Father...Mother
Bank Executive,
Engineer.
It can happen at any time;
at the beach with friends,
on a queue in a banking hall,
during an exam.
You have experienced it before no doubt.
It may have struck for no obvious reason.
It may have struck due to traceable reasons.
My friends i am talking about none other than ........
Diarrhoea.
Diarrhoea is passing looser or more frequent stools than is normal for you.
It affects most people from time to time and is usually nothing to worry about.
What causes diarrhoea?
There are many different causes of diarrhoea, but a bowel infection (gastroenteritis) is a common cause in both adults and children.
Gastroenteritis can be caused by:
a virus - such as a norovirus or rotavirus
bacteria - which is often found in contaminated food
a parasite
The symptoms associated with diarrhoea can vary depending on the cause. For example, if your diarrhoea is caused by an infection, you may also have a fever and severe stomach cramps.
In adults, bouts of diarrhoea can sometimes be the result of anxiety, or drinking too much coffee or alcohol. Diarrhoea can also be a side effect of certain types of medication.
Preventing diarrhoea
To prevent diarrhoea caused by infections, you should take steps to prevent the infection spreading. For example, make sure you:
wash your hands thoroughly after going to the toilet and before eating or preparing food
clean the toilet, including the handle and the seat, with disinfectant after each bout of diarrhoea
Avoid eating a places with poor hygiene practices.
Treating diarrhoea
Most cases of diarrhoea clear up after a few days without treatment.
In adults, it usually improves after 2-4 days. In children, it often lasts slightly longer, between 5-7 days.
Diarrhoea can lead to dehydration if it's severe and/or frequent so you should drink plenty of fluids (small, frequent sips of water) while you have diarrhoea.
It is very important that babies and small children do not become dehydrated.
You may take an oral rehydration solution (ORS) if you are particularly vulnerable to the effects of dehydration. For example, if you are 60 years of age or over, frail or you have a health condition, such as cardiovascular disease.
Antidiarrhoeal medicines are not usually necessary unless it is important you shorten the length of time your diarrhoea lasts (for example, if you need to take a long-haul flight, have an important meeting etc).
Loperamide is the preferred medicine because it has been shown to be effective and has few side effects. This medicine should be kept handy. Children should not take this medicine.
Note
In adults, diarrhoea that lasts more than a few weeks may be a sign of a more serious condition, such as bowel cancer, Crohn's disease or irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
If you have persistent diarrhoea, you should visit the doctor so a cause can be established.This is particularly important if you have blood or pus in your faeces.
If your child has had six or more episodes of diarrhoea in the last 24 hours, you should take them to a doctor.
Important points to note
Keep Loperamide handy.
Keep hydrated during episodes.
See a doctor if it goes on for too long.
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