Loose stools for a few days, what should I do? Loose stools like water in an adult – causes, treatment. Loose stools for a long time

Dr Ken Heaton from the University of Bristol developed and published a stool shape scale in 1997. According to the classification of the British scientist, seven types of human excrement are distinguished. The gradation goes from nut-like stool to watery stool. The faster the food bolus passes through the intestines, the less water and nutrients are absorbed from it, the thinner the feces will be. Diarrhea for several days will lead to dehydration and metabolic disorders.

Signs of prolonged diarrhea

According to the Bristol scale, diarrhea is defined as fluffy, porous, soft lumps of stool with ragged edges. The extreme degree of prolonged diarrhea is completely liquid, watery stool. In such stool, undigested food ingredients, mucus, intestinal epithelium, and, in some cases, blood and pus are found. When diarrhea does not go away for a week, we are talking about a process. If diarrhea does not go away for more than 20 days, then we should talk about the chronic form of the disease.

Clinical symptoms that manifest long-term diarrhea are:

loose stools more than 3 times a day for 4 days or more;
stomach pain, rumbling, flatulence;
dry mouth, viscous saliva, coated tongue;
decreased skin tone;
headaches, weakness, lethargy;
elevated temperature (not always);
irritation of the anus - redness, small cracks.

In addition, various diseases are expressed in ongoing systematic diarrhea in adults. The consistency, color, and smell of excrement have specific differences. For example, pancreatitis impairs the digestion of fats. Prolonged diarrhea will be oily, runny,...

Causes of loose stools

The causes of prolonged diarrhea lie in different pathologies of internal organs. The unifying properties for these anomalies are:

impaired absorption of water and nutrients in the large intestine;
increased peristalsis;
chronic, sometimes congenital, nature of the underlying disease.

With prolonged diarrhea due to poisoning by intestinal toxins from poor quality foods and drinks, everything is more or less clear. The chain “bad food – poisoning – vomiting, diarrhea, fever” can be traced quite clearly.

Why does continuous loose stool occur after fresh food? The following can cause such a reaction in the body:

lack of lactase enzyme. Many adults do not break down milk sugar. Taking fresh food provokes the accumulation of undigested lactose in the intestines, the growth of unwanted microflora, abdominal pain, and diarrhea for up to 3 days;
Celiac disease is a congenital atrophy of the intestinal villi that prevents the absorption of gluten, a protein in grain crops. It is found in large doses in wheat, rye, barley, oats and their processed products - cereals, baked goods, beer. Therefore, some men, after a good glass of foamy drink, experience unpleasant consequences for a long time;
Nervous disorders in women cause the synthesis of compounds that enhance peristalsis. Stomach pain can occur due to hormonal changes or menopause. Diarrhea in such cases is observed for several days in a row;
Loose stools are observed in people suffering from Crohn's disease. Intestinal inflammation is hereditary autoimmune in nature. Ulcers, erosions, and inflammation of the lymph nodes affect the intestinal wall. Diarrhea does not stop until 6 weeks;
Nonspecific ulcerative colitis may be a reason for diarrhea lasting a week. The causes of the disease are not completely clear. Ulcers are localized in the large intestine, surrounded by granulomatous tissue. Abscesses are found under the mucosa, which open into the intestinal lumen. Mucous, both in adults and children.

Diarrhea does not go away for a long time in diseases of the liver and bile ducts, diseases of the thyroid gland, and pancreatitis.

What to do if diarrhea does not go away?

If diarrhea does not go away for 7 days or more, the question inevitably arises: “What to do?” The causes of abnormally liquid stool influence the choice of treatment strategy for the disease. To identify the culprit of the problem, several simple tests are performed.

Diagnostic tests

First you can put a thermometer. Elevated body temperature indicates an inflammatory infectious process. These are bacteria, viruses, fungi, protozoa that have settled in the intestines and disrupt its functioning.

See what color and consistency the discharge has. Are they oily in nature, are there streaks of blood? The presence of foreign inclusions indicates a serious pathology of the gastrointestinal tract.

Analyze your daily diet and think about which foods affected the quality of your stool. Was fresh cow's milk, ice cream, cream, condensed milk and products containing them consumed? Perhaps the reaction was to pasta, pastries, bread and bakery products, and porridge.

Young women from 20 to 35 years old should determine whether there is a connection between nervous experiences and frequent bowel movements during the day.

To confirm your own assumptions, you should consult a doctor as soon as possible. Tests in the clinic:

blood biochemistry;
coprogram;
colonoscopy.

Only a doctor can name the exact cause of prolonged diarrhea and determine how best to treat it based on an examination and a series of studies. Any medications are taken as prescribed by physicians.

Treatment of diarrhea

Treatment of long-term diarrhea consists of replenishing lost fluid, restoring intestinal functions, fighting infection (if any), eliminating unpleasant symptoms and the consequences of diarrhea.

During the treatment period, a diet is followed that reduces the load on the gastrointestinal tract and is gentle on digestion.

Replenishing fluid loss

An emergency measure for diarrhea is to avoid dehydration. Losing 10% of fluid is fatal. It is necessary to drink as much weak sweet tea and still mineral water as possible. Pharmacies have a wide range of rehydrating powders (Regidron, Trihydron, Gidrovit, Adiarin Regidro). restore water-electrolytic balance. One sachet is dissolved in a liter of warm boiled water. Store the prepared solution in the refrigerator for no longer than a day.

