What is DIARRHEA?
- Diarrhea is an increase in the frequency of bowel movements and the discharge of watery, runny stools.
- Abdominal cramps, nausea and vomiting may accompany diarrhea.

Some causes of DIARRHEA
- Diarrhea occurs when stool is pushed through the intestines before the water it contains can be reabsorbed.
- Some medications (especially antibiotics) may also cause diarrhea.
- Bacteria, parasites and other microbes may cause diarrhea.
- Emotional stress, anxiety, or food intolerance may bring on diarrhea.
- With children, teething or too much fruit juice (particularly grape and apple) may cause diarrhea.
- Different disease states such as irritable bowel syndrome may also cause diarrhea.

Prevention and treatment of DIARRHEA
- Most cases of diarrhea are viral and should clear up within a day or two on their own.
- Dehydration is a serious complication (especially with children and the elderly) and its prevention is very important.  Diarrhea causes the body to lose fluids and electrolytes causing dehydration, so oral re-hydration therapy with oral re-hydration products containing electrolytes is important. (Specific products may be recommended by a physician or pharmacist.)

Signs of dehydration include:
- sunken eyes and lack of tears, dry mouth and tongue, thirst.
- little or no urine for eight hours, skin that is doughy and does not bounce back when pinched.
- rapid breathing, rapid heartbeat, sleepiness, difficulty waking up, high fever and irritability.

- The patient should eat small amounts of bland food several times a day and drink large amounts of clear liquid.  Eating live culture yogurt may help prevent diarrhea caused by some antibiotics.
- Nicotine and caffeine should be avoided.
- Dairy products and foods that are greasy, high-fiber, or very sweet should be avoided (may aggravate diarrhea).
- Certain over-the-counter medications are available which may help decrease severity.  These should not be given to children unless recommended by a physician. (Specific products may be recommended by a physician or pharmacist.)
- A physician may need to prescribe stronger anti-diarrhea medications or antibiotics if necessary.

A physician should be notified if:
- the patient is a child, mild diarrhea continues for more than 2 days or abdominal pain or pain in the rectum is present.
- signs of dehydration appear, if the stools are black, bloody or contain mucus.
- diarrhea is accompanied by a fever of 101° F or higher, chills, vomiting, fainting or severe diarrhea lasting longer than one day.
- diarrhea occurs after drinking untreated water or because of possible food poisoning.

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This information is of a general nature and may not apply to your special circumstances. If you have specific questions, please contact your physician or an appropriate health care professional.  These monographs are counseling aids for healthcare professionals only and are not to be used as a reference to diagnose or treat medical conditions.          Copyright 2005 RXinsider LTD