Diarrhea Causes, Symptoms and Treatment
Diarrhea is a condition in which the frequency of bowel movements increases and there is passage of watery stools. Diarrhea is also known as loose motions. It is a very common disease and affects children more as compared to adults.
In this condition, the body does not absorb water or excretes the water in excess. As a result, dehydration and electrolyte imbalance occur in the body. Severe dehydration may even cause death.
Diarrhea is categorized into acute and chronic diarrhea. Acute diarrhea lasts from a few days to a week whereas chronic diarrhea lasts up to three weeks.
Causes of Diarrhea
- Overeating or intake of infected food. It implies foods that are not fresh.
- Intake of antibiotics and overdose of laxatives.
- Any viral or bacterial infection which may spread through water, food or air.
- Allergies to certain substances.
- Intestinal diseases.
- Stress in adults and fright in children.
Symptoms of Diarrhea
Diarrhea is characterized by frequent urge to defecate and also passage of watery stools.
The absorption of water chiefly occurs in the small intestine. In diarrhea the small intestine fails to absorb water or excretes water in excess. This water then moves to the colon which has a limited water retention capacity. As a result there is a strong urge to defecate.
Treatment for Diarrhea
Diarrhea is a curable disease and there are various remedies for diarrhea which can be tried at home.
- Carrot soup can be made at home by boiling half kg carrots in 150 ml water. The carrots are boiled till they become spongy and then the pulp is strained. Sufficient boiled water is then added to make the quantity about one liter.
- In case of children, rice is an excellent remedy for diarrhea. One teaspoon powder of parboiled rice is mixed in one glass buttermilk. Buttermilk is obtained by draining fat from curd. The patient should be given the serving every half an hour in order to ensure the best results.
- Buttermilk can be consumed along with a pinch of salt as it is an excellent cure for diarrhea. A glass of buttermilk should be consumed three or four times a day. The acid present in buttermilk is very effective in killing bacteria and other germs in the body.
- Another remedy for diarrhea is mint juice combined with lime juice and honey. A teaspoon of each is mixed together and can be consumed thrice a day.
- Severe diarrhea may result in an urge to drink more water. This urge can be satiated by giving bottle gourd juice to the patient. A pinch of salt is added to a glass of bottle gourd juice and it can be consumed at regular intervals.
- Fenugreek seeds are also used in the treatment of diarrhea. A teaspoon of fenugreek seeds are first fried in oil and are then added to a cup of buttermilk. Fenugreek seeds are useful in curing extreme flatulence that can occur during diarrhea.
- In case of frequent purging the patient should be given pomegranate juice twice a day. Pomegranate juice has astringent properties and is therefore beneficial in controlling purging.
- Turmeric with its antiseptic properties is another valuable cure for diarrhea. A teaspoon of powdered turmeric is mixed with a glass of water or a glass of buttermilk.
- Sometimes diarrhea is caused due to digestive disorders. In such cases ginger is a good cure. Ginger prevents the formation of gas in the gastrointestinal tract and also aids in the expulsion of gas. Therefore, intake of ginger helps in combating flatulence. A teaspoon of ginger powder is mixed with rock salt. This mixture is then taken along with jiggery for best results.
- Coconut water combined with juice of fresh drumstick leaves and a teaspoon of honey is also useful in curing diarrhea. It is an effective home remedy and is given to the patient three or four times a day.
- Another valuable remedy of diarrhea is mango nuts. Mango seeds are dried in the shade. These seeds are then powdered and stored as medicine. This powder is given to the patients two times a day. It is relatively simple and a valuable in curing the problem of loose stools.
- Sesame powder is also useful in the cure of diarrhea. Sesame powder is mixed with one tablespoon of ghee. This mixture is then divided into three parts and each part is administered with half cup of goat’s milk and is taken thrice a day. The goat’s milk should be boiled and this preparation is taken for six days for excellent results.
- A pinch of salt and pepper added to tomato juice also serves as a good remedy for treatment of this condition.
- Boiled apples are very effective in treating diarrhea. The apples are boiled in order to soften the cellulose and it thus helps in binding the stools.
- Coconut water, barley water and arrowroot water are very beneficial in replenishing water in the body. Also, they help in binding the stools.
- Garlic and banana can also be taken during diarrhea. Pectin present in the bananas is good for the gastrointestinal tract as it encourages the growth of bacteria which aid in digestion of food. On the other hand, garlic is effective in killing the germs and thereby dealing with infections.
Dietary recommendations for patients with diarrhea
- In case of severe diarrhea, the patient should avoid eating anything and should take only fluids comprising juices and boiled water.
- Once the patient starts recuperating, he should be given vegetable and fruit juices.
- The patient should also avoid the intake of raw foods until he recovers completely.
- Moreover, the meals should be enlarged steadily in order to include whole rice, cooked vegetables and soured milk.