Scheme for using the rehydrant:
On the first day of diarrhea, take 10 ml per kg of body weight in small sips after each loose stool. A person weighing 60 kg needs 600 ml of solution;
on the second day, reduce the dose to 8 ml per kg;
if the diarrhea does not stop on the third day, continue to drink a solution of 5 ml per kg of weight;

on the fourth day from the onset of diarrhea, stop taking the solution; using rehydrants for more than 3-4 days is undesirable.

Rehydrating powders are contraindicated for kidney disease and diabetes.

Phytotherapy

As a complement to the complex treatment of diarrhea, folk remedies are used. Herbal preparations are used in the following forms:
infusion - place the crushed plant in an enamel bowl, add boiled water t = 250 °C, close with a lid. Keep in a water bath for 15 minutes, stirring. Remove, cool for 45 minutes, strain, squeeze through cheesecloth;

Drink decoctions and infusions in courses of 2 weeks. Half a glass 3-4 times a day 20-30 minutes before meals. The fixing effect is achieved due to tannins. The mild anti-inflammatory, soothing and immunomodulatory effect of the following plants is positive for diarrhea:

burdock (burdock) - roots and leaves are used, which contain essential oils, palmitic and stearic acids, tannins, vitamin C;
calendula is a storehouse of flavonoids, tannic acids, essential oils, alkaloids, carotene. Has a powerful bactericidal, anti-inflammatory, wound healing effect;
– strengthens and relieves gastrointestinal irritation, forming a protective film;
sage – contains aromatic essential oils, tannins, phytoncides;
St. John's wort is a reliable remedy for painful diarrhea, proven over generations.

To achieve multidirectional effects, it is recommended to combine herbs in mixtures. Dry crushed raw materials are mixed in equal proportions - take one spoon of each herb. Infusions and decoctions are made from the finished collection: a teaspoon of the collection per glass of water.

Ointment preparations

If, as a result of “long-lasting” diarrhea, irritation of the anus occurs, use special ointments:

Fleming's ointment is made on the basis of calendula, witch hazel, and aesculus. Thanks to natural ingredients, it acts delicately, drying, analgesically, and relieving inflammation of the anus;
Bepanten, Panthenol - ointments based on pantothenic acid. Stimulates tissue regeneration, healing of cracks and wounds, eliminates dryness and irritation of the skin;
Bezornil is a homeopathic remedy consisting of camphor derivatives, zinc salts, microparticles of pearls and amber, and bile extract. Perfectly dries, eliminates pain, itching, inflammation, fights bacteria.

A pea-sized dose of ointment is squeezed onto a clean finger. After bowel movements, lubricate the anal area.

Nutrition during treatment

Food during diarrhea consists of oatmeal, semolina, rice porridge with water, jacket potatoes - boiled or baked. Soups made with vegetable broths without cabbage or beets. Chicken, turkey, rabbit meat is boiled, stewed, baked in foil. Baked fish of low-fat varieties is allowed - hake, greenling, pollock, pike perch. Vegetables include potatoes, carrots, zucchini after cooking. Dried white bread, savory baked goods, no more than 200 g per day. We recommend pureed applesauce containing pectin to absorb harmful substances in the intestines. Drinks – still mineral water, weak tea, herbal infusions. Raw vegetables and fruits, juices, dairy and fermented milk products are excluded. Unacceptably fatty, fried, spicy, salted, smoked, pickled.

Therapeutic enemas

If loose stools do not go away for a long time, you can try a cleansing enema. To prepare an enema, dissolve 1 tablespoon of salt or 10 drops of lemon juice in 2 liters of warm boiled water. 1 to 2 liters are administered. Repeat the enema after an hour. A cleansing enema is given until the rinsing water is clean. This procedure removes toxins from the large intestine. After cleansing, you can do a therapeutic enema with chamomile decoction. The procedure is carried out once; frequent rinsing will worsen the condition of the intestines. The presence of intestinal bleeding is a contraindication for an enema.

Loose stools in an adult for a long time are an alarming sign of significant negative changes in internal organs, especially the gastrointestinal tract.

Examinations for metabolic disorders, inflammatory processes in the intestines, hormonal dysfunctions and other diseases take place in a medical facility. Treatment is prescribed by a qualified specialist according to an individual scheme for a specific case. The information on our website is provided by qualified doctors and is for informational purposes only. Don't self-medicate!

Be sure to consult a specialist!

Gastroenterologist, professor, doctor of medical sciences. Prescribes diagnostics and carries out treatment. Expert of the group for the study of inflammatory diseases. Author of more than 300 scientific papers.

Nowadays, it is quite common that after eating some not very high-quality products, an adult may experience loose stools, just like water. If such a situation occurs, you need to clearly know what to do to get rid of its symptoms.

Diarrhea is an act of defecation, which is characterized by a liquid consistency and can be repeated more than twice a day. Diarrhea can be considered the first definitive sign of indigestion. However, before taking any measures to treat such an unpleasant condition of the body, it is necessary to find out the exact cause of the appearance of loose stools. Bowel movements can be so copious and frequent that general weakness and dehydration of the body sets in almost immediately. In such cases, it is imperative to seek qualified medical help, where adequate treatment will be prescribed, depending on the general condition of the patient.

