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The symptoms, color and the causes of diarrhea.

Contents:

What is diarrhea?

Diarrhea is a condition of the person, where it is noted frequent defecation, stool is watery. Such condition is dangerous because it can lead to dehydration. Diarrhea can be caused by infections of the digestive tract, malnutrition, stress conditions poisoning by drugs.

Also the cause of the disease may be the presence of worms, or intestinal dysbiosis. Should carefully monitor the frequency of a chair, pay attention to its smell (sour, putrid), color (gray, white), the admixture of blood.

There are several types of violations of the chair, to determine specific characteristics that actually distinguish this symptom from the norm.

Clear criteria and the differences between them are given in the table:

The table requires some clarification, as the boundaries of norm and pathology is different for each person. All the accepted physiological parameters are averaged in nature, combining them is quite wide spread. The first is to clarify the measure of the number of daily bowel movements. In some people it ranges from once per 2-3 days to 3-4 times a day. Similarly, it concerns the consistency of the stool, which can be watery-mushy to solid feature.

The most important thing when evaluating data characteristics of the faeces is their duration. If they occur over long periods of time (months and years), without causing the person any negative effects, then do not worry, since these characteristics are individual. This is not diarrhea.

Quite different is the case with other characteristics of a chair, such as the smell and presence of impurities. Changing them is always an indication of diarrhea. Moreover, occasionally their appearance can be clearly determined with its origin. Therefore, it is important to always pay attention to the stool, as they say about the state of digestion and health in General.

It is important to know! Diarrhea is a pathological symptom that is characterized by an increase in the number of bowel movements or the appearance ofliquid stool, which was not observed up to a certain point. It is almost always accompanied by the presence of various impurities in the stool.


Causes of diarrhea in adults

Diarrhea is caused by improper functioning of the gastrointestinal tract: the digestive process is accelerated, and this leads to dilution of the stool and frequent bowel movement.

Usually cause diarrhea are viral or bacterial infection or food poisoning. Usually the causative agents of diarrhea are Escherichia coli and Salmonella, they can be in food or in water. Diarrhea caused by bacterial infection, most often affects tourists travelling to exotic countries. No wonder this type of disease sometimes referred to as "tourist diarrhea".

Causes of diarrhea could be a virus of simple herpes or hepatitis, and antibiotics.

Another cause of diarrhea can become ulcerative colitis. It also causes an irritable bowel, but colitis is determined very late and, as a rule, the internal examination of the bowel.

Given the tight contact of the digestive system with the external environment and internal systems of the body, we can safely ignore its persistent dependence on them. Therefore, she is often subjected to diseases. Often any irritation or failure in the normal functioning is manifested by accelerated motility, secretion of mucus, and eventually diarrhea.

Full list of all the reasons that cause diarrhea is shown below:

Viral infection

  1. Rotaviruses;

  2. Enteroviruses;

  3. Adenovirus;

Bacterial infection

  1. Salmonellosis;

  2. Disenteria (shigellosis);

  3. Cholera;

  4. Foodborne diseases;

  5. E. coli;

The enzymatic deficiency

  1. Pancreatitis;

  2. Cholelithiasis with violation of outflow of bile;

  3. Fermentopathy;

  4. Congenital intolerance to certain foods;

Bowel disease

  1. Enteritis;

  2. Enterocolitis;

  3. Ulcerative colitis;

  4. Crohn's Disease;

  5. Whipple's;

Tumor proliferation

  1. Polyps;

  2. Adenocarcinoma;

  3. Diverticula, complicated by inflammation;

Autoimmune diseases

  1. The intestinal damage when lupus;

  2. Rheumatoid arthritis;

  3. Atopic dermatitis and allergic reactions;

Intoxication

  1. Poisoning by nitrates;

  2. Heavy metals;

  3. Pesticides;

  4. Household chemicals;

Drug effects

  1. Antibiotics;

  2. Cytostatics;

  3. Overdose of laxatives;

  4. Anticholinesterase drugs and prokinetics;

Gastrointestinal bleeding

  1. Open gastric ulcer and duodenal ulcer;

  2. Small bowel bleeding;

  3. Colonic bleeding;

Diarrhea after taking antibiotics

This is due to the fact that it is due to iatrogenic (medical) effects that are designed to help the person. They are very common and can cause severe disease and even death. First of all it concerns side effects of antibiotic therapy, causing dysbiosis, in consequence of pseudomembranous colitis. A feature of recent complications that it is very difficult to be any methods of treatment, accompanied by debilitating diarrhea.

