Diarrhea
Posted on October 2, 2009
Filed Under Diarrhea |
What is diarrhea?
Diarrhea is the removal of loose stools in amounts above normal (over 300 grams in 24 hours). Often, one is caused by a virus or bacteria and can be acute or chronic (with duration of more than 2-3 weeks). Most people suffering from diarrhea at some point in their lives.
Odorless
Diarrhea can be caused by bacteria or viruses transmitted from person to person. For this reason, it is very important to carefully wash their hands after going to the bathroom.
© Net Doctor / Geri
In total, seven children die of diarrhea every minute, mostly by the poor quality of drinking water and malnutrition.
What is the cause of diarrhea?
Infections
The main causes of diarrhea are viral and bacterial infections.
Diarrhea occurs when microorganisms irritate the lining of the small or large intestines, causing an abnormal amount of water in the stool. The irritable bowel undergoes a very active, contracting excessively and irregularly (colic). This may be accompanied by nausea, vomiting, cold sweats and / or stomach pains. In some cases, depositions include remnants of blood and mucus.
Diarrhea can also be caused by bacteria or viruses transmitted from one person to another. Therefore it is important to wash hands with soap and water after going to the bathroom.
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Food poisoning
is usually caused by drinking water contaminated with bacteria, for inadequately cooked meat and eggs or inadequate hygiene in food handling. You can not judge the quality of food or detect contamination by its smell or appearance.
Certain bacteria (usually staphylococci) irritate the digestive tract by producing toxins. These toxins affect the mucosa even before the bacterial infection (a few hours after consumption). For this reason, people with inflammation or sores on their hands should not prepare food for others.
Other causes
when taking antibiotics, many people experience diarrhea, which can be extended after the treatment. Diarrhea occurs because the antibiotic alters the intestinal bacterial environment. This is not an allergic reaction. Rarely requires medical treatment.
Want to know more?
See our section ‘Digestive system’ where you will find many articles relating to digestion and its potential problems.
Chronic diarrhea
Chronic diarrhea can be a symptom of many disorders:
* Irritable Bowel Syndrome
* Acute intestinal infections, chronic or recurrent
* Chronic intestinal inflammation (ulcerative colitis and Cohn’s disease)
* Chronic pancreatitis produces fatty stools
* Laxatives
* Lactose intolerance
* Inadequate diet (excessive consumption of alcohol, coffee or candy)
* Metabolic disorders such as diabetes and thyrotoxicosis
* Intolerance to gluten (wheat protein)
What are the symptoms of diarrhea?
* Frequent and fluid
* Lack of appetite
* Nausea, vomiting
* Stomach pains
* Fever
* Dehydration
If the diarrhea lasts more than 3 weeks is considered chronic.
Consult a doctor
Look at ‘Ask the doctor’ number of queries made by users and answered by the medical team Net Doctor.
What are the warning signs?
* Blood in the stool
* Pus in stool (yellow mucus)
* Inability to swallow liquids because of vomiting
* Dehydration (Symptoms include the excretion of small amounts of dark urine, drowsiness, dry mucous membranes, thirst)
* Drowsiness pronounced due to dehydration or intoxication
acute diarrhea in children: should go to the hospital.
Acute diarrhea in the elderly that can lead to cardiovascular function due to dehydration.
What steps can be taken at home?
In cases of acute diarrhea, it is advisable to ingest more fluids (3-4 liters per day), preferably containing sugar and salts. You can take one of the dehydration solutions available in the market (Sue oral).
An adequate intake is achieved when the urine has a yellow hue.
Diet for 24-36 hours in total which will be taken only oral dehydration solution, about 3 liters every 24 hours.
Tea with lemon for its astringent, it is advisable during the acute process.
Decreases when the number of depositions, starting with an astringent diet (York ham, grated apple, cooked fish with boiled potatoes or steamed rice and carrots). When diarrhea has transferred completely, it is recommended to take yogurt to restore the normal bacterial flora of the colon and begin the normal diet.
Maintaining proper hygiene habits.
If you have suffered an acute attack of diarrhea, avoid foods containing milk for a couple of days.
When should I see a doctor?
* When any of the warning signs described.
* When diarrhea occurred during a trip abroad, or after it.
* If the diarrhea lasts more than 1 week.
How is diarrhea?