Features of digestion of food bolus

For a bolus of food to be completely digested, it takes at least 48 hours after eating. It is during this period that almost all the water is absorbed into the walls of the colon. If the integrity of the mucous membrane is even slightly compromised, then the process of water absorption slows down. Thus, more of it begins to be excreted along with feces. The process of defecation occurs several times more often than usual, and the stool is liquid. Diarrhea can occur due to an inflammatory process, an allergic reaction, or as a result of severe food poisoning.

There are many reasons that contribute to the formation of watery stools. If the disease is infectious, the patient’s temperature rises sharply. All this is accompanied by antispasmodic pain in the abdominal area and severe vomiting. In case of disruption of the pancreas or failure to digest certain high-calorie foods, the patient may complain of severe pain under the ribs on the left.

The main causes of loose stools in adults

Typically, human feces consist of almost 75% plain water. Everything else can be defined as a certain mixture of mucus, enzymes, fiber, some bacteria, epithelial cells of the intestine itself and all the remains of food consumed.

Watery diarrhea most often occurs due to damage to the mucous membrane of the large intestine or due to its contamination by pathogenic bacteria. This can happen if the quality of the foods consumed is not ideal for digestion processes in the gastrointestinal tract. The cause may also be a specific allergic reaction to a product or to some potent medications and certain chemical substances. People who suffer from mental disorders or are in a constant state of stress also often encounter problems such as diarrhea.

The most common causes of diarrhea

There are several main reasons for the appearance of loose stools in an adult. Among them:

disruption of fluid absorption processes;
intolerance to certain allergenic foods;
cancerous tumors;
pancreatic diseases;
ulcerative colitis;
eating fried or too fatty foods;
intolerance to fermented milk products.

Diarrhea and severe flatulence

Flatulence is the strong formation of gases in the intestines. However, this condition is not always a symptom of the disease. Gases are formed during the complete processing of food by special bacteria located in the large intestine. Gas can also be considered a byproduct of digestion. In any case, it must leave the body. This condition does not require any specific treatment.

It’s a different matter when absorption processes through the intestinal walls themselves are disrupted. In this case, food debris is processed by saprophytic bacteria. This is why loose stools appear in an adult. Sometimes watery stool may well be combined with quite strong flatulence. But it is not the excessive formation of gases that needs to be treated, but the original reason why the process of normal absorption of products through the walls of the large intestine is disrupted.

Watery diarrhea can be eliminated as soon as the underlying cause of the disease is eliminated. If diarrhea is combined with severe and persistent abdominal pain, you should immediately seek help from a specialist.

It is also necessary to drink plenty of water to avoid severe dehydration.

Main types of diarrhea in adults

Diarrhea, which occurs with various intestinal diseases, can be divided into the following types:
diarrhea with colitis;
infectious diarrhea, which can be caused by bacteria, helminths, fungi or protozoa;
neurogenic character;
characterized by a congenital disorder in the normal composition of digestive enzymes;
medicinal, allergic and toxic.

There are also diarrhea that appears in diseases of any other systems and organs:

endocrine – for disorders of the thyroid gland and adrenal glands;
pancreatogenic – for diseases of the pancreas;
metabolic;
gastrogenic;
hepatogenic – for liver diseases;
diarrhea that develops as a result of certain systemic diseases. An example is scleroderma.

Features of diarrhea in various diseases

Diarrhea in an adult can have a completely different character. Loose, watery stools primarily appear during acute or worsened chronic intestinal infections.

At the same time, the body temperature rapidly rises, and signs of dehydration appear.

With such nonspecific diseases of the intestinal tract as colitis and enteritis, as well as after gastrectomy, patients constantly experience watery stools. In this state, you can prevent dehydration simply with plain water. It is water that can replenish all the protective functions of the intestinal and stomach mucosa. The temperature in this state rises only by insignificant values, and may even remain within normal limits.

If an adult has black, loose stools, this may indicate internal bleeding. Treatment for this condition is mandatory. After all, bleeding from any internal organ can lead not only to disruption of its activity, but even to the death of a person.

Liquid, light-colored stool may indicate damage to only the initial part of the intestine. At the same time, the stool is quite abundant, similar in viscosity to clay. If the stool is light-colored, then we can talk about damage to the hind intestine. In this case, the diarrhea is frequent, watery and foamy. This condition is quite difficult for the body. Body temperature rises significantly. Other symptoms of intoxication are present. Treatment of the disease must be immediate.

Treatment of diarrhea with medications Self-medication is strictly not recommended, since you can only veil obvious symptoms, but not cure the cause of loose stools.

Two types of drugs are used for treatment:

Antispasmodics that help relieve pain and weaken the smooth muscles of the intestines.
Absorbents that thicken stool. They also collect all intoxicating substances and promote their removal from the body.

Diarrhea in an adult can also be treated with various probiotics. They are natural bacteria found in the intestines.

Principles of drug therapy

Any drug for diarrhea is used only if this condition does not go away within a few hours. Such drugs should be used once or until the symptoms of intoxication disappear.

For diarrhea, strict bed rest and antispasmodics are most often recommended. Symptomatically, Imodium and constant heavy drinking are usually prescribed. In more severe cases, hospitalization and drip injection of large amounts of fluid into the body are necessary.

Folk remedies

Before taking any measures to treat diarrhea, you need to establish for sure that it is diarrhea and not just an upset stomach. With diarrhea, loose stools appear in an adult, possibly mixed with blood. In this case, bowel movements occur more often than three times a day.

