Severe diarrhea for several days. What to do if an adult has loose stools for a long time

Who doesn’t know from television advertising what to do if diarrhea occurs in adults? Take a “magic” pill that will instantly stop diarrhea! However, any doctor will say that such “treatment” will not help at best, and will do harm at worst. Firstly, medications for diarrhea do not act instantly, they only reduce it, and secondly, the use of such medications is contraindicated for a number of diseases. What to do when you suffer from loose stools?

Diarrhea is not a disease, but a symptom that indicates problems in the gastrointestinal tract or in the body as a whole. Therefore, it is impossible to cure diarrhea without knowing what causes it. Diarrhea is defined as the passage of loose stool either once or with an increased frequency of bowel movements. If such a violation goes away within 2-3 weeks, we are talking about acute diarrhea, over 21 days - chronic.

In a normal state, the body of a healthy adult excretes 100–300 g of formed feces daily or at other intervals that are comfortable for a particular gastrointestinal tract. Liquefaction and accelerated evacuation of stool occurs due to a sharp increase in water content: with diarrhea, stool is 90% liquid. The amount of feces suggests the etiology of diarrhea:

• disturbances of intestinal motility usually do not increase the daily volume of feces; it is excreted frequently, but in small portions;
• if the problem is in the absorption of substances by the intestinal wall, there is a significant increase in the volume of feces due to the mass of undigested food.

The main causes of loose stools in adults:

Such diarrhea usually goes away within 3-4 days, and the patient will most likely be able to associate the onset of diarrhea with previous events.

However, the causes of diarrhea in an adult can be more serious:

• infection with bacteria, viruses, protozoa (dysentery, salmonellosis, intestinal flu);
• inflammatory diseases of the digestive system (gastritis, hepatitis, ulcers);
• functional organ failure (deficiency of certain enzymes);
• gastrointestinal diseases of unknown etiology (Crohn's disease);
• toxic damage (poisoning with lead, mercury).

In such cases, it is not enough to simply stop the diarrhea: a diagnosis must be made and qualified treatment must be carried out, often in an inpatient setting. As for the clinical manifestations of diarrhea, they may be mild. This applies to ordinary indigestion, when in addition to loose stools, cramping pain in the abdomen and dyspeptic symptoms (boiling, bloating, etc.) may be observed.

In case of food poisoning, the pain is accompanied by weakness, fever, nausea and vomiting, refusal to eat, and the temperature may rise. Similar symptoms are accompanied by intestinal infections and viral diseases.

Alarming signs that require immediate attention are symptoms of dehydration. Dry skin and mucous membranes, cracked lips, severe thirst, rare urination, darkening of urine occur with debilitating diarrhea, and this condition poses a great danger: the pulse increases, blood pressure drops, and muscle cramps may begin.

What to do for diarrhea in an adult - first aid

To prevent dehydration, the water and salts lost by the body must be compensated by drinking plenty of fluids: it is best to take rehydrating solutions (Rehydron and analogues); in their absence, you can drink saline solution, salted water, chamomile tea. Prevention of dehydration should begin as soon as it becomes clear that loose stools are not an isolated case.

Especially if the diarrhea is profuse and constant, has been going on for several days, and is accompanied by vomiting. It is also necessary to pay attention to the presence of blood in the stool. It can appear with dysentery, ulcerative colitis,.

Depending on the diagnosis, the doctor will select a specific treatment, but there are general rules that must be followed in any case of diarrhea. This is dietary nutrition, taking adsorbent drugs, enzymes.

Diet for diarrhea in an adult

The nature of the diet obviously influences bowel movements. Many foods have an irritating effect on peristalsis, and during diarrhea you should forget about them until complete recovery. These are spices, raw vegetables, plums and other laxatives.

Some foods have a fixing effect, so in the first few days of the diet you should limit yourself to the following set of dishes:

• wheat bread crackers;
• vegetable purees;
• slimy porridge;
• pureed meat and fish of lean varieties (steamed, boiled);
• tea, blueberry jelly, bird cherry fruit infusion, rice infusion.

You can start the diet on a “fasting” day: drink only strong sweet tea (8-10 cups during the day).

If diarrhea is caused by lactose or gluten intolerance, then diet is the main, and often the only, factor in treatment. For these diseases, a therapeutic diet is prescribed that completely excludes products containing milk sugar and the cereal protein gluten.

Diet is important: you need to eat often (every 3 hours) and in small portions.

The diet must be followed throughout the treatment and beyond, but after the first “hard” days, you can remove the restrictions and expand the diet, adhering to the following principles:

Thus, we list the prohibited products:

• any fried meat;
• offal;
• rich broths;
• fatty fish cooked in any way, and lean fish if it is fried, canned, smoked;
• milk, high fat cream;
• scrambled eggs, hard-boiled eggs;
• cabbage in any form, beets, spicy root vegetables, turnips, radishes, cucumbers;
• canned vegetables;
• mushrooms;
• sour berries and fruits;
• pastries and bread;
• carbonated drinks, kvass, cold drinks.

