Diarrhea

  Diarrhea can be simply explained as lose, watery, and frequent movement of the bowel and stool.
In most cases, diarrhea lasts a couple of days. But when diarrhea lasts for weeks, it can indicate a serious disorder, such as a persistent infection, inflammatory bowel disease, or a less serious condition, such as irritable bowel syndrome

 As for the symptoms, these can be stated simply as:

• Loose, watery stools
• Abdominal cramps
• Abdominal pain
• Fever
• Blood in the stool
• Bloating
• Nausea
• Urgent need to have a bowel movement

  If your diarrhea persists for more than two days with severe pain then you should consult your doctor, either wise it may lead to dehydration and other complications which may be life threatening.

A number of diseases and conditions can cause diarrhea, including:

   Viruses. Viruses that can cause diarrhea include Norwalk virus, cytomegalovirus and viral hepatitis. Rotavirus is a common cause of acute childhood diarrhea.

   Bacteria and parasites. Contaminated food or water can transmit bacteria and parasites to your body. 

   Medications. Many medications, such as antibiotics, can cause diarrhea. Antibiotics destroy both good and bad bacteria, which can disturb the natural balance of bacteria in your intestines. This is a major reason why antibiotics should be taken carefully and by the prescription of a doctor as self medication is always harmful.

  If your diarrhea is not controlled it may lead to dehydration and the symptoms of dehydration are as follows:

• Excessive thirst
• Dry mouth or skin
• Little or no urination
• Weakness, dizziness or lightheadedness
• Fatigue
• Dark-colored urine

In infants diarrhea presents with the following symptoms:

• Not having a wet diaper in three or more hours
• Dry mouth and tongue
• Fever above 102 F (39 C)
• Crying without tears
• Drowsiness, unresponsiveness or irritability
• Sunken appearance to the abdomen, eyes or cheeks

  By taking simple steps we can easily prevent diarrhea and these simple steps are:

• Wash your hands frequently
• Use sanitizer regularly
• Vaccination
• AND WATCH WHAT YOU EAT

These foods can help control diarrhea