Loose, infrequent stools. Causes of loose stools in adults. What is diarrhea

Any problems with intestinal function not only cause great discomfort and ruin all plans, but also seriously harm the body. And one of the most common pathologies is water diarrhea in an adult, treatment of which must be carried out with the obligatory elimination of the main cause of the ailment. In this case, due to the threat of dehydration, therapy must be carried out promptly.

During normal functioning of the gastrointestinal tract, up to 3 acts of bowel movement occur during the day. In this case, the water level in the stool reaches 60%. Diarrhea is considered to be the phenomenon when more than 4 bowel movements occur per day.

Watery diarrhea in an adult begins when pathogenic organisms or poor-quality food enter the intestines and are not eliminated immediately. Wherein main danger consists not of the bacteria themselves, but of toxins that are released with the products of their vital activity. However, in contrast to normal condition, the level of water in stool during diarrhea can reach 90%. Most often, the problem of watery stools occurs in the warm months of the year. This is explained by the extremely low activity of intestinal pathogens in winter.

Causes of watery diarrhea

Most often, the causes of such a phenomenon as water diarrhea in an adult are ignorance of the rules of personal and food hygiene. In other words, a person simply forgets about the need to thoroughly wash his hands both after going outside and having contact with animals, even domestic ones, and after visiting the toilet. In addition, it is not always observed correct processing food products.

But besides this, there are many more factors that provoke water diarrhea in an adult. These include:

  • insufficient purification of drinking water;
  • eating unwashed vegetables and fruits;
  • eating very fatty foods;
  • long-term adherence to mono-diet or fasting;
  • suffered severe stress or prolonged psychological stress;
  • indiscriminate eating of foods that are incompatible with each other;
  • eating spoiled food or toxic products;
  • ignoring hypersensitivity to certain foods and eating them.

Also, a similar phenomenon can occur during pregnancy, due to changes in the functioning of the entire body, and sometimes while taking medications.

However, such a phenomenon, when almost only water comes out and frequent diarrhea does not stop, may indicate the presence of serious pathologies or diseases. Most often this is:

  • rotavirus intestinal infections;
  • infectious lesions of the gastrointestinal tract;
  • bleeding in the intestines;
  • obstruction of the gallbladder;
  • absence required quantity enzymes;
  • Crohn's disease;
  • flu and colds;
  • chronic diseases, the main ones of which are enteritis and colitis;
  • improper metabolism, in which the digestion process is disrupted.

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, experience excessive emotional and physical exercise, then it is very likely that a malfunction in the body will occur.

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 entering the gastrointestinal tract produce toxins and upset the balance 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 and it is sufficient 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, asymmetry 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.

Radiography without injection contrast agent is 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.

At a consultation with a proctologist, the doctor will pay attention to the condition 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 non-compliance simple rules hygiene.

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 the soap, most bacteria are destroyed and the likelihood of contamination is reduced. pathogenic microorganisms into the intestines.

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 walk, simple gymnastics 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.

Bowel movement is a natural process that allows the body to get rid of waste products. Violation of this mechanism indicates pathological disorders occurring in the human body. There may be many reasons for this, but if an adult still has loose stools for a long time, it is worth paying close attention to this.

A person eats a wide variety of foods. Their composition and quantity directly affect the frequency and consistency of stool. The norm is considered to be stool 1-2 times a day. Feces have a fairly dense consistency; their moisture content should not exceed 80%. If this indicator increases, the frequency of bowel movements increases, we're talking about about diarrhea. This condition causes considerable discomfort and threatens to dehydrate the body. But it happens that the frequency of visiting the toilet is not affected, however, the feces contain a lot of water. If an adult has loose stools long time, the reasons can be determined only by the results of tests and examinations. There is no point in delaying either one or the other.

Causes of loose stools

It is necessary to understand that loose stools are only a symptom indicating disorders occurring in the body. It is a kind of litmus test, an indicator that gives an alarm signal.

There are many reasons for diarrhea. Separate group- diarrhea resulting from intestinal disease:

  • Response to bacterial infection, helminths, fungi, protozoa;
  • Inflammatory processes occurring in the intestines;
  • Intestinal oncology;
  • Response to neuropsychic irritation;
  • Impaired intestinal fermentation;
  • Postoperative reactions (as a result of resection of the stomach or intestines);
  • Reaction to severe poisoning;
  • The result of antibacterial therapy;
  • An allergic reaction expressed in such an unpleasant form.

Chronic diseases occurring in the body lead to long-term stool disorders. Loose stools, but not diarrhea, can occur in an adult for various reasons:

  • Stomach diseases - gastritis, ulcers, resection, oncology lead to prolonged diarrhea;
  • Cystic fibrosis and pancreatic diseases also make themselves felt by long-term stool disorders;
  • Liver diseases - cirrhosis, hepatitis, tumor provoke loose stools;
  • Diabetes mellitus and dysfunction of the pancreas are another cause of prolonged diarrhea;
  • The cause of stool formation disorders is severe metabolic disorders

  • Infectious diseases are characterized big amount water in stool. The stool may have a characteristic greenish coloration;
  • Chronic intestinal diseases lead to prolonged loose stools. But if it has a rich black color, which is not associated with the food consumed, then perhaps we are talking about internal bleeding;
  • Light, loose stools once a day in an adult indicate defeat small intestine(initial department). The stool has a clayey consistency and is very copious. In contrast, lesions of the terminal small intestine are characterized by repeated, loose, foamy stools that are bright yellow in color.

Since prolonged loose stools are only a symptom, it is necessary to treat the cause, the disease that provoked the digestive disorder. The main measure for frequent loose stools is to prevent dehydration and replenish the body with salts washed out of the body. A good result is shown by the use of enterosorbents.

Read also:

  • Diarrhea with blood in an adult: causes

Purpose medicines that stop diarrhea is not a solution to the problem, since in this case we are talking about healing, the cause that caused the diarrhea will not be eliminated.

It is necessary to consider whether loose stools are caused by food eaten the day before. If the stool is loose but does not cause discomfort, then it is likely that there are no pathological processes in the body. But if this disorder is observed for a long time, is accompanied by pain, dyspepsia, the stool contains mucus, foams, has Strong smell or unusual color, then you should not delay the examination.

  • Flatulence and foamy stool indicate activation of fermentation processes in the intestines. They are provoked by foods rich in carbohydrates. It is necessary to review the diet, exclude products that contain yeast, and also reduce the amount of vegetables and fruits consumed;
  • There are many reasons for the appearance of mucus in stool. The simplest option is excessive consumption of foods that provoke the formation of mucus: cereals, vegetables, herbs. In addition, mucus and bloating may indicate dysbiosis, cracks in the intestines, ulcerative colitis, bacterial infection, or be a manifestation of irritable bowel syndrome. Mucus can be a reaction to a course of antibiotics;
  • The appearance of blood in the stool is a serious reason to consult a doctor. Alaya, fresh blood indicates the presence of cracks in the anus, in this case a consultation with a proctologist is required; dark coloration of the stool may indicate internal bleeding

Patient examination program

  • To begin with, the doctor examines the complaints received from the patient, traces the possible connection between loose stools and the food consumed, and other factors that can provoke stool disorders;
  • The collected anamnesis allows us to establish the duration of the disease, the presence or absence of a hereditary factor;
  • Examination of the patient will allow you to compare prolonged loose stools with other manifestations of the clinical picture;
  • Laboratory tests of stool will allow you to evaluate its composition, which largely depends on the functioning of the digestive tract, enzymatic reactions occurring in the body;
  • In order to exclude fermentopathy, special tests are carried out;
  • Investigations will help clarify the picture, exclude bleeding, tumors of the intestines and internal organs: endoscopic, ultrasound, x-ray and others;
  • Colonoscopy is a method of examining the large intestine using a probe. During this procedure, a specialist takes samples for a colon biopsy. This method allows the most complete diagnosis of pathological processes occurring in the intestines, including malignant neoplasms.

Loose stools in an adult that persist for a long time do not necessarily indicate a serious illness. The cause of such a disorder can only be diagnosed by a doctor. In some cases, treatment is limited to adjusting the diet, in others to prescribing medications. The most important thing is to exclude the development of serious, life-threatening pathologies and diagnose them in a timely manner.

But prolonged diarrhea in an adult can lead to complications, which are then difficult to get rid of.

As a rule, patients do not pay much attention to this problem and let things take their course, without thinking about the consequences. And only when an adult has had loose stools for a long time and begins to appear with blood, does a person run to the doctors or to the pharmacy for an expensive medicine. All this can be avoided if you know the causes of this disease.

Why does diarrhea occur?

An adult with normal bowel movements should defecate 1-2 times a day. When diarrhea appears, this process occurs more often, and the diarrhea may not stop all day.

There are a number of reasons that can cause loose stools in an adult:

What does the color of loose stool mean?

The appearance of liquid feces of an unusual color should make you think about your health. Especially if mucus, foam or blood appears along with the feces. In fact, prolonged diarrhea not a disease, but a symptom through which you can learn a lot. Eg:

  • Light-colored stool indicates problems in the small intestine;
  • green may be a symptom of bacterial diarrhea;
  • black stool is a sign of bleeding in the gastrointestinal tract;
  • Bloody diarrhea that does not go away for a long time may be a sign of a colon tumor.

The cause of green stool can be not only illness, but also the consumption of large quantities of peas or zucchini. And beets and prunes can give stool a black color.

What will help with diarrhea

During diarrhea, stool can contain up to 90% liquid. And this has a detrimental effect on the body. Therefore, first of all, you need to see a doctor and undergo the following procedures:

If necessary, the patient needs to donate vomit and water that he drinks. Once the cause of prolonged diarrhea has been identified, it is necessary to begin treatment.

As a rule, prescribed medications are aimed at:

  • elimination of liquid feces;
  • resumption of normal functioning of the digestive system;
  • restoration of water balance;
  • elimination of the disease itself.

If diarrhea does not go away, you should immediately inform your doctor.

Medications

After the examination, the doctor is obliged to prescribe not only drugs for prolonged diarrhea, but also a medicine that will directly eliminate the cause of diarrhea. The following remedies will help with the disease:

  1. Imodium. It is taken after diarrhea occurs, 4-5 capsules per day.
  2. Smecta. Usually 3 sachets per day are prescribed, but when acute diarrhea 6 pieces should be consumed. One such sachet is diluted in ½ glass of water.
  3. Tannacomp. Crush one tablet and take with meals. This procedure should be done 3 times a day.
  4. Enterol. Prescribe 2 capsules 1 hour before meals 2 times a day. The course of treatment should not exceed 7 days.

Diarrhea often causes pain in the lower abdomen, which can last all day. They will help you get rid of it antispasmodics, for example, No-shpa.

Microelements are also removed from the body with the fluid that comes out. Therefore, it is best to drink not just a large amount of water, but pharmaceutical solutions, such as Regidron. You can also prepare your own glucose-saline solution. To do this you will need half a teaspoon of soda, twice as much salt, potassium chloride in the amount of a quarter of a teaspoon and 6 teaspoons of sugar.

Remember that Activated carbon is not a solution to this problem. It, along with toxins, removes fluid from the body, so it can only do harm.

Diet for prolonged diarrhea

In order for the treatment to be effective, you should adhere to a special diet, which will be prepared by your doctor. As a rule, it includes the following dishes:

  1. Low-fat broths.
  2. Rice water.
  3. Boiled eggs.
  4. Porridge.
  5. Tea, currant jelly, pomegranate juice.
  6. Bananas.
  7. Steamed fish and lean meat.
  8. Bran bread crackers.

