Diarrhea: What Constitutes As Diarrhea

What is Diarrhea?

Diarrhea is a condition that leads to loose, watery, and frequent bowel movements that last for a few days. You may have vomiting and diarrhea for numerous reasons, such as a traveler’s diarrhea or dehydration. However, if the symptoms of diarrhea persist for several weeks, it’s an indication that you have an underlying problem necessitating medical consultation. In most cases, however, you can overcome vomiting and diarrhea with vitamin supplements, electrolyte supplements, proper hydration, and rest.

What are the symptoms of diarrhea?

• Watery stools
• Abdominal cramps
• Fever
• Mucus in the stool
• Blood in the stool
• Vomiting and diarrhea
• Nausea
• Bloating
• Frequent bowel movements
  
  

When should you consult a doctor?

• When you have persistent vomiting and diarrhea for several days
• When you have the symptoms of dehydration
• When you have severe abdominal cramps
• When you have severe rectal pains
• When you have bloody stools
• When you have a high fever
  
  

What are the possible causes of diarrhea?

• Viruses: You may experience vomiting and diarrhea due to numerous viruses, such as viral hepatitis, cytomegalovirus, Norwalk virus, and rotavirus.
  
  
• Bacterias: You may experience severe diarrhea due to certain bacteria and parasites through contaminated food and water. This is particularly common when traveling to other countries. Clostridium difficile is one of the most common bacterias associated with traveler’s diarrhea.
  
  
• Medications: Some antibiotics, cancer drugs, and antacids disrupt your gastrointestinal system’s regular balance of good and bad bacteria, leading to diarrhea.
  
  
• Lactose Intolerance: If you have lactose intolerance, a condition wherein the levels of enzyme that digest lactose falls short, you may have diarrhea after consuming dairy products.
  
  
• Surgery: You may experience diarrhea after abdominal or gallbladder removal surgeries.
  
  
• Digestive Disorders: You may experience chronic diarrhea due to underlying digestive disorders, such as ulcerative colitis, microscopic colitis, Crohn’s disease, celiac disease, and irritable bowel syndrome.
  
  

What is traveler’s diarrhea?

Traveler’s diarrhea is one of the most common types of diarrheas, especially amongst individuals traveling to other countries. This happens when you eat contaminated food and water containing harmful bacteria and parasites.

Is traveler’s diarrhea contagious?

Yes, the symptoms of traveler’s diarrhea are contagious and can spread from one person to the next. That’s because traveler’s diarrhea happens due to harmful bacteria and parasites that can spread through contact, especially if you share food or water. However, the symptoms of traveler’s diarrhea usually dissipate in a day or two, and the individual recovers completely within a week.

How do you prevent traveler’s diarrhea?

• Eat hot, well-cooked food
• Avoid raw fruits and vegetables
• If you eat raw fruits and vegetables, wash them thoroughly and peel them yourself
• Avoid raw, undercooked food
• Avoid tap water and ice cubes
• Drink bottled water and soda in their original containers
• Keep your mouth closed while showering
• Use bottled water to brush your teeth
• Prevent dehydration, which can aggravate diarrhea
• Drink electrolyte supplements to remain hydrated while hiking
  
  

Why do you get diarrhea when sick?

Diarrhea is a common symptom of dehydration and traveler’s sickness. When you’re dehydrated, especially while traveling or hiking, your body loses essential electrolytes, such as sodium and magnesium, in the form of sweat and urination. The loss of electrolyte balance can prevent your body from absorbing water since electrolytes conduct water into your cells. Without proper electrolyte balance, you can experience the symptoms of dehydration, one of which is diarrhea.

How do you avoid vomiting and diarrhea when you’re dehydrated or traveling?

If you try consuming water when you’re dehydrated, your body will expel the water in the form of sweat, urine, or diarrhea. That’s because your body needs optimal electrolyte balance to retain water. If you want to avoid vomiting and diarrhea while traveling or alleviate the symptoms, you need to restore your body’s electrolyte levels. As such, drinking electrolyte supplements with water will slowly restore your body’s electrolyte levels while alleviating the symptoms of dehydration.