No less important are infectious diarrhea bacterial and viral origin. They occur most frequently, but fortunately, ended well in most cases. This is due to the body's ability in the endwin aggressive agents because they are natural components of nature. The same can be said about the diarrheacaused by the toxic effects and other external influences. They, being unnatural, cannot be overcome only protective immune mechanisms without outside influence.

With regard to the mechanisms of diarrhea, they can also be different. The specific inclusion of them depends on the cause of diarrhea. The most typical pathogenic mechanisms and corresponding reasons are presented in the table.

Usually, when the diarrhea does not exist just one mechanism for its implementation. Characterized by their combination with the predominance of one over the other.

 

Types of diarrhea

  • Infectious diarrhea observed in dysentery, salmonellosis, food infections, viral diseases (viral diarrhea), amoebiasis , etc.

  • Alimentary diarrhea occur when the wrong diet, if you are allergic to any of the products.
  • Dyspeptic diarrhea occur in case of violation of digestion of food masses due to secretory insufficiency of the stomach, pancreas, liver, lack of allocation of the small intestine of any enzymes.

  • Toxic diarrhea accompanied by uremia, poisoning by mercury, arsenic.

  • Drug-induced diarrhea occurs when the suppression of physiological intestinal flora, development of dysbiosis.
  • Neurogenic diarrhea are a result of a violation of the nervous regulation of motor activity of the intestine (eg, diarrhea, occurring under the influence of excitement or fear).
  • Easy and short diarrhea had virtually no impact on the overall human condition. Severe or chronic – depletes the body, leads to hypovitaminosis significant changes in the organs.


    Symptoms diarrhea

    Clinical manifestations diarrhea is usually characterized by a standard set of complaints and data of objective inspection. For some types there are specific distinctivethe grounds on which it is possible to accurately determine the specific nature of the disease. But sometimes, even additional laboratory and instrumental data are not always informative. In order to not to miss anything, you must be very attentive to everything that happens to the body, accompanying diarrhea.

    High fever diarrhea

    It is noted by many patients as a secondary symptom. Its development is typical of many types of diarrhea. First of all it concerns of a microbial (viral and bacterial). After all, any penetration of immune cells foreign protein structures causes the production of antibodies, which is accompanied by release of mediators of inflammation and temperature response.

    How to bring down high temperature?

    Given that the intestine is one of the most powerful immune organs, its appearance should not be surprising. On the contrary, when a person has symptoms of infectious bowel disease, but there is no temperature, it indicates the presence of immunodeficiency. With regard to specific quantities, they depend on the pathogenicity of a microbe and the reactivity of the organism and can range from 37.1°C to above 39°C.

    Nausea and vomiting diarrhea

    Nausea - this is by far the most frequent symptom of diarrhea of any origin. There is a logical explanation. After all, disrupting the normal progress of the food and feces through the intestines necessarily lead to their incorrect casting in the opposite direction.

    In addition, intoxication arising in the background of any intestinal catastrophe, necessarily lead to the absorption of these toxic products into the systemic circulation with their passing to all organs and tissues. The first responding the vomiting center of the brain that is clinically manifested as nausea and subsequent vomiting. Incidentally, the latter is a reflex act is one of the most physiological clearance mechanisms of the organism of toxins of any origin.

    Abdominal pain

    It is always the result of strengthening of the intestinal motility. As a rule, spastic is strong and intensive. Is characterized by paroxysmal course with periods of sharp increase with the gradual subsidence and a complete termination. Usually after, or during the pain attack occurs defecation, manifested by severe diarrhea.

