Diarrhea can cause dehydration (when your body loses large amounts of water), electrolyte imbalance (loss of sodium, potassium and magnesium that play a key role in vital bodily functions) and kidney failure (not enough blood/fluid is supplied to the kidneys).
When the cells in your small intestine or colon are irritated, the relaxed and regular movement of your intestines can become overactive. Essential salts and fluids, as well as nutrients from the food that you eat, end up being passed through the colon too quickly.
Complications of diarrhea
If your diarrhea is not treated you are at risk for dehydration. Severe dehydration can lead to organ damage, shock, and fainting (loss of consciousness) or coma.
Stools contain what is left after your digestive system absorbs nutrients and fluids from what you eat and drink. If your body does not absorb the fluids, or if your digestive system produces extra fluids, stools will be loose and watery.
Red flag symptoms and signs for significant disease include: In acute diarrhoea: Evidence of dehydration or shock (tachycardia, systolic blood pressure <90mmHg, weakness, confusion, oliguria or anuria, marked peripheral vasoconstriction) Unintentional weight loss.
Schedule a doctor's visit for an adult with these symptoms:
Diarrhea lasts more than two days without improvement. Excessive thirst, dry mouth or skin, little or no urination, severe weakness, dizziness or lightheadedness, or dark-colored urine, which could indicate dehydration. Severe abdominal or rectal pain.
Share on Pinterest Causes of explosive diarrhea can include viral infections, bacterial infections, and food allergies. The viruses most often responsible for diarrhea include norovirus, rotavirus, or any number of the viruses that cause viral gastroenteritis. This condition is what many people call the “stomach flu.”
Drink plenty of liquids, including water, broths and juices. Avoid caffeine and alcohol. Add semisolid and low-fiber foods gradually as your bowel movements return to normal. Try soda crackers, toast, eggs, rice or chicken.
The number one cause of fatigue after diarrhea is dehydration. During a bout of diarrhea, important fluids and electrolytes are flushed from your system which can lead to dehydration.
Acute kidney injury is common and consequential among patients hospitalized for diarrheal illness. Persons with CKD and hypertension are the most susceptible, possibly due to diminished renal reserve and exacerbating effects of treatment with diuretics and renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system blockers.
Complications of chronic diarrhea include dehydration, nutritional deficiencies, and irritation of the colon or rectum. If you experience chronic diarrhea, see your healthcare provider. Treatment for chronic diarrhea depends on the cause. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.
One tried-and-true diet for diarrhea is the BRAT diet: bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast. Low in fiber, bland, and starchy, these foods can help replace lost nutrients and firm up your stools.
With diarrhea, food moves too fast through your bowels for nutrients to be absorbed. In the short term, malabsorption will cause gastrointestinal distress from the inability to digest certain foods. Over time, your body will start to show signs of deficiency in those nutrients that you can't absorb.
The appearance of your poo can give clues about extremes of gut transit time – tiny nut-like pellets that are hard to pass signify a very slow transit time, while diarrhoea can suggest as little as 10 hours have passed between eating and evacuation.
You should avoid certain kinds of foods when you have diarrhea, including fried foods and greasy foods. Avoid fruits and vegetables that can cause gas, such as broccoli, peppers, beans, peas, berries, prunes, chickpeas, green leafy vegetables, and corn. Avoid caffeine, alcohol, and carbonated drinks.
It normally clears up in a few days to a week.
In acute (short lasting) diarrhoea, symptoms come on suddenly but usually clear up within five to 10 days. Chronic (long lasting) diarrhoea continues longer than 4 weeks, and the cause should always be investigated by a GP.
Since diarrhea is your body's way of getting rid of toxins, it is best to let it run its course. However, you may use over-the-counter antidiarrheal remedies for convenience, including: Attapulgite (Kaopectate) Loperamide (Imodium)
Viral or bacterial infections and parasitic infections can affect digestion and cause foul-smelling stool or diarrhea. These include: Salmonella: This is a bacterial infection that can cause foul-smelling diarrhea. Giardiasis: Giardia is a protozoa-type parasite that can cause diarrhea with foul stool.
Watery diarrhea is commonly caused by a viral infection or food poisoning from eating undercooked meat or rotten foods. It can be serious if it causes dehydration. Keep an eye out for blood in the stool, and be sure to drink water and fluids with electrolytes.
Causes of diarrhea that are not due to acute illness include eating certain foods, food allergies and intolerances, some medications, caffeine intake, laxative use, alcohol use, digestive problems and diseases (celiac disease, irritable bowel syndrome [IBS], Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, small intestinal ...
Passing stool immediately after a meal is usually the result of the gastrocolic reflex, which is a normal bodily reaction to food entering the stomach. Almost everyone will experience the effects of the gastrocolic reflex from time to time. However, its intensity can vary from person to person.
Diarrhea can cause dehydration (when your body loses large amounts of water), electrolyte imbalance (loss of sodium, potassium and magnesium that play a key role in vital bodily functions) and kidney failure (not enough blood/fluid is supplied to the kidneys).