Diarrhea is defined as the frequent passing of loose, watery stools, 3 or more times a day, usually lasting 1 or 2 days.  Although diarrhea is a common ailment and does not necessarily indicate a serious condition, in the event that symptoms last for more than 48 hours, medical attention might be required to resolve both the diarrhea itself and its attendant symptoms.

Diarrhea is typically not considered a disease, but rather a symptom of a latent disorder.  As food passes through the digestive organs, water is absorbed by the wall of the large intestine.  Diarrhea occurs when water is not reabsorbed into the intestines, but instead eliminated with the stool, causing fecal matter to become loose.  Depending on the age, health, and medical condition of the individual, diarrhea can develop into a serious problem.  In populations such as the very young or the elderly, or in diabetics, diarrhea can incur serious consequences such as disruption of electrolyte levels, semi-starvation, and also acidosis, which is a condition that causes acid levels in the blood to abnormally rise.

Diarrhea is caused by a myriad of conditions, which can include bacterial infections acquired through food poisoning, or infections such as Giardia, which are induced by ingesting water contaminated with fecal matter.  Diarrhea can also occur as a result of food intolerances, allergic reactions to certain ingredients in foods, caffeine, alcoholic drinks, rancid foods, unripe fruits, certain beans, and an inability to digest certain artificial sweeteners such as xylitol, sorbitol, and mannitol.  In addition to these causal factors diarrhea can also result from lactose intolerance, incomplete food digestion, reactions to blood pressure medications, heart medications, cancer medications and antibiotics, as well as intolerance to substances such as the magnesium found in antacids.  Diarrhea can also be the result of more serious primary conditions such as Colitis or Irritable Bowel Syndrome, both of which are frequently diagnosed IBSs.

Diarrhea causes a variety of symptoms, which may include cramping, bloating, abdominal or rectal pain, nausea, fever, or bloody stool.  In the event one’s stool appears dark or black or shows traces of mucus, one should consult their physician or health care provider to ensure that another condition is not present that may require immediate attention.  Dehydration, which is the most frequent symptom of prolonged diarrhea, induces symptoms such as thirst, dry mouth, reduced urination, dry or wrinkled skin, light-headedness and fatigue.  In the event one is suffering these symptoms, it is recommended to consult their health care provider immediately.

Diarrhea in mild cases can be treated by increasing one’s intake of liquids and letting the body naturally dispose of poisons, bad bacteria, and toxins.  In this situation, frequent treatment courses suggest refraining from taking medications for approximately two days, with the first day being devoted to resting the bowels by restricting one’s caloric intake to fluids only.  Some drinks to consider are water, carrot juice, carob drink, aloe vera juice, and hot herb-teas like green tea, raspberry leaves, blackberry root, slippery elm bark, ginger for cramps, and Pau d’ arco tea.  Specific foods such as brown rice are also recommended, which can help bind the feces and also offer B vitamins.  Consuming foods that are high in fiber is also a frequent suggestion.  Typically it is advised to avoid dairy products because they can antagonize the bowels, aggravating the diarrhea, and potentially causing a loss of enzymes necessary to digest lactose.  Limiting one’s intake of fats, greasy foods, sweets, wheat, gluten, rye, oats, and barley is also frequently advised.  As one’s condition improves, adding soft, bland foods such as bananas, boiled potatoes, toast, crackers, baked chicken without the skin, and cooked carrots is also suggested.

Diarrhea that is chronic may indicate an infection, an allergic reaction, or the presence of parasites.  Allergy testing and a stool sample can be taken by a doctor to determine if in fact these causes are occurring or are present.  If severe rectal or abdominal pain is being experienced, or in the event one shows signs of dehydration or demonstrates blood in the stool or produces black, tarry stool, it may indicate a more serious condition.  In the event one develops a fever of 101 degrees or more, suffers from reduced urination or if their condition lasts for more than 2 days, it is suggested they consult their physician immediately.  To treat their condition, it is imperative one consults their physician to acquire the necessary information to properly assess and resolve their Diarrhea.

Myron Keene/H.I.C author and reasercher

 © H.I.C  2009

References

 

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[i] NIH (nddic) publication, No. 07-2749, National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse.

[ii] Wohl, M.G. MD & Goodhart, R. S. MD, D.M.S., Modern Nutrition in Health and Disease – Dietotherapy.

[iii] Wohl, M.G. MD & Goodhart, R. S. MD, D.M.S., Modern Nutrition in Health and Disease – Dietotherapy.

[iv] NIH (nddic) publication, No. 07-2749, National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse.

[v] Balch, James F. M.D., & Balch, Phyllis A. C.N.C., Prescription for Nutritional Healing.

[vi] Wohl, M.G. MD & Goodhart, R. S. MD, D.M.S., Modern Nutrition in Health and Disease – Dietotherapy.

[vii] Kadans, Joseph M. N.D., Ph.D., Encyclopedia of Medicinal HERBS.

[viii] Kadans, Joseph M. N.D., Ph.D., Encyclopedia of Medicinal HERBS.

[ix] Kadans, Joseph M. N.D., Ph.D., Encyclopedia of Medicinal HERBS.