Diarrhoea: Symptoms, Causes, Types, Complications And Treatment

Diarrhoea is a common digestive problem characterised by the frequent passage of loose, watery stools. Various factors, including infections, food intolerances, dietary factors, medications, and underlying medical conditions, can cause diarrhoea. However, it can be dangerous, especially in young children and older adults, if it leads to dehydration. Read the article below and learn other factors about diarrhoea.

What is Diarrhoea?

Diarrhoea is a condition characterised by loose, watery stools. It is one of the most common gastrointestinal problems, affecting people of all ages. Various factors, including infection, food poisoning, medications, and medical conditions, can cause diarrhoea. Even a stomach bug, an infection of the stomach and intestines, can often cause diarrhoea. Moreover, chronic diarrhoea, lasting at least four weeks, can signify a long-term illness.

While diarrhoea is often temporary, it can lead to complications if not managed properly. In most cases, diarrhoea is not severe and resolves independently within a few days. However, in some cases, diarrhoea can be severe and require hospitalisation, especially for young children and older adults, who are more at risk of dehydration and other complications.

Types of diarrhoea

Following are the different types of diarrhoea:

• Acute diarrhoea is a sudden and short-term condition, typically lasting less than two weeks.
• Chronic diarrhoea persists for an extended period, typically over four weeks. It may result from underlying medical conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome or celiac disease.
• Osmotic diarrhoea occurs when the intestines cannot absorb nutrients properly, leading to excess water in the stool. Malabsorption disorders or certain medications can cause it.
• Inflammatory diarrhoea is characterised by inflammation in the digestive tract. Conditions like inflammatory bowel disease and infections can lead to another type of diarrhoea.

How Common is Diarrhoea?

Diarrhoea is a widespread condition. It is estimated that over 2 billion people worldwide experience diarrhoea each year. Diarrhoea symptoms are prevalent in children under the age of 5, with an estimated 1.5 billion cases occurring each year. Nevertheless, diarrhoea treatment at home is feasible.

What Causes Diarrhoea?

Some of the common causes of diarrhoea are:

• Infections: Bacterial, viral, and parasitic infections due to E. Coli, Salmonella, etc., are common causes of acute diarrhoea.
• Viruses: Viruses like noroviruses, enteric adenoviruses, astroviruses, cytomegaloviruses, viral hepatitis, etc., can cause diarrhoea. Rotavirus is another common cause of acute diarrhoea in children.
• Food Poisoning: Consuming contaminated food or water can lead to food poisoning, resulting in diarrhoea and related diarrhoea symptoms.
• Medications: Some medications, such as antibiotics, can disrupt the balance of beneficial gut bacteria and lead to diarrhoea as a side effect.
• Allergies and Food Intolerances: Allergies to certain foods, such as dairy or gluten, and food intolerances can lead to chronic diarrhoea in some individuals.
• Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD): Conditions like Crohn's disease and Ulcerative Colitis are chronic inflammatory conditions that can cause diarrhoea as a symptom.
• Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS): IBS is a functional gastrointestinal disorder that can lead to chronic diarrhoea, along with abdominal pain and other diarrhoea symptoms.
• Stress and Anxiety: Emotional stress and anxiety can trigger or exacerbate diarrhoea in some people, a condition known as 'nervous diarrhoea.'
• Traveller's diarrhoea: Travelling to unfamiliar regions can expose individuals to new pathogens, leading to the traveller's diarrhoea.
• Lactose intolerance: Lactose intolerance is a condition in which people have difficulty digesting the sugar lactose found in milk and other dairy products. This can also cause diarrhoea after consuming dairy products. 
• Other possible causes of diarrhoea include:
  • Allergies: Food allergies and intolerances can cause diarrhoea, especially in children.
  • Surgery: Some types of surgery, such as abdominal surgery, can cause diarrhoea as a side effect.

In some cases, the cause of diarrhoea is unknown. This is called idiopathic diarrhoea.

What are the Symptoms of Diarrhoea?

The main symptom of diarrhoea is loose, watery stools. Other diarrhoea symptoms may include:

• Abdominal cramps
• Bloating
• Nausea and vomiting
• Fever
• Dehydration (symptoms of dehydration include thirst, dry mouth, infrequent urination, and dark-coloured urine)

Signs and Symptoms of Severe Diarrhoea:

The following are the symptoms of severe diarrhoea:

• Frequent Bowel Movements: The hallmark of diarrhoea is an increased frequency of bowel movements. Individuals experiencing diarrhoea may need to use the restroom several times a day.
• Loose Stools: Diarrhoea is characterised by loose or watery stools. The consistency of the stool can vary from person to person.
• Abdominal Cramps: Many people with diarrhoea experience abdominal cramps or discomfort, which can range from mild to severe.
• Nausea and Vomiting: Diarrhoea may also be accompanied by nausea and vomiting, mainly due to infection or food poisoning.
• Fever: Some causes of diarrhoea, such as infections, can lead to an elevated body temperature and fever.
• Blood in Stools: Blood in the stools can indicate a more serious underlying diarrhoea condition and should be evaluated by a healthcare professional.

