Grow Youthful: How to Slow Your Aging and Enjoy Extraordinary Health
Grow Youthful: How to Slow Your Aging and Enjoy Extraordinary Health

Diarrhoea (diarrhea)

What is diarrhoea?

Causes / common types of diarrhoea

Symptoms of diarrhoea

Prevention / remedies / treatment for diarrhoea

References

What is diarrhoea?

Diarrhea (diarrhoea) is frequent bowel movements (more than 2-3 times per day) with loose or liquid faeces. Diarrhoea is usually caused by bacteria or bacterial toxins, viral infection, protozoa or parasites. They are frequently transmitted through infected water or unhygienic food handling practices such as not washing hands after a bowel movement. This is quite common when travelling in third world countries.

Diarrhoea is also caused by a variety of ailments - see below.

The loss of fluids through diarrhoea can cause dehydration, electrolyte imbalance and mineral deficiency (such as potassium or zinc).

Diarrhoea is a common cause of death in developing countries and a major cause of infant and child death worldwide, killing 5-8 million people per year.

Causes / common types of diarrhoea

Symptoms of diarrhoea

Prevention / remedies / treatment for diarrhoea

References

1. Williams, George; Nesse, Randolph M. Why we get sick: the new science of Darwinian medicine. 1996, New York: Vintage Books. pp. 36-38. ISBN 0-679-74674-9.

2. DuPont HL, Hornick RB. Adverse effect of lomotil therapy in shigellosis. December 1973; JAMA 226 (13): 1525-8. doi:10.1001/jama.226.13.1525. PMID 4587313.