What then can you eat for diarrhea in adults? Here is an approximate list of dishes from which it is recommended to create a diet menu:

• steamed minced meat cutlets, meat puree (can be from “children’s” jars), soufflé;
• boiled fish (such as pollock, cod), fish balls, steamed cutlets;
• cereal cooked in water; you can add a little milk and a piece of butter to the finished porridge;
• rice pudding;
• puree soups with vegetable or weak meat broth;
• boiled pasta;
• fermented milk drinks;
• fresh cottage cheese;
• omelet, soft-boiled eggs;
• boiled, baked or pureed vegetables: potatoes, pumpkin, zucchini, green beans;
• baked fruits in compote, some fresh strawberries;
• jellies and mousses from berries and fruits;
• white bread croutons, dryers, “Maria” cookies;
• water, tea, compote, cocoa without milk.

In addition to diet, it is important to organize the correct drinking regime. The fluid entering the body should be several liters in volume in order to fully compensate for the loss of water through diarrhea.

Since microelements are washed out with loose stools, plain water is not very suitable for drinking. It is better to take glucose-salt drinks, which will replenish the loss of electrolytes, maintain normal blood sugar levels, and salt also promotes fluid retention in the body.

There are special preparations for preparing rehydrating drinks, these are Regidron, Citroglucosolan, Gastrolit, but if they are not available, you can prepare the liquid yourself by diluting it in a liter of water:

Instead of potassium chloride, you can pour a decoction of dried apricots and freshly squeezed orange juice into the solution. You need to drink in small portions, but constantly throughout the day.

Medicines to treat diarrhea in adults

As an important piece of advice, it should be noted that diarrhea in an adult that has not gone away within 3 days is a reason to consult a doctor. Chronic diarrhea can indicate the presence of serious diseases, it even occurs with some forms of cancer.

It is also worth seeing a doctor if the temperature rises above 38 during diarrhea, signs uncharacteristic of indigestion or poisoning appear: rash, yellowness of the skin and eyes, dark urine, sleep disturbances. Constant excruciating pain in the abdomen should not be the norm (spastic pain before and during bowel movements is acceptable).

Black or green diarrhea, vomiting mixed with fresh or coagulated (dark) blood, fainting, signs of severe dehydration indicate that the situation is critical: it is necessary to urgently call an ambulance.

Almost every adult experiences short-term diarrhea from time to time. As a rule, it does not require treatment and goes away on its own within 1–2 days. However, if an adult has loose stools for longer than 48 hours or is combined with other symptoms (fever, abdominal pain, etc.), especially if he has diarrhea every day, it is necessary to consult a doctor to determine the cause of diarrhea in an adult.

Why can diarrhea occur every day?

Every day, loose stools in an adult can occur for a variety of reasons. Among them the following groups can be distinguished.

Poor nutrition

The foods we eat and our usual diet largely determine the nature and frequency of stool. The following factors contribute to increased frequency of bowel movements and loose stools every day:

• fruits and vegetables with a pronounced laxative effect - beets, plums and prunes, apricots, peaches, figs, fresh dairy products, pickled vegetables;
• products high in coarse plant fiber - legumes (beans, peas, beans), white cabbage, rye bread, bran. They enhance intestinal motility, promoting rapid emptying, resulting in diarrhea developing every day;
• very fatty dishes and products - butter in large quantities, fried, smoked. If there is an excess of them in the diet, the pancreas is overloaded, and it cannot cope with the digestion of incoming food.

Poisoning

Diarrhea in the morning every day can occur due to poisoning from poisons, salts of heavy metals (in production or when ingested with poor-quality food), household toxins (ingestion of detergents), and certain medications. A feature of diarrhea in this case is the presence of weakness, abdominal pain; in severe poisoning, convulsions and loss of consciousness may occur.

Infectious diseases

Intestinal infection is one of the most common causes of loose stools every day in an adult. Its development can be caused by viruses, bacteria, protozoa and fungi - accurate identification of the causative agent of the infection is possible only through diagnostic tests (blood and stool tests).

Symptoms of an intestinal infection, in addition to diarrhea, are:

• temperature increase;
• frequent vomiting;
• the presence of pathological impurities in the stool (mucus, blood, greens);
• cramping abdominal pain;
• weakness, lethargy, loss of appetite, muscle pain and headaches.

Chronic diseases

Loose stools can develop every day due to chronic diseases, most often with damage to the gastrointestinal tract due to:

• acute and chronic pancreatitis;
• cholecystitis;
• peptic ulcer of the stomach and duodenum;
• digestion and absorption disorders (gluten enteropathy, lactase deficiency, etc.);
• chronic colitis and enterocolitis.

Diarrhea every day in adults and adolescents can also occur for other reasons:

• when the climate and usual diet change - “travelers' diarrhea”;
• during pregnancy;
• in some women during menstruation and 1–2 days before their onset.

Treatment of diarrhea

Diarrhea every day, the causes of which have already been established, is treated in accordance with them. In addition, for all types of diarrhea, symptomatic therapy is prescribed to eliminate or reduce the severity of painful manifestations.

Fighting dehydration

Regardless of the cause, diarrhea every day always leads to the loss of fluid and salts in the stool. To prevent and treat dehydration in the initial stages, oral rehydration is used - taking a large amount of liquid (2-3 liters per day) in fractions, that is, in small sips every 2 minutes. Fractional intake is necessary in order to avoid vomiting due to overdistension of the stomach with a large amount of water.

