Diarrhoea: Causes, Symptoms, Treatment & Prevention

Diarrhoea involves passing loose, watery stools more frequently than usual and often comes with stomach pain. It may appear alone or along with symptoms like nausea, vomiting, or weight loss. Health professionals classify diarrhoea into various types based on its severity, how long it lasts, and the characteristics of the stool.

Acute diarrhoea is a short-term condition that lasts from 1 to 2 days and is commonly caused by bacterial or viral infections from food or drink. If it lasts about two to four weeks, it is called persistent diarrhoea. For more than four weeks, the condition, which persists with a continued stomach ache and frequent episodes of loose stools, is considered chronic diarrhoea.

The following are some of the most common causes of chronic diarrhoea:

• Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
• Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD)
• Conditions such as celiac disease affect the absorption of certain nutrients.

Types

Diarrhoea is classified based on how long it lasts:

• Acute diarrhoea: Loose, watery stools that last for one to two days. This is the most common type and often clears up on its own.
• Persistent diarrhoea: Diarrhoea that continues for two to four weeks.
• Chronic diarrhoea: Diarrhoea lasting longer than four weeks or recurring over time. This may point to an underlying health issue and should be checked by a healthcare provider.

Causes

A variety of conditions or circumstances can cause diarrhoea. Diarrhoea can be caused by several things, including:

• Rotavirus, norovirus, and viral gastroenteritis are examples of viral infections.
• Bacterial infections, including Salmonella and E. coli
• Parasitic infections
• Intestinal diseases
• A food intolerance, such as lactose intolerance
• An adverse reaction to a medication
• Gallbladder or stomach surgery

Chronic diarrhoea may indicate a more serious condition, such as irritable bowel syndrome or inflammatory bowel disease. Alternatively, frequent and severe diarrhoea could be a symptom of an intestinal disorder or a functional bowel issue.

Symptoms

Frequent, loose, and watery stools along with an urgent need to pass stool are the most typical signs of diarrhoea.

Diarrhoea can cause a variety of symptoms. You might have just one of these or any combination of them. The cause determines the symptoms. It is usual to have one or more of the following symptoms:

• Nausea
• Cramping
• Bloating
• Abdominal pain
• Dehydration
• A frequent urge to evacuate your bowels
• A large volume of stools

Dehydration

Diarrhoea can cause rapid fluid loss, putting you at risk of dehydration. It might have severe consequences if you do not get treatment for diarrhoea.

• Fatigue
• Dry mucous membranes
• Increased heart rate
• Headache
• Lightheadedness
• Increased thirst
• Decreased urination
• Dry mouth

Diarrhoea in Babies and Young Children

• Decreased urination
• Dry mouth
• Headache
• Fatigue
• A lack of tears when crying
• Dry skin
• Sunken eyes
• Sunken fontanel
• Sleepiness
• Irritability

Diagnosis

Your doctor will evaluate your symptoms by reviewing your medical background and performing a physical exam to find the appropriate treatment for diarrhoea. They may also order laboratory tests, including urine and blood samples.

Your doctor may order the following tests to establish the cause of your diarrhoea and other related conditions:

• Diet elimination tests are used to evaluate whether a food intolerance or allergy is the source of the problem
• Imaging tests to look for intestinal inflammation and structural issues
• A stool culture to look for germs, parasites, or illness signs
• A colonoscopy is performed for symptoms of intestinal disease throughout the colon
• A sigmoidoscopy to look for signs of intestinal disease in the rectum and lower colon

A colonoscopy or sigmoidoscopy can assist in determining whether you have an intestinal ailment or severe or chronic diarrhoea.

Treatment

To treat diarrhoea, you should drink extra water or electrolyte replacement drinks like sports drinks. In difficult situations, fluids may be administered via intravenous (IV) therapy. If diarrhoea is caused by a bacterial infection, a doctor may treat it with antibiotics.

Your treatment will be based on:

• The seriousness of the diarrhoea and associated illness
• The frequency of diarrhoea and accompanying symptoms
• The extent of your dehydration and your health
• Your medical background
• Your age, your tolerance for various procedures or drugs
• Expectations for your condition’s improvement

Complications

Diarrhoea can cause dehydration, which is the most serious complication. It occurs when the body loses too much fluid and can be dangerous, especially for children, older adults, and people with weak immunity.

Signs include extreme thirst, dry mouth or skin, little urination, weakness, dark urine, and tiredness. In babies, signs include fewer wet diapers, dry mouth, fever, crying without tears, and sunken eyes or cheeks.

If not treated, dehydration can lead to electrolyte imbalance, poor nutrient absorption, kidney problems, or even death. Temporary lactose intolerance may also occur after diarrhoea.

Prevention

Although diarrhoea can develop from a variety of causes, there are prevention steps you can take to avoid it:

• Keeping food prep and cooking areas clean on a regular basis helps prevent diarrhoea caused by contaminated food.
• As soon as the food is ready, serve it.
• Refrigerate any leftovers immediately.
• Thaw frozen food in the refrigerator.

Guidelines to Prevent Traveller’s Diarrhoea

When travelling, you can assist in preventing travellers’ diarrhoea by doing the following:

• Before you go, ask your doctor if you can start taking antibiotic medication.
• Avoid tap water, ice cubes, and potentially contaminated fresh produce
• While on vacation, you can wash with tap water
• While on vacation, only consume bottled water.
• Just eating cooked cuisine when on vacation.

Preventing Viral or Bacterial Infections

When diarrhoea is due to a viral or bacterial infection, frequent handwashing can help stop it from spreading. Scrub your hands with soap for a minimum of 20 seconds, or use a hand sanitizer when soap and water are not accessible.

Frequently Asked Questions