Let’s face it. There are certain subjects that are much easier to talk about than others. While some people feel comfortable speaking to total strangers about the most intimate of details, others don’t. There are some of us who tell the guy next to us on the subway about our health issues such as how we are feeling a little congested today or how your Aunt Mary just had surgery for some treatment. There is one personal issue that NO ONE ever talks about to ANYONE and that’s diarrhea.
Diarrhea is the passage of loose or watery stools and often occurs along with abdominal cramps, vomiting, or a fever. With diarrhea, stools move so quickly through the intestines that the body is unable to absorb the fluid in them.
Diarrhea can be caused by bacteria, viruses, emotional upset, stress, some chronic bowel diseases, and certain medications. With bacterial infections of the colon, diarrhea is usually more severe and lasts longer. Prolonged diarrhea may also be a symptom of conditions such as food poisoning, giardiasis, amoebic dysentery, Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, or food allergies.
Leading doctors in the field of digestive health helped us put together this list of some self care steps for dealing with diarrhea. Here are some of the tips for you to follow:
• Drink room-temperature liquids.
• Avoid alcohol, smoking, caffeine, milk, and fruit juice.
• Do not eat if your stomach feels very upset or crampy.
• Drink fluids to prevent dehydration. Throughout the day, sip a few ounces of water or diluted broths, sports drinks, soda, or rehydration solutions.
• If your appetite returns but the diarrhea remains, try eating ripe bananas, rice, white toast, cooked cereal, potatoes, chicken, turkey, or cooked carrots.
• Until diarrhea is gone, avoid fresh fruits, green vegetables, alcohol, greasy or fatty foods, and highly seasoned or spicy foods.
• Take over-the-counter anti-diarrhea medications such as Pepto-Bismol for temporary relief. However, avoid taking these medications continually. They may extend the length of diarrhea or cause more serious problems.
• Call your doctor if you believe the diarrhea could be caused by a medication you are taking. Diarrhea is a common side effect of non-steroidal, anti-inflammatory drugs, antibiotics, gold compounds, and anti-depressants.
• Call your doctor if diarrhea lasts longer than 72 hours.
To prevent the spread of organisms that can cause diarrhea, wash your hands after you use the toilet or diaper a baby and before you eat or prepare food. Remember to wash your hands in warm, soapy water if you have touched uncooked meat products.
Handle and cook foods carefully is especially important. Unpasteurized dairy products and undercooked fish, poultry, eggs, and meat can have bacteria that can cause diarrhea and other gastrointestinal problems. Wash cutting boards and utensils in warm, soapy water. Be sure to keep hot foods hot and cold foods cold. Harmful bacteria can grow in foods left at room temperature for too long.
Seek the opinion of your doctor before following of any treatment and regiment. Only a doctor can provide you with advice on what is safe and most effective for you.
By: B Healey