To avoid dehydration, you should drink a lot of water. Water is the sorbent that allows you to wash out all intoxicating agents from the intestines. In this state, it is worth limiting the consumption of fatty and spicy foods, alcohol, and fresh fruits. It is also recommended to exclude all fermented milk products from the diet.

You can stop diarrhea with simple medicinal herbs. This is the treatment of the disease with folk remedies. Everything you need can be easily found in any garden. Preparing decoctions and tinctures is also not difficult at all. Most often, in such cases, a decoction of oak bark is used. It serves as a fairly good antimicrobial agent. Alternatively, you can mix red wine with cherries, which are infused in a warm place and filtered well through a regular sieve. For an adult, it is usually recommended to drink one glass of this tincture 3 times a day until the symptoms of intoxication completely disappear. For medicinal purposes, you can also use a decoction of cranberry leaves and berries.

Special diet for the treatment of diarrhea in adults

Each person decides independently which method to treat diarrhea. Many people prefer drug therapy, some are treated with medicinal herbs. However, it is possible to significantly improve the condition of the body if you simply review your usual diet. For this purpose, special preventive and therapeutic diets have been developed.

Diet can be considered the most correct method for the prevention and treatment of severe diarrhea. When following a diet, you should exclude fried, salty, spicy foods, as well as nuts, any legumes and various dairy products from your diet. The basis of the daily diet for diarrhea should be soft and boiled foods that do not have a serious effect on the body. During this period, it is necessary to remember that the best remedy for dehydration is water. You should drink at least 2 liters per day. In order to stop diarrhea, you need to eat rice porridge, bananas, oatmeal, and boiled vegetables. It is advisable to drink sour fruit compote or still mineral water.

In any case, if you experience frequent loose stools, you should not self-medicate. This can only make the situation worse. It is best to consult a doctor and take only the treatment prescribed to you.

If for a long time an adult defecates more than twice a day and the stool has a liquid consistency, this may indicate an inflammatory process in the body.

Most likely, this may be due to a disease in the gastrointestinal tract. Every person has experienced discomfort during diarrhea.

Causes of loose stools

The appearance of loose stools may indicate the presence of a viral or bacterial infection in the body. But sometimes this symptom can be a sign of other diseases.

The reasons why loose stools appeared must be determined. Self-treatment of prolonged diarrhea can lead to weakening of the body and impairment of its ability to work.

With improper treatment or its absence, loose stools can become a chronic type of disease. It will be more difficult to treat the disease.

Patients experience high fever with diarrhea. This symptom is characteristic of many types of diarrhea. The very first one is a disorder associated with viruses and bacteria.

It is known that when microorganisms enter the body and encounter human immune cells, the production of antibodies begins. This process is constantly accompanied by high temperature.

If there is no temperature in the body of an adult, this symptom may indicate an immunodeficiency state.

Why does diarrhea cause nausea and vomiting?

Attacks of nausea with loose stools are quite common. This is explained by the disruption of the movement of feces and food mass, which causes them to be thrown in the opposite direction.

When intoxication occurs, harmful products are then absorbed into the bloodstream. Thus, the flow of toxins passes through all organs. The brain always reacts to this process with a vomiting reaction.

Causes of abdominal pain due to diarrhea?

Pain during an attack of diarrhea is a characteristic phenomenon. Most often it manifests itself in food and microbial poisoning. As a result, pain always increases motility in the intestines.

Painful sensations can be paroxysmal in nature, they can intensify and subside until they stop completely. During a painful attack, a signal is given to defecate, after which diarrhea occurs.

The appearance of loose stool in an adult for a long time can be due to many reasons.

In order to stop the disease, it is necessary to determine what its causes are and why this symptom appeared. Only after this will it be possible to stop the influence of factors causing diarrhea.

Why does unpleasant belching occur during diarrhea?

An unpleasant odor during belching is the primary symptom of diarrhea. It usually precedes the appearance of loose stools.

Its manifestation is the fact that enzymatic deficiency occurs in the pancreas, biliary system and stomach.

When food enters the body, it is not digested and the process of decay begins. Thus, gases with an unpleasant odor are formed, which leaves the stomach through belching.

Undigested food, moving into the intestines, provokes irritation and the appearance of weak stools. A rotten smell accompanied by diarrhea is the second sign of digestive problems.

This indicates the disease and its further development. Do not waste time, seek advice from a specialist.

Symptomatic manifestations of disorders in the gastrointestinal tract

The appearance of diarrhea is associated with the symptomatic manifestation of a disorder in the gastrointestinal tract. With loose stools, a person has a stomach ache, vomiting, nausea, and high fever.

During the day, the patient may have bowel movements more than three times. The stool is copious, with frequent urges, and general weakness is observed. If no measures are taken, dehydration may occur.

In this situation, an urgent consultation with a doctor is necessary, do not waste time, call an ambulance, after examination by a specialist and tests, treatment will be prescribed. He will tell you what to do in this situation.

Almost seventy-five percent of human feces consists of ordinary water, the rest is a mass consisting of fiber enzymes, mucous compounds, some microorganisms, particles of intestinal epithelial cells, partially or completely digested food.

Diarrhea may be caused by an allergic reaction to a certain product. It may also be a reaction after taking the drug.

