Conditions

Diarrhea

Diarrhea is rarely a serious condition, except in young children and older adults.

Diarrhea can exist alone or as a symptom of other problems. The many possible causes of diarrhea are:

• Incomplete digestion of food
• Food poisoning
• Food allergies
• Excess alcohol consumption
• Bacterial infections
• Viral infections
• Consumption of contaminated water
• Caffeine
• Magnesium
• Laxatives
• Sorbitol
• Some antibiotics
• Inflammatory bowel disease (ulcerative colitis, diverticulitis, or Crohn's disease)
• Pancreatic disease
• Some forms of cancer

Diarrhea is often the body's way of ridding itself of toxins and foreign substances. Most cases of simple diarrhea should not be suppressed too quickly. It may be healthier to let your body flush itself clean, as long as you support it with adequate fluids.

Signs and Symptoms:

Diarrhea is characterized by frequent and loose, watery stools. Symptoms that may accompany diarrhea include:

• Vomiting
• Cramping
• Thirst
• Abdominal pain
• Fever

Diagnosis:

In most cases your doctor will ask you questions about your normal bowel movements and how they compare to the current complaint. A stool sample may be asked for. The doctor may want to test for various conditions that might be the underlying cause. Generally, diarrhea that's uncomplicated by other symptoms is self-limiting and requires little medical assistance.

Treatment Options:

• Because diarrhea is a symptom, treatment should be dictated by the cause.
• For acute, uncomplicated diarrhea, it may be sufficient to reassure patients that the diarrhea is benign and will resolve in a couple of days and simply treat the symptoms.
• For some chronic diarrhea, dietary change can be sufficient without additional evaluation.
• Serious acute bloody diarrhea and chronic diarrhea will require evaluation and treatment of underlying cause(s). Hospitalization may be considered with severe dehydration.
• In all cases of diarrhea, replacement of fluids (clear fluids without caffeine and rehydration fluids) and electrolytes-particularly with very young and very old patients-is critical.

Traditional Treatments:

• Loperamide (sold as Imodium AD and other products) is the most commonly used antidiarrheal. It works by slowing the movement of the intestinal muscle. Warning: You should not use loperamide if you have a fever over 101 degrees, or if you have bloody stools.
• Kaolin-pectin (Donnagel, Kaopectate, Parapectolin), an over-the-counter drug, binds with excess water, thereby solidifying and drying diarrheal stools. This makes it appear as if you are having less diarrhea and more formed stools, but you are actually still losing the same amount of water as you would be if untreated. It just looks different. Moreover, kaolin contains aluminum, which has been implicated as a toxic mineral in the body.
• Bismuth subsalicylate (Pepto-Bismol) is an over-the-counter drug that works by attaching to the toxin or bacteria that is causing the problem in the intestines. This deactivates the foreign substance and it loses its ability to hurt the body.
• Antibiotics can help, but only if the diarrhea is due to a parasitic or bacterial infection. They should be prescribed only after a stool analysis or culture confirms this.
• Antidiarrheal medications that contain narcotics, such as paragoric and diphenoxylate (Lomotil), are sometimes prescribed. Like loperamide, these drugs work by slowing down intestinal action and halting bowel movements. These drugs can have significant side effects.
• If severe diarrhea results in dehydration, rehydration may be necessary. In most cases this can be accomplished through diet. However, in rare cases, it may be necessary to use intravenous fluids
• Your doctor may suggest a product such as Pedialyte, Resol, or Lytren for infants and small children. For adults, electrolyte mixtures such as Gatorade may be recommended.

Complementary and Alternative Therapies:

Nutritional supplementation and other alternative therapies may help relieve diarrhea.

Nutritional Supplementation:

• Glutamine helps to soothe an irritated and inflamed gastrointestinal tract. Take 500 mg of L-glutamine three times daily until symptoms are gone.
• Bifidobacterium bifidum restores healthy flora to the intestines and is very helpful in resolving diarrhea. Follow the product label.
• Pectin may help in cases of acute diarrhea. Take 300 mg up to three times daily, as needed.
• Psyllium seeds can help provide bulk that aids in forming stools. Take 4 capsules daily, at bedtime. Take with a large glass of water.
• Charcoal tablets absorbs toxins from the colon and bloodstream while aiding in the firming of stools. Take 4 tablets every hour with water until the diarrhea subsides. Take separately from other supplements and medications. Warning: Do not take for more than 3 days at a time.
• Essential fatty acid complex can aid in forming stools. Follow label directions.
• Potassium may be needed to replace potassium lost in watery stools. Take 99 mg daily.
  

Alternative Therapies:

• If you suffer from occasional bouts of diarrhea, use blackberry root bark, chamomile, pau d'arco, and/or raspberry leaves. These herbs can be taken in tea form or added to applesauce, bananas, pineapple or papaya juice.
  Warning: Do not use chamomile if you have an allergy to ragweed. Do not use chamomile on an ongoing basis as an allergy to ragweed may develop.
• Cayenne (capsicum) capsules, taken two or three times daily, may be beneficial.
• Fenugreek, taken as a tea, lubricates the intestines and reduces fever.
• Ginger tea is good for cramps and abdominal pain.
• Grapefruit seed extract has anti-parasitic properties.
• Marshmallow root tea (also known as malva tea) helps calm the stomach and soothe intestinal problems.
• Slippery elm bark, taken in tea or extract form, is soothing to the digestive tract
• Wild oregano oil contains antibacterial, antifungal, antiparasitic, and antiviral agents.
• A cream made from kudzu root and umeboshi (salt) plum paste is helpful for easing intestinal upset.
• The homeopathic remedy, Arsenicum album, helps to resolve diarrhea related to food poisoning, anxiety, or stress.
• The homeopathic remedy, Colocynthis, is very effective against the twisting and cramping abdominal pain that often accompanies diarrhea.
• The homeopathic remedy, Magnesia phosphorica, helps relax the bowel and ease cramping.
• A homeopathic combination diarrhea remedy may be helpful. Check with your local homeopathic practitioner.
• Essential oil of chamomile, lavender, and peppermint can help relieve stomach spasms and cramping. Use any or all of these oils in and aromatherapy bath or add a few drops to massage oil.

General Recommendations:

• If you suffer repeated bouts of diarrhea look into the possibility of lactose intolerance.
• Drink plenty of liquids but avoid apple juice as this can make diarrhea worse.
• Avoid high-fiber foods, which may stress the digestive system.
• Drink 3 cups of rice water daily to help form stools and supply the needed B vitamins.
• Let a mild case of diarrhea run its course.

Warnings:

Consult your doctor if any of the following conditions occur:

• diarrhea lasting for more than two days, blood in the stool, black/tar looking stools, fever above 101 degrees, severe abdominal or rectal pain, or dehydration.
• If an infant has a dry diaper for more than four hours accompanied by a fever, it is wise to seek the advice of your doctor.
• Do not use chamomile if you have an allergy to ragweed.
• Do not use chamomile on an ongoing basis as an allergy to ragweed may develop.