For oral rehydration, boiled water, non-carbonated mineral water, dried fruit compote, weak sweet tea, and special glucose-salt solutions are used.

In severe cases, when the patient’s condition does not allow him to take liquid by mouth (lack of consciousness or repeated intractable vomiting), dehydration is combated with the help of intravenous drip administration of saline and glucose-saline solutions.

Diet

Just as some foods can weaken and cause loose stools every day, others can have a strengthening effect on the intestines. These include, first of all, rice and rice water, jelly, mashed potatoes, as well as pasta, some berries, fruits (bird cherry, blueberry, chokeberry) and their decoctions, decoction of the peel and partitions of pomegranate. It is necessary to avoid eating fatty, fried, spicy and smoked foods, which create excessive stress on the gastrointestinal tract and can themselves cause diarrhea.

Medicines are prescribed in strict accordance with the causes of diarrhea:

• for infectious diarrhea, antiviral and antimicrobial drugs are used;
• for diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, enzymes are used;
• for infections and poisoning, sorbents are prescribed;
• for most types of diarrhea, IMODIUM ® Express can be taken as part of complex therapy.

IMODIUM ® Express slows down intestinal motility, which contributes to more frequent bowel movements, suppresses the release of fluid and salts into the intestinal lumen, reducing the volume of feces, loss of salts and water. The drug IMODIUM ® Express should be used in strict accordance with the instructions, taking into account possible contraindications.

How to prevent diarrhea for several days

Maintain personal hygiene rules

Washing your hands after visiting public places, toilets, walking and before eating helps avoid infection with intestinal pathogens.

Follow food hygiene rules

Food hygiene also helps prevent infectious diarrhea and diarrhea associated with food poisoning. The food you eat must be fresh, prepared from well-known products, and not contain dangerous additives. Meat, fish, eggs and milk require appropriate heat treatment. Vegetables, fruits and berries that are eaten raw should be thoroughly washed before consumption, even if they were collected at your own dacha.

Treat diseases in a timely manner

Timely consultation with a doctor and early initiation of adequate therapy help to avoid severe forms of the disease and severe dehydration.

Lead a healthy lifestyle

A healthy lifestyle - physical activity, walks in the fresh air, absence of bad habits - allows you to maintain the functioning of all organs and systems, preventing disorders and diseases.

Everyone, even healthy people, has experienced diarrhea, or diarrhea. There are a huge number of reasons for its appearance, starting with food products that are incompatible with each other and ending with very severe infections.

In this article, we will not consider severe infections accompanied by painful diarrhea, such as cholera and others. This is a separate topic.

Watery diarrhea

Watery diarrhea occurs when the small intestine is involved in the pathological process. This may be a situation where poisoning has occurred with poor-quality food products or during acute intestinal infections.

Sometimes the number of pathogenic bacteria present in the intestines can be very small. It is not the bacteria themselves that are dangerous, but their metabolic products, the toxins they release.

In the cold season, watery stools sometimes occur due to a number of viruses that are active in winter. These are so-called rotavirus infections, which are very easy to catch.

Why is water diarrhea dangerous?

Diarrhea can be roughly divided into watery stools without pathological impurities, such as blood, and diarrhea streaked with blood. If blood appears in the intestinal discharge, this is a signal to seek medical help, because... The causes of this symptom can be very serious: intestinal bleeding, hemorrhoidal bleeding or a serious bacterial infection. All these conditions can threaten the patient's life. But this also needs to be discussed separately.

So, if water diarrhea occurs in an adult, treatment should be immediate. It should be noted that with watery stools there is a large loss of water, and if this process is also accompanied by vomiting, then we can talk about dehydration, and it can occur very quickly if emergency measures are not taken.

The human body normally contains about 85-90% water. More precisely, the brain, muscles and heart contain approximately 76% fluid, blood - 84%, and only the human skeleton consists of 15-20% water. From this you can understand how important water is for humans. Every cell of our body consists of water, and if there is a lack of fluid, all systems and organs will suffer. In addition, during diarrhea, along with water, a huge amount of minerals that the body needs is released.

For a small child, a loss of 10% of body weight due to watery diarrhea is fatal. If a child weighs 5 kg, then a loss of 500 ml of fluid will be fatal for him. For adults, losing 10% of their body weight in a short period of time is more problematic, because... their weight is much greater, so they have time to make a decision. Dehydration (dehydration) is most dangerous for children and the elderly. Diarrhea in an adult - what to do? Of course, treat.

Diarrhea is not a diagnosis, but a symptom. To choose the right treatment tactics, it is necessary to establish the true cause of loose stools. Even if an adult has loose stools 2-3 times a day, which does not pose a threat to his life, over time (if this lasts for several days), the body will be severely depleted and the water-salt balance will be disrupted. Recovery will take much longer than the duration of the illness. If an adult has water diarrhea, treatment is necessary, especially if an elderly person suffers from this symptom.

