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What is Diarrhea?
Normally, the food you eat remains in liquid form during most of the digestive process. When the unabsorbed food residue passes through your colon, most of the fluids are absorbed and what remains is a semisolid stool.
Read more on www.mayoclinic.com
Also known as dysentery, the runs, loose bowel movements, frequent bowel movements, the trots, Diarrheas, stools - watery
Diarrhea information from trusted sources:
Diarrhea - WrongDiagnosis.com
List of 2312 disease causes of Diarrhea, patient stories, diagnostic guides, medical books excerpts online about Diarrhea, 2680 drug side effect causes, ... Read more on
www.wrongdiagnosis.com
Diarrhea - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Diarrhea (from the Greek, διὰρροια meaning "flowing through"), also spelled diarrhoea, is the condition of having three or more loose or liquid bowel ... Read more on
en.wikipedia.org
Diarrhea: Causes - MayoClinic.com
Diarrhea occurs when the food and fluids you ingest pass too quickly or in too large an amount — or both — through your colon. Normally, your colon absorbs ... Read more on
www.mayoclinic.com
Diarrhea
Your doctor will want to ask you about your diarrhea. The frequency, quantity, and consistency of normal bowel movements are very individual. ... Read more on
www.labtestsonline.org
Travelers' Diarrhea Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatment, and ...
Nov 29, 2010 ... Read about causes of travelers' diarrhea such as E. coli, salmonella, Norwald virus, rotavirus, giardia lamblia, and more. Read more on
www.medicinenet.com
Diarrhea
Includes general information on diarrhea and what can cause it. Also provides information about diagnosis, treatment, and prevention. Read more on
digestive.niddk.nih.gov
DIARRHEAL - Patients - American College of Gastroenterology
Acute diarrhea is one of the most commonly reported illnesses in the United States, second only to respiratory infections. Worldwide, it is the leading ... Read more on
www.acg.gi.org
HealthyChildren.org - Diarrhea
American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) discusses treatments for diarrhea in children. Read more on
www.healthychildren.org
Diarrhea
Diarrhea is the frequent passage of loose, watery, soft stools with or without abdominal bloating, pressure, and cramps commonly referred to as gas. Diarrhea can come on suddenly, run its course, and be helped with home care to prevent complications such as dehydration. Read more on
www.emedicinehealth.com
Diarrhea
Diarrhea is defined either as watery stool, or increased frequency, or both, when compared to a normal amount. It is a common problem that may last a few ... Read more on
medicalcenter.osu.edu
Contents
Considerations
Diarrhea in adults is usually mild and goes away quickly without complications. In infants and children (especially under age 3), diarrhea can cause dangerous dehydration fairly quickly.
Read more on
www.nlm.nih.gov
Home Care
If you have a chronic form of diarrhea, such as is caused by irritable bowel syndrome, try adding bulk to your diet to thicken your stool and regulate bowel movements. Such foods include fiber from whole-wheat grains and bran. Psyllium-containing products such as Metamucil or similar products can also add bulk to stools.
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www.nlm.nih.gov
Lifestyle and home remedies
Diarrhea caused by viral infections typically ends on its own without antibiotics. Over-the-counter (OTC) anti-diarrheal medications may slow diarrhea, but they won't speed your recovery. Certain infections bacterial and parasitic may be made worse by OTC medications because they prevent your body from getting rid of what's causing the diarrhea. Also, these drugs aren't always safe for children. Check with your doctor before giving these medications to a child.
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www.mayoclinic.com
Medical advice
Call your doctor if:You have blood or pus in your stools; Your stools are black; You have abdominal pain that is not relieved by a bowel movement; You have symptoms of dehydration such as light-headedness when sitting or standing up; You have a fever above 101°F, or your child has a fever above 100.4°F, along with diarrhea; You have foul-smelling or oily-looking stools; You have recently traveled to a foreign country; You have eaten with other people who also have diarrhea; You have started on a new medication; Your diarrhea does not get better in 5 days (2 days for an infant or child), or worsens before that; Your or your child has been vomiting for more than 12 hours (in a newborn under 3 months you should call as soon as vomiting or diarrhea begins)
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www.nlm.nih.gov
Preparing for your appointment
If you have diarrhea, you're likely to start by first seeing your family doctor or a general practitioner. However, in some cases when you call for an appointment, you may be referred immediately to a digestive or gastrointestinal specialist.
Read more on
www.mayoclinic.com
Prevention
You can help prevent the spread of viral diarrhea by washing your hands and encouraging your children to wash their hands. Because viral diarrhea spreads easily, it's a good idea to keep your children home from school or child care if they have diarrhea.
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www.mayoclinic.com
Symptoms
Signs and symptoms associated with diarrhea may include: Frequent, loose, watery stools; Abdominal cramps; Abdominal pain; Fever; Blood in the stool; Bloating
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www.mayoclinic.com
Tests and diagnosis
If you have diarrhea that requires medical attention, your doctor will ask about your symptoms and will want to determine if you're dehydrated. Tell your doctor about any medications you're taking, including over-the-counter medications they may have caused the diarrhea.
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www.mayoclinic.com
Treatments and drugs
Most cases of diarrhea clear on their own within a couple of days without treatment.
Read more on
www.mayoclinic.com
What to Expect at Your Office Visit
Diarrhea in adults is usually mild and goes away quickly without complications. In infants and children (especially under age 3), diarrhea can cause dangerous dehydration fairly quickly.
Read more on
www.nlm.nih.gov