October 07, 2009 12:56 PM
Watch What You Eat, You May Have Diarrhea
By Zulkiple Ibrahim
KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 7 (Bernama) -- This writer spent the recent 1st of Syawal at a Felda settlement in Triang, Pahang.
During the night he and several members of the host family developed stomach upset.
A visit to a private clinic in town the next day found many people waiting to see the doctor for treatment.
"Many people reported stomach upset during the night, probably after eating so much food when celebrating Aidilfitri," a nurse at the clinic said.
A general practitioner who wished to be named as Dr Rajan said if a person passes out loose and watery stools for more than three times a day, then he would likely to have experienced diarrhea.
"Diarrhea of the acute type is a common problem that usually lasts one or two days and goes away on its own without special treatment," he said.
Dr Rajan said people of all ages can get diarrhea and on the average, an adult can get an attack of diarrhea for about five times in a year.
PROLONGED DIARRHEA
However prolonged diarrhea for more than two days may be a sign of a more serious problem and can gives rise to dehydration, according to a medical officer at a public hospital here.
"Diarrhea can cause dehydration, which means the body lacks enough fluids to function properly. It is dangerous in children and old adults and must be treated promptly to avoid serious health problems," he said.
He said acute diarrhea is usually caused by infections by either bacteria, virus or parasite while chronic diarrhea is usually related to functional disorders such as irritable bowel syndrome or inflammatory bowel disease.
SYMPTOMS OF DIARRHEA
Diarrhea may be accompanied by cramps, abdominal pain, abdominal bloating, nausea as well as the urgent need to use the toilets.
"If your child has diarrhea, do not hesitate to seek treatment from the doctor as it is dangerous in newborns and infants that can lead to dehydration in just a day or two. A child can die from dehydration within a few days.
"The main treatment for diarrhea in children is to replace the lost fluids quickly," the medical officer said.
When there is dehydration, the body has lost too much fluids and too many electrolytes making it to fail to function properly.
WHEN TO SEE A DOCTOR?
Diarrhea is not usually harmful, but it can become dangerous or signal a more serious problem. A person should see the doctor if he experience any of the following:
- diarrhea for more than three days
- severe pain in the abdomen or rectum
- high fever
- bloody stool
TREATMENT
The medical officer said in most cases of diarrhea, replacing the lost fluids to prevent dehydration is the only treatment necessary.
"Medicines that stop diarrhea may be helpful, but they are not recommended for people whose diarrhea is caused by a bacterial or parasitic infection.
"If you stop the diarrhea before having purged the bacteria or parasite, you will trap the organism in the intestines and prolong the problem. Doctors usually prescribe antibiotics. Viral infection is either treated with medication or left to run their course depending on the severity and type of virus.
The medical officer offers some tips for those with diarrhea.
"Before the diarrhea subsides, try to avoid caffeine, milk products, and food that is greasy, high in fiber, or very sweet. These foods tend to aggravate diarrhea".
He added that diarrhea is a common problem that usually resolves on its own but diarrhea is dangerous if a person becomes dehydrated.
-- BERNAMA
