Tips to relieve diarrhea and constipation
Diarrhea and constipation
Diarrhea and constipation are problems that occur as the symptoms of the reaction of the digestive system to a variety of causes. It may be only temporary and mild reaction to food, certain medicines or mental stress, and it can be severe reaction, such as diarrhea related to intestinal infections caused by bacteria and viruses and chronic constipation in the elderly or young children. There is also traveler`s diarrhea. Diarrhea may be the result of taking antibiotics that destroy the natural intestinal flora. Frequent diarrhea can be a symptom of allergies to certain allergens in food. Constipation is now considered hardship of lifestyle due to improper and irregular diet, and insufficient physical activity.
Symptoms of diarrhea
Diarrhea can vary from mild to very severe.
- Milder symptoms are cramps and bloating, accompanied by very soft to watery stools, several bowel movement during the day.
- More severe symptoms are nausea and vomiting that occur with diarrhea, and the diarrhea is extremely watery and lasts several days.
- Heavy and dangerous diarrhea, in addition to other symptoms, is followed by fever, and mucus, blood and undigested food can be found in the stool.
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If diarrhea and constipation change and last for a long time, for example, a few weeks, they may be a symptom of more serious intestinal diseases, and in this case it is advised to seek medical help.
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How to treat diarrhea?
- Diarrhea is treated depending on the severity of symptoms; however it is always important after each watery stool to make up for lost fluids, otherwise it can lead to dehydration of the body, which can be dangerous.
- If diarrhea is mild, treatment is not necessary, but one should drink plenty of fluids (water, mineral water, mild tea) and avoid eating heavy meals.
- In severe forms of diarrhea a strict diet is no longer recommended. It is believed that it is important to establish a normal diet as soon as possible, in order to avoid worsening the state of inflammation of the intestinal lining, which means eating a light soup dishes, rice and boiled chicken.
- Compensation of fluid is carried out with re-hydration fluids, which contain water and minerals required by the body.
- Use of probiotics is useful to restore the normal intestinal flora, which thereby stop diarrhea.
- One can take non-prescription medicine loperamide - a medicine that helps to relieve diarrhea.
- If the diarrhea is heavy, it sometimes requires hospitalization with the use of specific medicines against intestinal infections and fluid replacement by infusion.
Symptoms of constipation
Constipation can vary from mild to severe, and today it is considered that the absence of stools is individual. Some have normal bowel movements each day, some three times a week, and constipation is defined as the absence of stools longer than usual, or less than three times a week over a long period.
- Symptoms usually begin with hard stool, in the form of balls, tension in bowel movement and a feeling of incomplete emptying.
- A severe form of constipation is the complete lack of a bowel movement, which requires the help of a doctor; a permanent constipation should be treated with medicines and usually occurs as a result of severe disease, such as hypothyroidism and diabetes mellitus, or a series of intestinal diseases.
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| Constipation is frequently associated with certain age groups and specific conditions. It is common in young children at the time while another digestive system and intestines are developing. Constipation in children can cause pain and fear of discharge and should be prevented immediately. Constipation is very common in older people, because it occurs as a consequence of aging, inadequate nutrition and lack of movement. Pregnant women also frequently suffer from constipation due to higher amounts of the hormone progesterone and vaginal pressure on the colon. |
Good habits to prevent constipation
Constipation is prevented primarily by changing the diet:
- drinking more fluids during the day
- eating several small meals a day that include liquid, dense foods, vegetables and fruits, and foods rich in fiber
- It is important trying to empty the bowel at the same time and increase physical activity
- Consumption of mineral water rich in magnesium and probiotic also helps, because it improves the digestion of food and softens the stool.
It is nice to travel, but traveler’s diarrhea often occurs on a journey to exotic places due to infection with E. coli, Salmonella Shigella, and intestinal parasites such as intestinal amoeba.
Treatment of constipation
Constipation can be treated with medicines called laxatives and are selected according to the condition and age of the patient and severity of symptoms.
- There is a full range of herbal laxatives such as senna leaf, bark buckthorn, fruit fennel and flax seed.
- Chemical laxatives such as magnesium sulfate (Epsom salt), bisacodyl or lactulose can also help.
- The stool can be softened by placing a glycerine suppository in the colon, and in severe cases or emergencies doctor will give enema.
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| It should be kept in mind that many laxatives can cause painful cramps, and the prolonged taking causes even greater laziness of the intestines. Therefore, the use of laxatives should be restricted. |