What are the Complications of Diarrhoea?

The most common complication of diarrhoea is dehydration. Other complications may include:

• Electrolyte imbalance: This happens due to the loss of sodium and potassium, leading to problems such as muscle cramps and irregular heartbeat.
• Malnutrition: This means less or no nutrient absorption from food, leading to malnutrition in children.
• Toxic megacolon: This is a rare but severe complication wherein the colon enlarges and inflates. It can be fatal if not treated.

How is Diarrhoea Diagnosed?

Diarrhoea is usually diagnosed based on the patient's medical history and symptoms. The doctor may ask you for other diagnostic tests to know the cause of the diarrhoea. Other diagnoses include-

• Stool Culture: This test is used to identify the specific bacteria or virus.
• Celiac Disease Serology: This blood test is used to screen for celiac disease.
• Blood tests: These tests can be used to check for signs of dehydration or other complications of diarrhoea. Blood tests include complete blood count (CBC), electrolyte and kidney function tests.
• Imaging tests: These tests, such as an ultrasound or CT scan, can be used to look for abnormalities in the intestines.

How is Diarrhoea Treated?

Diarrhoea treatment can be done in the following ways:

• Rehydration: 

Drink clear fluids, such as water, clear broths, or Oral Rehydration Solutions (ORS), to stay hydrated. These solutions contain a balanced mix of salt and sugar to help replace lost fluids and electrolytes.

• Over-the-Counter (OTC) Medications: 

You may use OTC anti-diarrhoeal medications like loperamide (Imodium) to slow down bowel movements. However, it is recommended to consult a healthcare professional before using anti-diarrhoeal medications.

• Antibiotics: 

If a bacterial infection is the cause of your diarrhoea, a healthcare provider may prescribe antibiotics to treat the infection.

• Identifying Underlying Causes: 

Always consult a healthcare professional to determine and treat the underlying cause. Diagnostic tests, such as stool cultures or blood tests, may be necessary.

Can I Stop Diarrhoea Without Taking Anti-Diarrhoea Medicine?

If you are looking for how to stop diarrhoea fast at home without any medication, then yes, you can! In many cases, especially when diarrhoea is mild and of short duration, your body can naturally resolve the issue without needing medication. So, here are some strategies that help in diarrhoea treatment at home:

• Stay Hydrated

This is one of the most essential points to help you recover quickly. Drink plenty of fluids, such as water, clear broth, or sports drinks. Avoid caffeine and alcohol, as these can dehydrate you.

• Bland foods

Bland foods are easy to digest and can help to soothe the lining of your stomach. Good choices include toast, rice, bananas, and applesauce.

• Avoid Spicy and Dairy Products

Avoid foods that can make diarrhoea worse. These include fatty foods, spicy foods, dairy products, and sugary foods.

• Rest properly:

Get plenty of rest. This will help your body to heal.

• Probiotics:

Probiotics are live bacteria that are similar to the good bacteria that are naturally found in your gut. Probiotics can help to restore the balance of good bacteria in your gut, which can help to stop diarrhoea.

• Add Ginger to your diet:

Ginger has anti-inflammatory and anti-nausea properties. It may also help to reduce diarrhoea.

Nevertheless, it is always advisable to consult a doctor to know the root cause of diarrhoea, especially for diarrhoea treatment for adults for personalised recommendations.

Can Diarrhoea be Prevented?

Yes, there are some things that you can do to help prevent diarrhoea. Here is a list for the prevention of diarrhoea:

• Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water, especially before preparing and eating food and after using the toilet. It is one of the most important things you can do to prevent the spread of germs that can cause diarrhoea.
• Avoid eating raw or undercooked meat, poultry, and seafood. These foods can contain bacteria and parasites that can cause diarrhoea.
• Avoid drinking unpasteurised milk and juice. Unpasteurised milk and juice can contain harmful bacteria that can cause diarrhoea.
• Wash fruits and vegetables thoroughly before eating them. It helps to remove dirt and germs from the surface of fruits and vegetables.
• Avoid eating foods that you know upset your stomach. It can vary from person to person, but some common foods that cause diarrhoea include dairy products, spicy foods, fatty foods, and sugary foods.
• Drink plenty of fluids, especially water and clear broths. Staying hydrated is essential to prevent dehydration, which can be a severe complication of diarrhoea.
• Get enough rest. Rest can help your body to fight off infection and recover from diarrhoea.

Conclusion

Diarrhoea is a common digestive issue that can range from mild and temporary to chronic and severe. Recognising the symptoms, understanding the causes, and knowing the types of diarrhoea are essential for effective management and diarrhoea treatment. Book your test for diarrhoea with Metropolis Labs for quick and accurate blood reports. With the latest technology and a team of qualified professionals, get your sample collected from your home with at-home sample service at your convenience and get your reports on your handset!