Diarrhea means passing loose or watery stools more often than usual. It can happen for many reasons. Common causes include infections, certain foods, or health problems. If not treated the right way, diarrhea can cause dehydration and a loss of important body salts called electrolytes.
Diarrhea is a very common health problem. It can happen to people of all ages. In fact, many people visit the doctor because of it. The seriousness of diarrhea can be different from person to person. Sometimes, it is mild and gets better without any treatment. However, in more serious cases, you may need to see a doctor for proper care.
Doctors diagnose diarrhea by first asking about your medical history. Then, they perform a physical exam to check for signs like dehydration or abdominal pain. If needed, they may order tests such as stool samples, blood tests, or imaging scans to find out the exact cause.
Treatment depends on the cause of diarrhea. Most of the time, doctors recommend drinking plenty of fluids or oral rehydration solutions to replace lost water and salts. They may also suggest changes in your diet, medicines to treat infections, or other treatments for health conditions that are causing the problem. It also helps to avoid foods that make symptoms worse.
Yes, you can often prevent diarrhea. First, wash your hands regularly to avoid spreading germs. Also, stay away from unsafe food and water. Be careful when preparing food, and manage stress in your daily life. If you have food intolerances, try to avoid foods that trigger symptoms.
You should visit a doctor if your diarrhea lasts more than a few days or if it’s very severe. See a doctor right away if you have a high fever, blood in your stool, signs of dehydration (like dry mouth or dizziness), or if you have other health problems that could make things worse.
Yes, you can try some simple home remedies to feel better. Start by drinking clear fluids like water, broth, or oral rehydration solutions to stay hydrated. You can also eat bland foods such as bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast—often called the BRAT diet. These are easy on the stomach. At the same time, avoid dairy, fatty, or spicy foods, as they can make things worse. In addition, probiotics may help bring back the good bacteria in your gut.
Each person’s symptoms may vary. Symptoms include abdominal pain and cramps, bloating, nausea, fever, bloody stools, dehydration, urgent need to go to the bathroom, leaking stool, and not being able to control your bowels.
It can be caused by a lot of things. Examples include contaminated food and water, bacterial infection, food intolerance, food allergy, intestinal diseases, medication reaction, and antibiotic use.
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