Prolonged diarrhea causes and treatment. Why does diarrhea not go away for a week in an adult?

Persistent diarrhea or diarrhea in an adult can be a symptom of a number of diseases. But even a healthy person periodically experiences signs of indigestion. The causes of disturbances in the body can be various types of infections and chronic diseases. Timely diagnosis will allow you to identify the disease at an early stage and prescribe appropriate treatment.

Show all

Causes of diarrhea

In an adult, diarrhea is accompanied by an increase in the volume of stool and a change in its consistency. Stool becomes thinner as the intestines move it along with more water. The reasons for this phenomenon can be quite varied.

Intestinal infections are accompanied by other symptoms of intoxication, including increased body temperature, sometimes even fever or chills, a feeling of body aches, and nausea. Such attacks can last quite a long time.

Chronic diarrhea

Chronic diarrhea is usually non-infectious in nature. In this case, the causes of diarrhea may be:

1. Some food products due to their chemical composition. Frequent diarrhea is provoked by eating too fatty or spicy foods in the diet, or drinking large amounts of coffee. Chronic diarrhea can be caused by chronic consumption of foods containing sorbitol or fructose.
2. Taking certain medications, including antibiotics. Antibacterial drugs kill not only pathogenic bacteria. They also destroy beneficial intestinal microflora. The lack of beneficial bacteria leads to other microorganisms taking their place. These are mainly pathogenic bacteria, less often opportunistic microflora such as Candida fungi. In any case, their vital activity causes loose stools. This is a rather difficult case of diarrhea, since treatment requires other antibiotics or antifungals, which are available by prescription. It should be remembered that diarrhea can be caused by medications that have a laxative effect. Therefore, before taking the medicine, you need to carefully study the instructions and find out the possibility of adverse reactions.
3. Various diseases. Diarrhea can be caused by irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), celiac disease, lactose intolerance, gastritis, colitis, and peptic ulcers.
4. Postoperative condition (after operations on the gallbladder, intestines, stomach, liposuction procedures).
5. Emotional stress and anxiety.

Gastroenteritis

Gastroenteritis is an inflammatory disease associated with indigestion. It can be either infectious or non-infectious in nature. In children it is most often associated with a bacterial infection; in adults it develops for other reasons. Long-term use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs can provoke gastroenteritis. This disease is accompanied by lactose intolerance or celiac disease. Gastroenteritis often accompanies gastrointestinal diseases (Crohn's disease).

In addition to diarrhea, symptoms of gastroenteritis include lack of appetite, muscle pain, and fatigue. With the infectious form, fever is possible, and traces of blood are present in the stool. With a non-infectious disease, abdominal pain is observed. With constant failure to comply with hygiene rules, the bacterial form easily turns into chronic diarrhea.

Gastroenteritis is a disease that is dangerous for its complications, since it leads to the development of disorders such as reactive arthritis, renal failure, and a decrease in the level of platelets in the blood.

Gastroenteritis itself does not require special treatment. All efforts are aimed at eliminating its cause. But the presence of diarrhea requires additional measures, which include restoring water balance.

Celiac disease

An upset stomach can be caused by a medical condition such as celiac disease. It is genetically determined and consists of the formation of reversible atrophic enteropathy under the influence of gluten. This compound is a component of the protein found in wheat. In the body of healthy people, gluten is digested normally, but in celiac disease it is toxic.

Symptoms of celiac disease appear after eating foods containing gluten - bread, pastries, pasta. Gluten attacks the immune system, causing intestinal dysfunction. This disease develops in childhood. Sometimes symptoms do not appear until adulthood. This may be caused by an intestinal or respiratory infection. It may be that in childhood these signs are weakly expressed, but with age they gradually appear.

In addition to diarrhea, symptoms of celiac disease include flatulence and bloating, weight loss, a feeling of chronic fatigue, and weakness. The stool during the disease is liquid, but there are no traces of blood in it, unlike many other intestinal diseases.

Celiac disease is disguised as other diseases - pancreatitis, dyspepsia, irritable bowel syndrome. But in the case of celiac disease, symptoms only appear after eating certain foods. In such a situation, it is better to consult a doctor who will prescribe additional examinations - x-rays, stool analysis, bone density testing, since celiac disease is often accompanied by osteoporosis.

Treatment of this disease begins with diet. You should not eat foods that contain gluten, i.e. bread, buns, crackers, confectionery products made from wheat, barley or rye. For the same reason, you should not drink beer. If you are lactose intolerant, as well as during an exacerbation of the disease, drinking cow's milk is not recommended. After intestinal function is restored, you can return to fermented milk products.

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and its features

IBS is one of the most common gastrointestinal diseases. Its main symptoms are diarrhea, bloating, pain and cramping. This disease is long-term. It is often provoked by severe stress. The causes of malfunctions in the body have not yet been determined.

In IBS, the motor activity of the digestive tract does not correspond to physiological norms. It has not yet been established under the influence of what substances this occurs. There is a theory that the disease is influenced by hormones, taking antibacterial drugs and poor nutrition.

IBS is not always accompanied by diarrhea; sometimes the disease is associated with constipation. Moreover, this manifests itself individually for each person.

Only a doctor can make a diagnosis of IBS based on a full examination. Much more dangerous diseases, including oncology, can be hidden under this syndrome.

If diarrhea continues for more than three days in a row, and traces of blood appear in the stool, you should consult a doctor as soon as possible.

Treatment of diarrhea

Treatment mainly depends on what condition is causing the diarrhea. But in any case, with diarrhea, a person loses a significant amount of fluid, so it is necessary to restore the water balance. For this purpose, special means are used - rehydration solutions containing substances that promote fluid retention in the body and replace electrolytes lost by the body.

You can prepare your own rehydration solution. To do this, you need to dissolve a pinch of sugar or salt in a glass of warm boiled water. This solution should be drunk every 15 minutes, no more than 100 ml at a time, slowly and in small sips. If you drink this amount in one gulp, you can induce vomiting.

If diarrhea is caused by an infectious disease that has become chronic, then special medications are taken whose action is aimed at removing toxins from the intestines. For a bacterial infection, take antibiotics as prescribed by your doctor. A full examination and bacterial culture are carried out in advance in order to select the correct drug taking into account the resistance of microorganisms.

If diarrhea is infectious in nature, then you need to take medications that slow down intestinal motility with caution. They delay the presence of germs and toxins in the body, because diarrhea is a reaction to infection, it allows the body to cleanse the intestines faster.

Proper nutrition plays an important role in treating diarrhea. Complete fasting is not only impractical, but can also be harmful.

For some diseases, the diet should be followed for a long time. There are so-called healing tables - diets designed specifically for patients with disorders of the gastrointestinal tract or liver. The choice of diet type depends on the specific disease; the diet is prescribed by the attending physician.

Most diets provide for a gentle diet with the exclusion of fatty meats and fish, smoked meats, spicy foods, and refractory fats. If you have diarrhea, you should not eat peaches, plums, grapes, or apricots - they have a laxative effect.

Diarrhea is a rather unpleasant condition, and it can happen to absolutely anyone, and sometimes just when an important meeting is coming up or you need to urgently run to work. There are quite a lot of reasons causing it. And, of course, if loose stools are taken by surprise, everyone begins to frantically look for options to solve this delicate problem. How to stop diarrhea in an adult? Is it necessary to do this? What medications will help cope with unexpected loose stools?

Diarrhea is a pathological condition, the main symptom of which is frequent bowel movements, during which shapeless, liquid, almost watery feces are released. It also has another, more delicate and correct name - diarrhea. Diarrhea can be either one-time or it can torment a person several times in a row during the day or longer.

Attention! Diarrhea that lasts longer than 2 weeks is considered an acute form of diarrhea. And if it continues further, then most likely the condition has become chronic.

The main signs of diarrhea:

strong urge to defecate;
stool is liquid, almost watery;
symptoms such as vomiting and nausea may be present;
abdominal pain;
flatulence, rumbling;
under a certain condition – elevated temperature;
general weakness and lethargy.

