Constant diarrhea can be caused by a number of factors, the most common being virus and bacterial infections, prolonged use of medications, food allergies, disorders or intestinal diseases, which often cause other symptoms such as general discomfort, abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting.
Treatment depends on the root cause, but for everyone, it is very important to avoid dehydration by drinking fluids or oral rehydration solutions. There are also remedies that can help stop diarrhea, but should only be used on medical advice, and home remedies may also be used.
- Viral and bacterial infections often cause sudden onset of severe diarrhea.
- Along with other symptoms such as nausea and vomiting.
- Headache and muscle aches.
- Fever.
- Chills.
- Loss of appetite.
- Weight loss and abdominal pain.
- However.
- In the case of parasitic infections.
- These symptoms take longer to appear and last longer.
- Which may result in constant diarrhoea.
This type of infection usually occurs from ingesting contaminated water, raw or undercooked fish, contaminated meats or by handling food without washing hands properly. Some of the most commonly contaminated foods are milk, meat, eggs and vegetables. Learn how to identify symptoms of food poisoning.
How to treat
In cases where the infection is caused by viruses, treatment involves preventing dehydration by ingesting fluids and oral rehydration solutions. In more severe cases, fluids may need to be given to the vein.
Treatment of food poisoning with parasites and bacteria depends on the severity of the infection, and although it can be cured at home, drinking plenty of fluids and avoiding foods containing fats, lactose or caffeine, in many cases it is necessary to consult a doctor, family doctor, pediatrician. gastroenterologist, to start treatment with antibiotics and antiparasitics.
Some medications, such as antibiotics, cancer medications, or antacids that contain magnesium, can cause diarrhea. Antibiotic-caused diarrhea occurs because it attacks the body’s good and bad bacteria, destroys the gut microbiota and makes digestion difficult. Depending on the type of medicine, diarrhea may be constant, especially if it is necessary to take the medicine daily for an extended period of time.
How to treat
In the case of antibiotics, a good solution to prevent or relieve diarrhea is to take together a probiotic, which has in its composition good gut bacteria that help restore intestinal flora. See the other benefits of probiotics. In the case of magnesium antacids, it is ideal to opt for associations that, in addition to this active substance, also contain aluminium, which helps to reduce diarrhea.
Lactose is a sugar found in milk and dairy products. Some people are intolerant of this sugar because they do not have or have an insufficient amount of an enzyme called lactase, which is responsible for the breakdown of this sugar into simpler sugars, to be absorbed later. Therefore, in these cases, if dairy products are frequently ingested, the development of constant diarrhoea is common. Here’s how to tell you if you have lactose intolerance.
Babies may also have diarrhea when they eat lactose because their digestive system is still immature, they may not have enough lactase to digest milk properly, so it’s important for the breastfeeding mother to reduce her dairy intake. and this does not replace breast milk with cow’s milk, for example in infants younger than 6 months.
How to treat
To avoid the gastrointestinal effects caused by lactose, it is necessary to reduce the consumption of milk and dairy products or opt for those that do not have lactose in the composition, where it has been industrially degraded to simpler sugars. There are also remedies like Lactosil or Lactaid, which have this enzyme in composition, which can be taken before meals.
People with bowel disorders and diseases such as Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, celiac disease, or irritable bowel syndrome often have episodes of constant diarrhea, nausea and vomiting, especially in situations where stronger or contracted foods are consumed. these problems.
How to treat
Many of these diseases are incurable and treatment usually involves relieving symptoms with abdominal pain medications, nausea and vomiting, and oral rehydration solutions.
In addition, depending on the type of disease in question, foods containing caffeine, raw vegetables and unpeeled fruits, dairy, oats, fats and frying, sweets or red meats, for example, should be avoided.
Food allergy is an overreaction of the immune system to certain foods such as eggs, milk, peanuts, wheat, soy, fish or shellfish, for example, which can occur in various areas of the body such as skin, eyes or nose and cause vomiting. , abdominal pain and diarrhea. It is important to know how to distinguish food allergy from food intolerance, as allergy is a more serious and life-threatening situation. Learn how to identify a food allergy.
How to treat
Treatment of food allergy depends on the severity of symptoms and can be done with antihistamine remedies such as Allegra or Loratadine or with corticosteroids such as betamethasone. In the most severe cases, in case of anaphylactic shock and shortness of breath, it may be necessary to inject adrenaline and use an oxygen mask to facilitate breathing.
In addition, foods that cause food allergies should be avoided. To find out what foods can cause allergies, a food intolerance test may be done. Learn more about treatment.
Bowel cancer often causes frequent bloody diarrhea, associated with abdominal pain, fatigue, unexplained weight loss and anemia. If these symptoms persist for more than a month, you should see your doctor for treatment as soon as possible. Discover 8 symptoms that may indicate bowel cancer.
How to treat
Treatment for bowel cancer may be done through surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or immunotherapy, depending on the location, size, and development of the tumor.
Watch the video below and see what foods to eat during periods of diarrhea: