Diarrhea is a condition whose main symptoms of defecation is the issuance of a liquid or semi-liquid stool consistency, volume and frequency of greater than normal (may vary from 3 to 6 times a day). May occur as isolated symptoms, or accompanied by: abdominal, flatulence, burning anus, fever or vomiting; in some cases, stool can appear traces of blood.
Is usually a result of inflammation of the large intestine, or that part of the intestine that is responsible for reabsorbing water from the mixture of digested food. Very often, the Diarrhea is an attempt at defending the body against external agents. The consequence of alteration is a decreased intestinal re absorption of water, or excessive secretion of fluids: in any case, the result is that the feces contain excessive amounts of fluid that the body is unable to hold back. Dehydration is very dangerous in children and the elderly, two groups with high risk. In children in particular, the consequences can become so serious as to require hospitalization even if it lasts a few days.
Acute and chronic Diarrhea
Is defined as acute as that occurs suddenly and resolves within a short time (usually the phenomenon may last from 12 hours until a few days): This type of Diarrhea is a fairly common disorder and usually not a problem of serious magnitude especially when not accompanied by other symptoms. Typically, the Diarrhea is resolved without the use of drugs, but can be very useful taking probiotics to restore normal intestinal balance.
Is defined as chronic when it persists for days over two weeks: if the noise is repeated at intervals of time, is defined by recurring. Chronic and recurrent Diarrhea is often a sign of the presence of other diseases, or the result of specific therapies, so in these cases it is always advisable to use the doctor’s opinion. The chronic Diarrhea can be caused by a chronic illness. The biggest danger is that as dehydration, which means that the body is deprived of many fluids, and this lack does not allow him to function more successfully. Patients of all ages may experience Diarrhea and on average adults have a bout of Diarrhea about four times a year.
Acute attacks are usually caused by bacteria, viruses, parasites or infection, while chronic conditions are usually related to functional disorders like irritable bowel syndrome or inflammatory bowel disease. Some of the most common causes of Diarrhea are:
Bacterial infections: Several types of bacteria ingested through contaminated food or water can cause Diarrhea The most common culprits include Campylobacter, Salmonella, Shigella and colibacillosis.
Viral infections: Many viruses cause Diarrhea, including rota virus, Norwalk virus, cytomegalovirus, herpes simplex viral hepatitis.
Food intolerances: Some people are not able to digest food, as some artificial sweeteners and lactose, a sugar found in milk.
Parasites: Parasites can enter the body through food or water and settle in the digestive system. The parasites that cause Diarrhea include: giardiasis lambliasi, entameba istolitica and Cryptosporidium.
Reaction to drugs: antibiotics, drugs for blood pressure, chemotherapy and antacids containing magnesium can cause Diarrhea
Bowel disease: Inflammatory bowel disease, colitis, Crohn’s disease and celiac disease often lead to Diarrhea
Functional bowel disorders. Diarrhea may be a symptom of irritable bowel syndrome.
Some people develop Diarrhea after stomach surgery or removal of the gallbladder. The reason may be a change in the way that moves food through the digestive system after stomach surgery or an increase of bile in the colon after gallbladder surgery.