Diarrhoea and Constipation
What causes Chronic diarrhoea?
1. Inflammation of the bowel, like ulcerative colitis, crohns disease etc
2. Poor absorption, like celiac disease
3. Hormonal changes such as diabetes, overactive thyroid gland, may get diarrhoea
4. Some bowel Cancers
5. Chronic bowel infections
6. Following some stomach operations
Do Any Foods Cause Diarrhoea?
Milk in some people who digest it poorly
Individual foods in some people
Wheat intolerance (gluten induced diarrhoea)
Do any Drugs cause Diarrhoea?
Many antibiotics
Some drugs used in arthritis, Blood pressure and antacids with Magnesium
Laxatives, of course!!!
Can Diarrhoea lead to a Serious Problem?
Main problem is dehydration, especially in Babies and Old People. Salt and fluid intake must be kept up(electral if available is good, if not add 1 flat teaspoonful of salt and 2 heaped tablespoonful of sugar to 1 litre of water is a good rehydration mixture).
Who is more susceptible to get diarrhoea?
Children and old people mainly; they also get dehydrated seriously fast!!
When to see the Doctor?
Early for children and older people
If in the rest it does not settle down in2-3 days and if it continues in severity;
Passing of blood with the stools and weight loss over a period of time may be alarm signs.
What does the Doctor do then?
Usually a test on the stools (culture) and a course of anti-diarrhoeal for 2- 3 days.
If no joy, and if there is cause for concern, he will refer you to a specialist (Not UROLOGIST!)
If a child or elderly person is involved hospitalisation may be required if worrisome.
The specialist may do a rectal examination followed by advice for a barium test if suspect and even a
Endos(Colono)copy of the large bowel if something worrisome is suspect
How is it Treated?
Remove correctable irritants: Alcohol, Anxiety, Drugs
Increase fluid intake (to replace the loss)
Improve hygiene (if infectious)
WASH hands after EACH visit to the toilet
If you are suffering from diarrhoea, DO NOT prepare food for others (babies, Oldies etc)
Some times medications may be required:
Codeine preparations
Lomotil (diphenoxylate)
Imodium (loperamide)
Kaolin Mixture
The physician best treats chronic diarrhoeas. Self medication is NOT advisable
What is Traveller's Diarrhoea due to? (commonly affects visitors to developing countries)
Gastroenteritis (infective)
Change in diet
Food poisoning
Too much alcohol
Anxiety (nerves)
Commonly believed to be due to change in the normal (healthy) bacteria present in the bowels.
Precautions for the Travellers?
Not to risk contaminated food
Careful with fruits and Salads. (In case they may not have been washed properly)
Avoid Ice (if the source of water for the ice is not sure)
Bottled Water (from a reliable outlet) should be preferred
Antibiotics (preventive) may not be always advisable
Travellers should take Kaolin or codeine preparations
Electrolyte replacement sachets
Water sterilising tablets like Miltons or equivalent & preferably a bacterial water filter
If the Diarrhoea (Traveller's) continues beyond 3 days (with pain +/- Bleeding), suspect
Typhoid
Cholera
Dysentery
Especially if you are in a place where these are endemic.
Consult a Physician urgently and do not depend blindly on antidiarrhoeals.
Some Travellers' Diarrhoea may go on to become chronic. Treatment therefore is important
Some may also need to avoid milk, fats and spices for few weeks after returning home.
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