Loose stools appear when there is damage to the mucosa in the large intestine.

Or it contains pathogenic bacteria. If the patient has eaten poor quality food. Or it was not suitable for his body, due to the complex process of digestion in the gastrointestinal tract.

Also, if a person has suffered a stressful situation or suffers from a mental illness, this may subsequently result in bowel dysfunction.

The main reasons for the appearance of loose stools:

oncological formations;
diseases associated with ulcerative colitis;
diseases associated with pancreatic disease;
disorders in processes associated with fluid absorption;
allergies to certain foods;
intolerance to fermented milk foods;
loose stools caused by infection, bacteria, fungus, worms;
in case of hemorrhoids;
diarrhea after drug treatment;
diarrhea after a stressful situation;
lack of enzymes;

The appearance of loose stools in irritable bowel syndrome occurs from excessive activity of the nervous system in an adult associated with a mental disorder.

If a person is in a stressful situation for a long time, then disturbances in the functioning of the intestines associated with his motility may be observed.

In this regard, severe pain appears in the abdomen, flatulence and an uncontrollable urge to defecate. Liquid stool (mushy-like) after the completion of the bowel movement temporarily stops.

Typically, activated charcoal is taken to get rid of loose stools. Activated carbon has the property of removing fluid, adsorbing toxins and other harmful substances formed in the body after diarrhea.

Since watery stools already remove fluid from the body and dehydration may occur, activated charcoal can complicate the situation. Treatment can be lengthy.

If you have diarrhea after poisoning, it is imperative to rinse your stomach. To do this, you need to boil water and add ordinary potassium permanganate to it.

The prepared solution should be light pink in color; you need to drink about 3 liters of water.

If you have celiac disease, you must exclude all foods containing gluten and follow a diet. A long therapy process is also followed.

This disease must be treated for many years. Preparations with enzymes are included, as well as medications for dysbiosis and to strengthen the body.

If diarrhea was caused after taking antibiotics, it is necessary to carry out treatment with the probiotic drug "Linex".

To relieve pain, “No-shpa” and “Papaverine” are used (all actions must be coordinated with the attending physician). "Regidron" helps restore the water-salt balance in the body after diarrhea.

When treating diarrhea, there is no need to waste time on self-medication; you should immediately seek advice from a specialist to determine the cause of the disease. Otherwise, treatment may be lengthy.

Useful video

Content

The presence of constant or frequent loose stools in adults is an indicator of diarrhea. A pathological condition of this kind can be of two types - chronic or acute, depending on the cause of its occurrence. Serious diseases of the gastrointestinal tract develop due to a viral or bacterial infection that has entered the body. However, these are not all possible reasons that can cause liquid feces.

What is loose stool

A disease for which the characteristic symptoms are the appearance of loose or foamy stools is commonly called diarrhea in medical practice. This syndrome is often accompanied by pain in the intestinal tract, indigestion, or high fever. Possible causes of acute or chronic diarrhea are intestinal infections and food poisoning.

Unformed stool in an adult for a long time is a very dangerous syndrome that can lead to dehydration and serious health problems. Violation of the water-salt balance in the body threatens the development of irreversible pathological changes, therefore, if signs of digestive upset are detected, you should immediately seek help from a doctor.

Causes

Watery stools cause a number of reasons, the most common of which are intestinal disorders due to poor-quality or spoiled food, as well as acute infections such as salmonellosis and dysentery. Chronic inflammatory diseases can affect the occurrence of diarrhea or liquid stool. Other factors that influence the appearance of watery, prolonged diarrhea include:

the body's response to taking medications;
metabolic disease;
symptoms of dysbiosis;
chronic gastrointestinal diseases;
stress;
irritable bowel syndrome;
worms;
damage to the intestinal mucosa;
food allergy.

Loose stools in an adult for a long time

With a high frequency of bowel movements in adult patients, there are complications in the gastrointestinal tract, which are accompanied by vomiting and other unpleasant symptoms. In some cases, liquid stool is considered normal, such as during pregnancy. All other precedents indicate an intestinal disorder, so profuse infectious diarrhea with a foul odor can only be stopped with the help of therapy.

Soft stool in an adult for a long time is considered an unfavorable condition that causes signs of dehydration. To prevent liquid stool, doctors recommend that men and women follow several rules. Be sure to wash fruits and vegetables before eating and cook meat or dairy products. It is important to always check the expiration date of the purchased product and under no circumstances consume spoiled food.

Loose stools, but not diarrhea

Few people know, but there is a difference between liquid feces and diarrhea. In a healthy person, bowel movements occur once or twice a day, which is considered normal. As the amount of fluid increases, the consistency of stool changes, which indicates health problems. Unlike diarrhea, which is temporary, the duration of this phenomenon is a couple of weeks.

Liquid feces is a chronic illness that, without proper treatment, can become a constant companion of a person. This reaction from the body sometimes occurs due to a sudden change in diet, for example, vegetarianism. In this case, the color of the stool will have a greenish tint, which indicates a large amount of fiber being absorbed. The cause of a constant urge to go to the toilet may be an infection, so normalizing bowel function is possible only after undergoing treatment.

Twitching stomach and loose stools

Stress, overeating, food poisoning can lead to stomach churning. However, if semi-liquid stool is added to these symptoms, then there is cause for concern. Unlike babies, the appearance of constant mushy discharge in an adult throughout the week signals problems in the functioning of the stomach. The consistency of stool may vary depending on the cause of the disease. Frequent loose bowel movements cause:

oncological diseases;
intestinal infection;
Crohn's disease;
stomach ulcer;
appendicitis.

