Often functional diarrhea appears due to the appearance of disorders associated with the functioning of the intestine. Because of this, there is a frequent desire to empty oneself. Feces become fluid, and the urge to defecate is much more frequent (about 4 times a day).
This type of diarrhea is not a separate disease, but nevertheless unpleasant symptoms interfere with a healthy and fulfilling lifestyle. This indicates a malfunction of the digestive organ.
Signs of the disease
Diagnosis of the disease is not entirely simple, since the signs tend to change depending on the form of diarrhea. For example, a functional type may manifest as diarrhea or a combination with constipation. As medical practice shows, most often the first symptoms of diarrhea are:
- loose and plentiful stools;
- bowel movement more often 6 times a day;
- lack of pain in the abdomen;
- aches in the bones;
- drawing pains in the lower back;
- migraine headaches;
- after going to the toilet there is a feeling of incomplete emptying.
Long-term functional diarrhea can develop without visible improvement or worsening throughout the year. During this period, a person becomes restless, as this affects his emotional background. Depression and irritability may appear.
Often the cause of the disease is stress or anxiety. Experts believe that such a disorder appears mainly in women who are over 30 years old.
Even considering the fact that this problem is one of the most common, the doctor is not always able to determine the causes of functional diarrhea.
The main reason for the appearance
Among the most common causes of diarrhea, there is an increased sensitivity of the nerve ending in the anus, as a result of which fecal pressure provokes a rapid release of the latter from the body. Mental disorders and disturbances in the functioning of the nervous system can cause prolonged diarrhea. The reason may be both the defense of a diploma, and an important interview. In the human body, everything interacts. Therefore, experiences badly affect the functioning of the entire digestive system.
Doctors believe that such a disorder can be inherited. If a mother or father experiences this feeling during stress, then it is likely that children will have functional diarrhea. Symptoms may not appear at an early stage of development, so it is impossible to find out the diagnosis without consulting a doctor.
Provocative factors
There are several factors that can cause functional diarrhea. These include:
- Disorders in the intestinal microflora. When there is a shortage of necessary substances and living organisms, while there is a large number of harmful bacteria, food cannot be properly absorbed and is immediately excreted in the form of feces.
- Poor or spoiled food.
- Serious diseases of the gastrointestinal tract.
- An overdose of tablets or side effects of drugs.
Taking antibiotics or other potent drugs most often adversely affects beneficial microorganisms. For this reason, while taking an antibiotic, doctors recommend eating a balanced diet and taking vitamins, as well as prebiotics.
In frequent cases, functional diarrhea in children appears for the following reasons:
- Violations in diet. When a lot of fiber is present in the diet, it can cause acute diarrhea. It is important to adhere to the basic rules for the introduction of complementary foods, otherwise the child may have stomach problems. During breastfeeding, it is important that the mother follows a diet. If certain foods cause an allergic reaction, it is necessary to exclude them in order to normalize digestion.
- One of the first symptoms of teething is diarrhea.
- Medications. Some antibiotics and anti-inflammatory drugs can cause diarrhea.
Acute intestinal infection is one of the most common causes of diarrhea. The causative agent may be a virus, bacterium, fungus or parasites. Therefore, it is necessary to thoroughly wash fruits and vegetables before eating, monitor the cleanliness of the child's hands.
Varieties of diarrhea
There are several main varieties due to various diseases. Among them are:
- secretory (intestinal infections, small bowel syndrome, Whipple's disease);
- exudative (celiac disease, disaccharidase deficiency, chronic pancreatitis);
- osmolar (inflammatory bowel disease);
- hyperkinetic (irritable bowel syndrome).
With functional diarrhea running, the medication is prescribed by the attending physician in a hospital setting.
Diagnostics
If functional diarrhea lasts more than a day, you should consult a doctor. This is necessary in order to prevent dehydration and depletion of the body. Among the main varieties of diagnostic methods are:
- colonoscopy;
- gastroscopy;
- irrigoscopy;
- sigmoidoscopy.
Through laboratory testing, it is possible to confirm or exclude the presence of cancer or tumor diseases. Given the physiological characteristics of the patient, the doctor prescribes a specific type of examination.