    The onset of pain is typical for almost all types of diarrhea, but occurs most frequently in microbial types, and food poisoning. All other species are accompanied by discomfort and feeling of heaviness in the stomach.

    Rotten burping withdiarrhea

    Occurs as a primary symptom or gradually against diarrhoea. In the first case, when it is preceded by diarrhea, her appearance speaks of enzymatic insufficiency of the pancreas, stomach and biliary system.

    Due to the fact that the consumed food is not digested, it is rotting. It eventually flows into the formation of malodorous gases which emanate from the stomach by burping. Naturally, the undigested particles entering the intestines, it cause irritation and diarrhea. When belching rotten occurs on the background of diarrhea, this is a consequence of secondary disorders caused by underlying disease, and evidence of its progression.

    The color of diarrhea in adult

    Color:

    An experienced Clinician in color and typical characteristics of liquid stool may identify the origin of the diarrhea. This is necessary to put present other symptoms. This will give the opportunity to understand and clarify some of the details of the origin of the true culprit of diarrhea.

    Diarrhea green

    Unique for bacterial and viral lesions of the intestine. The appearance of greenery is associated with the direct accumulation of leukocytes in the stool, but also an active reproduction of pyogenic coccal flora (staphylococci) against the background of a weakened local immune mechanisms in the gut.

    Clinically it looks like liquid feces non-uniform consistency, with small greenish specks or thickly coated and mixed with a viscous green slime. Usually this diarrhea is accompanied by severe hyperthermic reaction, abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting, signs of severe intoxication and inflammatory changes of the parameters of the blood system.

    Diarrhea yellow

    Among the most favorable species, as is often caused by increased motility (contraction) of the intestine. By accelerating the movement of stool they do not have time to fully form into a normal shape and consistency. But this is their almost complete enzymatic treatment and partial absorption of active ingredients into the bloodstream. As a result, feces normal color, but a liquid consistency. Characterized by the absence of additional symptoms exceptminor sharp pains and heaviness in the stomach.

    Black diarrhea (dark)

    Refers to the very formidable, or, conversely, the natural symptoms. The first is dwell on it as alarming symptom. The appearance of black, like tar or tar feces can only talk about one bleeding from the stomach. The appearance of such staining due to the destruction of erythrocyte hemoglobin under the action of the hydrochloric acid of the stomach. This forms a hydrochloride hematin, which provides a characteristic color. In such situations, you can not lose a minutes and urgently seek medical help.

    The second situation, which may appear black feces, is eating foods based on animal blood (black pudding), a large number of beet, blueberry or certain medications (activated charcoal, preparations of a bismuth vikalin de-Nol). This fact often causes people to seek medical care. Differential diagnostic criterion of the origin of the black diarrhea is the presence of the relevant history of the use of these substances or the decrease of hemodynamic parameters (hypotension, tachycardia) in the case of gastrointestinal bleeding.

    White diarrhea (light color)

    Along with black stool refers to the most specific, describing just one reason for the appearance. In this case, is insufficient treatment of food masses in the intestine bile. This is possible in the compression or overlap of the common bile duct by a tumor or stone.

    In typical cases, this diarrhea is necessarily accompanied by yellowness of the skin and strong dark urine. Not typical of pain, temperature reaction and dehydration. He often wears a soft character, appearing only a few times, after that it is the white color of feces with normal consistence.

    Bloody diarrhea

    The most formidable of all types of diarrhea, as evidence of ongoing active bleeding in the cavity of the intestinal tract. Typically found in decaying tumors of the colon, severe intestinal infections, resulting in the complete destruction of the mucous membrane of the intestinal wall.

    Sometimes the appearance of bloody diarrhea could be a consequence of toxic effects on the intestine of different chemical compounds and poisons. Bloody diarrhea can be represented not pure blood, and liquid dark cherry chair. In this case, it's safe to say that the source of bleeding is located in the right half of a thickof the intestine.

    Diarrhea with mucus

    Only this characteristic is impossible to determine the true origin of diarrhea. Because the mucus may be completely different and stand out in different amounts. Its transparent appearance is a symptom of a relatively favorable course, which may be due to food poisoning and mild poisoning. When the mucus gets a greenish, brown or bloody color, it is always talking about severe diarrhea or lack of effect from her treatment.