In the morning

Some people suffer from daily abdominal discomfort in the morning. This problem is not gender specific; it affects both women and men equally. Pathologies of the abdominal organs or other systems are considered to be provoking factors for discomfort, which may be accompanied by flatulence. Patients experience somatic and visceral pain.

The first type is characteristic of irritation of the gastrointestinal mucosa, which is a frequent companion to chronic gastritis. Unpleasant sensations in the abdominal area become regular, poisoning a person’s life. Visceral pain appears due to the reaction of nerve endings to various irritants. With this pathology, discomfort is not localized in different places.

The stomach does not hurt, but the stool is loose

Digestive disorder, which is characterized by the absence of symptoms of diarrhea, such as fever, indicates the presence of a pathological process in the human body. In the case of mild food poisoning, loose diarrhea without abdominal pain should go away on its own within a couple of days. If the situation remains unchanged over a long period of time, then there is every reason to seek medical help.

Rotavirus infection is most often observed among young children. However, adults can also be affected by it. Doctors know exactly what to do if you have loose stools, so if you suspect an infection, you should immediately go to the hospital. Sometimes mushy discharge appears due to severe stress or nervous tension. To solve the problem, you should at least temporarily change your occupation.

Liquid yellow stool

The color of stool can tell a lot about a person's health. So, if a patient regularly has black liquid stool, then there is an open ulcer in the stomach. Yellow and green stools are characteristic of a bacterial infection, in which a person is forced to visit the toilet six to ten times a day. When any problems arise, the body seeks to remove negative infestations through the mouth or anus. Liquid stool mixed with mucus or blood is a serious symptom, and if it occurs, you should call a doctor.

After meal

Liquid diarrhea after each meal is called functional diarrhea. This reaction of the body to food indicates disturbances in the functioning of the intestines. They can be either temporary or permanent. The probable causes of liquid stool are considered to be: dysbacteriosis, intestinal infection or “bear disease”. If the body cannot cope with the digestion of food, it will try with all its might to cleanse the gastrointestinal tract, which leads to diarrhea.

Diarrhea and gas

Flatulence and diarrhea often appear together due to the interconnected functioning of all gastrointestinal systems. When gases accumulate in the intestines, pathological processes in the body are triggered, which interfere with its normal functioning. Therefore, a person will soon experience diarrhea. For a child in the first months of life, this state of affairs is considered the norm. As for adults, liquid green feces and flatulence signal the presence of diseases such as hepatitis or dysbiosis.

Blood mixed

Blood in the stool is an unfavorable symptom that can be caused by ailments of various parts of the gastrointestinal tract. Discharges are not always visible to the eye; sometimes special laboratory tests are required to detect them. However, if blood impurities are visible, it means that the damage is localized at the intestinal level. Traces of fresh blood in liquid stool indicate fissures in the anus or hemorrhoids.

Diagnostics

If symptoms of diarrhea occur, it is recommended to consult a proctologist or gastroenterologist. The specialist conducts a comprehensive examination of the patient’s digestive tract, having previously carried out an external examination. With the power of instrumental endoscopic techniques, the doctor can detect damage to the mucosa or other parts of the gastrointestinal tract. If necessary, the following procedures are carried out:

coprogram;
bacteriological culture;
examination of stool for worm eggs;

Treatment

To restore intestinal function, complex therapy is used, which involves the use of a variety of methods of healing the body. During treatment, the patient must follow a strict diet and temporarily exclude from the diet foods that stimulate the secretion of hydrochloric acid. In addition, antibacterial drugs are used, which should be taken every day.

Drug treatment

Before getting rid of loose stools, patients undergo antibiotic therapy, including drugs to suppress pathogenic microflora in the intestines. These include prebiotics, broad-spectrum antibiotics and enterosorbents. Treatment is prescribed only by a specialist. The best choice is combination drugs, such as Nifuroxazide, which do not cause additional harm to the body. This drug is destructive for most intestinal infections, for example, Vibrio cholera, Salmonella, Klebsiella.

It has a pronounced bactericidal and bacteriostatic effect, the result depends on the dose taken. The drug disrupts the process of protein synthesis and inhibits the activity of the dehydrogenase enzyme. Nifuroxazide does not affect the normal intestinal microflora, and therefore does not harm the patient’s health. Adsorbents are used as symptomatic medications for liquid stool, which slow down gastric peristalsis and promote thickening of stool. These include drugs such as Loperamide and Somatostatin.

Loose stools cause a lot of inconvenience to a person, be it an adult or a child. The symptom is unpleasant and negatively affects well-being, health and lifestyle.

What is loose stool

During normal functioning of the stomach, bowel movements occur once or twice a day.

If disruption of the gastrointestinal tract occurs over a long period of time, they speak of chronic diarrhea (not diarrhea). How to determine the cause and begin treatment correctly is a question that requires a serious approach and attention.

Chronic loose stools in an adult indicate health problems. This is not only unpleasant, but also a dangerous phenomenon that can lead the body to dehydration. Together with feces, a large volume of water, useful microelements, minerals, and nutrients are released. They are necessary to maintain water-salt balance and normal functioning of the gastrointestinal tract. Signs of dehydration include:

Lethargy, drowsiness, constant feeling of weakness;
Dry skin;
Loss of body weight;
Feeling thirsty, dry mouth;
Reducing the number of urinations.

