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Chronic Dysentery

Benign Coloproctology

What is Diarrhoea?

Diarrhoea is defined as a loose or watery stool with a bowel motion frequency of more than 3 times a day. Diarrhoea can be acute or chronic. The subtype of the diarrhoea determines investigation and management. Acute diarrhoea usually lasts a few days and sometimes up to 2 weeks. Chronic or persistent diarrhoea is generally defined as diarrhoea lasting more than 4 weeks. Diarrhoea can occur alone or together with other symptoms.

SYMPTOMS of DIARRHOEA

Diarrhoea symptoms commonly associated include:

  • Abdominal bloating, cramps or pain
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Fever
  • Blood in the stool
  • Mucus in the stool
  • Urge to pass a bowel motion

WHEN to See a Doctor for DIARRHOEA

The main reasons to see a doctor or a diarrhoea specialist are

  • Signs of dehydration (Dry mouth or loss of skin turgor, Extreme thirst, Little or no urination, Fatigue, dizziness or lightheadedness)
  • Persistent high fever
  • Diarrhoea frequency of >6 times per day
  • Blood in the stool
  • Severe abdominal pain

CAUSES of DIARRHOEA

There are many different causes for diarrhoea, including:

  • Viruses. e.g Norovirus and Rotavirus most commonly.
  • Bacteria and parasites. e.g. Campylobacter, Salmonella species or parasites such as giardia.
  • Medications. Medications, such as antibiotics can cause diarrhoea.
  • Lactose and Fructose Intolerance
  • Artificial sweeteners. e.g. Sorbitol
  • Surgery. Patients post-surgery with short bowel syndrome or after gallbladder removal sometimes develop diarrhoea.
  • Other digestive disorders. e.g. Irritable bowel syndrome, Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, celiac disease, microscopic colitis and small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO).

Treatment of Diarrhoea

Episodes of acute diarrhoea are usually self-limiting and can be treated with over-the-counter medication. Symptomatic measures for diarrhoea should include oral rehydration salts (ORS) to avoid dehydration and reducing certain types of foods such as dairy(lactose) products to avoid aggravating the diarrhoea. Chronic diarrhoea treatment is dependent on the exact cause.