Liquid stool is a natural way of protecting the body from the effects of poisonous or toxic substances that enter the gastrointestinal tract. Diarrhea can be caused by a variety of reasons:

eating low-quality or expired products;
eating junk food that has a high concentration of preservatives and dyes;
entry into the body of pathogens of infectious diseases;
dysbacteriosis;
stress;

improper diet;
taking a number of medications;
eating food that is unusual for the body, new dishes;
the presence of various pathologies.

Important! When buying food, you should always buy the freshest and most natural products possible. It is better to refuse to buy products that will soon expire, even if they are offered at a very attractive price.

Table. Types of diarrhea.

Form	Cause
Infectious	In this case, diarrhea is caused by representatives of pathogenic microflora that have entered the intestinal tract and are actively multiplying. They can get there with food or as a result of lack of personal hygiene.
Dyspeptic	The form develops due to disturbances in the digestion of food, due to problems with the functioning of the liver, gastric secretion, etc.
Nutritional	Such diarrhea can be triggered by allergic reactions of the body. It can be caused by eating unusual dishes, foods, and spices.
Toxic	It develops against the background of toxic substances entering the body (for example, mercury and arsenic).
Medication	It occurs as a result of taking a number of medications that have diarrhea in the list of side effects. It also develops while taking a large number of medications.
Neurogenic	It is associated with the fact that a person experiences strong negative or positive experiences and fears. Often occurs in children.

On a note! Experts identify another form of diarrhea - traveler's diarrhea. It occurs in people who make long trips or hikes and is associated with violation of sanitary and hygienic standards. Bacteria that live in a certain area and are characteristic of it can cause diarrhea - the traveler’s body may not have the required degree of immunity to them.

General principles of treatment

As a rule, diarrhea, if it is not caused by an infection or a pathological condition of the body, goes away quite quickly on its own in adults. The main thing is that it does not drag on for a long time. However, you should not leave it unattended - it can cause dehydration. The general principles for treating the condition are as follows.

Medicines

To eliminate toxic substances from the body and remove some pathogenic intestinal bacteria from the gastrointestinal tract, doctors recommend the use of sorbents. These can be Enterosgel, activated carbon, Smecta, Biligin, Kaolin and other drugs. Activated carbon should be in every first aid kit, and it is also recommended to take it with you on the road.

Important! Sorbent drugs can remove not only harmful, but also beneficial substances from the body, and also smooth out the effect of other medications. Therefore, they should be taken along with other drugs with an interval of at least 2 hours. But modern remedies usually act selectively - they cleanse the body only of toxins.

If diarrhea was caused by long-term use of any medications, it is important to contact the doctor who prescribed them in order to discontinue them. The specialist will be able to recommend another remedy. If the cause of diarrhea is problems with the processes of absorption of nutrients in the intestines, the doctor will recommend taking enzyme preparations. This could be Creon, Pancreatin, Mezim, etc.

If diarrhea is accompanied by abdominal pain, then it is necessary to take antispasmodic drugs such as Drotaverine or No-Shpa. And to restore the intestinal microflora at the end of treatment, Lactobacterin, Linex, Hilak-Forte, Enterol, etc. are used.

If you need to stop the diarrhea itself as quickly as possible, doctors recommend using a drug such as Loperamide. It does its job perfectly, but it should not be taken if diarrhea is caused by an intestinal infection. They retain feces in the body, and in such a situation it is contraindicated.

If you want not only to relieve the symptoms of diarrhea, but to get rid of the cause of its occurrence - an intestinal infection, then you need to take antimicrobial drugs, for example, Ecofuril. Its active ingredient, nifuroxazide, eliminates pathogens that cause intestinal infections, and the auxiliary substance lactulose (prebiotic) creates a nutrient medium in the intestines for the proliferation of its own beneficial microflora. Doctors recommend taking Ecofuril for 5-7 days. After finishing taking the drug, no additional course of pro- or prebiotics is required for recovery. The medicine for adults and children over 3 years of age is available in capsules.

Ecofuril allows you to get rid of one of the causes of diarrhea - intestinal infection

Traditional methods

There are many traditional medicine methods that alleviate diarrhea or eliminate it altogether. Most of them can be used without consulting a doctor. As a rule, the effect of their use is achieved within a couple of hours.

Perhaps this is the most popular and accessible way to combat diarrhea. In addition, it is one of those products that are classified as absolutely safe for the body. Rice broth envelops the intestines and does not allow gastric juice to negatively affect it, improves peristalsis, and helps the formation of feces. Due to the starch contained in rice cereal, the product has the ability to absorb excess liquid and thicken liquid feces. In addition, rice water perfectly eliminates flatulence and inhibits fermentation processes.

On a note! Rice water can be given even to children.

It’s easy to prepare: just boil a couple of teaspoons of rice soaked in cold water in a liter of boiling water. You need to cook for about 50 minutes. Next, the broth is cooled, filtered through a fine sieve and taken 150 ml every 3 hours.

Bird cherry is excellent for treating diarrhea if the latter did not develop against the background of infections. But you should not overuse the decoction - bird cherry contains amygdalin, which, when broken down in the body, produces hydrocyanic acid, which is classified as a poison. The decoction must be prepared according to a prescription and should not be drunk without consulting your doctor. Nursing mothers and pregnant women should not use it.

To prepare the decoction, use bird cherry berries washed with clean water (0.5 cups). They are poured with boiling water and placed in a water bath for 30 minutes. After this, the broth is infused for half an hour, covered with a lid. Next, you need to strain it and dilute it with blueberry juice in the same amount. You need to drink 1 tbsp every hour. l.

Dense, red, dry pomegranate peels, peeled from the white layer, are an excellent remedy. They contain about 30% tannins and are effective against diarrhea and almost any intestinal disorder. They are also capable of suppressing the pathogens of dysentery. However, the product has contraindications and requires consultation with a doctor before using it.

Dried pomegranate peels are ground to a powder, after which 1 tsp. This powder is poured with boiling water (1 tbsp.) and boiled in a water bath for 60 minutes, after which it is infused for 40 minutes. You need to take 1 tsp. about 4 times during the day until diarrhea disappears.

Blueberry

It turns out that this plant benefits not only the eyes, but also the gastrointestinal tract. Dried berries are used to eliminate diarrhea; fresh ones have the opposite effect and are used for constipation. Blueberries are rich in pectin and tannins, effective and safe. You can make decoctions, jelly, and compotes from dried blueberries.

Oak bark is an excellent remedy against inflammation; it fights pathogenic microorganisms, has an astringent effect, and is capable of combining with proteins to form a protective layer on the intestinal walls. It is also effective for diarrhea. You can make tinctures, decoctions, and enemas from oak bark.

Black pepper

The simplicity and availability of this remedy for diarrhea made it possible to make black peas, along with rice water, the most used folk method for treating loose stools. Black pepper normalizes digestive processes by activating the production of enzymes and gastric juice. It's simple to use: you need to take 10 pcs. peas and simply swallow them with water. But the remedy, unfortunately, has contraindications - pepper cannot be used for ulcers, anemia, inflammatory processes in the kidneys or urinary tract.

When to see a doctor

Adults usually cope with diarrhea on their own and quite quickly. But in some cases, a visit to the doctor is still necessary. You need to visit a specialist’s office if:

symptoms do not go away for a long time;
the intensity of diarrhea does not decrease;
severe pain is felt in the abdomen;
the patient has an elevated temperature;
severe dehydration occurs;
pallor of the skin is noted;
stool is very dark in color.

The doctor will definitely take a medical history to determine the duration of the period of diarrhea and try to find out its cause. Next, he will order a series of tests to establish an accurate diagnosis. In some cases, the patient may be hospitalized according to indications.

How to quickly get rid of diarrhea?

Step 1. The very first action for diarrhea should be to try to replenish fluid levels in the body. Diarrhea can seriously deplete its reserves in the body. You need to drink as much water and broth as possible. On this day, if possible, it is better to cancel all activities and lie down at home, not far from the toilet.

