Diarrhea Causes and Prevention

Severe diarrhea is a condition mainly involving the colon and intestines which a person experiences loose, watery stools and must move their bowels three or even more times a day.

While diarrhea is uncomfortable and often extremely inconvenient, it's usually not a dangerous threat to the colon or overall health except in extreme cases where it may cause serious dehydration. Dehydration is especially dangerous to the elderly and to children.

Acute diarrhea usually lasts 1 or 2 days and goes away on its own without the need for prescription medications or professional medical treatment.

On the other hand, diarrhea that lasts for more than 2 days may be an indication of a more serious colon or health problem. Chronic diarrhea can be a symptom of a number of chronic colon diseases and other disorders.

Diarrhea can occur to anyone at any age. Most adults get diarrhea 3-4 times a year. An average child will have as many as 15 episodes of diarrhea by age 5.

Severe diarrhea causes The cause of diarrhea is hard to diagnose because it's usually gone in a day or two.

Acute diarrhea usually comes from a bacterial, viral, or parasitic infection in the colon or elsewhere in the digestive system. But chronic or persistent diarrhea often signals a functional disorder like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) or some other bowel disorder.

Diarrhea can result from an adverse reaction to certain foods and medications.

These intestinal disorders may cause diarrhea:

• irritable bowl syndrome or IBS (also known as spastic colon)
• inflammatory bowel disease,
• colitis,
• Crohn’s disease, and
• celiac disease.

Some people develop colon diarrhea after stomach surgery or gallbladder removal.

Diarrhea symptoms The symptoms of diarrhea are well known and fairly obvious:

• cramps,
• abdomen pain,
• bloating,
• nausea,
• an urgent need to use the bathroom,
• fever or bloody stools.

Diarrhea usually goes away in a day or two, medical treatment is generally unnecessary. But it's important to remember that diarrhea causes a rapid loss of fluids in the body, so replacing those lost fluids is advisable.

Sometimes it's a good idea to take anti-diarrhea medicine, but not always. They are not recommended for people whose colon diarrhea is caused by a bacterial infection or parasite.

Until colon diarrhea subsides, avoid certain foods, including

• caffeine,
• milk products, any food that is greasy,
• foods that are high in fiber, very sweet foods.

These foods tend to aggravate diarrhea.

Preventing Diarrhea Anyone who visits foreign countries is at risk for "traveler’s diarrhea," which results from eating food or drinking water contaminated with bacteria, viruses, or parasites. Take the following precautions for preventing diarrhea when you travel to developing countries:

• Avoid drinking tap water.
• Do not use ice made from tap water.
• Don't use tap water to brush your teeth.
• Avoid all raw fruits and vegetables, including lettuce and fruit salads, unless they can be peeled and you peel them yourself.
• Do not eat raw or rare meat and fish.
• Make sure meat or shellfish is hot when served.
• Refrain from buying or eating food from street vendors.
• Stay away from pasteurized milk or dairy products.

Bottled water is generally safe as long as the seal is unbroken. The same goes for carbonated drinks.

Depending on your destination and the duration of your stay, certain preventive antibiotics may be appropriate. Talk to your doctor.

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