Typically, diarrhea disappears by itself within a week. Therefore, treatment with antibiotics is not common. It can cause side effects such as chronic diarrhea.
* Do not use anti agents unless the number of depositions is excessive, and always under voluntary control.
* There is no evidence that the freeze-dried lactic acid bacteria may prevent traveler’s diarrhea.
* During visits abroad, boil all drinking water or drink only water from sealed bottles. Also, eat only vegetables boiled or peeled and avoid ice cream.
* If it is not certain the amount of salt, sugar or water to be consumed, using a solution of powdered sugar and salt sold in the pharmacy, and dissolvable water.
Dr Turban Nathan, a specialist in internal medicine, Dr. Carl J. Brandt, International Medical Director and Cofounder of Net Doctor Dr Over Schaffalitzky of Muck dell, a specialist in Gastroenterology.
Diarrhea in children
what is diarrhea?
The word diarrhea is derived from the Greek dial (through) and reins (to flow).
Roll of toilet papal
acute diarrhea is a disease easily prevented if we take hygiene measures, educational and public health right.
© Net Doctor / Geri
It is one of the most common problems with which the pediatrician in his day, especially during the summer as the period of greatest heat.
Diarrhea is a process that is characterized by an increased number of stools, associated or not to decrease its consistency (usually more liquid than normal). Furthermore, it can produce fever and often a great malaise.
Importance of diarrhea in children
Diarrhea is the most frequent cause of illness and death in children around the world. It is estimated that some cause more than 3 million deaths annually of children fewer than 5 years, especially in underdeveloped countries. However, it is more common at younger ages, especially children under three years.
It is also one of the most frequent causes of hospitalization, especially dehydration. The vast majority of hospital admissions for diarrhea, and deaths are mainly due to inappropriate treatment, which causes major categories of dehydration.
What we should not be confused with diarrhea
Newborns and infants breastfed generally have a yellowish or greenish stools, consistency fairly lightweight (almost liquid), and explosive. Such depositions are usually done after each shot and chest should not be confused with diarrhea, or by their frequency or consistency, as they are completely normal.
This phenomenon is called “false diarrhea” and is different from true diarrhea in the child maintains a good appetite and gaining weight appropriately. It is due to an intestinal reflex called “reflex gastronomic” which usually diminishes in intensity as they are being incorporated into solid food.
Most frequent causes of diarrhea
the main causes of diarrhea in childhood tend to be infectious. Acute diarrhea can be caused by various infectious agents: viruses, bacteria or parasites.
Why is mechanisms diarrhea?
The germs that cause diarrhea can operate:
* directly injuring the lining of the bowel wall (this depends on the invasive capacity of the germ).
* Or by producing toxins that cause diarrhea.
According to the mechanism used by the aggressor agent to cause diarrhea that can be classified into 4 types:
Secretary Diarrhea
Germs make the intestinal mucosa segregates substances rich in chlorine and bicarbonate and lost a lot of water (a liquid mainly diarrhea).
Osmotic diarrhea
occurring within the intestine osmotic substances, i.e. substances that are dragging themselves a lot of water.
Invasive diarrhea
it is a diarrhea with mucus, blood and incontinence, all of which led (as we have said before) by the direct injury of the germ on the intestinal mucosa, causing inflammation and ulceration of the mucosa.
Diarrhea by altering the normal intestinal motility
is caused by the abnormal growth of certain bacteria that normally inhabit the gut.
Clinical diarrhea as the germ that causes
The clinic escort of acute diarrhea depends on the germ that causes and the mechanism that causes:
* The invasive pathogens (Campylobacter, Salmonella, E. coli and Yesinia e.) usually produce a significant alteration of general condition, fever, abdominal pain and bloody diarrhea abundant.
* Germs oxygenic (cholera, etc.). Produce profuse watery diarrhea and is often accompanied by vomiting.
* Rotavirus infections cause fever and vomiting followed by watery diarrhea and yellow, acidic faces (for lactose intolerance causing diarrhea itself) that greatly annoyed ass baby.
* There are diarrheas caused by respiratory viruses (adenovirus, Coxsackie’s) that are also accompanied by respiratory symptoms.