Step 2. You can try over-the-counter anti-diarrhea medications.

Step 3. Analgesics should not be taken even if there is pain, without first consulting a doctor.

Talk to your doctor about analgesics in advance.

Step 4. You need to rest as much as possible, or better yet, sleep.

Step 5. If diarrhea persists throughout the day, you should consult a doctor the next day.

Step 6. If diarrhea is accompanied by severe pain and high fever, you should immediately call an ambulance.

Step 7 It is important to stop eating sweets, soda, and coffee. It is best to drink natural jelly.

Step 8 To avoid making your diarrhea worse, you should eat foods low in fiber. And for the first few hours it is better to completely fast.

Step 9 It is strictly forbidden to eat fatty foods and unhealthy foods.

Step 10 At the end of treatment, you need to eat foods rich in probiotics in order to restore the intestinal microflora.

Step 11 If the cause of diarrhea is an intestinal infection, then it is important to take all measures to cope with it.

Step 12 There is no need to be nervous or worry - stress should be kept to a minimum.

Video - How to get rid of diarrhea? Traditional methods

Diarrhea can dramatically change a person’s plans for the day and throw him off track. However, you can deal with it quickly if you know how. As a rule, all of the above remedies have a fairly quick effect, and as soon as the diarrhea subsides, you can return to your usual rhythm of life.

Constant diarrhea is an intestinal disorder that does not stop for a long time: three weeks or more, in severe cases - more than a month. The reasons for this phenomenon can be very different.

But you should always understand that diarrhea is a protective reaction of the body: in this way it tries to cleanse itself and throw out accumulated toxins.

Therefore, if an adult experiences prolonged diarrhea that does not stop for a day, two or three days, but for a whole month or more, this indicates that there are serious problems in his body.

In any case, diarrhea is accompanied by quite unpleasant symptoms: flatulence, bloating, colic, loss of appetite, and if diarrhea bothers you for several days and does not go away for more than 10 days, then it is also dehydration. Not to mention the fact that every hour you need to go to the toilet, it is simply impossible to engage in work activities and lead a full life. Therefore, this condition must be treated by finding its cause and selecting appropriate methods.

Before wondering why diarrhea does not go away for several days in a row, you must first decide what is considered diarrhea in medicine. So, diarrhea in an adult is frequent loose stools repeated three or more times a day. Prolonged acute diarrhea is diarrhea that does not go away for more than 10 days or recurs at intervals of several days every month.

The reasons may be as follows:

Inflammatory bowel diseases - colitis, enterocolitis, dysbacteriosis.
Infections caused by viruses or bacteria - adenoviruses, salmonellosis, cholera, dysentery.
Any poisoning - food, medication or chemical.
Malignant formations in the small or large intestine.
Exacerbation of gastric or intestinal ulcers.
Abuse of diets using laxatives.
Congenital functional deficiency of the digestive tract.
Changes in hormonal levels.
Taking certain medications.
Stress - diarrhea in an adult can occur due to nervous tension and chronic fatigue.

Sometimes diarrhea that does not go away for more than a month is a side effect of surgery, and is often one of the signs of helminthic infestation. It is sometimes difficult to establish the cause, since quite a long time has passed since the moment when diarrhea just began, and the clinical picture has had time to change.

Therefore, self-medication in this case is unacceptable. Only a doctor can solve the problem.

Clinical picture of prolonged diarrhea

Long-term diarrhea has the same symptoms as regular diarrhea:

bloating, rumbling and colic;
flatulence;
cramping pain in the stomach and intestines;
frequent urge to defecate - sometimes every hour throughout the day.

If severe diarrhea in an adult lasts for several days in a row, the clinical picture changes. The patient may feel feverish and chill all the time; there is often an increase in body temperature and weight loss - the reason is severe dehydration of the body, which invariably occurs if diarrhea does not go away for more than 10 days and worries every hour.

Symptoms such as blood or pus in the stool should cause concern - in this case, you cannot hesitate, every hour is expensive, you need to go to the hospital as soon as possible. It is not surprising if pieces of undigested food are found in the stool - this indicates that the digestive system does not produce the enzymes necessary for the absorption of food in the required quantities; the irritated intestines simply do not accept it.

But it often happens that an adult has a bowel movement every hour or two, but at the same time he does not feel any ailments, in addition to the completely natural discomfort associated with constant trips to the toilet.

Only laboratory tests and examination of the patient will help determine the causes.

What diagnostic methods are used

To find out why an adult has severe diarrhea that does not stop for more than 10 days, the following tests are done:

General blood and urine tests.
Stool analysis.

Bac sowing.
Testing for helminthic infestations.
Coprogram for hidden blood.
Steatorrhea detection test.
Test for identifying infectious agents of diarrhea.

Instrumental diagnostics are also used, especially if there is blood in the stool and other signs of the possible development of cancerous tumors. These are biopsy, sigmoidoscopy, irrigography. Differential diagnosis plays an important role. Sometimes the cause of prolonged stool is determined only by excluding all possible pathologies.

How to treat long-term diarrhea

If severe diarrhea has been bothering you for more than 10 days, then it can only be cured with an integrated approach.

Taking activated carbon and other sorbents at this stage no longer makes sense.

Toxins from the intestines have already moved into the blood, and charcoal still will not help remove them. But he can absorb liquid, which is already in short supply, and thereby only worsen the patient’s condition.

Typically, several different groups of drugs are prescribed:

Enzymes that will support the pancreas and help absorb food - Mezim Forte, Pancreatin, Creon.
Drugs that reduce increased irritable bowel motility are Imodium and Loperamide. But their use is contraindicated if it is determined that severe diarrhea is caused by a bacterial infection.
Antibiotics only if bacterial culture shows that the causative agents of the infection were staphylococci, streptococci, dysentery bacillus and other bacteria.

If it is determined that diarrhea, which lasts three or four days, is caused by poisoning of any kind, gastric lavage is performed. To do this, you need to prepare at least two liters of a weak solution of potassium permanganate and drink it in one gulp. It is also necessary to do a cleansing enema. An hour after this, you can take medications.

If the cause of diarrhea, which does not stop for a long time, is dysbiosis, medications containing probiotics and prebiotics will help. This is Linux and its analogues. You need to take drugs from this group every day for at least three weeks. To restore the water-salt balance, you can take Regidron or Electrolyte - these are powdered products that need to be diluted in warm water and drunk a little every hour. If cramps and abdominal pain are very severe, No-shpa or Papaverine are prescribed.

Folk remedies and diet for prolonged diarrhea

If you do not follow a diet during prolonged diarrhea, no medications will be effective.

First of all, the diet involves drinking large amounts of fluid to restore its loss.

But in no case should it be coffee, store-bought juices or soda.

List of foods that can be included in the diet if diarrhea bothers you for several days in a row:

stale or dried wheat bread without butter;
viscous rice porridge in water without oil;
hard-boiled eggs;
lean beef or turkey;
steamed fish of low-fat varieties (for example, cod);
mashed potatoes with water;
pureed soups with carrots and potatoes, you can add a little rice cereal;
various jelly;
baked apples and bananas.

If diarrhea is caused by dysbacteriosis and has been bothering you for more than the first or second day, fermented milk products with bifidobacteria - low-fat kefir, natural yogurt, cottage cheese - will be useful.

The nutritional rules are:

All dishes must be steamed or boiled, or, as a last resort, baked without oil or spices.
Drink at least one glass of compotes, tea or just water every hour. In total, you should drink at least three liters of liquid per day.
It is advisable to puree or chop meat and vegetables.
You need to eat often, every 3-4 hours up to 6 times a day, but in small portions.

Even when the functioning of the stomach and intestines is completely restored, you should not suddenly return to your usual diet, as this can provoke a relapse.

Introduce one new product per day. If everything is in order, then after 1-2 days you can introduce the next product. But you will have to follow a gentle diet for some time.

