Diarrhoea

A diarrhoea (diarrhea) then occurs when the bowel movement occurs too frequently, to liquid and too bulky.

According to the definition in detail, this means that for diarrhea

  • comes to more than three Stuhlentleerungen a day
  • reduces the consistency of stool or fluid (more than 75 percent water content) and
  • the Chair volume increase is (more than 250 grams per day).

Suddenly occurs diarrhea and lasts no longer than two weeks, doctors speak of acute diarrhea. He takes in more than two weeks against it, it is a chronic diarrhoea.

Almost everyone is affected by diarrhea every now and again: every third German suffers each year on average a few days out. The diarrhea continues and there are no other health problems, only a few days this is generally harmless and improves and usually after a short time of alone. If the diarrhea persists however longer than three days and it turns up no improvement, the complaints should be clarified better medically.

The causes of diarrhea are varied and range from infectious diseases through food intolerances to functional abnormalities. These include among others the irritable bowel syndrome and the irritable stomach. Functional disorders of doctors as somatoform disorders, occur relatively frequently and have psychological causes.

Diarrhoeal diseases are often accompanied by symptoms such as nausea or even physical.

With diarrhea, the body loses what can cause circulation problems lots of fluids and electrolytes. Therefore, you should be sure to drink enough (on the best mineral water or herbal tea). Special electrolyte products from the pharmacy include also exactly the electrolyte blend, which the body needs.

The popular home remedies of Cola and bread sticks is, however, not really recommended. Although the bread sticks in fact do no harm, they fill up again but mainly the sodium levels – the body loses but also potassium in diarrhea. Best you eat bananas also therefore except the bread sticks as they have a high potassium content. You again very much sugar the body with Cola and thereby promotes the already high water loss. Because the many sugar the body water in the Interior of the colon submits additional, which enhances also the diarrhea may. The combination of Cola and bread sticks not harm adults with mild diarrhea while generally, but also not really useful. Children Cola and bread sticks with diarrhea, however, are basically not suitable for, since their cycle compared to adults much sensitive to water losses.

Diarrhea: Causes

Diarrhoea (diarrhoea) may have a number of causes: from psychological causes (e.g. nervousness before a test) on infectious diseases (e.g. by the bacteria E. coli, salmonella, Shigella and Campylobacter and viruses such as the Norovirus or the rotavirus and mushrooms) and functional abnormalities (e.g. irritable bowel syndrome) to malignant neoplasms of intestine (e.g. colorectal cancer).

Other possible causes of diarrhea are:

  • Food poisoning (e.g., seafood)
  • Food allergy and food intolerance (e.g., lactose intolerance, celiac disease)
  • Chronic inflammatory bowel disease (such as Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis)
  • Bile and pancreatic diseases (e.g. pancreatitis)
  • Hormonal causes (such as hyperthyroidism)
  • Traveller’s diarrhoea (diarrhoea of travel)
  • Side effects of drugs (such as antibiotics)

In some cases, there are no organic causes for diarrhea. Then mental reasons, such as functional abnormalities are eligible. These include among others the irritable bowel syndrome and the irritable stomach. Functional disorders of doctors as somatoform disorders known, occur relatively often. Complaints occur such as diarrhea or abdominal pain, though everything is organic.

And of course also taking laxatives or the excessive consumption of certain bowel provoking foods (for example, plums) can trigger diarrhea.

In most cases, the causes are rather harmless for acute diarrhoea (acute diarrhoea) and the person concerned recovers completely.

Diarrhea: Diagnosis

A patient of diarrhea (diarrhoea), accuses the doctor asked him first once in detail before making the diagnosis:

  • Since when is there the diarrhoea?
  • How often must the patient to the toilet?
  • Is the Chair liquid, slimy or even bloody?
  • Are there other symptoms such as nausea or abdominal pain?
  • What has the patient eaten?
  • Was he travelling recently?
  • Are there any pre-existing conditions, for example a chronic bowel disease?
  • The patient takes a medication and – if so – what?

These and other questions provide important indications of the cause of Durchfalls the doctor.

Within the framework of the diagnosis following a thorough physical examination, in which the doctor scans also the belly and is listening with the stethoscope out. In addition, it is sometimes useful that it scans out the rectum of the patient with your finger (rectal exam). The investigation of a stool sample in the laboratory can demonstrate potential pathogens (e.g. bacteria or fungi) which are responsible for the diarrhea. In some cases, it is also useful that the doctor decreases blood and examine for example on increased levels of inflammation can be.

Depending on the suspected cause of diarrhoea, the doctor can cause further investigations. These include a colonoscopy (colonoscopy), an X-ray of the colon (Kolonkontrasteinlauf), as well as special tests on a food intolerance. The person concerned can discuss what diagnosis in individual cases is necessary, together with the doctor.

Diarrhea: Treatment

First, it is important to balance the fluid and mineral loss in the treatment of diarrhea. Best by drinks such as mineral water or herbal teas. The diarrhoea (diarrhoea) is very strong, it not sufficient however often as therapy, to drink only mineral water. One can not long keep the drink with him it is often advisable to feed to the body fluids and electrolytes infusion of the vein.

Medication against diarrhea (e.g. loperamide) reduce the excessive intestinal movements to a normal level. Over two days and beyond treatment with loperamide should be done only under medical supervision. Antispasmodic means (e.g. N Butylscopolamine or a combination of active ingredients of loperamide and simethicone) help with abdominal cramps.

If a bowel disease – such as the chronic inflammatory Crohn’s disease or Intestinal Neoplasms – throws the diarrhea, a targeted treatment of the underlying disease is necessary.

Diarrhea – not every home remedy helps

When diarrhea, many people keep Cola and bread sticks for a good home remedy. This is true only for the part. If you have diarrhea, loses much water and electrolytes. The salt of the salt sticks provides however mainly sodium – the body needs but also potassium in diarrhea. If you swear by bread sticks, you eat so best just even bananas, because they are very rich in potassium.

Cola drinks are especially very sugar – and therefore no ideal home remedy in diarrhea. The many sugar causes the body to emit even more water in the Interior of the colon. This can reinforce the diarrhea may and even promote the already existing lack of fluid. The caffeine contained in the Cola can – also increase the potassium loss especially in children.

Conclusion: Who has slight diarrhea, the Cola bread sticks combination as a home remedy will not harm generally although which, properly good but also not.

Be careful with children: for children with diarrhea the Cola bread sticks mix is not recommended! Because the home remedies can strengthen sensitive water loss with them. This is particularly critical, since the cycle of children compared to adults very much sensitive to water losses.

More information

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