Causes of diarrhea

Diarrhea is a kind of defensive reaction to the introduction of pathogenic microorganisms, viruses and bacteria. In this way, the body itself is protected from the harmful effects of pathogenic microflora and carries out its detoxification. But if this condition does not go away within a few hours, help is needed. Especially if there is a temperature and in this case it is necessary. Hyperthermia (increased temperature) may indicate general intoxication of the body. This condition requires an appropriate attitude. You can't leave everything to chance. Some people believe that diarrhea is not really a disease. Diarrhea still needs to be treated if it lasts more than one day. This way you can save your body from serious consequences.

If the patient complains of diarrhea, abdominal pain, treatment is also necessary. Pain is a serious symptom that may indicate a serious illness such as pancreatitis, hepatitis, gallstones or appendicitis. If you experience pain with diarrhea, you should see a doctor. In some of these situations, surgical treatment is necessary.

There are other causes of diarrhea:

• dyspeptic - this is the most common cause of diarrhea; it can occur due to insufficient secretion of the stomach, improper functioning of the glands and, as a result, improper digestion of ingested food;
• infectious - can be caused by dysentery bacillus, various intestinal viruses, amoebas and food toxins;
• nutritional is an allergic reaction to food;
• toxic - poisoning with poisons and toxic substances, such as arsenic or mercury;
• medicinal - caused by side effects of medications, for example, some antibiotics in the intestines kill not only pathogenic flora, but also beneficial ones, thereby causing diarrhea;
• neurogenic - can be caused by strong emotions or fear; such diarrhea is also called “bear disease”.

Patients experience diarrhea differently, depending on the individual characteristics of the body. For example, loose stools 2-3 times a day in some people cause weakness and poor health, while in others diarrhea 5-6 times a day does not cause negative consequences.

If diarrhea lasts a short time, it usually does not cause negative consequences and passes without much harm to health. If diarrhea continues for a long time and is accompanied by bloating, rumbling, false urge to defecate (tenesmus), nausea, vomiting, heartburn and causes severe weakness (depletion of the body), then this condition requires emergency medical care. Often patients with such symptoms are hospitalized.

For any type of diarrhea, it is necessary to drink enough fluid. Compliance with the drinking regime can protect against negative consequences and keep the patient’s body in good shape.

It is better to drink mineral water without gas content, it will help maintain the water-salt balance. If prolonged water diarrhea occurs in an adult, treatment is necessary. If home treatment does not help, and diarrhea does not go away within a few days, this is a serious reason to seek help from a medical facility. If severe diarrhea develops, a doctor will determine the cause and treatment.

Diet for diarrhea

Gentle, regardless of the reasons that caused it, is necessary. Until the condition improves and the symptoms of intoxication disappear, you need to follow a diet.

The following products are allowed:

• porridge with water;
• jelly;
• lean boiled or steamed meat;
• steam cutlets;
• boiled or steamed fish.

Prohibited products:

• fatty foods;
• fried foods;
• sweets;
• spicy dishes;
• pickled products;
• any canned food;
• carbonated drinks;
• coffee;
• tea is too strong;
• any alcohol.

After the diarrhea disappears and the diet improves, you need to stick to it for a few more days, at least for a week. By gradually adding other previously prohibited foods to the diet, the weakened body is prepared for the usual diet. You cannot immediately return to your usual diet. A sudden return of the wrong dish to the menu can upset the fragile and unstable balance after illness.

Diarrhea: causes and treatment

Treatment of diarrhea directly depends on the cause that caused it. What medications for diarrhea are most effective? We'll talk about this in this section.

First of all, any diarrhea should not be treated with antibiotics. This is done only in severe cases, for example, if the cause of the pathological process really poses a serious danger. This applies to diseases such as salmonellosis or cholera. In this case, the patient must be hospitalized, and further treatment will be carried out under the strict supervision of doctors. If water diarrhea is observed in an adult, treatment should be aimed at preventing dehydration and restoring water-salt balance. For these purposes, solutions such as “Regidron” or “Oralit” are suitable; you can also drink mineral water without gas.

Solutions are taken after each stool, half a glass. In addition, you should drink at least 4 glasses of one of these medications within 12 hours.

Medicines for diarrhea

Medicines for diarrhea are not a panacea at all. A range of interventions should be considered when treating diarrhea. The most important of which, as already mentioned, is the fight against Let's look at medications for diarrhea in adults, which are used most often.

All of them are divided into several pharmacological groups:

• sulfonamide drugs ("Fthalazol");
• antibiotics (Levomycetin, Tetracycline tablets);
• nitrofurans (drug "Furazolidone");
• antimicrobial drugs ("Enterofuril", "Sulgin");
• antifungal (Intetrix) - used for;
• enterosorbents (activated carbon);
• antiviral drugs.

Let's look at the most famous ones among adults. In what case is it advisable to take this or that drug?

Activated charcoal for diarrhea

What to give for diarrhea to an adult? Enterosorbents are a group of drugs that have an adsorbing and enveloping effect. Treatment should begin with activated carbon. Sometimes this is enough. These tablets for diarrhea in adults (and children) are not absorbed in the intestines.

Activated carbon is taken at the rate of one tablet per 10 kg of patient weight. So, if the patient weighs 60 kg, then, accordingly, he should take 6 tablets and drink plenty of water.