Among the folk remedies, bird cherry helps very well. You can simply pass it through a meat grinder, sprinkle with sugar and put it in a glass jar. You should take this tasty medicine every hour if you have severe diarrhea, then you can take a teaspoon three or four times a day before meals.

Pomegranate peels have a fixing effect. Take 2 tablespoons of dry and crushed peels, add boiling water and cook over low heat for at least 10 minutes. Then cool for half an hour, strain and take 1/3 cup an hour before meals.

Prolonged diarrhea usually occurs if the patient did not properly treat ordinary diarrhea, neglected the doctor’s recommendations and did not follow a diet. Sometimes this is a symptom of a serious pathology - advanced hemorrhoids, duodenal ulcer or malignant neoplasms. This condition is very dangerous due to dehydration. Therefore, under no circumstances should you tolerate it; you need to see a doctor, look for the cause and get treatment.

In the body of an adult, during the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract, any disorders and disruptions may occur, one of them is diarrhea. It is a continuous defecation of liquid feces. Appears during minor poisoning and during the onset of a dangerous, probably permanent, illness. In the first option, diarrhea can go away on its own with virtually no treatment in 2-3 days, but in other situations, diarrhea may continue for 4 days or more, accompanied by various dangerous symptoms (fever, pain in the gastrointestinal tract, general lethargy). If you take the disease seriously enough and do not treat it, then diarrhea will provoke dehydration and the occurrence of difficult-to-treat acute and chronic diseases.

Diarrhea is not a disease, but a symptomatology that indicates disorders within the gastrointestinal tract or the entire body. Therefore, it is impossible to eliminate diarrhea without first knowing what factors caused it. Diarrhea is the discharge of liquid stool, either once or with increased frequency of bowel movements. When such a disorder disappears after 2–3 weeks, this is an acute form of diarrhea; for more than 21 days, it is chronic.

Causes of persistent diarrhea

In the normal state, the human body in adulthood is capable of excreting up to 300 g of feces every day or at other intervals convenient for the gastrointestinal tract. Liquefaction and high evacuation of stool can occur due to a sudden increase in water concentration: during diarrhea, stool is 90% liquid. The content of feces makes it possible to identify the origin of diarrhea:

disorders of peristalsis in the intestines often do not contribute to an increase in the volume of feces excreted per day; this happens often, but in small portions;
when the difficulty lies in the absorption of substances by the intestinal walls, a significant increase in the volume of feces is observed due to the mass of undigested food.

The main causes of prolonged diarrhea in adults:

indigestion after eating a large amount along with “difficult” food;
minor poisoning;
susceptibility to any products (allergy, hypolactasia);
use of certain medications (laxatives, antacids, antiarrhythmics, anticoagulants);
psycho-emotional situations (anxiety, fear, fright, in which diarrhea in an adult is the result of a hormonal surge);
traveler's diarrhea (associated with climate and nutrition changes).

Such diarrhea usually goes away on day 3 or 4, and the patient will probably associate persistent diarrhea with the above factors. If diarrhea does not go away within 5 days, this is a serious reason to consult a specialist.

But the causes of prolonged diarrhea in adults are much more serious:

infection by microorganisms, viruses;
inflammatory diseases of the gastrointestinal tract;
functional organ failure (lack of any enzymes);
diseases of the gastrointestinal tract of unknown origin (Crohn's disease);
damage by toxins.

Symptoms of diarrhea

In these situations, it will not be enough to just stop prolonged diarrhea: you need to diagnose and implement appropriate therapy, often while in the hospital. Regarding the clinical signs of the disease, they are mild. This refers to ordinary indigestion, when, in addition to prolonged loose stools, there are spastic pain sensations inside the abdomen and dyspepsia (boiling, bloating, flatulence).

Symptoms of pathology
Causes of diarrhea in adults
Treatment of pathology
Folk remedies
Necessary diet
Preventive actions

If an adult has diarrhea that does not stop for a long time (more than 3 weeks), then this condition can be called long-term diarrhea in adults, the reasons for this may be different. First of all, diarrhea is a protective reaction of the body to the presence of harmful substances, so the body, in defense, gets rid of accumulated toxins. In no case should we forget about dehydration, which can occur with prolonged diarrhea.

Symptoms of pathology

Diarrhea is a rather unpleasant condition that may be accompanied by some symptoms: pain in the lower abdomen, bloating and flatulence, vomiting, increased body temperature.

Return to contents

Causes of diarrhea in adults

Often the causes of pathology come down to the following:

intestinal diseases – dysbacteriosis, enteritis, enterocolitis;
viral and bacterial infections - adenoviruses, salmonellosis, dysentery, cholera;
poisoning – food, medicinal (antibiotics, long-term use of laxatives), chemical;
bleeding of the gastrointestinal tract - open stomach ulcer, duodenal ulcer;
bleeding of the large and small intestines;
There are often cases of diarrhea occurring in stressful situations due to fear, anxiety, and overexertion.

Return to contents

Treatment of pathology

Treatment should include not only drugs for diarrhea, but also those drugs that generally affect the cause of its occurrence. Many people mistakenly believe that activated charcoal helps with diarrhea, but in fact, it only harms. The thing is that activated carbon belongs to the category of sorbents, which, together with toxins, help remove fluid from the body, which can lead to even greater dehydration of the body.

Drugs belonging to the group of enzymes are effective for diarrhea caused by infections: Creon, Mezim-Forte, Bifidumbacterin. Imodium and Loperamide have a good effect with increased intestinal motility, that is, when the intestines are irritated. These drugs should not be taken if the diarrhea is infectious.

In case of diarrhea associated with poisoning, the first step is to rinse the stomach. This can be done by drinking a large amount of boiled water with the addition of potassium permanganate (the solution should be light pink); you need to drink the solution in one gulp.

For diarrhea caused by the use of antibiotics, treatment should begin with antifungal agents such as Linex. For severe pain in the lower abdomen during diarrhea, you can take antispasmodic drugs - No-shpa, Papaverine. Along with water, useful minerals are also removed from the body during diarrhea. In order to make up for their loss, you can drink Regidron.

Return to contents

Folk remedies

Traditional medicine for diarrhea is welcome only if it is used in conjunction with medications.

It is impossible to cure this disease with folk remedies alone; the relief will only be temporary.

Blueberry. Add a few blueberries to a glass of water, boil and cook for another 5 minutes, strain and cool. You can drink the decoction throughout the day instead of tea.
Mint decoction. Pour 5-6 fresh or dry mint leaves into 2 glasses of water, boil and let steep for 1 hour, strain and drink after meals 2-3 times a day.
Starch. 2 tbsp. l. dilute potato starch in a glass of lukewarm water, mix well and drink half a glass 3-4 times a day.
Pomegranate. 3 tbsp. l. Add dried and crushed pomegranate peel to 2 cups of water and boil for 20-25 minutes, then strain and cool. You need to drink it 3 tbsp. l. half an hour before meals.
Bird cherry. 1 tbsp. l. Add dried bird cherry fruits to a glass of water. Boil, cool and strain. Drink in small sips throughout the day.
Oak bark. Place 1 tbsp in a glass of boiling water. l. oak bark and leave for an hour, strain and drink in small sips throughout the day.
Chamomile. Place 1 tbsp in a glass of water. l. chamomile Boil for 15 minutes, then cool and strain. Drink half a glass 15 minutes before eating.
Thyme. For 2 glasses of water put 1 tbsp. l. dried thyme leaves. Cook for 25 minutes, then strain and cool. Drink half a glass, immediately before meals, 2-3 times a day.
St. John's wort. 1 tbsp. l. Add dry and crushed St. John's wort leaves to a glass of water and boil for 15 minutes. Cool the broth and strain, and then drink half an hour before meals.

Return to contents

Necessary diet

Diet during diarrhea plays a very important role, because only with the help of proper and balanced nutrition can positive results be achieved. During illness, you need to increase the amount of fluid consumed, but under no circumstances should you drink juices purchased in the store. Everything should be prepared with your own hands from fresh ingredients.