The diet should not include spices and fatty foods. Also to achieve quick results You will need to give up a number of products, excluding:

  • sweet fruit juices and carbonated drinks;
  • products containing milk;
  • mushrooms;
  • beans;
  • pickles;
  • sweets;
  • baking.

On the first day of the appearance of loose stools, you should refuse food and provide the body drinking plenty of fluids. The diet must be followed for at least a week. It is not recommended to abruptly return to your usual food.

Something to remember! In order not to aggravate the problem and not return diarrhea, you need to follow basic hygiene rules. Do not forget to thoroughly wash dishes, vegetables, fruits, and hands before eating. Look at the expiration date of products. It is also not recommended to visit cafes and restaurants.

Folk remedies

Traditional medicine can be an additional treatment method. Our ancestors have long struggled with this disease and created many recipes that help get rid of prolonged loose stools. Let's look at the main ones.

  1. Rice broth. This medicinal product easy to prepare and does not harm the body. You will need 2 glasses of water and 1.5 teaspoons of rice. Cook the cereal for about 30 minutes over low heat. Then strain and drink half a glass of warm broth 3 times a day. This medicine should be taken on the first day of diarrhea. Can be given even to small children.
  2. On an empty stomach, take 5 pieces of black peppercorns. To achieve the best result, you need to figure it out, but this is not at all necessary. Diarrhea should stop within an hour after eating the peas.

Dried pomegranate peel Shredded dried chicken navels

If diarrhea does not go away after some time, then you should not self-medicate. This can only worsen your situation. After all, when diarrhea does not stop, a person begins to dramatically lose weight and strength. And we should not forget that the cause of such a problem can be serious illnesses. Therefore, first of all, consult a doctor.

Loose stools (diarrhea) once a day

Diarrhea is unpleasant phenomenon which appears in every person’s life. A person feels discomfort and unpleasant pain in the abdominal area. If you start immediate treatment, you can normalize your stool within a few days. When a patient has loose stools once a day, he may not think much of it, but when it becomes more frequent, some concerns arise.

The frequency of stool may depend on the type of disease that caused its change. If you have diarrhea 10 times a day, and sometimes more often, a person may experience shock syndrome. The pulse becomes frequent and the blood pressure rises. In some cases, cold sweat appears and the skin takes on a pale tint. If this happens, it is better to seek help from a specialist as soon as possible, since such frequency of bowel movements is most likely caused by a serious illness. Before the doctor arrives, you need to raise your legs so that they are slightly higher than your head. To prevent dehydration, the patient is recommended to drink mineral water.

Diarrhea several times a day

When a patient has diarrhea 4 times a day, and sometimes more often, we can safely say that the person suffers from chronic diarrhea. The reason for frequent bowel movements is a malfunction of the body or a disease.

If you have diarrhea all day, then a person’s quality of life deteriorates, since he constantly has to be distracted. Sometimes frequent bowel movements lead to dehydration. If diarrhea lasts for a day or more, it is better to entrust treatment to specialists.

You should know what factors can cause diarrhea all day:

  • Irritable bowel syndrome. This disease besides frequent bowel movements can cause paroxysmal pain in the abdominal area. Sometimes diarrhea changes to constipation, but soon the situation changes again;
  • Infectious bowel diseases. This is the most common cause and can cause diarrhea every other day, and sometimes several times a day. People traveling to countries with tropical climates are more susceptible to infectious diseases. Also at risk are small children who put everything they come across into their mouths. Pathogens that cause loose stools up to 10 times a day can be found in water and food;
  • Individual food intolerances can also cause diarrhea once a day, and sometimes more often. In this case, patients may experience intestinal dysfunction for a whole month, even if they consumed the irritant only once;
  • Reaction to synthetic substance. Diarrhea twice a day may occur after consuming certain medications, food colorings, or flavorings.

What to do if you have diarrhea all day?

Patients often do not know what to do if they have diarrhea all day long, accompanied by pain. Of course, it is better to seek qualified help, since a specialist will quickly determine the reasons for the appearance of loose stools 4-10 times a day and prescribe the correct treatment.

It should be remembered that even with treatment, the feeling of discomfort may increase until loose stools appear every other day. Gradually, there will be no trace of diarrhea, but you also need to get rid of the cause that caused the disorder in the intestines.

With proper treatment, even chronic disorders can be eliminated and intestinal function can be restored; it is important not to lose heart and follow all the doctor’s requirements. In order for diarrhea that lasts a day to be eliminated, the following measures are applied:

  • To stop the loss of fluid and mineral salts from the body, you need to bring the consistency of your stool back to normal as soon as possible. To do this, the doctor prescribes a remedy - Imodium or analogues. It can eliminate the problem in a short period of time;
  • After this, it is better to start using antibiotics that can cope with the first cause of diarrhea once a day. Thus, the bacteria causing the infection will be destroyed;
  • It is necessary to exclude medications and foods that can cause an allergic reaction and diarrhea;
  • The final stage of treatment and elimination of loose stools requires proper nutrition several times a day.

Diet for diarrhea all day

Treatment has been prescribed, but I have diarrhea all day, what should I do? For treatment to be effective, it is necessary to reconsider your diet, since many foods contribute to the appearance of loose stools.

If you have loose stools, drink 1 glass of liquid every 2 hours per day. In one day, the amount of fluid consumed should be more than 3 liters. Alcoholic and carbonated drinks should not be used as drinks. You should also exclude milk and coffee from your diet.

It does not matter how many times a day the patient has diarrhea, since regardless of the frequency, the stomach will be weakened and to eliminate stress and cramps, the liquid must be consumed in small sips. In case if drinking regime does not have a beneficial effect, a rehydration drug should be added to the drink.

If you have loose stools, you should have 5 meals a day. A too varied menu is not recommended. The basis of nutrition should consist of the following products:

  • Bananas;
  • Rusks;
  • Baked apples;

If you have diarrhea every other day or less often, you can add dietary meats to your diet. You should completely exclude fried, fatty and sweet food. These foods can bring back the disease and minimize the effect of treatment.

If diet and treatment do not help and diarrhea continues for more than 48 hours, you need to be checked for poisoning. Some cases of poisoning may require hospitalization. In case of poisoning, it is better to drink water and liquid soups for the first day. In this case, it is better to use medications under the supervision of a doctor.

Proper nutrition can normalize intestinal function. If this does not happen, you should adjust your diet with your doctor. Perhaps one of the foods the patient eats is an irritant and has a bad effect on digestion.

After recovery, preventive maintenance should be carried out periodically to avoid the recurrence of the disease and loose stools that do not go away for a long time.

Diarrhea every day in an adult

Diarrhea can strike a person at the most inopportune moment, regardless of his gender and age. Intestinal upset accompanied by diarrhea is a fairly common phenomenon. Call him various reasons: poor quality or heavy food, poisoning, infections and microbes, pathological changes in the body. In addition, they distinguish different shapes diarrhea. It can occur in acute or chronic form. There are cases when an adult experiences loose stools once a day for quite a long time. Many people are very often concerned about the question of whether this phenomenon relates to diarrhea or is it another pathological condition. First of all, let's deal with these categories. And so, loose stool is stool with a watery consistency. Diarrhea is a painful condition that causes frequent and forceful bowel movements. In this case, the main symptom of diarrhea is loose stools, although sometimes the stool can have a thicker, porridge-like consistency. Based on this, we summarize that loose stools are a sign of diarrhea, which in certain situations may have a thicker consistency of stool. What causes diarrhea in an adult and manifests itself as a single bowel movement every day for a long period? We will look at the answers to these questions in this article.

Why does an adult experience diarrhea with single bowel movements for a long time?

Daily single bowel movements with loose stools for several days indicate that a person’s diarrhea has become chronic. It is almost impossible to get rid of this problem on your own, and unskilled actions can only harm the body, so if symptoms of diarrhea appear, you should seek help from a doctor. In order to get rid of this unpleasant symptom, you must first find out the reasons that provoked daily diarrhea, and only then begin treatment.

As a rule, the acute form of diarrhea is accompanied by pain in the intestines, bloating, fever, and gas formation. And here chronic form with loose stools there are no such symptoms. It manifests itself as a one-time liquid bowel movement, mainly during the day. It is important to monitor the condition of the stool. Even if diarrhea is daily, but there is no mucus or bloody impurities in the feces and the feces do not consist entirely of water, then this condition does not pose any particular danger. But you should definitely consult a doctor for advice. In most cases, eliminating the above reasons will eliminate the problem.

What to do with loose stools

In an adult, diarrhea, which is accompanied by loose stools, may indicate serious pathological disorders in the body. But often, a person does not even think about it, and at the first symptoms of diarrhea, meaning the first watery bowel movements, he begins to self-medicate and take pills. But is it really that simple? Of course not. Firstly, the clinical picture of diarrhea is distinguished. After all, it can have an acute form, in which loose stools are repeated every two to three hours, or even more often, while a number of other symptoms are also present; this condition is quite dangerous, since it can lead to dehydration of the body. IN in this case there are general rules, the so-called necessary measures before the full examination and establishing the cause of diarrhea:

  1. Completely stop eating for 24 hours.
  2. Increase the amount of fluid consumed. To do this, it is recommended to drink strong black tea or chamomile decoction;
  3. To prevent dehydration and its possible consequences, you need to drink Regidron.

For other medications, you should consult your doctor as they may have side effects. side effects, contraindications or individual intolerance. Secondly, the acute form of diarrhea can be caused by infectious diseases, then the patient is protected from contact. Treatment is carried out with drugs with pronounced antiviral and antibacterial effects.

In case of chronic diarrhea, when there is one loose stool per day, but for a long time, then if the examinations did not reveal any serious violations in the body, you should adhere to the following recommendations:

  • introduce into your diet daily use porridge with water, it is best to give preference to rice and rice water;
  • drink yogurt or kefirs with bifidobacteria every day;
  • drink blueberry or cranberry jelly;
  • eat only lean meat, and cook it exclusively by steaming;
  • completely eliminate fatty foods;
  • drink plenty of fluids, both plain water and herbal teas with honey.

By following these requirements, in most cases, you can get rid of diarrhea fairly quickly. Also, for an adult patient, the doctor may prescribe special antidiarrheal medications that will speed up the recovery process.

Loose stools in the morning in an adult: what is the reason and how to treat?

A bowel disorder may be a sign of a serious illness. This cannot be treated indifferently. Timely treatment will help avoid undesirable consequences. First of all, you need to go to the doctor and undergo the necessary examination.

Morning diarrhea: acute or chronic

Nowadays, diarrhea is common in adults every day.

  • Accompanied by frequent urges that can last throughout the day.
  • Most often, this phenomenon is caused by intestinal infections. They are the cause of poisoning. But not always.
  • It can occur when eating unwashed vegetables and fruits, expired and low-quality products.

You need to choose carefully:

  • Dairy products and check the terms and conditions of storage.
  • The same goes for eggs.

All these products can cause a serious disease called salmonellosis. Especially with the onset of warming and summer.

If diarrhea occurs once, and the person does not have a fever, vomiting, or poisoning, then it is not dangerous.

In this case, you can drink:

This phenomenon can occur due to strong feelings and stress. Often happens to students before taking exams.

Why does the disorder occur every day?

Many people do not take into account the factors that trigger diarrhea. Therefore, it is worth excluding them from everyday life.

These factors include:

  • Treatment or use of laxatives;
  • Eating large amounts of foods that are rich in fiber (as you know, it is very difficult to digest);
  • Treatment with medications that provoke digestive disorders. For example, antibiotics;
  • Moving to another city, country. Vacation in warm countries. Consumption of exotic fruits and dishes;
  • Severe stress, nervous breakdown. In such cases, you should initially take a sedative.