Activated carbon absorbs all harmful toxins, bacteria and viruses, and also binds water and covers the intestinal wall with a protective layer. After this, it is excreted naturally. It should be noted that after taking tablets of this drug, the stool will be black. There is no need to be afraid of this. If diarrhea occurs due to poor-quality products, then activated carbon in most cases is sufficient for treatment.

The drug "Fthalazol" for diarrhea

This group is most appropriate to take for infectious types of diarrhea (dysentery, enterocolitis and colitis of an infectious nature). Taking the medicine "Fthalazol" for allergic types of diarrhea and ordinary indigestion will be ineffective. Its effect is noticeable only on day 2-3, when the growth of pathogenic microflora under the influence of the drug is stopped.

Imodium for diarrhea

The drug "Imodium" (its other name is "Suprelol", "Lopedium" and "Loperamide") begins to act within the first 40-60 minutes. This drug is effective for diarrhea caused by poor-quality foods, as well as irritable bowel syndrome and in the initial stages of infectious diarrhea. It helps well with frequent vomiting. This drug is convenient to take with you on the road. Diarrhea is a common companion for travelers.

Treatment with Loperamide and Simethicone

This is a new generation drug, it is a combined remedy for diarrhea “Imodium Plus” and includes the so-called antifoam agent - simethicone. This substance eliminates bloating and adsorbs unnecessary intestinal gases. Thanks to it, spastic pain and the feeling of intestinal distension disappear. These are chewable tablets for diarrhea in adults. It is not recommended to give them to children under 12 years of age.

Natural Remedies for Diarrhea

This includes drugs such as Smecta and Kaopectate. These drugs are used for rotavirus infections. It should be noted that the drug "Kaopectate" is contraindicated in childhood.

These drugs belong to the group of enterosorbents; they gradually reduce the frequency of trips to the toilet, and also relieve bloating and rumbling in the abdomen.

Tablets "Linex" for diarrhea

This product contains beneficial microflora and has a positive effect on the entire gastrointestinal tract. It includes 3 types of positive microflora:

• lactobacilli - have a positive effect on the functioning of the small intestine;
• enterococci - have a similar effect and help the small intestine function properly;
• bifidobacteria - actively work in the large intestine.

Folk remedies for diarrhea

Traditional medicine knows many ways to treat such ailments as diarrhea. Folk remedies for treating diarrhea have been proven for centuries.

1. A decoction of pomegranate peels is considered an effective remedy for intestinal disorders. To prepare the medicine, you need to take a well-washed peel of one fruit and pour a glass of cold water. Boil over low heat for 10 minutes, cool and strain. Take this remedy every two hours, 2 tbsp. spoons.
2. Traditional treatment for diarrhea involves the use of rice water. Taking this remedy every 20-30 minutes for 3-4 hours will relieve bloating and stop diarrhea.
3. Wormwood will help cope with diarrhea. But you need to be careful with this product: do not exceed the dosage and do not use it for too long. To prepare the medicine, add 1 teaspoon of dry herb to one glass of boiling water and leave for half an hour. Take the medicine 30 minutes before meals, 1 tbsp. spoon.
4. A very strong folk remedy for diarrhea using an alcoholic infusion of walnut partitions has been known for a long time. It must be taken without exceeding the permissible dose (5-6 drops), otherwise it may provoke a reverse reaction - constipation. As soon as the number of trips to the toilet decreases, you need to reduce the dosage to 2-3 drops. It is clear that alcohol tinctures can only be used internally for treatment by adults. To prepare the drug, take 1 tbsp. spoon of ground walnut partitions and pour one glass of vodka. Leave in darkness for 5-7 days. This product is prepared for future use and stored in the refrigerator. It is recommended to always have this medicine on hand for those who are prone to frequent intestinal disorders.

Conclusion

For ailments such as diarrhea, folk remedies can be very effective. Whatever the nature of the origin of diarrhea, this fact must be taken seriously. If you cannot cope with an intestinal disorder on your own, and pain or fever also occurs, in this case you need to seek medical help. This is especially true for elderly citizens, because... They become dehydrated much earlier than young people in full bloom.

Firstly, medications for diarrhea do not act instantly, they only reduce intestinal motility, and secondly, the use of such medications is contraindicated in a number of diseases. What to do when you suffer from loose stools?

Diarrhea in an adult: causes and symptoms of diarrhea

Diarrhea is not a disease, but a symptom that indicates problems in the gastrointestinal tract or in the body as a whole. Therefore, it is impossible to cure diarrhea without knowing what causes it. Diarrhea is defined as the passage of loose stool either once or with an increased frequency of bowel movements. If such a violation goes away within 2-3 weeks, we are talking about acute diarrhea, over 21 days - chronic.

In a normal state, the body of a healthy adult excretes 100–300 g of formed feces daily or at other intervals that are comfortable for a particular gastrointestinal tract. Liquefaction and accelerated evacuation of stool occurs due to a sharp increase in water content: with diarrhea, stool is 90% liquid. The amount of feces suggests the etiology of diarrhea:

• disturbances of intestinal motility usually do not increase the daily volume of feces; it is excreted frequently, but in small portions;
• if the problem is in the absorption of substances by the intestinal wall, there is a significant increase in the volume of feces due to the mass of undigested food.