Remember! Long-lasting, loose, smelly stools in an adult should not be ignored. The symptom is dangerous for the body. If you ignore the symptoms, there is a risk of serious harm to your health and serious treatment will be required.

There is a noticeable difference between loose stools and diarrhea. Loose stools differ from diarrhea in that the stool acquires a liquid consistency; it can persist for a long period of time without other symptoms. It appears daily, every other day, or occurs periodically. Diarrhea is frequent and sudden bowel movements. Accompanied by a number of symptoms: acute abdominal pain, high temperature, and health quickly deteriorates.

Causes of prolonged loose stools in adults

If a person is bothered by loose stools at least once a day for a long time, this indicates pathological processes in the body. They can cause serious illness and lead to complications. Difficulties with stool vary in nature.

Factors contributing to indigestion:

The list of reasons is incomplete. The main factors that provoke loose stools are given.

When to see a doctor

If a symptom is observed, you should not ignore it, even if nothing hurts. It is recommended to call an ambulance immediately if:

Unformed, odorless feces are observed for a long time, daily (month);
Severe weight loss has occurred;
Feeling of constant nausea, bitter taste in the mouth;
After treatment, the symptom does not go away;
A foul odor appeared;
The man experiences severe shortness of breath and an increased heart rate;
The stool is very watery;
Blood clots and mucus appeared in the stool. This means complications of the disease have begun.

If stomach difficulties persist for a long time, consult your doctor. An adult must undergo a medical examination, take tests and undergo a course of treatment.

How to cure loose stools for an adult

It is necessary to quickly find out the exact cause, determine the diagnosis and prescribe comprehensive treatment, which includes:

Taking medications (anti-inflammatory, probiotics, prebiotics, antibacterials, sorbents, etc.).
The second tip is to follow a dietary menu (exclude foods that can have a laxative effect or overload a sore stomach).

The treatment method directly depends on the cause of the stomach upset. The diagnosis may be different for each person with this symptom. How and with what to treat is determined by the attending physician. Self-medication is prohibited! If treated incorrectly, there remains a risk of harm to health.

Enterosorbents will help provide first aid in this situation. The substances in the drug absorb and help remove toxic compounds from the body. Harmful substances, together with sorbents, naturally leave the body. The drug is used if there is a case of food poisoning. Sorbents include: Polysorb, Activated carbon, Smecta, Enterosgel, etc.

Medicine offers a choice of drugs that restore the stomach. Taking probiotics helps normalize digestion (Bifidumbacterin, Linex, Bifiform).

It is important to drink more water to replace lost fluids. You can make water with added salt. Rehydration medications are recommended to normalize the water-salt balance.

With the correct diagnosis and compliance with treatment, you can get rid of loose stools in a week.

Diet for loose stools

Proper nutrition will help quickly improve the functioning of the stomach. Strict adherence to the doctor’s recommendations regarding diet will shorten the treatment period.

The diet includes:

Eating low-fat foods;
Lenten broth;
Rusks, crackers;
Porridge with water (oatmeal, rice porridge);
Boiled potatoes;
Vegetables cooked in a steam bath;
Bananas.

If you have loose stools, you should refrain from alcoholic beverages, coffee, dairy products, fatty and spicy foods, baked goods, carbonated water, and fruit juices.

Prevention

It is better to prevent a disease than to treat it. Preventive measures:

Always wash your hands before eating;
Choose food carefully;
Lead a healthy lifestyle;
Undergo an annual preventive examination.

A single, rare loose stool is not dangerous, but if a person has it for no reason and is regular, the symptom requires surgical treatment.

What to do if you constantly have loose stools, what are the causes of this condition and what to do to improve your well-being - the answers to these and other questions are in the article.

Why does loose stool occur?

Diarrhea, or diarrhea, is a pathological condition in which there is copious and frequent bowel movements (more than 2 times a day).

Feces are liquefied and watery. Diarrhea is often accompanied by abdominal pain, flatulence, and weakness.

Why does constant loose stool occur? In most cases, the reasons for constant loose stools are quite prosaic.

The state of the gastrointestinal tract is especially affected by a person’s lifestyle.

If you eat fatty and fried foods for several years, exercise little, and experience excessive emotional and physical stress, then it is very likely that your body will malfunction.

The digestive system is one of the first to react to stress and poor lifestyle. In such situations, a person may complain that he is constantly bothered by loose stools.

If an adult has constantly loose stools, the first step is to exclude the possibility of an intestinal infection.

Pathogenic bacteria that enter the gastrointestinal tract produce toxins and disrupt the balance of intestinal microflora. Diarrhea is a protective reaction to the presence of pathogens.

Causes of loose stools include liver and gallbladder diseases.

Due to disruptions in the functioning of these organs, the absorption of vitamins and microelements necessary for the proper functioning of the body and good health deteriorates. Constant loose stools are one of the symptoms of diseases of these organs.

The normal functioning of the digestive system also depends on the production of certain hormones by the thyroid gland - thyroxine and triiodothyronine.

An increase in the hormonal activity of the gland (hyperthyroidism) leads to disruption of the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract and often causes constant loose stools.

