Diarrhea

  Contributed by: Jody Rathbone, Pharm.D. Candidate

                        UMKC School of Pharmacy
Text Box: Diarrhea, characterized by loose, watery stools more often than three times in a day, is a common problem among people of all ages. Symptoms usually last one or two days and resolves on its own, but occasionally can last longer. Long-term diarrhea can be a sign of other problems of the gastrointestinal tract. Because the body is losing more water than normal when diarrhea occurs, dehydration may result. What causes diarrhea? Some of the more common causes of diarrhea include: Bacterial infections: bacteria can be consumed by contaminated food or water. Viral infections Food intolerances: one example is lactose intolerance (lactose is a sugar found in milk). Parasites: may enter the body with contaminated food or water. Reaction to medicines: several medicines may cause diarrhea as a side effect. Intestinal diseases: such diseases can be diagnosed by your physician. Examples include inflammatory bowel disease and celiac disease. Functional bowel disorders: when the intestines do not work properly. These can also be diagnosed by your physician. One example is irritable bowel syndrome. Text Box: What are the symptoms of dehydration? Dehydration may be most dangerous for young children and the elderly. Watch for the signs and symptoms in the table below. What are the treatments for diarrhea? Usually, replacing lost fluids to prevent dehydration is the only treatment necessary. Adults and children older than 2 years should drink extra water. To maintain electrolyte levels (potassium and sodium), you could consume broth-containing soups, fruit juices, and soft fruits and vegetables. Some physicians may recommend special rehydration products for children such as Pedialyte or comparable products. Medications that can help stop diarrhea, called antidiarrheals, are helpful in some cases. Immodium, or loperamide, is an example of an antidiarrheal medication that is available over-the-counter. Sometimes it is best to let diarrhea resolve on its own in one or two days. Antidiarrheals should not be used in diarrhea that may be caused by a bacterial, viral, or parasitic infection. This would cause the organism causing the infection to be trapped in the intestines. Instead, a physician may prescribe an antibiotic medication to treat the infection. For the treatment of diarrhea in chilText Box: dren less than 2 years old, follow your pediatrician’s instructions. When should you contact your doctor? You have diarrhea for more than 3 days. You have severe pain in your abdomen (stomach) or rectum. You have a fever of 102oF or higher. You see red blood in your stool, or have black, tarry stools. You have symptoms of dehydration. If your child has diarrhea, it is always best to ask your pediatrician or pharmacist for treatment advice. If you have other questions about diarrhea or any other symptom that you are experiencing or would like to know more about, pharmacists are always willing to help you find answers. Your pharmacist can also help to choose the treatment option that is right for you. For more information, visit: http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/diarrhea/ www.mayoclinic.com/invoke.cfm?id=DS00292 Text Box: Next Page Text Box: Previous Page

  Table.  Signs and Symptoms of Dehydration

  General signs of dehydration:

  Signs of dehydration in children/infants:

§ Thirst

§ Dark colored urine

§ Less frequent urination

§ Dry skin

§ Fatigue

§ Light headedness/dizziness

§ Dry mouth and tongue

§ No tears when crying

§ No wet diapers for 3 hours or more

§ Sunken abdomen, eyes, or cheeks

§ High fever

§ Listlessness or irritability

§ Skin that does not flatten when pinched and released