An overview of diarrhea- Causes, symptoms, and prevention
One of the most common health complaints, diarrhea affects almost two billion people every year globally. It can vary from a mild and temporary condition to a possibly life-threatening one. Diarrhea is a condition that is characterized by loose and watery stools. Most often diarrhea is caused by parasites, viruses, or bacteria. Chronic diarrhea is generally caused by inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs) including ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease.

Preventing diarrhea is possible with the help of some nutritional and probiotic mediation. Read on further to know more about this common health ailment.

What are the main causes of diarrhea?

• Gastrointestinal infection- Diarrhea is often caused by a gastrointestinal infection. C4ertain bacteria, parasites, or viruses are microbes responsible for this infection. In the country, most cases of acute diarrhea are caused by bacteria Salmonella, Shigella, Campylobacter, and Shiga-toxin-producing Escherichia coli. In certain cases of chronic diarrhea, a clear cause cannot be found.
• Microscopic colitis – A persistent form of diarrhea, microscopic colitis affects mainly older adults, especially, during the nights.
• Maldigestive and malabsorptive diarrhea – An impairment in digestive functions leads to maldigestive diarrhea. Malabsorptive diarrhea is caused by damaged nutrient absorption. An example of this would be Celiac’s disease.
• Chronic infections – Chronic diarrhea occurs when there is a history traveling as well as usage of antibiotics. The cause can be various parasites and bacteria.
• Drug-induced diarrhea – Certain medicines, including antibiotics, can cause diarrhea as a reaction.
• Endocrinal causes – Hormonal factors can sometimes cause diarrhea, e.g., carcinoid tumors and Addison disease.
• Cancer – A number of gut cancers are responsible for neoplastic diarrhea.

What are the symptoms of diarrhea?
Although watery and loose stools are the main symptoms of diarrhea, there are other symptoms that may accompany them, these include:

• Abdominal pain
• Abdominal cramps
• Blood in the stool
• High fever
• Nausea
• Bloating
• Urge to pass stool
• Chills

What is the best diet to follow to prevent diarrhea and keep the gut healthy?

A well-balanced diet is one of the best ways to prevent diarrhea. There are a number of foods to stop diarrhea and keep the gut healthy these include:

• Mashed bananas are one of the best foods that can help in stopping diarrhea.
• Yogurt is also good to stop watery stools. In most cases, dairy food is avoided during diarrhea, but yogurt has probiotics which are best during this time and they also aid in maintaining the helpful flora fauna of the gut.
• Plain white boiled rice can be consumed to prevent diarrhea.
• Boiled potatoes whose skin is peeled can be consumed.
• Oatmeal is an ideal food to have when suffering from diarrhea.
• Rice porridge can help in controlling the symptoms of diarrhea.

What food should be avoided when suffering from diarrhea?
As part of a diet for diarrhea, there are certain foods that need to be avoided, these are:

• One should completely avoid eating dairy products. However, yogurt can be consumed as it contains probiotics.
• Fatty and fried food should be avoided.
• Alcohol must be avoided.
• Caffeine in the form of coffee beverages, soft drinks, chocolates, etc. are ideal to miss when suffering from diarrhea.
• Spicy food also has to be avoided when having diarrhea.

When to visit a doctor?
Often diarrhea resolves itself without needing a specialist; however, it is important to seek medical advice if:

• Within 24 hours, there are six bouts of diarrhea and/or three bouts of vomiting in an infant below the age of 1 year.
• Within 24 hours, there are more than six bouts of diarrhea and/or three bouts of vomiting in children above the age of 1 year (especially if vomiting and diarrhea are occurring together).
• Symptoms of persistent vomiting, diarrhea, dehydration, significant weight loss, pus in the stools, and/or blood in stools are occurring in adults.
• If an individual has undergone a surgery, and he/she experiences diarrhea.
• An individual whose sleep is troubled because of persistent episodes of diarrhea.