Usually, daily stool upset occurs due to dysbiosis.

  • Adhering to a healthy and dietary diet.
  • Additionally, you need to take probiotics. But to know which bacteria are missing, you need to wait for a stool test for dysbacteriosis.
  • After a course of treatment with the lack of bacteria, the stool returns to normal in a short time.

Causes of the disorder

The main cause of stool disorder is irritable bowel syndrome:

  • It is confirmed after a stool analysis, in which there are no deviations from the norm.
  • Accompanied by functional intestinal disorder.
  • This is not a disease, but rather a pathology.

At the same time, problems regularly arise in the performance of the digestive system:

  • They can last about a month, and then disappear and appear again.
  • The person suffers from diarrhea, and then constipation appears.
  • It is worth noting that such a manifestation greatly depletes the body. The patient feels unwell physically and mentally.

Other causes of bowel dysfunction include:

  • Intestinal infections (rotavirus, enterovirus);
  • Drinking unboiled water from natural sources (regions or while traveling);
  • Chronic gastrointestinal infections;
  • Worm infestations;
  • Intolerance to certain foods;
  • Surgical intervention in the organs of the digestive system;
  • Consumption of expired, low-quality, incompatible products;
  • Stress, nervous breakdowns;
  • Dysbacteriosis.

It is worth noting that long-term continuation of the disorder may occur due to certain medications:

  • long-term treatment with antibiotics;
  • drugs for the treatment of oncology and tumors;
  • medications for seizures;
  • tranquilizers;
  • hormonal drugs;
  • Antibiotics significantly destroy the intestinal microflora. This very often provokes diarrhea.

Why does an adult have loose stools in the morning?

Reasons may point to serious illnesses, For example:

  • intestinal tuberculosis;
  • the presence of polyps or oncology;
  • ulcerative colitis;
  • Crohn's disease.

Symptoms of the disorder

Exist characteristic symptoms, by which it is easy to determine stool disorder.

  • Bloating and a feeling of fullness in this area;
  • Sharp abdominal pain regardless of time or meal;
  • Diarrhea and constipation that occur alternately;
  • Flatulence, seething after eating;
  • A feeling of heaviness in the intestinal area after defecation;
  • The presence of mucus in the stool;
  • Painful sensations in the anal canal area;
  • Presence of blood in stool;
  • Severe weakness.

Why is there sporadic but intermittent diarrhea in the morning?

Morning diarrhea often occurs due to the use of laxatives. During the treatment process, the patient is prepared for the possibility of diarrhea occurring the day after tomorrow. In this case, this is completely normal.

It's a completely different matter if diarrhea appears unexpectedly. Then the person begins to wonder what caused the diarrhea. In this case, you need to think about what could provoke such a phenomenon.

These may be the following factors:

  • Severe stress, anxiety, nervous breakdown. All these disturbances in the emotional state can provoke a single diarrhea. In this case, there is no need for treatment. It is enough for a person to calm down. You can take a sedative.
  • Increased intestinal peristalsis. The reasons may also be hidden in digestive problems. In the morning a person suffers from nausea and diarrhea. This condition is also observed with dysbacteriosis. In this case, treatment is necessary and, most importantly, on time. Very quickly, such diarrhea can become chronic.

Diarrhea in the morning can be sporadic, and after a few days it can recur and occur every day. This phenomenon indicates disorders and diseases in the body. Therefore, you should consult a doctor as soon as possible.

Consequences of morning diarrhea

Diarrhea, especially with water, is dangerous for humans due to rapid dehydration of the body:

  • appears strong feeling thirst and dry mouth;
  • The patient’s skin color changes – it becomes pale.

In this case, emergency medical attention will be required.

  • accelerated heartbeat;
  • he finds it difficult to breathe. This occurs due to the loss of large amounts of salt due to diarrhea.
  • significant reduction in the patient's body weight.

Diagnostics

To determine the cause of stool disorder, use following methods diagnostics:

  • Examination by a gynecologist and urologist;
  • Physical examination;
  • Fecal analysis (worm eggs, coprogram, dysbacteriosis, occult blood);
  • Biopsy;
  • Ultrasound diagnostics of the digestive organs.

If during these examinations no deviation from the norm is found, the patient is recommended to consult a psychotherapist. Because diarrhea can be the cause of a person’s emotional state.

How to treat?

To prescribe the correct treatment, you need to find the cause of diarrhea. Since it is known why loose stools occur in the morning in an adult, treatment can be traditional or folk.

Drug therapy

Among the medications for diarrhea are prescribed:

  • Sorbents (Activated carbon, Smecta, White clay, Atoxil);
  • Medicines for food poisoning (Nifuroxazide, Levomycetin);
  • Enzymes (Pancreatin, Creon);
  • Probiotics (Lactiale, Subalin, Biosparin);
  • Saline solutions for dehydration (Regidron);
  • Medicines to start the functioning of the stomach (Mezim, Motorix);
  • Sedative.

Treatment is prescribed taking into account the disease. Before using the medicine, be sure to read the instructions for use. It is not recommended to self-medicate in such cases.

Alternative medicine

Loose stools in the morning in an adult can be cured using folk remedies.

The most effective include:

  • Tincture from walnuts on alcohol;
  • Wild sorrel decoction;
  • Tea from lemon balm, chamomile, St. John's wort;
  • 50 grams of vodka with a pinch of salt.

How to eat if you have diarrhea?

What can you eat if you have diarrhea? In this case, food takes a lot of time. important place. First of all, you need to make sure that all products are fresh and have undergone heat treatment. If you have diarrhea, you should stick to a diet. If an adult's stool has turned green, you can find out the reasons here.

You can consume the following foods and drinks:

  • Boiled rice without salt and oil and rice water;
  • Boiled mashed potatoes, slightly salted;
  • Boiled carrots;
  • Homemade crackers;
  • Strong black tea without sugar;
  • Mineral water;
  • Compote of dried apples and raisins;
  • Baked apples.

If diarrhea occurs due to food poisoning or intestinal infection, then such a diet must be followed for at least a week. Then gradually expand the diet. For single diarrhea associated with a person’s emotional state, these products should be consumed for 1-2 days.

It is important to understand that diarrhea does not occur on its own. There are certain reasons for this. A person must recognize them as quickly as possible in order to avoid serious consequences.

Ways to distinguish loose stools from diarrhea in adults: how to tell the difference

Loose stools in adults are a fairly common problem. How to distinguish it from diarrhea, and is there a difference? Let's try to understand the causes and features of the treatment of these diseases.

Explanation of chronic diarrhea

Normally, defecation in an adult occurs once or twice a day in an average volume, with a liquid content of no more than 80%. If there is an increase in fluid in the stool, then in this case we can talk about the problem of loose stools. It can be distinguished from diarrhea by its timing: loose stools usually become chronic, that is, they last 2-3 weeks or more. The difference is also that diarrhea is more intense. Loose stools can occur for several reasons:

Loose stools are most often a sluggish symptom without pronounced concomitant pathologies. How to distinguish it? The difference is that with diarrhea, an increase in temperature is more often observed, and there is severe pain in the intestinal area.

Etiology of acute disorder

Although some doctors consider the concepts of diarrhea, diarrhea and loose stools to be identical, some experts define diarrhea (diarrhea) as a more acute condition, usually requiring emergency measures. How to distinguish the causes of diarrhea? Most often this is:

  • acute infectious disease (rotavirus, enterovirus, bacteria);
  • exacerbation of gastrointestinal diseases;
  • stress;
  • poisoning from poor-quality food or medicine.

Stress can cause loose stools.

The main danger in this case is the risk of dehydration. What is the difference between diarrhea and loose stools? Signs that should cause concern:

  1. Defecation more than three to four times a day watery stools in large quantities.
  2. Inclusions of blood and mucus are observed in the stool.
  3. Temperature increase.
  4. Signs of dehydration.

Symptoms of dehydration include: dry mouth, dark urine, weakness, apathy, nausea, fever. If these symptoms are combined with diarrhea, consult a doctor!

Loose stools, but not diarrhea, is a rather vague concept, because one can turn into the other over time, and it is not always possible to distinguish the first signs of a serious illness. Therefore, in any case, if you are concerned about the state of your digestive system, it is better to consult a doctor to determine an accurate diagnosis.

Differences in Therapy

Loose stools and diarrhea also have big difference in treatment. Therapy for loose stools, but not diarrhea, primarily involves reviewing your diet. What is recommended to eat for loose stools, but not diarrhea?

  • Eat more porridges cooked in water, but rice porridge and rice water are especially recommended.
  • Eat yogurt or kefir with bifidobacteria every day - they help normalize the digestion process.
  • Among meat products, preference should be given to lean, steamed meats.
  • Drink jelly; blueberry jelly has a particularly effective fixing effect.
  • Do not eat fatty foods, as they provoke the release of bile.
  • Eliminate foods that cause gas formation in the intestines.
  • It is necessary to drink plenty of fluids (plain water or drinks with glucose).
  • In case of lactose intolerance (reduction of the lactase enzyme in the body), limit or eliminate the consumption of milk. Typically, symptoms of loose stools, but not diarrhea, go away immediately. If you drink milk again, loose stools may appear again.

If loose stools appear, you should avoid drinking milk.

As a rule, in 90% of cases the problem disappears at this stage and no special treatment is required. The difference is that to treat diarrhea in an adult, specific treatment is most often required, at a minimum the use of antidiarrheal drugs. In addition, the doctor may recommend folk remedies. If diarrhea threatens dehydration, the patient is hospitalized and an electrolytic solution is administered using intravenous drips.

Comparison table

Let's try to create a comparative table with parameters that can be used to distinguish between loose stools and diarrhea in an adult. It should be understood that the difference is quite arbitrary, but it still gives a general idea of ​​the specifics of the phenomenon.

These days, digestive problems can affect everyone almost every day, and not all episodes of bowel upset require medical attention. How do you know if diarrhea is a symptom of a serious illness? Additional symptoms or properties of diarrhea itself will help with this:

Diarrhea + bloating when eating certain foods– may indicate an allergy to these products or enzyme deficiency (lactase deficiency, celiac disease).

Diarrhea + bloating not related to the nature of food taken– more often observed in Irritable Bowel Syndrome. In which neuropsychic factors ( overwork, stress) lead to disruption of the entire nervous system.

Diarrhea + vomiting + abdominal tenderness– often found in food poisoning, salmonellosis, entero viral infections. In this case, only a personal consultation with an infectious disease specialist can help make a diagnosis.

Diarrhea + dehydration– this symptom may indicate a dangerous infectious disease. In such cases, consultation with a surgeon and infectious disease specialist is necessary. Treatment of such patients at home is impossible; hospitalization is required.

Diagnosis of the causes of diarrhea

Diagnosis of the causes of diarrhea is difficult in some cases - there are so many diseases that manifest themselves with this symptom. However, a number of clinical, laboratory and instrumental methods are used to identify the causes of diarrhea.

Clinical examination of a patient with diarrhea
Includes a conversation to identify possible causative factors:

  • When did the diarrhea start?
  • Does any other family member have diarrhea?
  • What food was consumed the day before?
  • Do people who consumed the same food have diarrhea?
  • Is there pain? Nature of pain?
And some other questions may be asked by your doctor during diagnosis.
Feeling and tapping the abdomen– allows you to identify pain in a specific location. Tapping helps identify bloating and its location.

Laboratory examinations
Coprogram– studying the appearance of stool, studying the structure and composition of stool under a microscope helps to identify diseases such as: pancreatic enzyme or liver failure,
Bacteriological analysis of stool is the method of choice in diagnosing intestinal dysbiosis or infectious diseases that lead to diarrhea.