Foods that can be eaten with diarrhea: stale bread, homemade crackers, lean meat and lean fish, broths, hard-boiled eggs, rice porridge with water - the rice should be very boiled. Low-fat cottage cheese and other fermented milk products, fruits (everything except plums), preferably in the form of compotes and jelly, are useful.

All food consumed during diarrhea should be boiled, steamed or baked. Food should not be hard or irritating to the intestines. It is advisable to eat more liquid or pureed food during illness.

It is necessary to exclude hot or cold food; all food consumed should be only warm. Bananas are very good for diarrhea; you can eat 4-5 of them a day.

Foods that are prohibited to eat during diarrhea: fresh baked goods, fatty meat and fish, salted, pickled and smoked foods, carrots, dairy products, cereals and legumes. You can't drink carbonated drinks.

After the diarrhea stops, the intestines need time to recover and begin to function normally again. To help the intestines and avoid recurrent disease, you need to gradually increase your diet. At the same time, it is necessary to monitor how the body accepts each new product. Food should be consumed in small, frequent portions. During illness, you need to eat at least 6 times a day. Fried, fatty, salty and spicy foods should not be eaten for several months after treatment.

Return to contents

Preventive actions

Some preventive measures can help avoid diarrhea associated with intestinal upset:

mandatory hand washing before eating;
rinse vegetables and fruits thoroughly before consumption;
all products from which food is prepared must be fresh and in no case expired;
Be wary of eating new and unfamiliar foods.

Black or greenish diarrhea, blood-streaked vomiting, a feeling of weakness bordering on fainting, and signs of dehydration indicate the seriousness of the situation. In these cases, it is necessary to urgently seek medical help.

The very fact of having diarrhea can not only worsen a person’s quality of life, but also negatively affect his overall health. Diarrhea is always accompanied by discomfort and loss of strength, not to mention the situation when an adult’s loose stools do not stop for a long time.

To such a disorder, which lasts not just for days, but for weeks or months, the concept of “protracted” or “chronic” can be applied, which means that the problem is very advanced and will no longer be able to go away on its own without unpleasant consequences. Diarrhea is just the tip of a large iceberg, signaling less visible, but therefore even more dangerous pathologies. Prolonged diarrhea leads the body to dehydration. With loose stools, there is a loss of not only moisture, but also mineral salts and nutrients - everything that takes part in metabolism and regulates the water-salt balance.

This condition cannot be ignored, but diagnosing the cause, unfortunately, is not so easy.

Irritable bowel syndrome. This disease is part of a whole complex of intestinal disorders and can occur in two formats. The first form is systematic pain in the lower abdomen and frequent loose stools, which are uncontrollable and spontaneous. The second form in adults is bloating and constipation, which causes no less painful sensations.
Poor nutrition. And the point is not that one day a person ate something spoiled and became poisoned, but rather the systematic consumption of stale and low-quality food products, which are most likely contaminated with harmful microorganisms. Continuous loose stools may also be a consequence of drinking contaminated tap water, which rarely is taken to the laboratory for additional tests. The risk group also includes people who are intolerant to any product or component, and they don’t even know about it. This may be gluten, lactose or milk sugar, which is often found in even the healthiest and most balanced diets.
Nonspecific ulcerative colitis. With this chronic disease, the lining of the large intestine becomes inflamed. It is accompanied by prolonged diarrhea mixed with blood and mucus in the stool, pain in the left abdomen, rapid weight loss and even fever.
Crohn's disease. This disease is similar in nature to ulcerative colitis, which is expressed in symptoms such as prolonged diarrhea, weakening of the body and weight loss. But there is one small, but significant difference in its content: Crohn's disease affects the entire gastrointestinal tract, starting with the oral cavity and ending with the rectum. This disease can be caused by infection, stress or heredity in adults.
Dysbacteriosis. Prolonged diarrhea can be the result of a decrease in the population of beneficial microorganisms, which are always present in the intestines and help the normal functioning of all digestive processes. The cause of dysbiosis can be self-medication or improper use of antibiotics, which kill both pathogenic and necessary bacteria for health. Incessant diarrhea makes itself felt in 90% of such cases.
Infection. There are a huge number of infectious diseases that can cause long-term diarrhea: salmonellosis, dysentery and shigellosis. They are often accompanied by an increase in body temperature, nausea, vomiting and general weakness. If such a disease is not treated correctly, then the infectious agent becomes a chronic carrier, disrupting the person’s stool and habitual way of life.
Postpartum diarrhea. The entire period of pregnancy is accompanied by physiological and hormonal changes in a woman’s body, which make the digestive tract especially vulnerable. After childbirth, everything begins to return to normal, but this path may be accompanied by periodic disorders in the form of diarrhea. A balanced diet, proper rest, healthy sleep and care for observing the main rules of breastfeeding will help you cope with it.

Of course, this is not a complete list of possible causes of prolonged loose stools. If you discover such a symptom and diarrhea does not go away for a week or more, then it’s time to seek qualified help from a doctor who can conduct a thorough diagnosis of your painful condition and, with the help of additional tests, identify the exact cause and prescribe the correct treatment.

Loose stools are an unpleasant condition that can not only reduce the quality of life, but also temporarily deprive a person of full performance, which can directly affect his emotional and financial well-being.

Associated symptoms

general weakness;
change in level of consciousness;
dizziness;
fainting;
fatigue;
fever and chills;
flu symptoms;
increased heart rate and breathing;
shortness of breath;
weight loss.

When is it time to see a doctor?

Diarrhea rarely occurs as a single symptom of the disease. It is often combined with other clinical manifestations: abdominal pain, rumbling, bloating, false urge to go to the restroom, nausea and vomiting, fever, loss of fluid, which can lead to cardiovascular failure. If prolonged diarrhea in an adult continues for more than a couple of weeks, then it can already be confidently called protracted, and this is a good reason to come for a consultation with an experienced doctor.

Modern medicine allows for the most accurate diagnosis, which will become a reliable basis for developing correct and effective therapy. For an accurate diagnosis, an examination by a qualified physician alone is not enough.

There is a whole list of mandatory and desirable methods and tests that your doctor may prescribe for you.

The patient should not refuse them, since his health and well-being are at stake:

history taking and examination. The patient reports on all his symptoms, the number of bowel movements per day, his daily diet, medications used, as well as existing chronic diseases such as cholecystitis, pancreatitis, gastritis, etc. Even the presence of similar pathologies in close relatives is taken into account;
laboratory tests: stool (analysis, culture, coprogram), blood (general analysis and biochemistry);
colonoscopy, CT scan of the abdominal cavity, endoscopic examination, ultrasound, etc.

If you don’t know what to do, if diarrhea does not go away, then any doctor’s referral can save you from the danger of a pathological condition and complications, of which there are a huge number: dehydration, shock, acute renal failure, metabolic acidosis, hypokalemia and hypocalcemia, convulsions, bleeding, chronic diarrhea, etc.

Effective treatment

If unpleasant diarrhea does not go away for a week, then the person will need first aid, which consists of measures aimed at avoiding dehydration. Lost water and salts are compensated by drinking properly, including dehydrating solutions (Rehydron, salted water, chamomile tea).

You need to start taking appropriate measures already at the moment when you realize that you have had loose stools more than a few times and have not gone away for several days.

There are many popular drugs that promote intestinal motility if the patient’s diarrhea does not go away for a week, but they should be taken carefully and with the recommendations of a doctor, since self-medication can be fraught with unpleasant consequences:

The drug is prescribed for acute diarrhea not associated with various types of infections, diarrhea during travel, as well as for diagnosing irritable bowel syndrome.

Imodium is not prescribed to children under the age of 6 years, in the first trimester of pregnancy and in case of hypersensitivity to its components included in the drug.

Buy a pack of 6 pcs. 2 mg is available at any pharmacy for 230 rubles.

Used for acute intestinal infections. Prescribed for both adults and children.

Contraindications include: intestinal obstruction and fructose intolerance, hypersensitivity to the drug, etc.

