea
Watery diarrhea occurs when the small intestine is involved in the pathological process. This may be the situation when poisoning by poor-quality food products or acute intestinal infections occurred.
Sometimes the number of pathogenic bacteria in the intestines can be very small. It is not the bacteria themselves that are dangerous, but the products of their vital activity, the toxins that they secrete.
In the cold season, watery stools are sometimes due to a number of viruses that are active in the winter. These are the so-called rotavirus infections, which are very easy to get.
What is the danger of diarrhea with water?
Diarrhea can conditionally be divided into watery stools without pathological impurities, such as blood, and diarrhea with streaks of blood. If blood appears in the intestinal fluid, this is a signal to seek medical help, as the causes of this symptom can be very serious: intestinal bleeding, hemorrhoidal bleeding, or serious bacterial infection. All these conditions can threaten the patient's life. But this also needs to be discussed separately.
So, if there is diarrhea in an adult, treatment should be immediate. It should be noted that with watery stools there is a large loss of water, and if this process is also accompanied by vomiting, then we can talk about dehydration, and it can occur very quickly if emergency measures are not taken.
The human body normally contains about 85-90% of water. More specifically, the brain, muscles and heart contain approximately 76% of the fluid, blood - 84%, and only the human skeleton consists of 15-20% of water. From this we can understand how important water is to humans. Each cell of our body consists of water, and with a lack of fluid, all systems and organs will suffer. In addition, with diarrhea, a huge amount of minerals that are so needed by the body are released along with water.
For a small child, loss of 10% of body weight with watery diarrhea is fatal. If the child weighs 5 kg, then the loss of 500 ml of liquid for him will be fatal. For adults, losing 10% of their body weight in a short time is more problematic, because their weight is much greater, so they have time to make a decision. The most dangerous dehydration (dehydration) for children and the elderly. Diarrhea in an adult - what to do? Of course, a treat.
Diarrhea is not a diagnosis, but a symptom. To choose the right treatment tactics, you need to establish the true cause of loose stools. Even if loose stools occur in an adult 2-3 times a day, which does not pose a threat to his life, all the same, over time (if it lasts several days), the body will be greatly depleted and the water-salt balance will be disturbed. It will take much more time to recover than the illness lasted. If an adult has diarrhea, treatment is necessary, especially if an elderly person suffers from this symptom.
Causes of Diarrhea
Diarrhea is a kind of protective reaction to the introduction of pathogenic microorganisms, viruses and bacteria. Thus, the body itself is protected from the harmful effects of pathogenic microflora and carries out its detoxification. But if this condition does not go away within a few hours, help is needed. Especially if there is fever and diarrhea, treatment in this case is necessary. Hyperthermia (fever) may indicate general intoxication of the body. This condition requires an appropriate attitude. You can’t let everything go by itself. Some people think that diarrhea is not really a disease. Diarrhea still needs to be treated if it lasts more than one day. So you can rid the body of serious consequences.
In case the patient complains of diarrhea, abdominal pain, treatment is also necessary. Pain is a serious symptom that can indicate a serious illness, such as pancreatitis, hepatitis, cholelithiasis, or appendicitis. If there is pain with diarrhea, then it is necessary to see a doctor. In some of these situations, surgical care is needed.
There are other causes of diarrhea:
- dyspeptic is the most common cause of diarrhea, it can occur due to insufficient secretion of the stomach, improper functioning of the glands and, as a result, improper digestion of the absorbed food;
- infectious - can be caused by dysentery bacillus, various intestinal viruses, amoeba and food toxins;
- Alimentary is an allergic reaction to food;
- toxic - poisoning by poisons and toxic substances, such as arsenic or mercury;
- medication - caused by side effects of medications, for example, some antibiotics in the intestines kill not only pathogenic flora, but also useful, thereby causing diarrhea;
- neurogenic - can be caused by strong feelings or fear, this diarrhea is also called "bear disease".
Diarrhea in an adult. What to do?