Temperature
An elevated temperature accompanies diarrhea if it is caused by an inflammatory process. If diarrhea develops due to viral and bacterial infections, the temperature can rise to very high limits ( up to 38 – 39 degrees). Also, a high rise in temperature is observed with food poisoning.

Tenesmus
Tenesmus is a painful urge to defecate. They are most characteristic of intestinal infections, for example, dysentery or colitis.

Vomit
Vomiting also often accompanies diarrhea. Typically, this symptom occurs with diarrhea caused by food poisoning or infection.

Weakness
Weakness and malaise are caused by dehydration due to diarrhea. So, with diarrhea, water also leaves the body along with feces. Water provides the most important functions of the body and accounts for 60 to 70 percent. If percentage When the amount of water in the body decreases, it begins to suffer. In this case, all organ systems suffer without exception. Therefore, even a small loss of water is difficult for a person to bear, and he experiences weakness.
Subsequently, if emergency measures are not taken, the body’s salts leave along with the water. Lack of salts further increases weakness, malaise and lethargy.

Chronic, periodic diarrhea is a manifestation of pathologies such as irritable bowel syndrome, chronic colitis, Crohn's disease. With chronic diarrhea, extraintestinal symptoms are also present. Intestinal symptoms for chronic diarrhea are the same as for acute diarrhea.

Extraintestinal symptoms of chronic diarrhea are:

  • nausea;
Anemia
Anemia is a low number of red blood cells and hemoglobin in the blood. It develops as a result of enteropathy, which is observed with frequent diarrhea. Thus, with chronic diarrhea, the intestinal mucous layer is damaged, through which substances beneficial to the body are normally absorbed. As a result, the body experiences a lack of iron, folic acid and other microelements. The type of anemia depends on what substance the body “lacked” the most. If it is iron, then iron deficiency anemia develops, if it is vitamin B12, then B12 deficiency anemia. Anemia, in turn, is accompanied by symptoms such as poor skin condition, brittle hair and nails.

Nausea
With colitis, Crohn's disease and other diseases that are accompanied by chronic diarrhea, nausea is an integral companion.

Loss of appetite
Many intestinal pathologies, which are characterized by chronic diarrhea, lead to loss of appetite. First of all, this is due to constant nausea and periodic vomiting. At later stages, when anemia sets in, appetite decreases due to impaired metabolism.

It should be borne in mind that loose stools are not a separate disease, but are a symptom of a pathological process developing in the body.

What are the main causes of diarrhea in adults?

There are a large number of factors that can trigger the development of diarrhea.

Tuberculosis of the alimentary tract
With this pathology, the parts most often affected are the small intestine and the cecum. Diarrhea due to tuberculosis is not permanent and occurs periodically. As the disease progresses, stool disorder is accompanied by pain, localized to the navel.

Food poisoning
Often the cause of loose stools is food poisoning ( infection not by bacteria, but by their metabolic products, which are most often formed in spoiled food products). Excessive alcohol consumption can also cause intoxication of the body. Alcohol contains substances that stimulate the intestines, causing them to contract faster. Sources of nutritional intoxication most often are food products that have expired or those that were prepared without taking into account the necessary sanitary standards.

Products that most often cause poisoning are:

  • dairy and dairy products;
  • confectionery with cream;
  • cooked sausage products;
  • meat pates;
  • salads with mayonnaise or sour cream;
  • tomato juice.
Allergic reaction
Diarrhea can be caused by individual intolerance to a certain product. Unlike other allergy symptoms ( respiratory or skin), which occur quickly after consuming an allergen product, loose stools can develop only after 5 – 6 hours. This fact makes it difficult to diagnose allergic nature diarrhea.

Irritable bowel syndrome
With this disease, digestive disorders are not caused by damage to the intestine itself. People with unstable psyche, With increased level emotionality. The syndrome is characterized by loose stools, which bother patients after eating, most often in the first half of the day. Exacerbation of the disease and the development of acute diarrhea in half of the patients is associated with severe stress, excitement, and anxiety.

Dysbacteriosis
An imbalance in the ratio of beneficial and harmful microflora in the intestines can be caused by taking a number of antibacterial drugs, dietary habits, or other factors. A decrease in the number of bacteria that are responsible for the process of digestion and absorption of food leads to a disorder of intestinal functions, which is manifested by diarrhea.

Chronic diseases of the gastrointestinal tract
In the practice of a gastroenterologist ( a doctor who specializes in diagnosing and treating the digestive system) diarrhea is one of the most common complaints of patients. Chronic inflammatory processes affecting the digestive system have a negative impact on the intestines and cause disruption of its functionality.

Chronic diseases in which diarrhea develops are:

  • gastritis ( inflammation of the gastric mucosa);
  • stomach or duodenal ulcer;
  • duodenitis ( inflammatory lesion of the duodenal mucosa);
  • enterocolitis ( inflammation of the small and large intestine);
  • biliary dyskinesia ( gallbladder motility disorder);
  • cholecystitis ( gallbladder inflammation);
  • pancreatitis ( inflammatory process in the pancreas);
  • Crohn's disease ( formation of ulcers on the intestinal mucosa and other parts of the gastrointestinal tract);
  • ulcerative colitis ( intestinal inflammation).
Rectal cancer
With a cancerous tumor located in the rectum, diarrhea is one of the most common symptoms. This pathology is characterized by the appearance of a small amount of blood in the stool and a false urge to defecate.

Liver diseases
One of the liver diseases in which stool disorders develop is hepatitis ( inflammation of liver tissue). Diarrhea is a symptom of all forms of this disease, but most often and most acutely manifests itself in viral hepatitis A. With other types of hepatitis, loose stools occur periodically, most often as a result of intolerance fatty foods. Another disease in which patients may suffer from diarrhea is cirrhosis of the liver ( pathological changes in liver tissue).

Emotional disorders
The activity of the gastrointestinal tract, like other organ systems, is controlled by the nervous system. In stressful situations nervous system experiences stress, which affects intestinal activity. Therefore, anxiety often causes diarrhea. The symptom disappears after the person stops experiencing stress and anxiety.

Unbalanced diet
Poor nutrition with a lot of roughage plant origin may cause diarrhea. Abuse can also contribute to the appearance of loose stools. spicy seasonings, spices, carbonated drinks. The activity of the gastrointestinal tract can be disrupted by non-compliance with a certain regimen when eating food. Often the cause of diarrhea is an insufficient amount of vitamins that provide correct work stomach and intestines. The development of the disorder is caused by a deficiency of substances such as phylloquinone ( vitamin K), riboflavin ( vitamin B2), niacin ( vitamin PP).

Change of usual cuisine, water
The body's reaction to new food and water in the form of loose stool is called traveler's diarrhea. A bowel disorder may appear 3 to 7 days after a change in your usual environment. In most cases, this symptom goes away on its own when you return home or refuse food ( food and water) locally produced.

What are the main causes of diarrhea in children?

Diarrhea in children develops as a result of a number of reasons that lead to disruption of the normal functioning of the digestive system.

The main ways infectious agents enter the child’s digestive tract are:

  • dirty hands;
  • contaminated food;
  • contaminated household items and household items;
  • contact with sick children ( in case of intestinal viruses).
Genetic diseases of the gastrointestinal tract
Many genetic diseases of the gastrointestinal tract in children lead to disruption of food digestion and the development of diarrhea.

Main genetic diseases digestive tract are:

  • lactase deficiency;
  • maltase deficiency;
  • sucrase deficiency;
  • atrophy of the intestinal mucosa.
For normal absorption of substances in the intestine, food must be well digested by intestinal enzymes. The lack of these enzymes leads to insufficient breakdown of food into easily digestible substances. In this case, food remains in the intestinal lumen and is quickly excreted. This condition is popularly called food allergy.

The most common problem in children is lactase deficiency ( lack of intestinal enzyme lactase), which causes diarrhea when milk and some dairy products are consumed. Less common are maltase enzyme deficiency ( substance involved in the digestion of grains), sucrase ( substance that breaks down sugar).

The absorption process in the intestine can also be disrupted due to congenital atrophy of the child’s intestinal mucosa. In this case, the absorption of all substances is difficult.

Acute food poisoning
Often in children, diarrhea develops as a result of acute food poisoning, due to the action of toxic substances that enter the gastrointestinal tract.

The main sources of acute food poisoning in children are:

  • expired products;
  • spoiled fruits and vegetables;
  • stale meat and fish;
  • spoiled dairy products;
  • toxic substances ( arsenic, insecticides, organophosphates);
  • alcoholic drinks;
  • medications ( antibiotics, magnesium and potassium preparations, barbiturates);
  • poisonous plants and fruits.
When a child eats “bad” food, a large amount of toxic substances enter the gastrointestinal tract. Toxins cause inflammation of the stomach and intestinal mucosa, increase peristalsis and slow down water absorption. In children, toxins are absorbed very quickly, and diarrhea also develops quickly.

Poor nutrition
Poor nutrition of a child leads to disruption of the digestive system. Constant violations digestion cause the development of diarrhea.

The most common eating disorders in children are:

  • binge eating;
  • eating too many fruits and vegetables;
  • abuse of herbs, spices, garlic and hot pepper;
  • abuse of salty and acidic foods;
  • too fatty food ( fatty meats and fish, oils).
Large volumes of food eaten put pressure on the walls of the digestive tract, causing accelerated peristalsis. Food passes too quickly and does not have time to be digested. Nutrients and water are absorbed in small quantities, remaining in the intestinal lumen. As a result, diarrhea with particles of poorly digested food appears. The rough skins of vegetables and fruits cause similar problems as a result of intestinal irritation from the rough fibers.
Spicy, sour or salty foods also greatly irritate the child's intestines, leading to the development of diarrhea.

Feeding a child too fatty foods leads to disruption of the liver and gallbladder. In the lumen of the digestive tract, a large amount of bile and free fatty acids. They stimulate the accumulation of water in the intestinal cavity, causing diarrhea.

Why does a baby develop diarrhea?

Diarrhea in an infant develops due to the introduction of new foods into the diet that the child’s digestive system cannot digest normally. Also, stool disorder is a symptom of various pathological processes developing in the child’s body.

The causes of diarrhea in infants are:

  • introduction of complementary foods;
  • artificial feeding;
  • intestinal infections;
  • other factors.
Introduction of complementary foods
Changes in the color and consistency of stool are a common reaction of the body to the introduction of new foods into the children's diet. Often, stool turns green when feeding a child vegetable or fruit dishes. A change in the color of feces is not a sign of diarrhea and is normal. Signs of indigestion include: constant desire child to empty the intestines, the appearance of a sour smell in the stool, watery or foamy consistency of the feces.

The causes of diarrhea when introducing complementary foods are:

  • untimely introduction of complementary foods;
  • non-compliance with dosage recommendations;
  • too short pauses between new products;
  • intolerance to certain products.
Late introduction of complementary foods
Diarrhea infant may cause complementary feeding to be introduced too early. Experts recommend introducing new foods after the child reaches five months of age. At this point, the necessary enzymes for digesting adult food are formed in the intestines. Since childhood maturation is an individual aspect, in addition to age, the advisability of introducing complementary foods is also determined by several factors.

Signs that a baby is ready for complementary feeding are:

  • the child’s weight increases by 2 times from the moment of birth;
  • the child does not push out the spoon with his tongue;
  • the baby can sit independently, tilt his body, turn his head;
  • the child holds an object in his hand and puts it in his mouth;
  • The baby shows interest in adult food and tries to taste it.
Failure to follow dosage recommendations
When switching to adult food, you must follow the recommendations for increasing the dosage of each individual product. If the portion increase is not done in a timely manner, it can cause dysfunction of the digestive system. Diarrhea in such cases occurs because in a short period of time the necessary enzymes do not have time to mature in the child’s intestines. Therefore, the dose of a new product should be increased 5–7 days after it was introduced into the diet for the first time. Yes, recommended by pediatricians average rate cottage cheese per day is from 5 to 10 grams. Within six months, the dose of cottage cheese can only be increased to 40 - 50 grams.

