Painful diarrhea

Diarrhea

Diarrhea is a condition when your stool is watery or loose and when you have the urge to go to the toilet more often than usual. Diarrhea is often accompanied by pain or cramps in the abdomen. In some cases you may also feel pain or burning sensation in the rectal area. Diarrhea is not considered to be dangerous when it is acute and goes away in one or two days. However, if it is persistent, very painful and followed by other symptoms, such as bloody stool and fever, you must seek medical help. Serious cases of diarrhea may also include dehydration, dryness of the mouth, thirst, decreased urination, weakness and faintness.

Causes of diarrhea

There are many factors which can cause diarrhea. It can be a consequence of eating certain foods which lead to stomach problems. Many people may get acute diarrhea after eating very greasy food, spicy food, dairy products, and food which is rich in fiber. The most common causes of diarrhea are bacteria and parasites which entered your body through contaminated food or water, and viruses. Diarrhea is a common side effect of various medications, especially antibiotics. Other causes of diarrhea may be condition and disorders which affected your digestive tract.

Treatment of diarrhea

Standard medical treatment of diarrhea involves antibiotics in case your condition is caused by bacteria or parasites. In other cases your doctor may recommend some over-the-counter medications and home treatment which includes drinking plenty of fluids and food which will help your stool get back to normal. Such food includes plain rice, oatmeal, dry toast, crackers, bananas, mashed potatoes, boiled eggs and yogurt which contains probiotics. For easing painful diarrhea you may also try some herbal teas which can relieve cramps and pain in your stomach as well. Some of such teas are blackberry tea, chamomile tea, peppermint tea and ginger tea.

Prevention

In order to prevent diarrhea, you should wash your hands thoroughly before eating and before preparing food. This way you will reduce the risk of bacterial, viral or parasitic infections which can cause diarrhea. You should stay away from food that triggers diarrhea, especially dairy products. Also eat meat and fish which have been well cooked, and fruits and vegetables that have been properly washed. Be careful about what kind of water you drink. You should drink bottled water and avoid water from the tap. It is recommended to reduce the intake of coffee and alcohol because they can irritate your stomach and cause diarrhea.