Patients tolerate diarrhea in different ways, it depends on the individual characteristics of the body. So, for example, loose stools in some 2-3 times a day cause weakness and poor health, while in others diarrhea 5-6 times a day does not cause negative consequences.
If diarrhea lasts for a short time, it usually does not cause negative consequences and passes without much harm to health. If diarrhea lasts a long time and is accompanied by bloating, rumbling, false urge to defecate (tenesmus), nausea, vomiting, heartburn and causes severe weakness (exhaustion of the body), then this condition requires urgent medical attention. Often patients with such symptoms are hospitalized.
With any nature of diarrhea, a sufficient amount of liquid is necessary. Compliance with the drinking regime can protect against negative consequences and maintain the patient's body in good shape.
It is better to drink mineral water without gas in it; it will help maintain the water-salt balance. If prolonged diarrhea is observed in an adult, treatment is necessary. If home treatment does not help, and diarrhea does not go away within a few days, this is a serious reason to seek help from a medical institution. If severe diarrhea develops, the doctor will determine the causes and treatment.
Diet for diarrhea
A sparing diet for diarrhea, regardless of the reasons that caused it, is necessary. To improve the condition and the disappearance of symptoms of intoxication, you must follow a diet.
The following products are allowed:
- cereals on the water;
- jelly;
- non-greasy boiled or steamed meat;
- steam cutlets;
- boiled fish or steamed.
Prohibited Products:
- fatty dishes;
- fried foods;
- sweets;
- spicy dishes;
- pickled foods;
- any canned food;
- carbonated drinks;
- coffee;
- too strong tea;
- any alcohol.
After the disappearance of diarrhea and improvement of the diet, you need to adhere to a few more days, at least during the week. Little by little adding other previously forbidden foods to the diet, the weakened body is prepared for the usual diet. You can’t immediately return to your usual diet. A sharp return to the menu of the wrong dish can upset the fragile and unstable balance after an illness.
Diarrhea: causes and treatment
Treatment of diarrhea directly depends on the cause that caused it. What are the most effective diarrhea medications? We will talk about this in this section.
First of all, do not treat any diarrhea with antibiotics. This is done only in severe cases, for example, if the cause of the pathological process really poses a serious danger. This applies to diseases such as salmonellosis or cholera. In this case, the patient should be hospitalized, and further treatment he will undergo strict supervision of doctors. If diarrhea is observed in an adult, treatment should be aimed at preventing dehydration and restoring the water-salt balance. For these purposes, suitable solutions such as "Regidron" or "Oralit", you can also drink mineral water without gas.
Solutions are taken after each stool for half a glass. In addition, you should drink at least 4 glasses of one of these drugs within 12 hours.
Diarrhea Medicines
Diarrhea medication is not a panacea at all. In the treatment of diarrhea, a number of measures should be considered. The most important of which, as already mentioned, is the fight against dehydration. Consider the medicines for diarrhea in adults, which are used most often.
All of them are divided into several pharmacological groups:
- sulfonamide preparations ("Phthalazole");
- antibiotics (tablets "Levomycetin", "Tetracycline");
- nitrofurans (drug "Furazolidone");
- antimicrobial agents (Enterofuril, Sulgin);
- antifungal (means "Intetriks") - are used for amoebic dysentery ;
- enterosorbents (activated carbon);
- antiviral drugs.
Consider the most famous remedies for diarrhea in adults. In which case is it advisable to take this or that drug?
Activated charcoal for diarrhea
What to give from diarrhea to an adult? Enterosorbents are a group of drugs that have an absorbent and enveloping effect. Treatment should begin with activated charcoal. Sometimes this is enough. These diarrhea tablets in adults (and children) are not absorbed in the intestines.
Activated carbon is taken at the rate of one tablet per 10 kg of patient weight. So, if the patient weighs 60 kg, then, accordingly, he should take 6 tablets and drink plenty of water.
