Diarrhea is a condition in which the stool is dilute or watery with a frequency more often than usual. Generally, the cause of diarrhea is food or drink is dirty and contaminated with microorganisms.
Many people suffer from diarrhea once or twice a year. Usually diarrhea lasts 2-3 days and can be treated with over-the-counter medications. But in special cases, diarrhea can last for weeks.
Diarrhea is still a major health problem in developing countries, including Indonesia. This is due to the morbidity rate (comparison between sick and healthy people in a population) and mortality is high. Diarrhea is ranked thirteen causes of death in general in Indonesia with a proportion of 3.5 percent. As for the category of infectious diseases, diarrhea ranked third.
The most age group experienced diarrhea was toddlers, which was 16.7 percent. The prevalence of diarrhea was slightly higher in boys (14.8 percent) than girls (12.5 percent). The results also show that the highest prevalence of diarrhea occurs in children who live in homes without access to clean water is 18.4 percent.
(Data taken from research result of RI Department of Health in 2007)
Diagnosis
Generally, diarrhea can last up to a week and can heal without any treatment. However, if the condition you are experiencing is severe enough, immediately consult a doctor.
To find out if the patient has diarrhea and the cause, the doctor first gathers information about the symptoms experienced. The doctor will ask for the texture of the stool, the frequency of defecation, the daily habits of the patient. In addition you should also inform your doctor if there are other symptoms that accompany (high fever), unusual food consumption, psychological factors, and certain medications that may be undertaken. This can include the analysis of fecal samples, blood tests, and rectal examination .
There are several checks that can be done to diagnose diarrhea, among others:
- Analysis of feces
- Blood test
- Rectal examination
- Additional checks
The doctor may also suggest the following checks to help conclude the diagnosis:
- Sigmoidoscopy, inserts a sigmoidoscope device (thin and flexible tube with camera at the end) into the rectum up to the intestine
- Colonoscopy, the procedure is similar to sigmoidoscopy but tubes are used larger (colonoscope) to check overall intestinal conditions
SymptomsIn each patient, diarrhea symptoms vary. Some people secrete very dilute stools, while others secrete feces that are less dilute. However, there are some symptoms that are often associated with diarrhea. These symptoms include stomach cramps, nausea and vomiting, headaches, and loss of appetite.
Generally in adults, diarrhea will recover within 2-4 days. In children, the longer recovery time is 5-7 days. If the diarrhea lasts more than a week or the condition gets worse, check your doctor immediately. Beware also signs of dehydration during the recovery period.
Diarrhea and Dehydration
Fluid secretion through excessive feces plus loss of appetite can affect dehydration. This condition should be addressed as it can be fatal. Dehydration itself is easier to occur in children. This is because the resistance of children to dehydration is lower than adults.Symptoms of dehydration in children include:
- Rarely urinate
- His mouth is dry or cry without tears
- Feces are bloody, red or black
- Seemed drowsy and unresponsive
- Looks sunken on the eyes or stomach
- If the pinched skin does not return (turgor decreases)
- Fatigue and lack of energy
- Missing appetite
- Nausea
- Dizzy
- The tongue feels dry
- The eyes look sunken
- Muscle cramp
- Heart beat
TreatmentSymptoms of diarrhea will generally disappear by itself without any treatment assistance. Usually the diarrhea lasts up to 7 days. In certain cases, diarrhea may last longer depending on the cause. You can do the following to relieve the condition that is being experienced:
Expand fluid intake
When you have diarrhea, you should consume more fluids. Especially if accompanied by vomiting. This is needed to avoid and handle dehydration. Drink a little but often. Better to enter the liquid slightly than not at all. If enough fluid intake, the urine will be light yellow or almost clear. Avoid giving fruit juice or soft drinks because it will make diarrhea worse.
Eat
At the time of diarrhea, experts recommend that you do not eat solid foods first. At least until you are able to eat normally. Eat smaller portions than usual. Also avoid fatty and spicy foods.
Do not give solid foods to children if they are dehydrated. Wait until they consume enough fluids. New foods can be given after they no longer show signs of dehydration. If the child is not dehydrated, give the food as usual.
Oralital fluid
For people with diarrhea who are susceptible to dehydration, doctors will recommend the use of ORS. Those of you who are weak-minded, aged over 60 years, and have a history of serious health are strongly advised to consume ORS.
Oralite is sold freely in pharmacies. You just mix it with water. The function of ORS is to replace the salt, glucose, and other essential minerals that may be lost when experiencing fluid shortage.
For patients with children, the doctor will suggest oralit if visible signs of dehydration. Oralite can be given every time a child defecates. The amount depends on the child's weight.
Use of drugs
Antidiarrheal drugs can reduce the symptoms of diarrhea and shorten its duration. However, actual medication is not necessary because the immune system will fight it naturally. The most commonly used antidiarrheal drug is loperamide because it can reduce bowel movement so that the liquid will be absorbed more. This can help overcome diarrhea.
Do not take antidiarrheal medication if diarrhea is accompanied by other symptoms such as high fever and there is blood or pus in the feces. You should immediately consult a doctor.
Use of antibiotics for diarrhea
Usually the doctor will advise the use of antibiotics if the cause of diarrhea has been confirmed bacteria or if diarrhea occurs very badly. It is not recommended to use antibiotics if the cause of diarrhea is not known for sure. This is because antibiotics will not work if the cause of infection is a virus. And if used for mild disease will reduce the effects of antibiotics against more serious conditions.
Pain relief medicine
The painkiller can not cope with diarrhea. However, administration of paracetamol or ibuprofen may help relieve symptoms that accompany diarrhea such as fever and headache. Make sure you provide the appropriate medicines and follow the instructions for use.Treatment of the main conditions
If you have previously been diagnosed with certain diseases that can cause diarrhea, you should treat the disease first. This will alleviate the condition of the diarrhea. If the main condition is not handled appropriately, then the diarrhea as a symptom will continue.
CauseDiarrhea generally occurs when fluid from food can not be absorbed intestine well. Or there is too much fluid secreted into the intestine. Normally, the large intestine absorbs the fluid from the food we consume and leaves the stools (half feces) dense. If the liquid from the food is not absorbed well, then the result of the stool will be dilute or even liquid. This condition is influenced by many factors so that diarrhea can be short or long.
Short-lived diarrhea
Usually this diarrhea is a symptom of intestinal infection, caused by:
- Viruses, such as rotavirus
- Bacteria, such as campylobacter
- Parasites, such as intestinal giardia
Long-term diarrheaCan be caused by:
- Colon syndrome
- Celiac disease, a disease that causes the body to reject gluten protein
- Crohn's disease, inflammation of the lining of the digestive system
- Chronic pancreatitis
- Bowel cancer
- Side effects of abdominal removal (gastrectomy)
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