A package of 10 sachets of 3 g costs about 150 rubles and is sold without a prescription.

The drug is used in the treatment of acute infectious diarrhea.

Contraindications: children under 1 year of age, non-acceptance of components, presence of an installed central venous catheter.

A pack of 10 capsules costs about 300 rubles and is available at any pharmacy in your city.

Linex is a complex of bifidobacteria, lactobacilli, and enterococci, which show themselves effectively in the treatment of acute forms of diarrhea, even in infants.

Contraindications: hypersensitivity to any of the components of the drug or to dairy products.

The price at the pharmacy is about 300 rubles for 16 capsules.

Any drug treatment must be accompanied by compliance with the daily routine, diet and doctor’s instructions, since self-medication can help or harm a person’s health. If, even in the case of active treatment, diarrhea in adults does not go away and loose stools are observed all the time, then hospitalization may be necessary.

Traditional medicine can also contribute to a faster recovery, but you need to understand that it should be part of a whole integrated approach, and not the only way to combat diarrhea.

There are many recipes that can alleviate the patient’s condition:

Oak bark. 1 tbsp. The mixture is poured with a glass of boiling water and left for an hour, after which it is carefully filtered. The infusion should be consumed several spoons throughout the day.
Rice porrige. A decoction is prepared from rice cereals, which is taken orally in a quarter of a glass every 3 hours.
Decoction of pomegranate peels. Dried pomegranate peel is filled with water in a ratio of 1 tsp. per 1 liter of liquid and boil in a water bath for about 40 minutes. Should be taken up to 5 times a day, 2 tsp.
Blueberry infusion. Pour blueberries into a glass of water, bring to a boil and cook for another 5 minutes, filter. The decoction is cooled and drunk throughout the day as tea.
Chamomile flowers. Throw 1 tbsp into a glass of water. l. dried chamomile, the liquid is boiled for 15 minutes, then cooled and filtered. Take 100 ml before meals.

Diet and optimal nutrition

The causes and treatment of diarrhea are closely interrelated. But, regardless of the type of disorder, diet is of primary importance. Only nutritious and well-thought-out nutrition can help achieve good and quick results. During the period of illness, you need to increase the amount of fluid consumed, but exclude store-bought juices and carbonated drinks. Also, do not overuse fatty, smoked, fried, spicy and sweet foods. You can safely eat: stale bread and crackers, lean meat tenderloin and dietary fish, weak broths and boiled eggs, as well as porridge with water. It is better to replace dessert with low-fat cottage cheese and homemade jelly. As for the drinking regime, the liquid should be consumed in moderate doses, but regularly at equal intervals.

This regimen will help the body recover faster and with minimal losses and solve the problem of what to do if prolonged diarrhea does not go away.

Watch a video on long-term diarrhea

Preventive measures

Diarrhea can be treated, but it can also be prevented. To do this, it is enough to follow simple preventive measures to promote the normal functioning of the digestive tract. These include: regular hand washing with soap before and after eating, good handling of fruits and vegetables, using only fresh and proven products, caution in consuming exotic food or food whose origin you cannot trace.

Ordinary diarrhea can unsettle a person for a long time, depriving him of the ability to fully manage his life. Diarrhea should never be ignored, since even a slight manifestation of it may indicate deeper problems. And even complicated diarrhea can cause irreparable harm to health.

Arm yourself with patience and doctor's instructions and start a new day with a new approach to your health.

Note!

The presence of symptoms such as:

Diarrhea
smell from the mouth
heartburn
stomach ache
feeling of heaviness in the stomach
constipation
belching
increased gas formation (flatulence)

If you have at least 2 of these symptoms, then this indicates a developing

gastritis or ulcer. These diseases are dangerous due to the development of serious complications (penetration, gastric bleeding, etc.), many of which can lead to

LETHAL

outcome. Treatment needs to start now.

Read the article about how a woman got rid of these symptoms by defeating their main cause using a natural method. Read the material…

In the absence of timely treatment, diarrhea can become chronic. What should you do if your stomach is constantly churning and diarrhea has not stopped for several weeks? Choosing the right treatment option depends on the cause of the disease.

Why does chronic diarrhea occur?

Causes of prolonged diarrhea

The digestion process is affected by the composition and quantitative ratio of bacteria present in the intestines. Taking antibacterial drugs leads to disruption of normal microflora.

IT IS IMPORTANT TO KNOW! In order not to suffer from various stomach disorders, it is enough to have a cheap remedy in your first aid kit

Antibiotics destroy lactobacilli, E. coli and bifidobacteria, which are directly involved in the digestion process. The cause of dysbiosis may be a lack of fresh vegetables and fruits in the diet.

The disease leads to impaired absorption of fluids and nutrients. Patients begin to complain of increased intestinal motility and the formation of large amounts of bile. A characteristic rash appears on the body and appetite decreases. Lack of timely treatment can lead to enterocolitis.

Pancreatitis is one of the causes of chronic diarrhea

Prolonged diarrhea may be a sign of pancreatic pathologies. With chronic pancreatitis, the production of enzymes involved in the digestive process is greatly reduced.

The risk group includes people who are chronic alcoholics. The inflammatory process can begin after consuming toxic substances.

Pancreatitis is found in people who eat too much fat. Constant overeating greatly complicates the functioning of the pancreas. Incompletely digested food enters the intestines of a sick person. As a result, the patient begins to ferment immediately after lunch.

In this case, active proliferation of putrefactive bacteria occurs. Pieces of poorly digested food can be seen in the patient's loose stool. To make an accurate diagnosis, it is necessary to undergo diagnostics.

Note!

The presence of symptoms such as:

Diarrhea
Smell from the mouth
Heartburn
Stomach ache
Feeling of heaviness in the stomach
Constipation
Belching
Increased gas formation (flatulence)

If you have at least 2 of these symptoms, then this indicates a developing gastritis or ulcer. These diseases are dangerous due to the development of serious complications (penetration, gastric bleeding, etc.), many of which can be FATAL. Treatment must begin immediately! Read the article on how to get rid of these symptoms and defeat the root cause using folk remedies.

Why do patients with ulcerative colitis suffer from diarrhea?

Diarrhea due to ulcerative colitis

Ulcerative colitis affects the tissues of the large intestine. The patient’s mucous membranes not only become inflamed, but ulcers also form. Most patients are young people aged 20 to 35 years. Patients complain of the following symptoms:

clots of blood and mucus appear in the stool;
the lower abdomen begins to hurt;
a person feels rumbling in the stomach and diarrhea does not go away after taking antidiarrheal drugs;
the patient feels discomfort and bloating;
a person is forced to go to the toilet more than 2 times a day;
people have muscle pain and visual impairment;
weight loss occurs.

Features of diarrhea in patients suffering from Crohn's disease

Crohn's disease

The disease leads to inflammation of the mucous membranes of the digestive system. In this case, the tissues of the small intestine are affected.

There are 3 degrees of severity of Crohn's disease:

The initial stage of the disease is accompanied by a slight increase in bowel movements. Blood is very rarely present in the patient's stool.
A sign of moderate severity is an increase in stool frequency up to 6 times a day. Traces of blood appear in the patient's stool.
The latter degree leads to more severe complications. In many patients, bleeding and fistulas can be detected.

The disease affects people under 35 years of age. The patient develops characteristic symptoms:

When the worm multiplies in the body, the patient feels:

Constant itching around the anus.
Cramping pain appears in the abdominal area.
The patient suffers from diarrhea and nausea.
The patient's stomach constantly growls and diarrhea does not stop for more than a week.
The disease leads to increased gas formation.

A distinctive feature of such diarrhea is the absence of blood and mucus in the stool.

When infected with Salmonella, stool takes on a characteristic green color. Moreover, the disease exhausts the patient. Liquid gray diarrhea can be seen in patients with pancreatic pathologies.

Diagnosis of chronic diarrhea

Colonoscopy

Treatment of long-term diarrhea

Loose stools are not a disease. It just indicates a malfunction of the digestive system, which can occur for various reasons.