Activated carbon absorbs all harmful toxins, bacteria and viruses, and also binds water and covers the intestinal wall with a protective layer. After that, it is excreted naturally. It should be noted that after taking the tablets of this drug, the stool will be black. This should not be scared. If diarrhea occurred due to poor-quality products, then activated carbon in most cases is enough for treatment.
The drug "Phthalazole" for diarrhea
This drug of the sulfanilamide group is most appropriate for infectious types of diarrhea (dysentery, enterocolitis and colitis of an infectious nature). Taking the drug "Phthalazole" for allergic diarrhea and normal indigestion will be ineffective. Its effect is noticeable only on 2-3 days, when the growth of pathogenic microflora under the influence of the drug will be stopped.
Means "Imodium" for diarrhea
The drug "Imodium" (its other name is "Suprelol", "Lopedium" and "Loperamide") begins its action within the first 40-60 minutes. This drug is effective for diarrhea caused by low-quality products, as well as irritable bowel syndrome and in the initial stages of infectious diarrhea. It helps a lot with frequent urge to vomit. This drug is convenient to take with you on the road. Diarrhea is a frequent travel companion.
Treatment with Loperamide and Simethicone
This is a new generation drug, it is a combined remedy for diarrhea "Imodium plus" and includes the so-called antifoam - simethicone. This substance eliminates bloating and adsorbs unnecessary intestinal gases. Thanks to him, spastic pain and a feeling of fullness of the intestine disappear. These are adult diarrhea chewable tablets. Children under 12 years old are not recommended.
Natural remedies for diarrhea
These include drugs such as Smecta and Kaopektat. These drugs are used for intestinal disorders caused by rotavirus infections. It should be noted that the drug "Kaopektat" is contraindicated in childhood.
These drugs belong to the group of enterosorbents, they gradually reduce the frequency of going to the toilet, and also relieve bloating and rumbling in the stomach.
Linex tablets for diarrhea
This tool contains beneficial microflora and has a positive effect on the entire digestive tract. It includes 3 types of positive microflora:
- lactobacilli - positively affect the work of the small intestine;
- enterococci - have a similar effect and help the small intestine function properly;
- bifidobacteria - actively work in the large intestine.
Folk remedies for diarrhea
Traditional medicine knows many ways to treat such an ailment as diarrhea. Folk remedies for treating diarrhea have been tested for centuries.
- A decoction of pomegranate peels is considered an effective remedy for intestinal disorders. To prepare the medicine, you need to take a well-washed peel of one fruit and pour a glass of cold water. Boil over low heat for 10 minutes, cool and strain. Take this tool every two hours for 2 tbsp. spoons.
- Alternative treatment for diarrhea involves the use of rice broth. Taking this remedy every 20-30 minutes for 3-4 hours will relieve bloating and stop diarrhea.
- Wormwood will help cope with diarrhea. But with this tool you need to be careful: do not exceed the dosage and do not use for too long. To prepare the medicine, 1 teaspoon of dry grass should be poured with one glass of boiling water and insisted for half an hour. Take the medicine 30 minutes before eating 1 tbsp. spoon.
- A very strong folk remedy for diarrhea using alcohol infusion of walnut partition walls has been known for a long time. It must be taken without exceeding the permissible dose (5-6 drops), otherwise it can provoke a reverse reaction - constipation. As soon as the number of trips to the toilet decreases, you need to reduce the dosage to 2-3 drops. It is clear that it is possible to use alcohol tinctures inside for treatment only for adults. To prepare the drug take 1 tbsp. a spoonful of ground walnut partitions and pour one glass of vodka. Insist in the dark for 5-7 days. This product is prepared for future use and stored in the refrigerator. It is recommended that this medicine be always at hand for those who are prone to frequent bowel disorders.
Conclusion
With such an ailment as diarrhea, folk remedies can be very effective. Whatever the nature of the origin of diarrhea, this fact must be taken seriously. If you can’t cope with an upset bowel on your own, and besides, pain or an increase in body temperature joins, in this case you need to seek medical help. This is especially true for elderly citizens, as their dehydration occurs much earlier than that of young people in their prime.