Too short pauses between new products
Each new product should be offered to the child a week after the introduction of the previous product. Violating this rule can cause diarrhea in the baby. When transferring a baby to a fundamentally new type of complementary feeding, it is necessary to maintain a pause of at least 3–4 weeks. Types of complementary foods are vegetable, grain, dairy, meat, fish.

Intolerance to certain products
Allergies to certain foods can cause diarrhea in infants. The most common cause of allergic reactions during complementary feeding is intolerance ( partial or complete) gluten. This pathology is called celiac disease. With this disease, loose stools are provoked by porridge ( wheat, barley, rye), bread, cookies. With celiac disease, diarrhea in an infant becomes chronic and is accompanied by symptoms such as poor weight gain and skin rashes.

Artificial feeding
In children who are bottle-fed, digestive disorders in the form of diarrhea are observed more often than in infants fed breast milk. This is explained by the fact that in children's intestines a neutral or slightly acidic environment predominates, which disrupts the digestion of proteins and fats. Composition of fats in breast milk simpler and in addition it contains enzymes that facilitate the digestion process ( lipases). Therefore, with artificial feeding, especially with overfeeding, infants develop diarrhea.

Intestinal infections
Diarrhea in infants is often caused by intestinal infections. When entering children's body bacteria or viruses, an acute digestive upset develops, which is accompanied by intense loose stools, which may contain blood, mucus, and foam. Often the infection occurs with vomiting, fever, crying, and refusal to eat.

The causative agents of intestinal infections are:

  • rotavirus– the infection begins with vomiting, followed by diarrhea and fever;
  • enterovirus– the disease is characterized by a wave-like increase in temperature and foamy, loose, green stools;
  • salmonella– the infection is manifested by a sharp increase in temperature, bloating and diarrhea, which may contain mucus and blood;
  • shigella(provoke dysentery) – initially loose stools with the progression of the disease become similar to lumps of gray mucus with inclusions of blood;
  • coli – infection is accompanied by intense diarrhea and severe abdominal pain;
  • staphylococcus– the infection is manifested by foamy liquid stools and a fever above 38 degrees.
Infection most often occurs oral-fecal route in case of non-compliance with personal hygiene rules. Also, pathogenic bacteria can enter the body along with low-quality products or dirty water. Infection of an infant is possible through contact with carriers of the infection.

Other factors
In addition to infections and feeding errors, various external and internal factors can cause diarrhea in an infant.

Causes of diarrhea include:

  • dysbacteriosis– often loose stools are a consequence of taking antibacterial drugs that disrupt the normal composition of the intestinal microflora;
  • maternal consumption of certain foods(while breastfeeding) – diarrhea in infants often occurs after eating cucumbers, beets, or pears;
  • teething– stool disorder in such cases is called physiological diarrhea;
  • lactase deficiency ( lactose intolerance) – manifests itself as diarrhea in newborns from the first days of life;
  • cystic fibrosis(a disease that affects organs that secrete mucus, including the intestines) – this pathology is characterized by copious loose stools with a greasy sheen and a strong unpleasant odor;
  • helminthic infestations– accompanied by loose stools, which may alternate with constipation;
  • spicy respiratory diseases – in children under the age of one year, diarrhea often develops against the background of colds.

Why is diarrhea dangerous during pregnancy?

The degree of danger of diarrhea during pregnancy is determined by such factors as the cause that caused the syndrome and the characteristics of its course. Also great importance has a gestational age at which this syndrome develops.

Impact of diarrhea in early pregnancy
Weak and short-lived diarrhea at the beginning of pregnancy, which is accompanied by toxicosis, is a common occurrence. The bacteria and viruses that provoke it do not leave the intestines, so they do not carry big threat for the fetus. In some cases, when diarrhea is caused by severe poisoning, intoxication is possible female body and penetration of toxins to the fetus. Thus, mushroom poisoning while pregnant is extremely dangerous. Poisons, penetrating the placental barrier, can cause various violations in embryo development.
The greatest danger in the first trimester of pregnancy is diarrhea, in which a woman visits the toilet more than 5 times a day. The danger of this condition increases when a bowel disorder is combined with vomiting.

The consequences of severe diarrhea are:

  • formation congenital anomalies development in the fetus;
  • spontaneous abortion;
  • decreased blood pressure in women;
  • renal failure in the expectant mother.
The danger of diarrhea in late pregnancy
Diarrhea at the 30th week of pregnancy is most often a symptom of late toxicosis rather than a viral disease. If an intestinal disorder is accompanied by frequent bowel movements, the woman should see a specialist, as this can provoke intense uterine contractions and premature birth. In addition, severe diarrhea, as in the initial stages, can cause dehydration of the female body. Fluid deficiency can provoke thrombosis ( blockage of blood vessels) and others dangerous conditions. In the third trimester of pregnancy, drugs that are contraindicated in earlier stages are allowed. Therefore, timely consultation with a doctor will quickly eliminate diarrhea and its accompanying symptoms.
This syndrome is most dangerous in the period from 35 to 37 weeks of gestation. Diarrhea may be the cause labor activity, which will provoke the birth of a premature baby.

Another factor that causes this disorder is the pressure that the fetus puts on the digestive organs of a pregnant woman.

Regardless of the circumstances that caused diarrhea, the main danger is the rapid development of dehydration. At this stage, the woman begins to move less, and the fetus needs a large amount of fluid. These factors, combined with diarrhea, provoke severe dehydration and risk various complications. The body of a pregnant woman stops supplying the fetus with necessary nutrients, resulting in starvation.
Doctors react most calmly to diarrhea that develops from 38 to 40 weeks of pregnancy. Most often, the syndrome occurs against the background of a woman’s normal condition and indicates a natural cleansing of the body and impending childbirth.

How does chronic diarrhea occur?

Chronic diarrhea is manifested by stool disorder that lasts more than 3 weeks. In this case, the patient is concerned about the frequent urge to defecate, in which the daily weight of feces exceeds 300 grams.

  • pathological changes in feces;
  • discomfort in the abdominal area;
  • nausea, vomiting;
  • nervous system disorders;
  • deterioration of the condition of nails, skin, hair;
  • weight loss;
  • exhaustion of the body.
The nature and intensity of these symptoms depend on the cause against which chronic diarrhea develops.

Pathological changes in feces
The color and consistency of stool, as well as the number of urges to defecate, may vary with chronic diarrhea. In diseases of the small intestine, the patient is bothered by copious watery or fatty stools. With pathologies of the large intestine, the mass of feces is not so abundant, and they may contain mucous, blood or purulent inclusions. If the cause of chronic diarrhea is diseases of the rectum, patients experience a frequent urge to defecate, while the mass of bowel movements is insignificant.

Other stool changes include:

  • Watery stool– can be the cause of viral infections, bacterial or viral origin. Appearance stool may resemble rice water.
  • Liquid black stool– the cause may be bleeding in the stomach, esophagus or intestines caused by an ulcer or tumor formation. The blood reacts with digestive enzymes, causing the stool to turn black.
  • Yellow chair– can develop while taking a number of medications. It is also very often observed in young children due to infections or diseases of the digestive system, as a result of which food is poorly digested.
  • White feces– white feces can be a manifestation of chronic diarrhea, which develops against the background of gallbladder pathologies and jaundice. Certain medications can cause white stool to turn white.
  • Green chair– feces of this color are most often the result of increased fermentation processes in the intestines due to dysbiosis, dysentery or other intestinal infections.
Discomfort in the abdomen
Patients with chronic diarrhea are concerned discomfort in the abdominal area, which may vary in type, duration, intensity, location. With irritable bowel syndrome, patients complain of sharp twisting pains that become less severe after defecation. Painful cramps in the abdomen both before and after bowel movements are observed with intestinal inflammation. Pain in the lower abdomen after eating is manifested by diarrhea due to peptic ulcers. Pain that occurs periodically on the right or left side is characteristic of Crohn's disease. Stool disorder in chronic pancreatitis occurs together with pain, which is localized in the upper abdomen and has a girdling character. When chronic diarrhea develops against the background of putrefactive and fermentative processes in the intestines, it is accompanied by rumbling and bloating due to intense formation of gases in the intestines.

Nausea and vomiting
Often chronic diarrhea, caused by diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, is accompanied by vomiting, which does not bring relief to the patient. When infection penetrates, diarrhea is accompanied by nausea, and the body temperature rises to 38 degrees.

Nervous system disorders
Often this disorder causes sleep problems and other nervous system disorders.

Manifestations of chronic diarrhea are:

  • insomnia at night;
  • daytime sleepiness;
  • irritability;
  • frequent change mood;
  • increased fatigue;
  • unreasonable anxiety;
  • lethargy, apathy.
Deterioration of hair, skin, nails
Chronic diarrhea often manifests as worsening symptoms skin, hair, nails. An increase in the activity of the sebaceous glands leads to increased oiliness of the hair and skin, and the appearance of small pimples. Due to vitamin deficiency, hair may begin to fall out, nails may break or peel.

Weight loss
In some cases, chronic diarrhea is accompanied by weight loss. This manifestation is typical for patients in whom the syndrome develops against the background of chronic pancreatitis, Crohn's disease or certain pathologies of the pancreas.

Exhaustion of the body
Chronic diarrhea is manifested not only by dysfunction of the gastrointestinal tract, but also by disturbances in the functioning of other body systems. Patients complain of general physical discomfort, which is most severe in the morning. The lack of appetite characteristic of this syndrome causes a decrease in the overall tone of the body. With diarrhea, the time it takes for food to pass through the intestines is reduced, causing vitamins and useful material do not have time to assimilate. This, combined with poor nutrition, fluid loss and other disorders, can provoke severe exhaustion body.

Is diarrhea accompanied by fever?

Diarrhea may be accompanied by fever, but not in all cases. In children, unlike adults, diarrhea is almost always accompanied by an increase in body temperature ( sometimes even to critical levels). Depending on the factors that caused diarrhea and the severity of the disease, a hyperthermic reaction ( temperature increase) of the body manifests itself in different ways.
Causes of diarrhea Body temperature Temperature characteristic

Functional disorders of the central nervous system:

36.6 – 37 degrees. Most often, the temperature remains within normal limits. Diarrhea can rarely be accompanied by a short-term increase in total body temperature to 37.5 degrees.
Acute food poisoning From 37 to 38.5 degrees. A body temperature of 37.1 – 37.5 degrees appears within 6 – 12 hours after eating “bad” foods. In accordance with the severity of the intoxication syndrome, the temperature can increase to 38.5 degrees. A continued increase in body temperature from 38.6 degrees is rarely observed.

Acute and chronic inflammatory processes in the gastrointestinal tract (GIT):

  • pancreatitis;
  • hepatitis;
  • appendicitis;
  • enterocolitis.
Can vary from 37.1 to 38.5 degrees. For pancreatitis ( inflammatory process in the pancreas) diarrhea may be accompanied by a temperature that does not rise above 38.1 degrees.

For chronic hepatitis ( inflammation of the liver tissue) diarrhea is accompanied by a moderate increase in temperature, maximum – 37.5 degrees. Acute hepatitis may occur with severe diarrhea and high fever.

With appendicitis ( inflammation of the appendix) diarrhea is accompanied by low-grade fever ( 38 – 38.5 degrees). Complicated appendicitis with peritonitis can cause diarrhea with fever above 39 degrees.