The main causes of loose stools in adults:

• indigestion after a large meal with “heavy” dishes;
• mild food poisoning;
• intolerance to certain foods (allergic reactions, hypolactasia);
• taking certain medications (laxatives, antacids, antiarrhythmics, anticoagulants, synthetic sweeteners);
• stressful state (excitement, fear, fright, in which diarrhea is the result of the release of hormones);
• traveler's diarrhea (associated with changes in climatic conditions and diet).

Such diarrhea usually goes away within 3-4 days, and the patient will most likely be able to associate the onset of diarrhea with previous events.

However, the causes of diarrhea in an adult can be more serious:

• infection with bacteria, viruses, protozoa (dysentery, salmonellosis, intestinal flu);
• inflammatory diseases of the digestive system (gastritis, hepatitis, UC (ulcerative colitis), ulcers);
• functional organ failure (deficiency of certain enzymes);
• gastrointestinal diseases of unknown etiology (Crohn's disease);
• toxic damage (poisoning with lead, mercury).

In such cases, it is not enough to simply stop the diarrhea: a diagnosis must be made and qualified treatment must be carried out, often in an inpatient setting. As for the clinical manifestations of diarrhea, they may be mild. This applies to ordinary indigestion, when in addition to loose stools, cramping pain in the abdomen and dyspeptic symptoms (boiling, bloating, severe accumulation of gases in the intestines (flatulence)) may be observed.

In case of food poisoning, the pain is accompanied by weakness, fever, nausea and vomiting, refusal to eat, and the temperature may rise. Similar symptoms are accompanied by intestinal infections and viral diseases.

Alarming signs that require immediate attention are symptoms of dehydration. Dry skin and mucous membranes, cracked lips, severe thirst, rare urination, darkening of urine occur with debilitating diarrhea, and this condition poses a great danger: the pulse increases, blood pressure drops, and muscle cramps may begin.

What to do for diarrhea in an adult - first aid

To prevent dehydration, the water and salts lost by the body must be compensated by drinking plenty of fluids: it is best to take rehydrating solutions (Rehydron and analogues); in their absence, you can drink saline solution, salted water, chamomile tea. Prevention of dehydration should begin as soon as it becomes clear that loose stools are not an isolated case.

Especially if the diarrhea is profuse and constant, has been going on for several days, and is accompanied by vomiting. It is also necessary to pay attention to the presence of blood in the stool. It can appear with dysentery, ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease.

Depending on the diagnosis, the doctor will select a specific treatment, but there are general rules that must be followed in any case of diarrhea. This is dietary nutrition, taking adsorbent drugs, enzymes.

Diet for diarrhea in an adult

The nature of the diet obviously influences bowel movements. Many foods have an irritating effect on peristalsis, and during diarrhea you should forget about them until complete recovery. These are spices, raw vegetables, plums and other laxatives.

Some foods have a fixing effect, so in the first few days of the diet you should limit yourself to the following set of dishes:

• wheat bread crackers;
• vegetable purees;
• slimy porridge;
• pureed meat and fish of lean varieties (steamed, boiled);
• tea, blueberry jelly, bird cherry fruit infusion, rice infusion.

You can start the diet on a “fasting” day: drink only strong sweet tea (8-10 cups during the day).

If diarrhea is caused by lactose or gluten intolerance, then diet is the main, and often the only, factor in treatment. For these diseases, a therapeutic diet is prescribed that completely excludes products containing milk sugar and the cereal protein gluten.

Diet is important: you need to eat often (every 3 hours) and in small portions.

The diet must be followed throughout the treatment and beyond, but after the first “hard” days, you can remove the restrictions and expand the diet, adhering to the following principles:

1. Avoid foods that mechanically and chemically irritate the gastrointestinal tract (spicy, salty, sour, containing coarse fiber).
2. You should not eat foods that stimulate the release of bile (fatty foods, tomatoes and carrots, grape juice, lingonberries).
3. Remove “fermenting” and gas-forming foods from the diet - apples, cabbage, brown bread, milk.

Thus, we list the prohibited products:

• any fried meat;
• offal;
• rich broths;
• fatty fish cooked in any way, and lean fish if it is fried, canned, smoked;
• milk, high fat cream;
• scrambled eggs, hard-boiled eggs;
• cabbage in any form, beets, spicy root vegetables, turnips, radishes, cucumbers;
• canned vegetables;
• mushrooms;
• sour berries and fruits;
• pastries and bread;
• carbonated drinks, kvass, cold drinks.

What then can you eat for diarrhea in adults? Here is an approximate list of dishes from which it is recommended to create a diet menu:

• steamed minced meat cutlets, meat puree (can be from “children’s” jars), soufflé;
• boiled fish (such as pollock, cod), fish balls, steamed cutlets;
• cereal cooked in water; you can add a little milk and a piece of butter to the finished porridge;
• rice pudding;
• puree soups with vegetable or weak meat broth;
• boiled pasta;
• fermented milk drinks;
• fresh cottage cheese;
• omelet, soft-boiled eggs;
• boiled, baked or pureed vegetables: potatoes, pumpkin, zucchini, green beans;
• baked fruits in compote, some fresh strawberries;
• jellies and mousses from berries and fruits;
• white bread croutons, dryers, “Maria” cookies;
• water, tea, compote, cocoa without milk.

