Introduction
It is a very common health problem which may vary from mild to even life-threatening one. It is a condition cha racterized with annoying and painful loose and watery stools. It occurs usually due to an infection in the gastrointestinal tract or consuming polluted / contaminated food and water.
Causes of Diarrhea
- Diarrhea leads to painful and frequent loose, watery stools resulting in dehydration and weakness in body. This happens due to taking food or water contaminated with microbes which includes bacteria, viruses, parasitic organisms etc.
- Microscopic colitis is a diarrhea affecting adults frequently who are much older during night.
- Malabsorptive and maldigestive diarrhea caused due to impaired nutrient absorption and impaired digestive function.
- Chronic infections occur due to a history of travelling a lot or consuming antibiotic.
- Drug-induced diarrhea can occur due to Laxatives as well as antibiotics.
- Endocrine disturbances may also be one of the reasons for diarrhea.
Symptoms of Diarrhea
- Weight loss
- Fever
- Blood or pus in the stools
- Persistent vomiting
- Dehydration
- Stomach pain
- Abdominal cramps
- Bloating
- Thirst
Prevention of Diarrhea
Nowadays in many countries diarrhea has become troublesome due to unhygienic environment, pollution and contaminated water, poor sanitation and unhealthy lifestyle. One must prevent the infection by following below:
- Always drink clean, fresh and safe drinking water.
- Practice good sanitation system which includes waste water and sewage.
- Practice good hygiene that includes hand washing with soap and disinfectant after defecation. This is to be done always after disposing of a child's stool, before preparing food , after cleaning a child who has defecated and before eating.
- Care to be taken during breastfeeding for the first 6 months.
- People to be educated and made aware about the hazards of spread of infection.