Experts have started to warn about the increasing risk of diarrhea in recent days. Diarrhea can be due to many reasons, and if left untreated, it can lead to low blood pressure or kidney diseases. For this reason, if persistent diarrhea is accompanied by symptoms such as nausea and vomiting, it is necessary to consult a healthcare institution as soon as possible. Physician supervision is recommended as antibiotics and fluid therapy may be required, especially in cases of bloody diarrhea that increase.
Nausea and Diarrhea
Complaints of nausea and vomiting in patients with new-onset diarrhea are usually due to a viral (virus-related) intestinal inflammation. Although fever may be observed in viral intestinal inflammation, more serious diseases are suspected in cases where there are no atypical complaints, that is, nausea and vomiting. Atypical diarrhea is caused by serious conditions such as infection (sepsis, appendicitis, inflammatory bowel disease, infectious inflammation of the small intestine or large intestine) or Hirschsprung disease-related enterocolitis (inflammation of the intestine due to a genetic disease usually seen in newborns and infants). . In cholera, copious watery diarrhea is observed along with nausea and vomiting that lasts less than 24 hours. Therefore, it is important to know the degree of diarrhea and how long it takes for it to occur. In cholera, diarrhea is usually rice water-colored and can cause serious problems as it causes severe dehydration in patients. In this case, it is important for patients to consult a healthcare institution and comply with the treatment prescribed by the physician. While the antibiotic treatment used in cholera contributes to the healing process of the disease, increasing the fluid intake of patients will accelerate the treatment.
Does Having Diarrhea Make You Lose Weight?
The recent diarrhea epidemic affects many people. Especially rapid fluid exit from the body can lead to weight loss. Additionally, in case of infection, conditions accompanying diarrhea may also cause weight loss. Disruption of the balance of electrolytes such as sodium, potassium, magnesium and calcium contained in the lost fluid causes the fluid deficit to increase further. For this reason, rapid weight loss may occur in patients who do not have sufficient fluid intake to balance this deficit, and increasing this deficit causes serious problems. Since fatigue due to fluid loss usually causes a decrease in appetite, it becomes difficult to prevent weight loss in these patients. If diarrhea lasts for a long time, rapid weight loss may occur as the fluid and electrolyte balance will be further deteriorated. It is important for patients who do not consume food and liquids orally, that is, through nutrition, to apply to a health institution and receive the necessary treatment to ensure body fluid balance. Diarrhea seen in newborns and babies can cause a slowdown in the rate of weight gain during the development process of children and can also lead to weight loss. Especially in babies, this situation may cause undesirable consequences, so they may need to be taken under the supervision of a physician.
Is Diarrhea Contagious?
Diarrhea is contagious because it usually occurs due to infectious diseases. Therefore, the patient and other individuals in the same house must pay attention to hygiene rules. If there is more than one toilet and sink in the house, patients with diarrhea use a different toilet from other people, reducing the risk of transmission of diarrhea. If it is not possible to separate the toilet and sink in the house, it is beneficial to clean common areas with bleach after use to prevent the contagion of diarrhea. Keeping towels and clothes separate from other household members can be applied to reduce the risk of transmitting diarrhea. Mothers whose babies have diarrhea should wash their hands thoroughly after changing the diaper to prevent diarrheal transmission. Diarrhea epidemics can also be transmitted from tap water. Therefore, drinking tap water after purifying it with a purifier and using filters reduces the risk of diarrhea. In addition, in order to prevent diarrhea transmitted by food, it is necessary to be careful about dishes such as rice, chicken and kokoreç eaten outside and not to consume them without making sure they are clean.
Is Diarrhea a Symptom of Corona?
COVID-19 disease, declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization, occurs as a result of the virus called coronavirus. In addition to common symptoms such as fever, cough, weakness, loss of taste or smell, diarrhea may also be observed in patients with coronavirus. However, the cause of the recent bloody diarrhea outbreak is not caused by coronavirus.
So what causes bloody diarrhea?
Bloody diarrhea is not caused by viruses but is caused by infections of bacterial origin. Therefore, it is stated by experts that it is not caused by coronavirus. Many patients think that bloody diarrhea is related to the corona vaccine and therefore apply to the hospital. However, there is no information in the studies that vaccines cause bloody diarrhea. Bloody diarrhea is not a symptom of coronavirus, and it is thought to be the result of increased eating and drinking activities due to the epidemic. In addition, experts state that recent weather changes may cause an epidemic of bloody diarrhea because it affects body resistance and immunity and provides a suitable environment for bacterial growth. Despite all this, it should not be forgotten that diarrhea may be due to coronavirus disease in cases where blood is not seen.
What is Good for Diarrhea in Children?
If diarrhea occurs in children, it is very important to treat it quickly. Since disruption of fluid and electrolyte balance may lead to kidney damage, attention should be paid to fluid intake during the period of diarrhea and diarrhea treatment recommended by the physician should be applied when necessary. Physicians may recommend oral rehydration solution therapy containing salt, sugar and water to replace fluid loss in children. By consuming this solution, the salt and water lost in the body are replaced and the effects of diarrhea in children are minimized. In cases where there is no fluid intake orally, that is, through nutrition, serum treatment can be applied to reduce the fluid deficit. In children with malnutrition, diarrhea and malnutrition can cause dehydration (fluid loss), hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) and additional infection conditions. In these patients, serum therapy or oral fluid intake should be supported to correct the fluid deficit. Consuming solid foods after regulating fluid intake accelerates the healing process of diarrhea. As long as diarrhea continues, frequent feeding (at least six meals a day) is recommended to prevent complaints of weakness and fatigue. After the diarrhea ends, it is beneficial to consume an additional meal every day for at least two weeks. Depending on the cause of diarrhea, regular application of antibiotics and vitamin supplements prescribed by the physician contributes to the successful completion of the treatment process.
What is Good for Diarrhea and Vomiting?
Since rapid fluid loss occurs in patients with bloody diarrhea, unlike summer diarrhea, individuals are recommended to consult health institutions in cases of diarrhea and vomiting. Consuming foods such as boiled potatoes, oats, rice, applesauce and bananas during diarrhea helps relieve diarrhea and vomiting as it regulates bowel movements. However, when consuming these foods, it is important not to overdo it and pay particular attention to fluid intake. Resting and avoiding stress during the period of diarrhea also contribute to the treatment. Avoiding dairy products, caffeine, and foods high in fat, sugar, or spicy foods will prevent diarrhea from getting worse. Paying attention to hand and body hygiene during this process prevents the contagion of diarrhea and also positively affects the healing process.
