Diarrhea is loose, watery stools that passing for three or more times a day. Acute diarrhea is a common problem that usually lasts 1 or 2 days and goes away on its own.Diarrhea lasting more than 2 days may be a sign of a more serious problem. Chronic diarrhea will lasts at least 4 weeks which may be a symptom of a chronic disease. The symptoms may be continual or they may come and go.
Symptoms
- Increased frequency of bowel movements
- Loose, watery stools
- Urgency (having to go right away)
- Incontinence (leakage of stools)
- Bloating, wind
- Rectal pain
- Lower abdominal pain or cramping
- Nausea, vomiting
- Fever
- Blood or flecks of mucus in the stool
- Loss of appetite, weight loss
Causes
- Food poisoning
- Certain antibiotics
- Chemotherapy drugs for cancer
- Laxatives containing magnesium
- Celiac disease
- Inflammatory bowel diseases
- Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
- Lactose intolerance
- Malabsorption syndromes
- Carcinoid syndrome
- Nerves disorder of the intestines
- Gastrectomy
- Radiation therapy
Action Plans
- Drink plenty of water every day. Avoid caffeine and alcohol
- Add semisolid and low-fiber foods gradually as bowel movements return to normal
- Avoid certain foods such as dairy products, fatty foods, high-fiber foods or highly seasoned foods for a few days
- Take probiotics supplement as it contain strains of living bacteria that are similar to the healthy bacteria normally found in digestive system. Probiotics may boost the number of healthy bacteria present to fight germs in digestive tract.
- Wash hands before and after preparing food
- Wash work surfaces frequently to avoid spreading germs from one food item to another.
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