What is Diarrhea? Symptoms-Causes-Prevention

What is Diarrhea?

Diarrhea is a condition having loose stools rapidly, It usually lasts a few days and can result in dehydration due to fluid loss. Diarrhea can range from mild to severe and can be dangerous in children.

Symptoms:-

Symptoms associated with diarrhea include rapid passage of watery stools, Loss of skin colours, Abdominal pain, Especially cramping, Skin irritation and Dehydration. Finally, there may be irritation of the anus due to the frequent passage of watery stool containing irritating substances. Other symptoms depend on the cause of the diarrhea.

Causes:-

Most common cause is infection in intestine due to virous, bacteria or parasite, this condition known as gastroenteritis. These infections are due to contaminated Food / Water or direct from a affected person.
Some time there is short time watery diarrhea when some one is affected by cholera. But this is rare in developed Countries.

Preventions:-

It can be prevented by improving Sanitation, Boiling drinking before use, Washing hands with Soap and vaccination against Rotavirus and Breastfeeding also recommended for infants.
In many cases of diarrhea, Replacing lost fluid / salts is the only treatment needed. This is usually by mouth known as rehydration therapy. In this method standard home solutions such as salted rice water, salted yogurt drinks, vegetable and chicken soups with salt can be given.