Excessive Diarrhea

Excessive and chronic diarrhea? Like normal diarrhea isn't torture enough. OK no smart remarks, but yeah, some people have excessive diarrhea and needless to say it makes their life quite miserable. So why does it happen and what is one to do about it? How is one to bring excessive watery diarrhea into control (Eww..'watery', that's what you're thinking, right? Yeah, tough. I didn't make the topic and some people have watery diarrhea. Poor souls) So getting into the causes and symptoms of this condition, let us try and understand what leads to this condition.

Causes

Diarrhea is a condition in which the stool becomes watery and frequent. This could be accompanied by a number of other conditions like gas or flatulence, Irritable Bowel Syndrome or stomach pain. Here are some causes that could lead to this condition.

• Bacteria and viruses could lead to diarrhea in all its extreme forms. Bacteria and viruses could get into our bodies through the water and food that we consume. If the water is not properly purified then bacteria like protozoa could enter our digestive tract and cause gastroenteritis, chronic diarrhea and other ailments like stomach flu.
• Intake of foods that upset the digestive system also lead to excessive diarrhea. These could include foods like chewing gums that contain serbitol which is difficult for the digestive system to digest. It leads to the body drawing in water into the bowels and making them loose and causing chronic diarrhea.
• Other foods that could lead to diarrhea are eating excess fruits and fats. These are difficult for the body to digest and therefore lead to diarrhea. This is one of the main causes of diarrhea in children.
• Food poisoning and a low carbohydrate diet could also lead to diarrhea.
• Certain prescription medicines like antibiotics and other over the counter products can lead to the death of good bacteria and cause diarrhea.
• Improper intake of laxatives could lead to adverse effects on the digestive system and cause diarrhea.
• Certain ailments like diabetes, hyperthyroidism and certain cancers could lead to the same.
• Overconsumption of alcohol, caffeine, tea and other stimulants along with magnesium and Vitamin C can also lead to this condition.

Symptoms

• Watery loose stools
• Stomach pain. Diarrhea and stomach pain are closely related. There is usually a knotted feeling in the pit of the stomach
• Nausea
• Pus, undigested food and blood in stools
• Fever
• Bloating of the stomach
• Weight loss
• The sensation and need to go all the time

Treatment Methods

• Drinking plenty of fluids that contain electrolytes. This becomes important because there might be a lot of dehydration that has taken place which will cause for the body to suffer from deficiencies. Thus replenishing the lost nutrients is important.
• Medicines (in consultation with a physician) will ensure that the bowel movements are controlled and brought into control. These will hasten the healing process.
• There are several diarrhea home remedies that you can take up. Eat foods that are high in carbs as soon as you feel up to it. This will ensure that the body makes up for all the lost energy and nutrients.
• What should one eat when they are suffering from diarrhea? Maintain a strictly controlled diet that excludes all those factors that could lead to a relapse or bring on excessive diarrhea with added vigor.

And now that you know what the symptoms, causes and treatment methods of diarrhea are, you need to make sure that the time never comes when you have to deal with the same. Maintain proper hygiene and clean all foods well before consumption. And avoid those foods which could lead to diarrhea in the first place.