Diarrhea - symptoms and treatment of loose stomach

Diarrhea – Loose Stomach Symptoms and Treatment | Recetas Medicas

Diarrhea - loose and watery stools - is a common problem that can be caused by many different things. Diarrhea is not a disease in itself, but a symptom that something else is not right in the body. For most people, the discomfort goes away in a few days. Long-term problems can in some cases be signs of an underlying disease and should be investigated.

What is diarrhea?

Diarrhea means that you need to go to the toilet often and that the stool is very loose, sometimes almost like water. Diarrhea is caused by the intestines not being able to absorb liquid as they should, which means that food and liquid move through the intestines faster than usual. Diarrhea can be caused by many things, such as viruses, bacteria, stress, intolerance to certain foods, drug side effects or intestinal diseases. Diarrhea is also a very common symptom of, for example, stomach upset or food poisoning.

Common symptoms of diarrhea

In case of diarrhoea, you may have symptoms such as:

• Loose and watery stools
• Nausea
• Fever
• Stomach pain and cramping
• Bloating
• You need to go to the toilet more than three times a day

Causes of diarrhea

There are many things that can cause diarrhea, such as:

• Infections: Bacteria, viruses and parasites can lead to diarrhea. Infections in the gastrointestinal tract can cause inflammation and interfere with the bowel's ability to absorb water, resulting in loose stools.
• Food allergies: Allergy or intolerance to certain foods, such as lactose, fructose, gluten and certain types of sweeteners, can cause diarrhea.
• Medicines: Some medicines, including antibiotics, can have diarrhea as a side effect.
• Stress and anxiety: Stress and anxiety can have a direct impact on the gastrointestinal tract and lead to symptoms such as an upset stomach and diarrhea.
• Other diseases: There are several intestinal diseases that can cause long-term problems with diarrhea, such as IBS, Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis.

Diarrhea in children

Children can get diarrhea for the same reasons as adults. The most common cause is an upset stomach or a cold. Diarrhea in children usually goes away on its own within a couple of days.

Children lose fluid much faster than adults, increasing the risk of dehydration. It is therefore important to ensure that the child gets plenty of fluids. Parents and guardians should also pay attention to the child's general condition. Seek emergency care if the child shows signs of dehydration, is lethargic or difficult to make contact with.

Treatment for diarrhea

Diarrhea in adults usually goes away on its own without treatment. There are several things you can do yourself to reduce your discomfort.

Because you lose fluid when you have diarrhea, you need to drink more water than usual. To reduce the risk of dehydration and dehydration, it can also be good to drink liquid substitutes that contain both sugar and salt. In terms of food, you should avoid dairy products, high-fiber foods and coffee, as this can worsen the diarrhea. Foods that contain starch, such as rice, oats and blueberry soup, can help make stools firmer. If you have major problems or need to stop the diarrhea temporarily, for example if you have suffered from so-called tourist's diarrhea abroad and are about to fly home, there are over-the-counter medicines that you can buy at the pharmacy.

Prolonged diarrhea – if you have a loose stomach for a long time

Diarrhea is usually divided into acute diarrhea and chronic diarrhea. Acute diarrhea is a condition that occurs suddenly and lasts from a few days up to two weeks. It is most often caused by infections from viruses, bacteria or parasites that can be ingested through contaminated food or water. The symptoms come on quickly but also usually go away by themselves after a short time.

Long-term (chronic) diarrhoea, i.e. when you are loose in your stomach for a long time, can, however, be a sign of an underlying health condition that requires medical investigation. Chronic diarrhea is often defined as diarrhea that lasts longer than four weeks. The condition can come and go, with periods of both improvement and deterioration. Prolonged diarrhea can be caused by a number of different things, such as chronic intestinal diseases, food allergies, and long-term use of certain medications. If you experience prolonged discomfort with diarrhea, it is important not to ignore the symptoms. While acute diarrhea often resolves on its own and is short-lived, chronic diarrhea requires more extensive investigation and treatment to address the underlying causes of your symptoms.

When should I seek care?

The vast majority do not need to seek treatment for diarrhea. Contact healthcare if you have any of the following symptoms:

• You have severe diarrhea that does not go away for a few days.
• You have signs of dehydration: you urinate infrequently, have dark urine, are thirsty, tired and have a dry mouth.
• You have diarrhea combined with a high fever (above 39 degrees).
• You have severe stomach pains.
• You have black or bloody stools.

In rare cases, diarrhea may be a sign of an underlying health condition that should be investigated further.