Preventing dehydration

In addition to diet, it is important to organize the correct drinking regime. The fluid entering the body should be several liters in volume in order to fully compensate for the loss of water through diarrhea.

Since microelements are washed out with loose stools, plain water is not very suitable for drinking. It is better to take glucose-salt drinks, which will replenish the loss of electrolytes, maintain normal blood sugar levels, and salt also promotes fluid retention in the body.

There are special preparations for preparing rehydrating drinks, these are Regidron, Citroglucosolan, Gastrolit, but if they are not available, you can prepare the liquid yourself by diluting it in a liter of water:

Instead of potassium chloride, you can pour a decoction of dried apricots and freshly squeezed orange juice into the solution. You need to drink in small portions, but constantly throughout the day.

Medicines to treat diarrhea in adults

1. Sorbents are an important part of the treatment of diarrhea. They remove toxins, viruses, bacteria from the intestines, adsorb gases, and reduce bloating. It is recommended to take such drugs for intestinal infections and poisoning, but they must be taken separately from any other drugs (it is advisable to maintain an interval of 2 hours, otherwise the drugs will not be absorbed). If absorption in the intestine is severely impaired (enteropathy), sorbents are not prescribed so as not to aggravate the nutritional deficiency. The choice of enterosorbents is large, from traditional activated carbon (10 tablets) to modern preparations based on kaolin, calcium salts, bismuth (De-nol, Smecta), wood derivatives (Polifepan, Balignin), magnesium and aluminum salts (Attapulgite).
2. Drugs that reduce the production of intestinal mucus. They are taken on the first day from the onset of diarrhea. These are anti-inflammatory drugs such as Diclofenac, Indomethacin, Sulfasalosin. If Crohn's disease is detected, hormonal medications (Metypred, Prednisolone) are used for this purpose, of course, only with a doctor's prescription.
3. Herbal medicines. Plants with astringent properties reduce intestinal secretion and peristalsis. These are oak bark, bird cherry berries, alder cones, chamomile, and cinquefoil root. Decoctions and infusions are made from plant materials to drink throughout the day. To stop diarrhea, any folk remedies with a fixing effect are suitable.
4. Enzymes. If diarrhea is associated with diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, enzymes help replenish the deficiency of digestive juices. Impaired absorption in the intestine also requires additional stimulation - medications based on pancreatin (Creon, Pancitrate, Festal, Mezim) are well suited for this.
5. Antidiarrheals and others that reduce intestinal motility. The choice of drug also depends on the cause of the disease. Loperamide, a well-known substance whose drugs stop diarrhea (Imodium, Lopedium), cannot be taken for intestinal infections, since some of the pathogens will then remain in the body and not be eliminated. Loperamide preparations are effective for irritable bowel syndrome and Crohn's disease. For enteropathies, hormones are prescribed that simultaneously paralyze the motor activity of the intestine and enhance its absorption capacity (Somatostatin, Octreotide). Antispasmodics also relieve excessive peristalsis (Papaverine, No-shpa).
6. Antibiotics are prescribed by the doctor based on the results of the tests performed and the identified causative agents of diarrhea. As a rule, broad-spectrum antibacterial drugs are recommended for intestinal infections. In the case of a viral etiology of the disease, Arbidol and immunoglobulins can be used, but in practice such diarrhea goes away without specific treatment.
7. Intestinal antiseptics are antimicrobial drugs that act exclusively in the intestines and do not penetrate the blood. They have a detrimental effect on staphylococci, streptococci, salmonella, E. coli, shigella and other infectious flora, but retain beneficial microorganisms. An example of such a drug is Enterofuril. A medicine called Intetrix also destroys dysentery amoeba and candida fungi.
8. Probiotics. These drugs are indispensable in the treatment of diarrhea of ​​any etiology, since diarrhea, no matter what the cause, upsets the balance of the intestinal microflora. For example, Enterol is a complex antidiarrheal agent that works in several directions: it suppresses the activity of microbes, viruses, protozoa and fungi, removes toxins, restores the intestinal mucosa and strengthens local immunity, stimulates the growth of beneficial bacteria. Preparations of specific flora (Hilak-Forte, Linex, Baktisubtil) help normalize the microclimate in the intestines.
9. Intestinal immunomodulators. Modern doctors include in the treatment regimen for diarrhea a drug such as Galavit, which is recommended for any infectious diarrhea. Galavit relieves symptoms of intoxication and provides rapid improvement in the condition of adult patients (not indicated for children).

As an important piece of advice, it should be noted that diarrhea in an adult that has not gone away within 3 days is a reason to consult a doctor. Chronic diarrhea can indicate the presence of serious diseases, it even occurs with some forms of cancer.

It is also worth seeing a doctor if the temperature rises above 38 during diarrhea, signs uncharacteristic of indigestion or poisoning appear: rash, yellowness of the skin and eyes, dark urine, sleep disturbances. Constant excruciating pain in the abdomen should not be the norm (spastic pain before and during bowel movements is acceptable).

Black or green diarrhea, vomiting mixed with fresh or coagulated (dark) blood, fainting, signs of severe dehydration indicate that the situation is critical: it is necessary to urgently call an ambulance.