With enterocolitis ( inflammation of the small and large intestines) body temperature can vary from 37.5 to 39.5 degrees or more. Highest temperature ( 39.5 – 40.5 degrees) is observed with massive lesions of the intestinal mucosa with severe intoxication syndrome.

Viral infections of the digestive system:

  • rotavirus;
  • adenovirus;
  • enterovirus.
37 – 38 degrees. Body temperature during viral infections of the gastrointestinal tract usually does not exceed 38 degrees, but the patient feels it as a fever with aches and pain in the muscles, increased sweating and a feeling of cold. This temperature may accompany diarrhea for 2 to 3 days.

Bacterial infections digestive system:

  • salmonellosis;
  • shigellosis ( dysentery);
  • cholera.
Above 38.5 - 39 degrees. Bacterial infections of the gastrointestinal tract are characterized by diarrhea with a very high body temperature. With severe intoxication syndrome, fever can reach 40.5 - 41 degrees.

The basic rules of nutrition for diarrhea are:

  • drink as much fluid as possible;
  • eat only light foods and bland foods;
  • There is in small portions;
  • increase the frequency of meals;
  • exclude from the diet foods that irritate the digestive system.
Drinking liquids
Diarrhea causes a large amount of fluid to be lost from the body, which can lead to dehydration ( dehydration) and worsening the patient's condition. Therefore, it is necessary to replenish lost fluid by drinking plenty of fluids.
In case of severe diarrhea, food is completely replaced with liquid for the first 1–2 days.
It is necessary to drink liquid after each episode of diarrhea in small sips. Its volume should be at least 250 - 300 milliliters ( 1 glass). The patient generally drinks up to 2–3 liters of liquid per day.

Drinks you can and cannot drink if you have diarrhea


Food consumption
For diarrhea, you can only eat light foods that do not have any irritating effect on the gastrointestinal tract and the intestines in particular. Food should be balanced with a reduced amount of fats and carbohydrates.
In the first two days of diarrhea, you need to eat their crackers white bread, rice porridge on water and bananas. One serving of rice should be about 100 milliliters ( half a glass). Bananas can be eaten 1 - 2 bananas 4 - 5 times a day.
In the following days, gentle foods are introduced into the diet.

Healthy foods to eat if you have diarrhea


Food Note

Dairy products:

  • milk;
  • fresh cottage cheese;
  • kefir;
  • curdled milk;
  • fermented baked milk;
  • yogurt.
Milk for diarrhea can only be used for making porridge and puree in a ratio of one to three with water.
Consumption of fermented milk products is beneficial because it has a number of positive effects on digestion.

The main positive effects of fermented milk products for diarrhea are:

  • normalization of intestinal microflora;
  • preventing the effects of fermentation and rotting;
  • are a source of proteins and calcium necessary for the normal functioning of the body as a whole.

Porridge:

  • rice;
  • buckwheat;
  • oatmeal;
  • barley;
  • millet;
  • wheat
For diarrhea, you need to eat viscous pureed porridge cooked in water. It is acceptable to add a small amount of milk or butter. You can and even should add salt to your porridge to taste.

Meat products:

  • chicken;
  • turkey;
  • beef;
  • veal;
  • rabbit.
If you have diarrhea, meat can only be eaten boiled or steamed. Before cooking, the meat is carefully separated from all tendons, fascia and skin.
Chicken eggs For diarrhea, you can eat one or two chicken eggs a day, boiled or scrambled.

Flour products:

  • White bread;
  • white bread crackers;
  • cracker;
  • pasta.
White bread should not be fresh and warm. It is better to eat two-day-old white bread or dried crackers from it.
For pasta, you can eat regular noodles in small portions.

Fish:

  • pollock;
  • cod;
  • carp;
  • zander.
Fish should be steamed or boiled. The most acceptable dishes are meatballs and steam cutlets.

Vegetables:

  • potato;
  • zucchini;
  • carrot;
  • pumpkin;
  • green peas;
  • tomatoes;
  • asparagus.
If you have diarrhea, you can eat dishes made from boiled or baked vegetables. Best to cook vegetable purees and soups, but without spices.
Soups are prepared using meat and fish broths diluted with water.
Fruits and berries Fruits and berries can and even should be consumed in the form of jelly or mousse. You can also eat it in small quantities, baked and boiled.

Food should be eaten in small portions in order to reduce pressure on the walls of the stomach and intestines. So that the body receives the necessary daily dose nutrients and did not “starve”, the frequency of meals increases to 4 – 5 times a day.
Don't forget to add salt to your dishes. It is salt that retains fluid in the body and prevents dehydration.

If you have diarrhea, you should definitely exclude from your diet all foods that irritate the digestive system. You should mainly avoid fatty foods, fried foods, fresh vegetables and fruits. You should also forget about spices, garlic, savory sauces and sweets.

What to do if diarrhea is accompanied by vomiting?

If a patient has diarrhea accompanied by vomiting, then it is necessary to provide first “first aid” in order to alleviate the general condition.

The main points that must be performed first in case of diarrhea accompanied by vomiting are:

  • cleansing the gastrointestinal tract and the body as a whole;
  • replenishment of lost fluid and essential minerals;
  • eliminating any irritants to the digestive system.
Cleansing the gastrointestinal tract and the body as a whole
Most often, diarrhea, which is accompanied by vomiting, is a sign of acute food poisoning or intestinal infection. In such cases, it is important to clear the gastrointestinal tract of its contents so that less infection and toxins cross the protective barrier and enter the general bloodstream.

In the first one to two days, you should not try to stop diarrhea and vomiting. medications (antidiarrheals and antiemetics). Immediately after the first attacks appear, the stomach must be rinsed thoroughly. To do this, the patient must drink about one and a half liters of water in a short period of time and induce vomiting. Along with the water, the remaining “bad” food that has not yet had time to be digested will come out of the stomach. The water should be boiled and slightly warm so as not to cause further irritation of the stomach walls.

Another good way to wash the stomach is potassium permanganate dissolved in water. A couple of granules of potassium permanganate are enough for a liter of boiled water. Every 30 to 60 minutes, drink half a glass of this solution.
Certain medications will help cleanse the gastrointestinal tract of toxins that have not yet been absorbed into the blood.

The main medications that can be used to reduce intoxication are:

  • Activated carbon;
  • enterosgel;
  • polyphepane;
  • polysorb.
All these drugs are called sorbents because they adsorb ( absorb) contains the remains of toxins and waste.
Every person should have activated charcoal in their first aid kit. If diarrhea with vomiting occurs, you should take 5 to 10 tablets once - one for each kilogram of body weight. If this is difficult, the tablets can be dissolved in a glass of warm water and drunk. Other sorbents are taken in accordance with the instructions.

Replenishing lost fluids and essential minerals
The second important point for diarrhea accompanied by vomiting is to replenish lost fluid and minerals. Profuse vomiting and frequent diarrhea remove large amounts of water and minerals from the body. This may lead to dehydration ( dehydration) with serious disruptions to the functioning of organs and systems.

The main liquids that can be consumed for diarrhea with vomiting are:

  • boiled water;
  • mineral water no gases;
  • weak black tea;
  • dried fruits compote;
  • special solutions.
The liquid should be drunk every hour and after each attack of diarrhea and vomiting. Its volume should be 250 - 300 milliliters per dose.
In addition to water, tea or dried fruit compote, you need to drink at least a liter of a special solution that replenishes all the mineral losses of the body.

Special medications that are used for vomiting and diarrhea include:

  • rehydron;
  • Oralin;
  • trisol;
  • glucosolan.
These preparations contain essential minerals (potassium, magnesium, sodium, chlorine and calcium), which must be replenished in the body first. Solutions are prepared according to instructions and used throughout the day.
You can prepare a similar solution yourself. For this you will need salt, sugar and water. Dissolve one teaspoon of table salt and one teaspoon of sugar in warm water. After the salt and sugar are completely dissolved, you can drink the water.

Eliminate any irritants to the digestive system
Any irritants to the digestive system can provoke new attacks of diarrhea and vomiting, increasing peristalsis ( muscle wave-like contractions) digestive tract. Food and drinks act as irritants.

Foods that should absolutely not be eaten if you have diarrhea and vomiting are:

  • fat meat ( pork, lamb);
  • fatty fish ( salmon, tuna, sardine);
  • all spices, especially spicy ones;
  • fresh vegetables;
  • fresh fruits;
  • sweets;
  • fresh baked goods;
  • legumes;
  • milk;
  • carbonated waters and drinks;
  • coffee and coffee drinks;
  • alcohol.
A patient with severe diarrhea accompanied by vomiting should limit food intake in the first two days, even to the point of fasting. When attacks of diarrhea and vomiting become rare, food is introduced, but with a strict diet. The patient can eat porridge with water. Rice porridge is especially useful. It does not irritate the stomach and normalizes peristalsis of the digestive tract. You can add a little salt to porridge, but exclude butter and milk. Also, for diarrhea and vomiting, you can eat white bread crackers and bananas. Food portions should be small but frequent.
Another important gastrointestinal irritant ( gastrointestinal tract) is tobacco smoke. Therefore, if diarrhea and vomiting occur, you should stop smoking.

What to do if you have diarrhea with fever?

If you have diarrhea with fever, you should not take medications to relieve these symptoms. Tactics first aid depends on the cause that led to the development of this disorder. This is explained by the fact that loose stools and fever are not independent diseases, but signs of pathological processes developing in the body.

Pathologies in which diarrhea with fever is noted are:

  • food poisoning;
  • pancreatitis ( inflammatory lesion of the pancreas);
  • gastroenteritis ( inflammatory process in the stomach and small intestine );
  • viral infection;
  • bacterial infection.
The patient can take a number of measures to alleviate his condition. But the patient’s main actions should be aimed at monitoring his condition. If a number of factors are identified, you should immediately consult a doctor.

Food poisoning
Symptoms in the form of diarrhea due to food poisoning develop in an adult in the period from 1 to 12 hours after a pathogenic microorganism enters the body with food. The main sign of intoxication is abundant watery diarrhea with a strong foul odor. There may be undigested pieces of food in the stool. The temperature rises to 38 - 39 degrees. Patients are also concerned about nausea and intense vomiting.

The first thing to do if there is a possibility of food poisoning is to rinse the stomach. For washing, a weak solution of potassium permanganate, a solution of baking soda ( 2 teaspoons of soda per 2 liters of water) or table salt solution ( 2 tablespoons per 4 liters of water). The total volume of solution required for washing is 8 - 10 liters. Liquid temperature is from 35 to 37 degrees. First, you should drink 3 to 6 glasses of the solution, and then induce vomiting yourself. For this purpose the average and index finger you should tickle the root of the tongue. Next, you need to drink water again and induce vomiting. Repeat the procedure until the flowing water becomes clear.

After washing, the patient must be kept at rest and refrain from eating for the next 24 hours. To remove toxins, you need to take activated carbon or another type of sorbent. Fluid deficiency should be restored using special saline solutions ( rehydrona, oralit). Accepted this remedy at the rate of 10 milliliters per kilogram of body weight after each act of defecation. Subsequently, for a week you must follow a gentle low-calorie diet and drink at least 3 liters of water per day. If diarrhea and fever do not decrease within 6 hours after gastric lavage, you should immediately consult a doctor.

Other reasons for seeking medical help are:

  • was poisoned Small child or old man;
  • the cause of intoxication may be mushrooms or home-canned products;
  • diarrhea combined with severe vomiting does not go away within 2 days.
Pancreatitis
Inflammation of the pancreas is accompanied by diarrhea, which differs gray tint, a strong unpleasant odor and a greasy, mushy consistency.