Acute form of diarrhea
The doctor diagnoses the acute form of diarrhea based on 5 factors. Among which:
- patient complaints;
- physical research results;
- assessment of history
- proctological examination;
- backseeding results.
The basis of diagnosis is the analysis of bacterial culture of feces. Feces should be carefully examined in order to determine the presence of harmful microorganisms. In addition, a bloody admixture indicates the presence of severe inflammation. In the event that there is a suspicion of the presence of a focus of inflammation, an additional examination is carried out with the help of a sigmoidoscope. The general condition of the intestinal mucous membranes is assessed.
Treatment process
A sign of many diseases can be multifunctional diarrhea. It is for this reason that the doctor should as soon as possible identify and treat the main pathology. Treatment of functional diarrhea includes several main stages, among which:
- Proper and balanced nutrition.
- Elimination of pathology by medication.
- Reception of antibacterial drugs.
- Therapy with drugs that normalize the intestines.
In the case of acute forms of functional diarrhea (according to ICD-10 code - K59.1), foods that do not cause bloating and fermentation should be present in the diet, while preventing the discharge of fluid into the intestinal space.
Best drugs
If functional diarrhea has arisen due to an infectious disease, then antibiotic drugs should be taken with which harmful microorganisms are eliminated. These drugs include:
- sulfonamides;
- quinolones;
- nitrofurans.
Among the most effective eubiotics that a doctor prescribes in case of diarrhea:
- Linex
- "Beefiform";
- "Lactobacterin."
These medications eliminate dysbiosis. Experts during treatment recommend taking an enveloping drug. Namely:
- "Smectu";
- Tannacomp;
- Polyphepan.
Imodium well supports intestinal motility. The duration of the course and the dose are determined strictly by the doctor.
Preventative measures
The best prevention for diarrhea will be compliance with basic rules of hygiene and nutrition. To prevent the development of bacterial infection of the intestine, before eating, it is imperative to wash fruits and vegetables. Using heat treatment, you can get rid of many harmful microorganisms. You can not use poor-quality raw water and suspicious food that can cause diarrhea.
In the event that an allergy becomes the cause of the upset stomach, contact with allergens must be excluded. With neurogenic diarrhea, you need more rest and walk in the fresh air. If possible, do not be nervous and avoid stressful situations. A calm environment should be created. If you have to worry or be nervous a lot because of work, you need to reconsider your activity.
Most viruses and bacteria that enter the stomach die through contact with acid, but some species can survive and enter the intestines, thereby causing a problem.
Disorders in the intestines in children
Children under 2 years old have a loose stool. If the child is on artificial feeding, then the stool is more liquid than in infants. Among the first signs of the appearance of functional diarrhea in children:
- Strong bloating and gas.
- Watery stool.
- The presence of foam in the feces.
- Fever.
- Feeling of incomplete emptying.
- An admixture of mucus or blood in the stool.
Functional diarrhea in young children appears less often than in adults. But the appearance of at least one of the signs should be a cause for concern. This problem is not as harmless as it seems. If diarrhea lasts more than two weeks, then this indicates a chronic form of diarrhea. A green sign of the stool may also be a bad sign. It is impossible to engage in self-medication, since in this way you can only aggravate the situation.
First aid
Both an adult and a child should be given a warm drink in order to make up for the lost fluid. Against the background of diarrhea, general fatigue and weakness may occur. Therefore, it is better to reduce any physical activity and just lie down on the sofa. It is forbidden to drink carbonated and sugary drinks, this will only do harm. Dairy and sour-milk products should be temporarily excluded from your diet. Be sure to take antidiarrheal and enveloping drugs.
If during the day the general condition has not improved and the number of trips to the toilet has not decreased, you should consult a doctor. At home, it is impossible to determine functional diarrhea, symptoms may indicate the presence of another disease. Doctors do not recommend the use of alternative methods of treatment, since a variety of herbs and infusions have such a strong effect as antibiotics. If there are serious diseases associated with the digestive system, it is not recommended to take even the safest drugs, the consequences may be irreversible.