Antibiotics are used to treat diarrhea caused by harmful bacteria. Entoban is one of the most effective antibacterial drugs. It suppresses the activity of pathogenic bacteria and fungi.

Blackberry decoction

You can get rid of harmful bacteria using blackberry sprigs. Before preparing the decoction, they must be cut into small pieces. Fill Art. spoon of raw material with a glass of water and cook for 15 minutes. You can replace tea with a prepared decoction. Within 3 days after starting to use blackberry decoction, you will notice an improvement in your condition.

To cope with chronic diarrhea, you can use cinquefoil root. Pour 100 grams of raw material into a liter of water and cook for 20 minutes over low heat. The solution helps with bloody diarrhea that does not go away for a long time.

Are you tired of stomach pain, diarrhea, nausea and vomiting...

And this is constant heartburn...

Not to mention bowel disorders, alternating with constipation and diarrhea...

It’s sickening to remember the good mood from all this... So don’t delay, these symptoms can cause more serious illnesses. And how to get rid of such problems, read the blog of the same woman, Galina Savina, about how she copes with the problem of the gastrointestinal tract - using ordinary folk remedies.

Diarrhea is a very unpleasant symptom that gives a person a lot of discomfort. When this condition is observed for more than two weeks, it may indicate various serious pathologies. Diarrhea that does not go away for a long time is dangerous due to its severe complications. Therefore, it should be treated immediately.

There are also some symptoms that accompany prolonged diarrhea, for which you should definitely visit a specialist.

Causes of prolonged diarrhea

Diarrhea is frequent loose stools that can be caused by a variety of reasons.

Diarrhea accompanies various diseases. Pathological conditions that provoke prolonged diarrhea include diseases of the digestive tract:

Enteritis
Dysbacteriosis
Enterocolitis
Pancreatitis
Colitis
Lactose intolerance
Pancreatic fibrosis
Irritable bowel syndrome
Oncological formations
Enzyme deficiency

Diarrhea can develop as a result of internal bleeding in the digestive system: with open ulcers of the duodenum or stomach, with damage to the small and large intestines.

Another factor in the occurrence of loose stools is chemical, food or drug poisoning.

Sometimes this condition appears when a person has experienced a stressful situation, namely after anxiety, fear, or psycho-emotional stress.

Other diseases also affect the development of diarrhea: hyperthyroidism, autoimmune diseases. In addition, poor digestion and abuse of alcohol-containing drinks contribute to the occurrence of diarrhea. It is also possible to develop this condition after surgery in the gastrointestinal tract. To determine the main cause of prolonged diarrhea, it is important to consult a doctor in time. He will prescribe the necessary research methods and use their results to determine the disease that causes prolonged diarrhea.

Danger signs and possible consequences

Prolonged diarrhea can lead to dehydration!

Diarrhea is usually accompanied by various unpleasant symptoms: pain and cramping in the abdomen, bloating and rumbling in the intestines. Sometimes the temperature may rise.

There are also more dangerous signs for which it is important to consult a specialist in time:

Permanent weight loss.
Stools containing blood and mucus.
Discharge with pus.
Pain in the anal area.
Stool containing undigested food particles.
Nausea and vomiting.
Severe abdominal cramps.
Change in color of stool.

The dangerous consequences of prolonged diarrhea include, first of all, dehydration. In this case, water loss occurs, the water-salt balance is disrupted, useful substances are removed during emptying, and blood circulation worsens.

Dehydration can be indicated by intervals between urinations lasting more than eight hours, as well as dark urine and a small amount of urine. Signs of dehydration also include dry mouth, depression, irritability, dizziness, lack of tears, loss of coordination, hypotension, sagging and dry skin, increased heart rate, general weakness, loss of performance, and convulsions. The state of dehydration is dangerous because it can lead to coma and also cause death.

Drug treatment

Diarrhea is a symptom, treatment depends on the cause!

Therapy for prolonged diarrhea should be comprehensive. Therefore, the patient is prescribed not only drugs that help eliminate this symptom, but also those drugs that directly affect the main cause of its occurrence.

If diarrhea is caused by infectious diseases, then the patient needs to take medications that belong to the group of enzymes. Therefore, the use of the following medications is indicated:

Mezim-forte
Creon
Bifidumbacterin

For intestinal irritation and increased motility, it is recommended to take Loperamide or Imodium. For infections, medications in this group are not prescribed.

When the cause of prolonged diarrhea is poisoning, it is important to urgently perform gastric lavage.

To do this, the patient should drink a lot of water to which potassium permanganate has been added (the rinsing liquid in this case should be a light pinkish tint). It is recommended to drink the solution in larger quantities at a time. If the cause of diarrhea lies in the use of antibacterial drugs, then in this case specialists usually prescribe Linex.

Other effective medications often prescribed for diarrhea include:

Smecta and its analogues (Polysorb MP, Kaopectat, Neointestopan, Enterosgel).
Enterol (Eubicor, Linex, Baktisubtil, Hilak Forte).
Among intestinal antiseptic drugs, Nifuroxazide, Intetrix and Rifaximin have proven themselves well.
Acute pain and spasms can be eliminated with the help of medications such as Papaverine or No-shpa.
To restore the water-salt balance in the body, take Gastrolit or Regidron. They are diluted with one liter of water. Consume in small portions, but very often, every 5-15 minutes.

Alternative medicine

St. John's wort decoction is an effective remedy for diarrhea.

When using traditional medicines in the treatment of diarrhea, it is important to remember that they are only auxiliary, so it is important to talk with a specialist about the possibility of their use.

Effective and safe remedies used to treat diarrhea in traditional therapy include:

Mint decoction. Several leaves of the plant are poured with boiling water, boiled a little and infused for sixty minutes. It is recommended to drink after meals three times a day.
Chamomile decoction. Medicinal raw materials in the amount of a tablespoon are poured with a cup of water and placed on the stove. Boil over low heat for fifteen minutes, leave for half an hour and drink before eating.
Blueberry tea. It is prepared in the same way as chamomile decoction. You can drink it like regular tea throughout the day.
St. John's wort infusion. For preparation, the same principles are followed as for the last two remedies listed above.
You can also use a starch solution for diarrhea. To do this, dilute two tablespoons of the product in a cup of warm water, mix and drink throughout the day.

Diet for loose stools

Rice porridge with water - “first aid” for diarrhea

In addition to medications and alternative remedies, it is important for a patient suffering from prolonged diarrhea to follow a special diet. This will help alleviate the patient’s condition and quickly eliminate unwanted symptoms.

Therefore, it is important to know that during the period of diarrhea the following foods are not allowed:

Fresh vegetables and fruits
Spices
Spices
Black bread
Large amounts of salt
Semi-finished products
Milk
Carbonated drinks
Fatty dishes
Legumes
Fried food
Vegetable or fruit juices
Flour or confectionery products
Canned food
Marinades
Smoked meats
Mushrooms

White bread crackers
Low-fat cottage cheese
Porridge cooked in water
Lean fish and meat
Low-fat soups
Baked apples
Vegetable broths
Boiled eggs or steam omelet

With such a diet, it is important that dishes are steamed, baked or cooked. Fried foods are prohibited in case of prolonged diarrhea.

More information about diarrhea can be found in the video:

There are rules of prevention that experts advise to follow to avoid the development of diseases, the symptom of which is prolonged loose stools. Such preventive measures include:

Be sure to wash your hands before eating food.
It is important to carefully process fruits, berries and vegetables intended for fresh consumption. They need to be washed well.
You need to make sure that the ingredients for preparing dishes are not stitched.
Observe hygiene rules after using the toilet.
It is important to use a refrigerator to store food.
Products should be properly cooked, especially meat and fish.
Undergo a medical examination annually to ensure timely identification of pathologies and their treatment.
Exotic and unfamiliar food should be treated with caution.

If you adhere to these preventive measures, the risk of developing diseases that are accompanied by prolonged diarrhea is minimized.

