Diarrhoea, also spelled diarrhea, is a condition characterized by frequent loose, liquid, or watery bowel movements. It occurs when there’s an imbalance in the fluids and electrolytes in your digestive tract. Normally, the large intestine absorbs water from stool, making it solid. But with diarrhoea, stool passes through too quickly or there’s too much fluid in your intestines, resulting in loose, watery stools.
Diarrhea is a common problem that most people experience at some point in their lives. It can be caused by a variety of factors, including:
Causes of Diarrhoea
- Infections: Viruses, such as rotavirus, norovirus, and adenovirus, bacteria like E. coli and Salmonella, and parasites like giardia can all cause diarrhea.
- Malabsorption: Conditions like lactose intolerance, where your body struggles to digest lactose, the sugar in dairy, or celiac disease, an immune reaction to gluten, can lead to diarrhea.
- Medications: Antibiotics and some medications for antacids, high blood pressure, or arthritis can cause diarrhea as a side effect.
- Medical conditions: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), such as Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis, can irritate the bowels and cause diarrhea.
Symptoms of Diarrhoea
The main symptom of diarrhea is frequent loose, watery stools. The Bristol Stool Chart can help you categorize the consistency of your stool:
- Type 1-2: Hard, lumpy stools (constipation)
- Type 3-4: Sausage-shaped or smooth, snake-like stools (normal)
- Type 5-7: Soft blobs or watery stools (diarrhea)
In addition to stool consistency, diarrhea may also cause:
- Abdominal cramps and pain
- Nausea and vomiting
- Bloating
- Fever (in some cases)
- Urgent need to have a bowel movement (tenesmus)
Medication and Treatment of Diarrhoea
Most cases of acute diarrhea resolve on their own within a few days. Home treatment focuses on preventing dehydration, the most serious complication of diarrhea. This involves:
- Drinking plenty of fluids: Water, clear broths, or oral rehydration solutions are crucial to replenish lost fluids and electrolytes.
- Dietary changes: Avoiding greasy, spicy foods, caffeine, and alcohol can help ease symptoms. Bland foods like rice, bananas, and applesauce are often recommended.
- Over-the-counter medication: Medications like loperamide (Imodium) can help reduce the frequency of stools, but should only be taken with a doctor’s advice for certain causes of diarrhea.
If your diarrhea is severe, doesn’t improve within a few days, or is accompanied by blood in your stool or a high fever, see your doctor. They may recommend:
- Antibiotics: To treat bacterial infections.
- Antiparasitic medication: To treat parasitic infections.
- Prescription medication: For treatment of underlying conditions causing diarrhea.