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Gastroenteritis
- hte catch-all medical term for intestinal flu, viral infection, and food
poisoning - is the second leading causeof missed work time (the common
cold beats it). Diarrhea is uncomfortable and unpleasant, but generally
no big deal in otherwise healthy adults. However, if diarrhea becomes a
chronic condition, the situation changes.
What causes diarrhea? It's often due to a viral infectio, which antibiotics can't fight. You just have to tough it out for a couple of days. Bacteria, which often cause traveler's diarrhea in certain parts of the world can also be responsible for diarrhea as the result of food poisoning. Certain drugs, especially antibiotics can have diarrhea as a side effect. Unless diarrhea persists, you usually don't find out the cause. Treament is aimed at relieving the symptoms and at preventing dehydration, the most seroius consequence of diarrhea. So what can you do? Ride it out. If you're not very young or old or suffering from any chronic illness, it may be safe just to put up with it for a couple of days. Although there's no definite proof that diarrhea is a cleaning action, it probabably serves some purpose. Keep hydrated. In the meantime, make sure you maintain your fluid and electrolyte balance. Obviously, you can lose a lot of liquid in diarrhea, but you also lose electrolytes which are mineral like sodium and potassium, that are critical in the running of your body. Here's how to replace what you're losing:
Sip some chicken broth. Or any broth but have it lukewarm, not hot and add some salt. Rest in bed. Gve your body a chance to fight the bug that's causing this. Put a heating pad on your belly. It will help relieve abdominal cramps. Try yogurt. You'll want to make sure you get a product that contains live lactobacillus cultures, which are friendly bugs that normally live in the gut. Eat light. Soups and gelatin may go down easy. Bland foods like rice, noodles, and bananas are recommended. Potatoes, toast, cooked carrots, soda crackers and skinless, defatted chicken are also easy on the digestive system. Don't do dairy. Avoid milk or other dairy products like cheese during the time that you're having diarrhea as well as for one to three weeks afterward. The small intestine, where milk is digested is affected by diarrhea and simply won't work as well for a while. Cut out caffeine. Just as it stimulates your nervous system, caffeine jump-starts your intestines. And that's the last thing you need to do in diarrhea. Say no to sweet treats. High concentrations of sugar can increase diarrhea. The sugar in fruit can do the same. Steer clear of greasy or high-fiber foods. These are harder for you gut to handle right now. It needs foods that are kinder and gentler. |
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What's Up Doc?
If you see blood
in your stool, that
should immediately ring a bell
to see you doctor.
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