Diarrhea

Diarrhea (AmE) or diarrhoea (CwE) is a condition in which the sufferer has frequent and watery or loose bowel movements (from the ancient Greek word ??????? = leakage; lit. "to run through"). In the Third World, diarrhea is the most common cause of death among infants, killing more than 1.5 million per year.

Treatment of diarrhea

• Do nothing except ensure adequate fluid intake. This is the most appropriate treatment in most cases of minor diarrhea.
• Try eating more but smaller portions. Eat regularly. Don't eat or drink too quickly.
• Intravenous fluids or a "drip": Sometimes, especially in children, dehydration can be life-theatening and intravenous fluid may be required.
• Oral rehydration therapy: Taking a sugar/salt solution, which can be absorbed by the body.
• Opioids and their analogs should not be used for infectious diarrhea as they are said to prolong the illness and may increase the risk of a carrier state. Opioids are the most effective antidiarrheals available. Their principal method of action is to inhibit peristalsis. Loperamide, also known as Imodium, is the most commonly used antidiarrheal. Loperamide is chemically related to the drug meperidine or Demerol, but does not cross the blood-brain barrier and does not appear to induce tolerance or dependence. Other opioids used to control diarrhea (in increasing order of strength) are: Lomotil (diphenoxylate with atropine); Lonox (difenoxin with atropine); codeine; opium tincture (laudanum); and morphine. The most potent opioids are generally reserved for chronic diarrhea (e.g., from complications of AIDS).
• Antibiotics: antibiotics may be required if a bacterial cause is suspected and the patient is medically ill. They are sometimes also indicated for workers with carrier states in order to clear up an infection so that the person can resume work. Parasite-related diarrhea (e.g. giardiasis) require appropriate antibiotics. Antibiotics are not routinely used, as the cause is rarely bacterial and antibiotics may further upset intestinal flora and worsen rather than improve the diarrhea. Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea and pseudomembranous colitis is often caused by antibiotic use.
• Dietary manipulation: especially avoid wheat products with celiac disease.
• Hygiene and isolation: Hygiene is important in limiting spread of the disease.
• It is claimed that some fruit, such as bananas, mangoes, papaya and pineapple may have positive effects on this condition. Bananas have the merits of being easily obtainable, and they are unlikely to have any other significant unwanted side effects. Bananas are thought to be "binding," as is mucilage, which you can obtain in capsule form. Mucilage can also be used as cereal for babies, as it is easily digested. The high acid content of pineapple may make this food a bad choice for people suffering from chronic diarrhea.