Diarrhea

A watery evacuation of the bowels, without blood.


Abnormal frequency and fluidity of stool discharges.


The rapid movement of fecal matter through the intestine.


Excessive loss of feces and water through the intestine. The most frequent cause of diarrhea is that of food-borne illness. A variety of pathogens can cause food-borne illness. Diarrhea can result when the individual develops an irritable colon. A hyperirritable intestine may be the result of a particular medication, or it may be permanent due to a genetic error. Genetic errors resulting in the absence of a particular digestive enzyme will result in an accumulation of that substrate in the gut. This in turn will “pull” water into the intestine and diarrhea will result. Lactose intolerance due to the absence of the enzyme lactase is an example of a genetic disorder characterized by diarrhea. Gluten-induced enteropathy is another example. In this instance, the patient is unable to digest the wheat protein gluten. Diarrhea is characteristic of this condition and if allowed to continue untreated, the intestinal villi will be abraided and the absorption of nutrients in addition to the gluten will be seriously impaired. Treatment for these types of diarrhea is fairly straightforward. If the offending nutrient is eliminated from the diet, the patient will gradually rebuild the absorptive surface of the intestine and will recover.


Frequent passage of loose, watery stools (the stools may contain mucus, blood, or excessive fat), sometimes accompanied by nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps, and feelings of malaise and weakness. Diarrhea may be a symptom of a viral or bacterial infection (mild or severe), food poisoning, disorder of the colon (e.g., colitis), gastrointestinal tumor, metabolic disorder, or other disease. Untreated, it can lead to dehydration, electrolyte imbalance, and weakness. Treatment depends on the cause, but the symptom itself may be treated with an antidiarrheal drug (e.g., Lomotil).


Abnormal increase in the frequency, fluidity, and volume of bowel movements. More than three soft, loose, or watery bowel movements in a day constitute diarrhea. In a healthy adult, most cases of diarrhea last from 24 to 48 hours and are not serious. Diarrhea can be more dangerous to infants and older people because of an increased risk of dehydration, upsetting body chemistry and depleting important body salts. Left untreated, it can lead to shock. Persis¬ tent or severe diarrhea requires medical attention.


Frequent bowel evacuation or the passage of abnormally soft or liquid feces. It may be caused by intestinal infections, other forms of intestinal inflammation (such as colitis or Crohn’s disease), malabsorption, anxiety, and the irritable bowel syndrome. Severe or prolonged diarrhea may lead to excess losses of fluid, salts, and nutrients in the feces.


The passage of fluid or unformed stools. In acute diarrhea, the frequency of bowel movements and the volume of fluid lost determine the severity of the illness. In tropical nations, infectious diarrheal illnesses are among the most common causes of disease and death, especially in children, who become dehydrated easily. Diarrhea in the tropics is typically attributed to contaminated drinking water, inadequate sanitation, or poor hygiene. Worldwide, millions of children die from diarrhea each year. Diarrheal illnesses are common in Western nations as well but tend to be more benign and more effectively managed.


An individual may experience an abnormality characterized by an increased frequency of bowel movements accompanied by the passage of loose, watery stools. This condition entails a departure from the typical consistency and regularity of bowel movements, leading to a state of heightened fluidity in the excreted waste. Such occurrences deviate from the norm and can be indicative of an underlying health issue or disruption in the gastrointestinal system. The manifestation of this symptomatology highlights the significance of maintaining a balanced digestive process for overall well-being and highlights the intricate workings of the human body’s intricate mechanisms.


 


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