If pancreatitis is suspected, the patient should consult a doctor. Before the doctor’s visit, you should refuse to eat and remain calm, refusing sudden movements. A position in which the patient sits with the torso tilted forward will help reduce the intensity of pain.

Gastroenteritis
In this disorder, loose stools are accompanied by a moderate increase in body temperature ( 37 – 38 degrees). The patient's stool is foamy, watery, without inclusions of blood or mucus. The intensity of diarrhea depends on the degree of the disease, varying from 5 ( for mild forms) up to 20 ( for severe forms) trips to the toilet per day. Often patients mention headache, weakness in the body, discomfort in the upper abdomen.

First aid measures are:

  • refusal to eat for 1 – 2 days;
  • drinking 2.5 to 3 liters of fluid per day;
  • following a diet after an acute period of illness;
  • refusal of alcohol and tobacco products;
  • compliance with bed rest.
If all symptoms persist for more than a day, it is necessary to seek professional medical help.
Lack of adequate treatment for some bacterial and viral infections can lead to serious complications, sometimes - to fatal outcome. Therefore, if you suspect a bacterial infection, you should consult a doctor.

What medications are there for diarrhea?

There is a varied range of medications that are used to treat diarrhea. The choice of a particular medication depends on the cause that caused the disorder.

The following types of medicines for diarrhea are available:

  • adsorbents- Activated carbon;
  • astringents – bismuth nitrate,
  • enveloping agents- starch;
  • drugs that normalize intestinal microflora– enterol;
  • synthetic antidiarrheal drugs– loperamide;
  • intestinal antiseptics– enterofuril;
  • drugs that slow down intestinal motility– atropine.
As a rule, there are specific medications for each type of diarrhea. For example, intestinal antiseptics are used for bacterial diarrhea; for irritable bowel syndrome - drugs that slow down intestinal motility. But several medications can also be used at the same time. For example, adsorbents, astringents, and probiotics.

Medicines used for different types of diarrhea

Tricyclic antidepressants, which slow down intestinal motility, and herbal antidiarrheals are also used.

Synthetic antidiarrheals:
  • loperamide;
  • imodium plus ( includes loperamide and simethicone).
Tricyclic antidepressants:
  • amitriptyline.
Herbal antidiarrheals:
  • bird cherry fruits;
  • blueberry fruit
  • thick blueberry fruit extract.

Diarrhea after using antibiotics

Drugs that normalize intestinal microflora, as well as probiotics, are prescribed.
Drugs from the first group have both an antidiarrheal effect and a moderate antimicrobial effect. Therefore, they are prescribed for other types of diarrhea. For example, with recurrent colitis, with long-term feeding through a tube.

Probiotics contain beneficial microflora that are destroyed by antibiotics. As a rule, they are prescribed simultaneously with antibiotic therapy. In this case, severe dysbiosis does not develop. If this measure was not taken, then probiotics are prescribed later and in larger dosages.

Agents that normalize intestinal microflora:
  • enterol;
  • Linux;
  • bifidumbacterin;
  • good luck;
  • lactulose;
  • acylact;
  • bifinorm;
  • colibacterin.

Diarrhea can be a symptom of a variety of diseases, such as lactase deficiency or hormonally active tumors. However, it does not always require the use of medications. Sometimes you just need to eliminate a certain product. For lactase deficiency, such products are dairy products, for celiac disease - products containing gluten, for phenylketonuria - products containing phenylalanine.

What foods can you eat if you have diarrhea?

For diarrhea, you can eat foods that do not provoke fermentation and rotting in the intestines. Food should not irritate the digestive organs and require large resources for its digestion. Properly selected products will help avoid dehydration and deficiency of substances necessary for the patient’s rapid recovery.

Foods that can be eaten are:

  • unsweetened fruits and berries;
  • vegetables with a small amount of fiber;
  • cereals from cereal crops;
  • eggs;
  • lean fish and meat;
  • flour products.
In order for nutrition during diarrhea to bring a healing effect, you must adhere to a number of rules when preparing dishes. The amount and other features of eating recommended foods depend on the intensity and other characteristics of diarrhea.

Fruits and berries

  • Banana– a product that can be eaten for any form of diarrhea. The potassium contained in the fruit helps rapid recovery, and a sufficient amount of moisture serves to prevent dehydration. In the absence of individual intolerance, it is recommended to consume bananas 1 - 2 pieces every 3 - 4 hours.
  • Apples– contain pectin and a large amount of organic acids. These substances promote the removal of toxins and have an astringent and antimicrobial effect. Raw apples contain rough fiber, which can cause irritant effect on the intestinal mucosa. Therefore, these fruits should be consumed baked. You can also make compote from apples.
  • Quince– has astringent and fixing properties, therefore it is recommended for disorders of the digestive tract. The greatest effect has quince decoction. To prepare it, 200 grams ( medium sized fruit) ripe quince should be cut into small slices and pour 4 glasses ( liter) boiling water. Leave for a couple of 15 - 20 minutes, then cool and drink the infusion every hour, 100 - 200 milliliters.
Drinks made from berries that are rich in tannins are useful for diarrhea ( tannins). Tannins stop the inflammatory process in the intestines and normalize secretory function gastrointestinal tract.
  • persimmon;
  • dogwood;
  • black currant;
  • bird cherry;
  • blueberry;
  • thorn
In addition to compotes and decoctions of blueberries, black currants, and bird cherry, you can prepare jelly, which has not only a nutritional, but also a medicinal effect. The starch contained in jelly acts as a sorbent, absorbing harmful substances in the intestines. To cook jelly, add 200 grams of berries to 2 liters of water and bring to a boil. After this, you need to add 4 tablespoons of starch to the composition ( diluted with water to the consistency of sour cream). After 3 - 5 minutes, remove the jelly from the heat, cool and drink throughout the day.

Vegetables
In case of acute diarrhea, vegetables should be excluded from the diet. After 2–3 days, you should begin to gradually introduce vegetable dishes into the menu to prevent vitamin deficiency. The main rule is to choose crops with minimal fiber content. You should not eat raw or half-raw vegetables. The best option Heat treatment is boiling or steaming.

Vegetables that are easy to tolerate for diarrhea are:

  • carrot;
  • potato;
  • pumpkin;
  • zucchini;
  • cauliflower;
  • asparagus;
  • green beans.
Vegetables can be cooked vegetable soups, meatballs, casseroles. Due to its mushy consistency, purees and soufflés made from vegetables are well digested for diarrhea.

Cereals
The most recommended cereals for diarrhea are buckwheat, oatmeal and rice. Dishes prepared from them are a source of carbohydrates, which the body needs to fight diarrhea. In the first days of the disorder, you should prepare porridge from cereals with plenty of water. Subsequently, rice and buckwheat can be used as an additional ingredient for first courses. An effective remedy for diarrhea, there is a decoction made from rice, which has complex action on the body.

The effects of rice water are:

  • enveloping and protecting the intestinal walls from irritation;
  • normalization of peristalsis;
  • thickening of stool due to fluid absorption;
  • reduction of flatulence and reduction of bloating;
  • replenishment of nutritional deficiencies.
To prepare the decoction, bring half a liter of water to a boil, add 2 teaspoons of washed rice and simmer for 45 minutes. Next, strain the broth and take 50 milliliters every 2 to 3 hours.

Eggs
Eggs ( chicken and quail) help normalize the consistency of stool. For diarrhea, it is recommended to eat no more than 2 eggs per day that have undergone special heat treatment. Raw, fried or hard-boiled eggs can worsen the patient's condition. Therefore, steam omelettes or soft-boiled eggs should be included in the menu of a patient with diarrhea. You can also use egg white when preparing first courses.

Meat and fish
Meat and fish contain large amounts of protein, which the body needs for diarrhea. These products should be introduced into the diet 3–4 days after the first symptoms of the disorder appear. To reduce the load on the organs of the digestive system, meat should be cleaned of fat, films, and tendons before consumption. The fish must be cleaned of skin and bones.

  • chicken breast;
  • turkey fillet;
  • veal tenderloin;
  • pollock fillet;
  • cod fillet;
  • pike perch fillet.

Steam cutlets, meatballs, and souffles are prepared from meat or fish. Pre-grinding makes the product easier to digest, and steaming allows you to preserve everything valuable properties dishes.

Flour products
At the initial stage of the disorder ( first 2 – 3 days) You should eat bread made from wheat flour, dried in the oven. When relief occurs, the diet can be diversified with pasta made from durum wheat.

What diseases cause bloody diarrhea?

Bloody diarrhea is a symptom of inflammatory processes and other pathological conditions of the gastrointestinal tract. The color, consistency, smell and other characteristics of blood impurities in liquid feces are determined by the reasons for its occurrence. The closer the source of bleeding is to the anus, the lighter the color of the blood.

Causes of loose stools with blood can be:

  • haemorrhoids ( dilatation and inflammation of the veins of the lower segment of the rectum);
  • anal fissures;
  • intestinal polyps ( benign formations );
  • inflammation of diverticula ( pouch-like protrusions of the walls of the rectum or colon);
  • chronic inflammatory diseases;
  • infectious intestinal diseases;
  • bleeding upper sections digestive system;
  • dysbacteriosis;
  • malignant formations colon.
Haemorrhoids
The cause of bloody diarrhea may be damage to hemorrhoidal cones during multiple bowel movements. In this case, bleeding is manifested by drops of bright red blood, which can be in the stool, on linen, or on toilet paper. The scarlet tint is explained by the fact that the damage is close and the blood does not have time to clot or react with digestive enzymes. When a node ruptures, copious amounts of blood are released, which can flood the toilet. In most cases, patients are not bothered by any pain.

Anal fissures
Liquid stool with blood in case of cracks in the lower part of the rectum is accompanied by severe pain in the anus. A small amount of red blood is released at the time of bowel movement or immediately after it. In this case, the blood does not form streaks or clots and does not mix with feces. Also, with this pathology, a small amount of mucus or its complete absence is found in the stool.

Intestinal polyps
The presence of blood in liquid feces can cause polyps in the intestines. Bleeding occurs when tumors are damaged or an inflammatory process occurs. In this disease, the blood is mixed with feces, which also contain mucus impurities.

Inflammation of diverticula
Diverticulitis ( inflammation of diverticula) and the accompanying diarrhea with blood most often develops in patients whose age ranges from 50 to 60 years. If diverticula are located in sigmoid colon, splashes of blood have a bright red tint. With lesions of diverticula located in the right segments of the large intestine, the blood may be dark, sometimes black.

Chronic inflammatory diseases
A symptom of such a chronic disease as Crohn's disease ( inflammatory processes in various parts of the digestive tract) bloody diarrhea often appears. Often this symptom indicates another chronic disease - ulcerative colitis ( purulent inflammation of the colon). A distinctive feature of these diseases is chronic diarrhea, which is accompanied by severe abdominal pain and an increase in body temperature. The act of defecation is accompanied heavy bleeding scarlet color.

Bleeding in the upper digestive system
Diarrhea and blood in its composition may indicate damage to the stomach, esophagus, and duodenum. The blood is black in color and smells bad. Stool mixed with black, foul-smelling blood is called melena. Blood acquires color and smell for a reason long stay in the digestive system, during which it is exposed to bacteria.