    Diarrhea water

    In any scientific manual or a conventional women's magazine dedicated to health, you can find only one answer to the question about watery stool. This is of course cholera. The causative agent is so arranged that once in the intestine, it includes all possible mechanisms of diarrhea that manifests itself with an allocation of water instead of feces. Most interesting is that the temperature increases are extremely rare. But the number of bowel movements is so great that the patient is unable to count them. This leads to severe dehydration, which requires immediate correction by the massive infusion therapy.


    Treatment of diarrhea in adults

    To properly and effectively treat diarrhea can only one who can clearly define its nature and mechanism of occurrence. A little bit to sort out these questions should help the table.

    It is important to remember! Treatment of diarrhea should not be a single component. You need to properly combine different tools, with an emphasis on the group of drugs that affecting the cause.

    Bleeding

    A form of diarrhea

    Basic groups of drugs

    Infectious

    1. Antibiotics;

    2. Intestinal antiseptics;

    3. Slowing peristalsis;

    4. Sorbents;

    5. Enzymes;

    Enzymatic

    Enzyme replacement therapy drugs

    Bowel disease

    1. Antibiotics;

    2. Specific intestinal anti-inflammatory drugs;

    3. Glucocorticoid hormones;

    1. Antiulcer drugs;

    2. Gemostatiki;

    3. Infusion;

    Intoxication

    1. Gastric lavage and enemas;

    2. Sorbents;

    3. The normalizers of the motor;

    Diarrhea after antibiotics

    1. Antifungal;

    2. Sorbents;

    3. Probiotics;


    Related article: How to stop diarrhea at home?


    Diet for diarrhea in adults

    The issue of food for any disease of the digestive system should be given special attention. Moreover, in case of diarrhea. In General terms, is to say that you can not use coarse, fried, fatty, smoked food. Everything should be light, well absorbed and does not load the already loaded bowels. At the same time it needs to rest and provide the body with the need for vital substances. Definitely needs to be adjusted water regime with the use of a sufficient amount of liquid in any form.

    What can I eat with diarrhea?

    Types of products

    What not to eat with diarrhea?

    Black bran, baking yesterday, crackers, cookies app

    Bread and flour dishes

    Fresh white bread, buns, pies, rolls, cookies

    Lean meats chicken and rabbit, Turkey, doctoral sausage

    Meat products

    Pork, beef, duck and other fatty meats, smoked sausage

    Fermented baked milk, cottage cheese, yogurt, light yogurt

    Dairy products

    Whole milk, heavy cream, cream

    Lemon juice in water, blueberries, viburnum, cranberries, baked apples,potatoes

    Vegetables and fruits, berries

    Tomatoes, cucumbers, cabbage, orange, banana, plum, apricot

    Buckwheat, rice, oats

    Cereals

    Semolina

    Strictly prohibited

    Beans and peas

    Beans, peas in any form

    Dried blueberries, apples, pear, rosehip

    Nuts and dried fruits

    Raisins, apricots, all kinds of nuts


    Given the power scheme is tentative. Food for diarrhea depends on diarrhea, forms and stages of the disease, which led to its occurrence. Naturally, in the first hours and even days after the problem has occurred from eating better to refrain in General, with the exception of sweetened tea and different liquids. This approach will provide the trophism of the affected intestinal cells and will not render irritating action on them. Gradually the volume of food expanded by introducing products allowed for the stabilization of the condition.

    As for the method of cooking, it should be only boiled or stewed. The best way to cook navaristye soups, porridge, mashed potatoes, steam cutlets and meatballs. Good variety of jelly and jelly of the allowed fruits. If you reduce the intensity of diarrhea can be added to the diet of half boiled eggs, a little butter for filling of the soup or porridge. Gradually the diet is expanded with the transition to the normal usual diet.

    Important! You cannot break your diet for any form of diarrhea, as it is not only preventive, but also therapeutic. Do not dramatically expand the diet at the stage of recovery after withdrawal of acute diarrhoea.