What is Diarrhea?

Diarrhea is characterized by a change in the consistency of the stool as well as the frequency of evacuation. A person experiencing diarrhea will typically have a loose, watery stool and pass stool more than three times per day. Stomach cramps, abdominal pain, bloating and nausea could also be experienced.

Diarrhea is a common condition that affects most people, of all ages, at some stage in their lives. Most bouts of diarrhea are mild and last only a day or two. These occurrences of diarrhea usually clear up without any complications or the need for any treatment.

Incidents of diarrhea that exceed 2 days carry a risk of dehydration and may indicate a more serious problem that requires treatment. It is advisable to consult your doctor in such cases. Dehydration is an especially dangerous condition for infants, children and older people.

Common indications that dehydration may be occurring include:

• Thirst
• Fatigue
• Dizziness
• Less frequent urination
• Dark colored urine

In all cases of diarrhea, if there is blood in the stool a doctor should be consulted immediately.

Diarrhea can be classed as acute or chronic. Most people experience acute diarrhea at some stage. The condition would normally last for a few days, and is usually caused by a viral or bacterial infection.

Chronic diarrhea would generally last longer than three to four weeks. This is normally a sign of an underlying functional disorder such as Irritable Bowel Syndrome, the more serious Inflammatory Bowel Disease (ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease) or Celiac disease.

Some common causes of diarrhea are:

• Bowel disorders – Irritable Bowel Syndrome can cause chronic diarrhea
• Intestinal diseases – Crohn’s disease, celiac disease also results in chronic diarrhea
• Viral infections – Many viruses can be the cause of acute diarrhea
• Bacterial infections – Contaminated food and water could cause acute diarrhea
• Medicine – Antibiotics, medicine containing magnesium
• Food intolerance – Lactose, artificial sweeteners

A mild viral infection, viral gastroenteritis is sometimes called the stomach flu and is the most common cause of diarrhea. Lasting for only a few days, it can sometimes break out in schools and neighborhoods, causing a small epidemic to occur.

Bacterial infections resulting from eating contaminated food or drinking contaminated water is another very common cause of diarrhea. This is commonly called food poisoning or traveler’s diarrhea.

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome – Diarrhea (IBS-D) diet control could help to improve the bowel function.

 

Sukondee is a natural herbal remedy that relieves Irritable Bowel Syndrome's symptoms quickly and effectively, typically within 15 minutes. Sukondee strengthens and regulates the gastro-intestinal and bowel functions with use.