Diagnosing the cause of diarrhea
as seen earlier, clinically we can deduce whether the seed producer, diarrhea is a virus or invasive bacteria. For example, high fever and bad general state that this is an invasive germ while accompanying fever and respiratory symptoms indicate that the cause may be viral.
We can guide the diagnostic appearance of stool (macroscopic study). For example a stool with mucus, blood or pus indicate that this is an invasive germ, while a yellow stool and very annoyed that the baby means that the cause is viral.
Anyway the only way to find out the real cause of diarrhea is a growing realization of a child’s stool (stool). However, as the treatment of diarrhea does not vary, regardless of the cause that the origin is not essential to the stool, unless the doctor considers it appropriate.
Assessment of hydration status of the child
the most important one with diarrhea is not the child is dehydrated. Dehydration is the most serious, and we should worry about immediately.
For this reason, the pediatrician must always take into account the following:
* Weight is important to have a reference weight of the child just before the onset of diarrhea. If this is not possible because some time that the child does not attend the consultation, will take the weight at that time to see if there is weight loss in the following days. If I had a big weight loss in a short time would indicate dehydration and the pediatrician will decide whether it is necessary to send the child to a hospital.
* The number and characteristics of the stool is an important fact to know the cause of diarrhea and to assess the severity of the offense.
* Turgidity of the skin: when a child is dehydrated skin loses its torpor and dry sample, reaching in extreme appear the sign of the fold (the skin stays with the form of a fold when the pinching does not return because their position initial lack of elasticity).
* Fontanels: if an infant is taken into account if the fontanels are a normal voltage or if it is being swamped (sign of dehydration).
* Hydration of the mucous membranes was observed the lips, the lining of the mouth, the presence of saliva and whether to mourn the child has tears or not, or if you collapse the eyes.
* Effect on state general: if the child is dropped, obnubilado etc. Presence of other accompanying symptoms that may contribute to increased dehydration: vomiting, fever.
Treatment of diarrhea
the treatment of diarrhea in children includes two phases:
Dehydration phase
its aim is to correct dehydration.
Was performed by administering an oral dehydration solution that will be scheduled by the pediatrician. These formulas contain glucose and electrolytes needed to be lost in the feces. Often low in sodium to not bring too much, but always consult because the composition varies from one to another.
Never use homemade formulas for dehydrating drinks or disadvantage, or sports drinks because they do not provide the necessary nutrients and excessive salt can contribute to the child that can worsen the initial dehydration.
Normally the duration of the dehydration depends on the degree of dehydration, but usually lasts between 4 and 6 hours (always supervised by the pediatrician).
This takes place in small divided doses (with a spoon).
Early stage feedback
you have to start feeding as soon as possible once the child has been dehydrated.
If the child is taking breast milk should continue with it. If you are taking artificial milk should be diluted first shots and be gradually increasing the concentration of the bottles as they improve depositions. As a general rule is not indicated the use of a lactose-free formula, unless recommended by a pediatrician.
Older children should follow a diet for a few days astringent: eliminate fatty foods, cereals (except rice), and products high in simple sugars (juices, soft drinks or sweetened tea).
Contraindications
* Substances Inhibiting intestinal motility (Loperamida.).
* Agents that alter intestinal secretion (Bismuth).
* Substances that promote the adsorption of toxins (pectin, activated charcoal …).
* Agents that alter the intestinal micro flora (lactobacilli).
* Antibiotics are used only in exceptional occasions, certain germs, malnourished or immunocompromised children at risk of bloodstream infection. The indiscriminate use of antibiotics in diarrhea favor carrier state, meaning that security can be contagious and recurrent diarrhea episodes long.
Prevention of diarrhea
acute diarrhea is a disease easily prevented if we take hygiene measures, educational and public health right.
First was to encourage breastfeeding, to be much more hygienic and have a higher rate of immunological advantages (greater input from the child defenses).
In our day nurseries are the places where there is greater risk of contracting infectious diseases. Al homerun close contact between staff and children, the diarrhea-causing germs can be transmitted either directly (from child to child) or indirectly by the hands of the staff of the nursery. For this reason, we must be especially careful about hand washing, especially when changing diapers and before eating. There are germs, such as rotavirus and G. Labia, which can survive on hard surfaces, so you have to clean environmental surfaces, toys and objects that children touch and put in their mouths.
We must advise that any child suffering from diarrhea does not go to class until healing.
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