Diarrhea

Symptoms of diarrhea

The primary symptom of diarrhea is familiar to most people: loose or watery stools that make you spend a lot of time on the toilet. Diarrhea can also cause nausea and vomiting . Some intestinal infections are also accompanied by fever and stomach pain . Diarrhea caused by bacteria and viruses often goes away on its own within a few days.

Acute diarrhea can also be caused by lactose or gluten intolerance. This often leads to gas formation and flatulence . In general, diarrhea is a common symptom of food allergies, as is gas, abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting.

causes of diarrhea

Diarrhea occurs when the intestines cannot absorb as much liquid as usual. Diarrhea (and also vomiting) rids the body of fluid . Diarrhea is not considered a disease in its own right. Rather, it is a symptom, for example of an infection, an allergy, a tumor or severe mental stress.

Diarrhea is often caused by bacteria, viruses or parasites . They can get into the body through dirt. This can e.g. B. happen when you meet sick people or come into contact with infected food or drink.

Diarrhea can occur in connection with many different diseases or as a result of certain disease states. Medications such as antibiotics can also cause diarrhea. In these cases, the diarrhea is often long-lasting, lasting more than 4 weeks.

Acute diarrhea in children

Children can have diarrhea caused by viruses or bacteria for 2 weeks and longer. Does your child have diarrhea? Then it’s imperative to make sure he ‘s drinking enough to replace the fluid that’s being expelled through the diarrhea.

After treatment for diarrhea, small children are allowed to return to the day care center if they have not had diarrhea for at least 2 days . Older children should wait at least 24 hours after diarrhea symptoms have resolved before returning to school.

diagnosis of diarrhea

Sure: Of course you know it yourself if you suffer from acute diarrhea. A doctor can help you, especially when it comes to getting to the bottom of chronic diarrhea and finding the underlying cause. He will use blood analyses, stool tests and imaging methods . If necessary, he will also order a colonoscopy .

Go to the doctor immediately with these diarrhea symptoms

Diarrhea is often harmless and goes away quickly. However, you should not hesitate to seek medical help in these cases :

• If you have bloody diarrhea.
• If you have a high fever (over 39.5 degrees).
• If you have had severe diarrhea for more than 48 hours.
• If you suffer from an intestinal disease.
• If you have severe stomach pain.
• When you pass very little urine.
• If your urine is very dark.

The last two points can be a serious sign of dehydration – prompt action must be taken as part of professional diarrhea treatment. In addition, babies, young children, and the elderly with diarrhea should seek medical attention as soon as possible.

You can do this yourself if you have diarrhea

With diarrhea, it is important for the patient to drink plenty of fluids and balance electrolytes . This is especially true for young children and the elderly. You can buy ready-made electrolyte packets at the pharmacy or mix your own electrolyte drink.

In addition, you should try to eat something again as soon as possible. Start with small portions. Foods high in starch make the stool firmer. These are e.g. B. Rice, oats and bananas . Dairy products, coffee, alcohol and fried foods should be avoided. By the way: The much-vaunted household remedy “salt sticks and cola” is not suitable for combating diarrhea!

medication for diarrhea

You can also get non-prescription medication for diarrhea at the pharmacy. However, such drug-based diarrhea treatment should be carried out depending on age and in any case be approached with caution. After all, in the case of acute diarrhea, the body usually tries to get rid of harmful pathogens. So you should only take the diarrhea medication for a short time , if at all .

Caution: If you take medication, keep in mind that severe diarrhea can reduce its effectiveness! This also applies to oral contraceptives (the pill).

Treatment options for diarrhea

Diarrhea usually does not need treatment . In most cases, the diarrhea will go away on its own after a few days. Diarrhea that lasts longer than 2 weeks or leads to a poor general condition should be clarified by a doctor. Diarrhea treatment then depends on what is causing the symptoms in detail.

This is how Med-Healths can help with diarrhea

If you have acute diarrhea, a video consultation about Med-Healths can put your mind at ease. Are you unsure if you have blood in your stool? Med-Healths gives you the option to send a photo to your doctor . So he can advise you what to do. If necessary, the doctor can also issue you with a prescription for diarrhea medication and a sick note.