When considering the causes of chronic diarrhea, one should not exclude quite rare diseases - Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis.

These conditions are accompanied by constant loose stool mixed with mucus, blood and pus.

Lack of timely treatment can lead to exhaustion of the body and the occurrence of other associated pathological conditions. If blood and pus are detected in the stool, you should immediately consult a doctor.

Diagnosis of persistent diarrhea

If symptoms of persistent loose stools are detected, it is recommended to begin treatment for the condition to avoid dehydration and subsequent intoxication.

Any intervention in the body should be agreed with a doctor. To make a correct diagnosis and choose a treatment regimen, you need to contact a gastroenterologist and proctologist.

During a general examination, the gastroenterologist will first of all clarify the symptoms of the condition. The patient may complain of frequent bowel movements (2-3 times a day) for more than 14 days.

Feces with diarrhea are copious and liquid. Diarrhea is often accompanied by bloating and asymmetry of the abdominal area. When palpating the abdomen, painful sensations are possible.

To make a correct diagnosis, the gastroenterologist will prescribe several blood and stool tests, which will help clarify the condition of the liver, gallbladder and identify the presence of infection in the gastrointestinal tract.

The reasons for constant loose stools may be hidden in abnormalities of internal organs. To identify possible pathological changes in the structure and functioning of the organs of the digestive system, radiography, ultrasound and colonoscopy are prescribed.

X-rays without the introduction of a contrast agent are not very informative, so specialists often conduct ultrasound diagnostics to exclude the presence of tumors in the abdominal area, which could lead to a malfunction of the digestive system and the appearance of constant loose stools.

During a consultation with a proctologist, the doctor will pay attention to the condition of the anus, traces of blood and pus in it.

To clarify the diagnosis, in addition to stool tests, a colonoscopy may be performed.

Such a study allows you to assess the condition of the intestines, identify the presence of ulcers, small tumors and polyps.

The colonoscopy procedure sometimes includes the collection of material - cells or tissues (biopsy).

A biopsy will help determine the presence of inflammation and precancerous conditions of the digestive system.

These pathologies can significantly disrupt the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract and lead to the appearance of chronic loose stools.

Treatment of chronic diarrhea

Different approaches to the treatment of persistent loose stools are explained by the wide range of causes of its occurrence.

Since most cases of chronic diarrhea are associated with the patient’s lifestyle, therapy for this condition is based on changes in diet and adjustments to the regimen.

An increase in physical activity and a decrease in the level of everyday stress should be combined with dietary adjustments.

Thus, the diet of a patient with chronic diarrhea must include food that stops the processes of fermentation and gas formation.

The basis of this diet is dishes baked in the oven or cooked in a double boiler. To improve the digestion process and reduce the load on a weakened intestine, it is recommended to grind all food to a puree.

In folk medicine, for constant loose stools, rice water is used or rice porridge is simply included in the daily menu. This choice is explained by the strengthening effect that cereal produces on the intestines.

The danger of constant loose stools lies in the leaching of microelements and water from the body.

This increase in the amount of fluid is also associated with the need to accelerate the removal of toxins from the gastrointestinal tract.

Many gastroenterologists advise taking a course of probiotics for chronic loose stools. These drugs are created to restore intestinal microflora and improve the absorption of nutrients from food. Taking them has a beneficial effect on the functioning of the liver and pancreas.

If the cause of constant loose stools is an inflammatory process of the digestive system, then the doctor will prescribe antibacterial agents.

Antibiotic therapy must be carried out only under the supervision of a doctor, who, based on the results of tests and examinations, will establish an individual dosage and develop a medication regimen.

Self-medication in such a situation can provoke a deterioration in the patient’s condition and delay the recovery process.

Prevention of persistent loose stools

Any disease is easier to prevent than to cure. Prevention of persistent loose stools is based on monitoring the condition of the gastrointestinal tract.

One of the factors that provokes the appearance of chronic diarrhea is failure to comply with simple hygiene rules.

When E. coli or other harmful bacteria enter the body, the intestinal microflora is disrupted - the toxins produced by these microorganisms provoke a malfunction of the gastrointestinal tract, which leads to the appearance of loose stools.

Prevention of intestinal infection involves washing your hands with soap after visiting the toilet and before eating.

Due to the alkali contained in soap, most bacteria are destroyed and the likelihood of pathogenic microorganisms entering the intestines is reduced.

Harmful bacteria live not only on hands or household items, but also on raw fruits and vegetables, in water and in meat and dairy products.

Meat and dairy products must be subjected to heat treatment. Hygiene should be especially careful in the summer, as bacteria multiply faster in a warm environment.

When preventing chronic diarrhea, the main focus should be on diet.

Malfunctions of the digestive system are often associated with deterioration of blood supply to the abdominal organs.

To prevent weakening of blood flow to internal organs, it is recommended to lead an active lifestyle.

Fast walking, simple exercises in the morning or playing sports will help improve blood circulation and oxygen saturation of organs.

If you have had chronic diarrhea in the past, after recovery, it is recommended to visit a gastroenterologist once a year for consultation and examination. After 60 years, doctors advise examining the digestive system every six months.

Constant loose stools are an unpleasant and delicate problem that people often prefer to keep silent about.

But don’t be shy about seeking medical help, because timely treatment under the supervision of a specialist and following simple rules of prevention will allow you to forget about the disease forever.

What is loose stool