Diarrhea in an adult

Causes of persistent diarrhea

disorders of peristalsis in the intestines often do not contribute to an increase in the volume of feces excreted per day; this happens often, but in small portions;
when the difficulty lies in the absorption of substances by the intestinal walls, a significant increase in the volume of feces is observed due to the mass of undigested food.

The main causes of prolonged diarrhea in adults:

indigestion after eating a large amount along with “difficult” food;
minor poisoning;
susceptibility to any products (allergy, hypolactasia);
use of certain medications (laxatives, antacids, antiarrhythmics, anticoagulants);
psycho-emotional situations (anxiety, fear, fright, in which diarrhea in an adult is the result of a hormonal surge);
traveler's diarrhea (associated with climate and nutrition changes).

But the causes of prolonged diarrhea in adults are much more serious:

infection by microorganisms, viruses;
inflammatory diseases of the gastrointestinal tract;
functional organ failure (lack of any enzymes);
diseases of the gastrointestinal tract of unknown origin (Crohn's disease);
damage by toxins.

Symptoms of diarrhea

In a situation with food poisoning, lethargy, fever, nausea and gag reflex, loss of appetite, and high temperature will be added to the discomfort. Similar symptoms are characteristic of intestinal infections and viral diseases.

Signs of dehydration are considered dangerous symptoms that require immediate response. Dry skin and mucous membranes, cracked lips, thirst, infrequent urination, dark urine appear during constant debilitating diarrhea; this condition poses a serious threat: the pulse increases, blood pressure decreases, and muscle cramps begin.

First aid

Many people wonder what to do if diarrhea does not go away for a long time, how to establish the causes and treatment for the disease. If severe diarrhea is protracted and does not stop for several days in a row, then it would be optimal to contact a specialist in order to diagnose the disease and establish the causes of its formation, but at the same time, incessant long-term diarrhea in adults can be eliminated by the patient himself:

It is necessary to take some sorbent that can help the affected gastrointestinal tract (Smecta, Filtrum-Sti, activated carbon).
Due to the fact that diarrhea that lasts a week is very dangerous due to dehydration, you should drink a lot of boiled water or weak, unsweetened tea.
Drinking herbal tea helps replenish the supply of nutrients, vitamins and minerals lost during illness. When diarrhea is accompanied by fever, linden or currant tea, which has an antipyretic and diaphoretic effect, has a positive effect.
Cleansing enema. The water that comes out during diarrhea can wash away beneficial microparticles and a variety of harmful bacteria and toxic substances. Diarrhea helps the body get rid of toxins. The use of enema cleansing makes it possible to remove microorganisms that were not excreted in the feces. This prevents the possibility of reabsorption into the intestinal walls and reappearance. Flushing is done in order to achieve an additional beneficial effect - to reduce high body temperature by absorbing liquid.

Diet for illness

If diarrhea does not stop on the third day and your stomach hurts, you need to take action. Proper diet is extremely important during therapy. Past diarrhea can be repeated after penetration of substances that provoked it (poor quality food, medications, bacteria) into the body. After completing the therapy recommended by your doctor, you should be much more attentive to your own body. To restore normal functioning of the gastrointestinal tract you need dietary nutrition. Doctors advise both adults and children to follow it.

Dietary nutrition is based on the use of a significant amount of liquid. After diarrhea, the patient is prescribed to comply with basic nutritional requirements:

Use liquid food.
Cereal porridges are prepared with mucous membranes. It is forbidden to take large grains to avoid injury to the intestinal walls.
You need to eat products that contain a large amount of fiber.
Eat white and bran bread.
Lean fish and meat are allowed.

The following must be removed from regular products:

vegetables fruits;
canned goods, smoked;
dried;
green tea, caffeinated drinks;
spices;
salt, sugar;
dairy products;
carbonated drinks;
fatty.

Folk remedies

If your stomach hurts for the fourth day and diarrhea does not stop during this period of time, you should begin treatment after consulting with your doctor. Once the cause of diarrhea is established, therapy can be prescribed. For these purposes, it is possible to use such recipes.

Pharmacies sell ready-made dried oak bark. Take 1 tbsp. l. bark and pour a glass of boiling water. Leave to brew for 60 minutes, then strain thoroughly. Drink several tablespoons of tincture throughout the day; the effect will become noticeable after 2 days. When this does not happen, then other methods of alternative treatment for diarrhea in adults should be used. After several hours, the procedure is repeated, and to avoid dehydration, drink plenty of fluids.
Rice porridge or a decoction of it will help perfectly. It's quite easy to prepare. For 0.5 l. 1.5 tsp of boiling water is needed. rice This mixture is cooked over low heat for 40 minutes. Afterwards you need to wait until the mass has cooled down and then filter it thoroughly. Drink 1/4 glass every 3 hours. The effect will become noticeable quite quickly.
The recipe for a decoction of pomegranate peels is especially popular. While preparing this remedy, you should wash the pomegranate, wipe it thoroughly and then peel it. Before drying, cut off all the pulp. Peels are stored in a dry and warm place. When the need arises, take 1 teaspoon of dry crusts and add 1 liter of water. Then cook in a water bath for 15 minutes, leave to brew for at least 40 minutes. During prolonged diarrhea in adults, treatment consists of drinking 2 tsp. decoction, but no more than 5 times a day. When the drug is taken appropriately, the effect can be noticed within the next day.
Vodka with salt is considered an effective way against prolonged diarrhea in adults. Take a glass of vodka and salt in any quantity. Before taking it, you need to dilute the product with warm water and drink it on an empty stomach several times a day.
It is possible to eliminate diarrhea through such a method as strong black tea. For treatment, brew 2 times more tea than usual and add a small amount of sugar. Drink tea several sips throughout the day.
Black pepper also helps in this case. Swallow 10 peas whole and wash down with a large volume of warm water. After half an hour, changes will begin. A similar recipe can also be used to treat diarrhea in children. Those who struggle with stomach problems should use pepper carefully, as this causes significant complications and extremely poor health.

It is necessary to establish in advance the cause of prolonged diarrhea and treat it, since eliminating the symptoms is not enough to get rid of the causative agent of the disease.

If diarrhea does not go away for a week, then it is permissible to treat it not at home, but in a hospital setting. The main requirement is that it is necessary to strictly follow the specialist’s instructions, in particular when diarrhea has not gotten better within a week. When the diet is monitored and the doctors’ prescriptions are followed, the problem is eliminated in 3–5 days and without adverse effects on the body.

Experts do not consider diarrhea a disease. It is both poisoning and a symptom of another illness. For example, when the thyroid gland works intensively, it produces more hormones that provoke the disease. It is extremely important to treat the causes of the disease, not the symptoms. Eliminating just the symptoms will not eliminate the disease. You should study all stages of diarrhea with your doctor. For example, when diarrhea does not stop for several days, and the toilet is visited less than 6 times a day, this indicates the presence of a disease in the upper intestine. When more than 6 times, then dangerous problems with the large intestine are likely to occur.

Be sure to seek medical help

You shouldn’t look for the answer to the question of why your stomach hurts and the diarrhea doesn’t stop on your own. It is necessary to consult a specialist when diarrhea is intense and does not stop for a long time. Self-medication can cause the formation of various adverse consequences and more dangerous diseases. Nowadays, diarrhea is a very common illness, and therefore specialists are able to help everyone and provide qualified and safe assistance in eliminating this difficulty.

It is acceptable not to focus on weakness that lasts two or three days, but when diarrhea does not stop after 7 days, you should immediately seek help. If this is not done on time, there is a risk of various adverse consequences. It is important to establish the cause of prolonged diarrhea in adults and how to get rid of it.

Video: Constant diarrhea

When an adult does not have stomach pain with loose stools, therefore, the body itself gets rid of toxic substances and mucus that accumulate inside the gastrointestinal tract. This functional disorder goes away on the second day if you follow a diet. If diarrhea does not go away for 4 days or more, you should immediately consult a doctor.