Diarrhea: what it is, symptoms, causes, prevention

Diarrhea is called liquid and frequent stools. Its consistency can be very watery or heterogeneous. Often in this case, a person feels pain in the abdomen, he has increased gas formation. What types of diarrhea are known? What causes it and what is the prevention of this intestinal disorder?

What is diarrhea

With the correct work of the gastrointestinal tract, stools are normal 1-2 times a day. It is homogeneous, without pieces of food. When the stool becomes liquid and frequent, this indicates that the large intestine is poorly absorbed water, changed its motility.

The main signs of diarrhea:

• Pain and rubbing in the abdomen.
• Meteorism, bloating.
• Weakness.
• Headaches.
• Nausea or vomiting.
• Elevated temperature.

The appearance and volume of stools are related to the part of the intestine in which the disorder occurred. If the small intestine is affected, the stools become abundant, watery, and greasy. When the large intestine is not working properly, the stool is not as abundant. It may contain blood, pus, or mucus. In diseases of the rectum, the urges are painful, when defecating, the stool is liquid and in small quantities.

Diarrhea with toxic poisoning or consumption of low-quality products usually lasts 1-3 days. Other types of this bowel disorder can last from several weeks to several months.

Causes of diarrhea

What diarrhea can be according to the causes of its occurrence:

• Secretory diarrhea most often occurs with intestinal infections.
• Dyskinetic or hyperkinetic diarrhea occurs due to impaired intestinal motility. It often occurs under the influence of stress. The nervous regulation of intestinal function is disturbed.
• Osmotic diarrhea is caused by violations of digestion. To this leads to lactose intolerance, celiac disease, etc.
• Exudative diarrhea occurs when the intestinal mucosa is inflamed.
• Causes of toxic diarrhea - poisoning with poisons and heavy metals.
• Medication diarrhea is caused by taking certain medications. It occurs with intolerance to the components of drugs, over dosage or excessive use of antibiotics.

Diarrhea occurs with increased production of thyroid hormones, diabetes mellitus, enzyme deficiency and dysbacteriosis. Also the work of the intestine is disturbed with spasms and insufficient blood supply, with poor nutrition: overeating, irregular food intake.

Prevention of diarrhea

To prevent violations in the intestine, causing liquid stool, follow these recommendations:

• To minimize the likelihood of food poisoning, you need to carefully wash products. Do not eat spoiled food or that which was stored in the heat, not in the refrigerator.
• It is important to make the diet qualitative, balanced. Do not abuse fatty, fried dishes and drinks with a high content of caffeine.
• Try to minimize stressful situations and learn to quickly get out of such states.
• It is necessary to establish the work of the gallbladder, so that there is no stagnation or excessive discharge of bile.

With any discomfort in the gastrointestinal tract, it is necessary to consult a doctor as soon as possible. He will help determine the cause of diarrhea and prescribe appropriate treatment.