Diarrhea (diarrhea)

Causes of diarrhea

1. The digestive process is significantly affected by the quantity and quality of food. Thus, a lot of difficult-to-digest foods (foods rich in plant fiber and fats) are not fully digested, which leads to accelerated intestinal motility and increases the growth of bacteria.

Mechanisms of development of diarrhea

Frequent, loose stools that are passed more than 3 times a day may be a cause for concern. Regular loose stools, but not diarrhea, in an adult are usually a sign of illness, especially if there is blood, mucus or fat in the stool. In such a situation, you should abandon home treatment and consult a doctor as soon as possible. Check what diseases the symptoms described above may indicate and what are the causes of frequent urge to go to the toilet.

Causes of loose stools

Loose stools for a long time may be accompanied by chronic diarrhea. In this case, free (semi-liquid) impurities of a large volume are observed, containing traces of blood, pus or mucus, they occur more often than 3 times a day.

A characteristic feature is a constant feeling of the need to defecate. This disease can alternate and be a symptom of many serious diseases.

A factor in the development of loose stools in the morning and after each meal can be a disease:

• Irritable bowel syndrome.

This is a chronic disease - its symptoms can persist throughout your life. There is rarely the presence of blood, and there is also unexplained weight loss (despite the use of a balanced diet) and a feeling of fatigue. Often the need to defecate appears at night.

• Colon cancer.

During illness, changes occur within the cells of the colon mucosa. Loose stools appear, which may contain blood (as a result of bleeding from the tumor). Often the only symptom of developing cancer is a change in bowel habits: diarrhea and constipation. It is worth knowing that the symptoms of rectal cancer are varied and depend on the location of the tumor.

• Nonspecific ulcerative colitis.

The disease consists of chronic inflammation of the mucous membrane of the rectum or colon. Its symptom is, in particular, frequent urges, which look like loose sediment mixed with blood. The disease is very dangerous because its complications can include liver failure, colon perforation and even cancer.

• Crohn's disease.

This is an inflammatory disease of the colon of unknown etiology, leading to destruction of the intestinal wall. The inflammatory process initially involves the mucous membrane, eventually occupying all layers of the colon wall. Symptoms of the disease often include loose stools, weight loss and changes in the membrane (ulcers, abscesses, fistulas).

• Celiac disease.

Celiac disease is an inflammatory disease of the small intestine, the essence of which is gluten intolerance. In people who struggle with this type of malabsorption, inflammation occurs as a result of contact with gluten supplements. The consequence is slow damage to the mucous membrane of the small intestine. A characteristic symptom of the disease is loose, pale, impurities with a strong pungent odor. Liquid stool is excreted from the body in large quantities.

• Hyperthyroidism.

Excessive production of thyroid hormones causes the patient's metabolism to accelerate, resulting in frequent urination and diarrhea. At the same time, a decrease in body weight occurs, despite the fact that the patient’s appetite does not decrease.

• Typhoid fever.

This is a disease that can be contracted while staying in tropical countries. It is caused by bacteria of the genus Salmonella. Fever and abdominal pain appear in the first week. In the second, severe headaches and dry cough are observed. Only in the third week do loose stools appear.

• Cystic fibrosis.

Free urination, severe diarrhea immediately after eating with a strong odor is one of the characteristic symptoms of this disease. Other symptoms also appear from the gastrointestinal tract: an increase in abdominal volume and blockage of the salivary glands with thick, viscous mucus.

Other causes of frequent diarrhea and dysbiosis:

• taking medications — Many medications, such as diabetes pills, laxatives or hydrochloric acid antacids, can cause loose stools as an unwanted side effect of taking them. If there is a suspicion that medications are the cause of diarrhea, you should stop taking them and consult a doctor. Very often, dysbiosis is caused by antibacterial drugs;
• consuming large amounts of sugar substitute (sorbitol, mannitol or xylitol).

Chronic diarrhea is a symptom of illness that lasts more than 14 days. During this period, the patient gives away more than 3 liters of fluid per day. There can be many reasons, ranging from food allergies to life-threatening diseases.

What to do if an adult has loose stools

Some patients trigger the disease. Diarrhea can last for more than a year. In this case, there is a high risk of dehydration. If you have loose stools for a long time, it is important to conduct a comprehensive examination to eliminate the risk of developing a dangerous disease.

At the first symptoms and frequently recurring diarrhea, it is important to eliminate unpleasant symptoms. Drugs such as:

1. Smecta.
2. Enterosgel.
3. Enterofuril.
4. Activated carbon.
5. Imodium.
6. StopDiar.

The doctor may prescribe probiotics to improve internal intestinal motility (Linex, Bifidumbacterin).

If loose stools are accompanied by vomiting, then the cause may be a rotavirus infection or. Enterofuril tablets can help cope with bacterial damage. They have antibacterial and healing effects.

If you have soft stools after each meal, you are more likely to develop dehydration. You should definitely drink sweet tea or salted water in small portions. There is a special drug, Regidron, that helps cope with dehydration during rapidly developing diarrhea.

If an adult has loose stools, but not diarrhea, and has been bothering you for a long time, you should definitely undergo an examination. It will help identify provoking factors. You should not self-medicate. After all, the disease can lead to intoxication of the body, significant loss of weight and appetite.