Diseases that cause diarrhea with black blood are:

  • cancerous tumors in stomach or duodenum;
  • mucosal defects ( ulcers) stomach or duodenum;
  • varicose veins of the esophagus;
  • pathological changes in the structure of liver tissue ( cirrhosis).
Infectious intestinal diseases
Often, disorders in the form of bloody diarrhea are a manifestation of diseases caused by infection. At the same time, patients are worried about seizures acute pain in the abdomen and high body temperature. One of the common infectious diseases is dysentery. The causative agents of the disease are bacteria of the genus Shigella, which infect the lower segment of the colon. With dysentery, the patient suffers from intense diarrhea with blood, in which the frequency of the urge to defecate can reach 30 times a day. Often the desire to evacuate is false and is accompanied by severe discomfort. Often with dysentery, diarrhea turns green. In addition to blood, clots of pus and mucus may be found in the stool.

Other causes of bloody diarrhea may include:

  • proctitis ( inflammatory lesion of the rectal mucosa) – blood is detected in the form of clots throughout the stool;
  • cryptite ( inflammation of the recesses in the anal canal) – characterized by blood inclusions bright color;
  • ischemic colitis ( disruption of the blood supply to the intestinal wall) - blood is released in small quantities and can be either dark or light in color.

How to treat diarrhea after antibiotics?

Treatment of diarrhea after antibiotics is carried out comprehensively and is aimed at restoring intestinal functions. Also the purpose therapeutic measures is to eliminate the symptoms and consequences of this disorder.

Treatments for diarrhea after antibiotics include:

  • compliance with dietary nutrition;
  • taking medications that correct the composition of the intestinal microflora;
  • prevention of dehydration and intoxication of the body.
Taking medications to correct intestinal microflora
To normalize the composition and properties of the intestinal microflora, patients are prescribed special medications. Depending on the composition and effect, such drugs are divided into several categories.

The types of drugs are:

  • probiotics– include cultures of living microorganisms;
  • prebiotics– contain substances that stimulate the activity of beneficial microflora;
  • synbioticscombination drugs, consisting of probiotics and prebiotics.
The therapeutic effect of these drugs is to create favorable conditions for the growth of beneficial intestinal microflora and inhibit the activity of pathogenic microorganisms. Active components These drugs take part in the production of vitamins and create an environment for their effective absorption. Also, taking such medications helps to better break down food and remove toxic substances from the body.

Probiotics
Once in the intestines, the microorganisms that make up this group of drugs multiply, which helps restore all functions of the microflora. Based on their composition and mechanism of action, there are 4 categories of probiotics.

The groups of probiotics are:

  • First generation drugs ( monobiotics) – contain one type of beneficial bacteria that are part of the normal microflora. The most common living components for the production of these drugs are colibacteria, bifidobacteria, and lactobacilli.
  • Second generation drugs ( antagonists) – are made on the basis of bacilli and yeast fungi, which inhibit the activity of harmful microorganisms. Not being part of the microflora, the components of such drugs do not take root in the intestines and are excreted naturally.
  • Third generation probiotics ( multicomponent) – include several types of beneficial bacteria that begin to grow and multiply in the intestines.
  • Fourth generation drugs ( sorbed) – consist of representatives of normal microflora, which are fixed on a special carrier ( sorbent). The use of a sorbent significantly increases the effectiveness of the drug.
Prebiotics
Prebiotics are made from substances that provide nutrition for beneficial microorganisms. The components used are fiber, pectin, sorbitol, xylitol and other carbohydrates. Prebiotics are prescribed in combination with probiotics.

Synbiotics
This category of drugs contains both live microorganisms ( probiotics), as well as ingredients for their favorable reproduction ( prebiotics). Today, synbiotics are considered the most effective for treating diarrhea after antibiotics.

Dietary adherence
The goal of a diet for diarrhea is to reduce the load on the digestive system and provide the body with the necessary substances for a speedy recovery. For severe diarrhea, it is necessary to consume foods that do not irritate the intestinal mucosa and have a strengthening effect.

  • hard-boiled eggs;
  • steam omelettes;
  • slimy porridges from semolina, buckwheat, rice;
  • rice water;
  • berry and fruit jelly;
  • baked apples;
  • white bread crackers.
When preparing porridges, cereals must be boiled thoroughly and enough water used to ensure that their consistency is viscous. For jelly, you should use non-acidic berries and fruits, diluting the juice with water if necessary.
After 2–3 days, the menu can include dishes prepared from lean meats and fish. These can be steamed cutlets, boiled meatballs, souffles, casseroles. After a few days, it is recommended to diversify your diet with vegetable dishes. To prepare soups, purees and stews, you can use carrots, potatoes, cauliflower. It is not advisable to eat white cabbage, sweet peppers, legumes, and mushrooms when you have diarrhea. Brown bread, carbonated drinks, coffee, and spices also stimulate intestinal motility. Therefore, such products can be introduced into the diet 10 days after complete recovery. In addition, for this period it is necessary to avoid fatty, salty, pickled foods. Gradually and carefully you should include dairy products in your diet.

Fermented milk products enriched with live bacteria will help restore the composition of the intestinal microflora after diarrhea. Microorganisms are contained in special kefir, yoghurts, and starter cultures. The manufacturer indicates the presence of bacteria on the product packaging. Preference should be given to brands that have a short shelf life. You can eat such products after complete normalization of stool.

Prevention of dehydration and intoxication of the body
To prevent poisoning and dehydration, a patient with diarrhea needs to drink enough fluids. You can drink weakly brewed green and black tea, herbal infusions juices diluted with water. Adding a small amount of lemon juice to the drink will improve the patient's condition due to its antiseptic effect. Compotes made from quince, pear, blueberry, and bird cherry are useful for diarrhea.

What folk remedies exist for diarrhea?

There are many folk remedies for diarrhea. They not only calm the “raging” digestive system, but also restore it normal work. Also the positive side folk remedies is their harmlessness in relation to the normal intestinal microflora. Thus, they rarely cause dysbiosis ( imbalance of intestinal microflora).
All folk remedies for diarrhea can be divided into several groups.

The main three groups of folk remedies that help with diarrhea are:

Specially prepared foods that help with diarrhea
When a patient suffers from diarrhea, he must follow a special diet. All food should be gentle, that is, it should not irritate the gastrointestinal tract. Some “gentle” products also have medicinal properties and are used as folk remedies for diarrhea.

The main products that are used as folk remedies for diarrhea are:

  • goat fat;
  • fresh apples;
  • bananas;
  • millet cereal;
  • chicken stomachs.

Methods for preparing and using products as a folk remedy for diarrhea

Product Cooking method How to use
Dose Frequency
Rice
  • cook only in water, without salt;
  • in a ratio of one to two - a glass of rice and two glasses of water.
approximately 100 grams) rice. Up to three times a day.
Goat fat
  • mix with starch or rice flour in a one to one ratio;
  • can also be used in its pure form.
Before meals, eat two teaspoons of the mixture or one teaspoon of the pure product. Three to four times a day.
Fresh apples 12 fresh medium-sized apples, peeled and chopped using a grater. Eat approximately 100–130 grams at a time ( visually the size of a peeled apple). Every one and a half to two hours ( 8 – 12 times a day).
Bananas Fresh. You need to eat one or two medium bananas at a time. Up to five times a day.
Millet cereal
  • cook in water without salt;
  • For one glass of millet cereal you need 2 – 3 glasses of water.
Eat half a glass at a time ( approximately 130-150 grams) millet porridge. Twice a day.
Chicken stomachs Rinse chicken gizzards hot water and remove the yellow film from them. Rinse the film well under water and squeeze lightly. Then place the films on a plate and leave them in the sun to dry. Dried films must be crushed into powder using a rolling pin. You need to swallow one teaspoon of powder and wash it down with liquid. Once a day.

Medicinal drinks for diarrhea
Various are used as folk remedies for diarrhea. healing drinks, which you can drink all day without restrictions. They not only eliminate bouts of diarrhea, but also replenish lost fluid from the body.

Products that can be used to prepare anti-diarrhea drinks are:

  • oatmeal and rye bread;
  • blueberries;
  • black tea and onion;
  • burnet grass;
  • blackberry branches.

Methods for preparing and using drinks as a folk remedy for diarrhea

Product Cooking method How to use
Dose Frequency
Oatmeal and rye bread Pour oatmeal cold water in a one to one ratio ( one glass oatmeal per glass of water). Add a slice of crumbled rye bread. Then wrap the vessel in a towel and leave in a warm place. After 12 hours, strain the mixture into a saucepan and bring to a boil. Unlimited.
Rice
One glass of rice is poured with 6 - 7 glasses of settled water and brought to readiness. Separately drain the rice water and cool slightly. Drink half a glass of warm broth. 5 times a day with an interval of 2.5 - 3 hours.
Blueberry fruit Blueberry jelly is being prepared.

To do this you need:

  • 2.5 liters of water;
  • 200 grams of blueberries;
  • 100 – 150 grams of sugar;
  • 4 tablespoons starch.
Add blueberries and sugar to boiling water. Cook over medium heat for a quarter of an hour. Dilute the starch in cold water to the consistency of liquid yogurt. Then slowly pour in the dissolved starch, stirring constantly, and cook for another 3 minutes.
Drink one glass of jelly slowly. Unlimited.
Black tea and onion One onion is peeled and cut halfway crosswise. Then weak black tea is brewed and the onion is dipped into it. The tea should steep for 10 minutes. Drink one glass at a time. Optional.
Burnet herb The dried burnet herb should be broken from root to flower and placed in a jar. Pour one liter of boiling water and close the lid. After 40 minutes, strain the infusion. Pour the remaining herb again with a liter of boiling water and leave for two hours. Take a new burnet branch every day. On the first day, drink slowly, one liter of decoction at a time. On the second day, drink 250 milliliters. On the first day 2 times, then 4 times a day.
Blackberry branches Pour boiling water over a tablespoon of chopped blackberry branches and brew for 3 – 5 minutes. Drink like tea. No limits.

Infusions and decoctions from medicinal plants
Various infusions and decoctions of medicinal plants and fruits are used as a folk remedy for diarrhea.

The most commonly used herbs for diarrhea are:

  • Oak bark;
  • bird cherry fruits;
  • pomegranate peels;
  • walnut leaf;
  • walnut partitions.

Infusions and decoctions as a folk remedy for diarrhea

Product Cooking method How to use
Dose Frequency
Oak bark Infusion of oak bark
Oak bark is crushed and poured with boiling water. The ratio of ingredients is one tablespoon of bark per quarter liter of water. Leave for 60 minutes. Then strain.
Drink two teaspoons.
6 times a day.
Decoction of oak bark
Oak bark is crushed and filled with water. The ratio of ingredients is one tablespoon of bark per 300 - 400 milliliters of water. Place over high heat until it boils. Then reduce the heat and simmer for 15 minutes.
Swallow one tablespoon. 3 times a day.
Bird cherry fruits A decoction is prepared from bird cherry fruits. Bird cherry is added to boiling water - one tablespoon per quarter liter of water. Leave on low heat for half an hour, then cool. Drink half a glass of broth. 2 – 3 times a day.
Pomegranate peel The pomegranate must be washed and cleaned well. Then cut off the white pulp from the peel and dry the peels.
A decoction is prepared from crushed dry peels. One tablespoon of crusts should be poured with one liter of boiling water and left in a water bath for half an hour.
  • for children– one teaspoon of decoction;
  • for adults– 2 teaspoons of decoction.
  • children– three times a day;
  • adults - up to 5 times a day.
Walnut leaf An infusion is being prepared. The green leaf is crushed and poured with one glass of boiling water. The infusion is kept for 3 – 5 minutes. Up to one glass of infusion. Up to three times a day.
Walnut partitions An infusion of dried partitions is prepared. 30 grams of partitions are crushed and poured into a glass of 70 percent alcohol. The infusion is kept for 3 days with periodic shaking. Take 8-10 drops with water before meals. Maximum 4 times a day.