Diarrhoea – What are the Causes, Symptoms, and How is It Diagnosed and Treated?

Some symptoms or signs of mild diarrhoea are as follows:

1. Loose or watery stool
2. Bloating or cramps in the abdomen area
3. A strong urge to have a bowel movement or urinate
4. Nausea or stomach upset
5. Frequent passing of loose and watery faeces
6. Flatulence or excess gas
7. Loss of appetite
8. Weakness 

Some symptoms of severe diarrhoea are as follows:

1. Blood and pus in the faeces
2. Painful passage of faeces
3. Repeated and frequent vomiting
4. Weight loss
5. Dehydration

The symptoms of diarrhoea can vary on the basis of its severity. Moreover, it is not mandatory that an individual may experience all the above-mentioned symptoms. However, he/she will face some sort of discomfort.

Most of the time, in case of severe diarrhoea, there is a link to an underlying medical condition. So, if one notices any of these symptoms, it is crucial to reach out for medical assistance. This will ensure that further complications can be avoided.

Here’s a list of the causes of diarrhoea [3]:

• Bacterial infections 
• Eating excessive unhygienic and junk foods
• Celiac disease or lactose intolerance
• Certain medications
• Mal-absorption or poor absorption of food
• Diet change 
• Gastroenteritis
• Food poisoning
• Drinking too much alcohol
• Emotional stress or anxiety
• Antibiotic medications
• Inflammatory bowel diseases like Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis
• Bowel syndrome
• Diverticulitis

The most common diarrhoea cause is a viral infection in your bowel. This infection lasts for a few days unless it has become severe and is sometimes known as intestinal flu [4].

The 2 different types of diarrhoea on the basis of the faeces consistency are as follows:

1. Acute Watery Diarrhoea

The most common type of diarrhoea is acute watery diarrhoea, with faeces that has a loose, watery consistency and lasts for about one to two days. This diarrhoea type usually does not need any treatment or doctor consultancy, and it gets self-cured after a few days. 

This type of diarrhoea can be caused due to intake of certain antibiotics, consumption of contaminated food and multiple other reasons. 

2. Acute Bloody Diarrhoea

Acute bloody diarrhoea or dysentery is also a common category in which you will have blood along with your faeces. It happens due to extreme pressure exerted during stooling and this type also lasts for a few days.  

It can also create abdominal cramps and a strong urge for bowel movement always. However, if the bleeding occurs severely or becomes painful, you should consult a doctor.

Additionally, the 2 different types of diarrhoea on the basis of the periodicity of this problem are as follows [5]:

1. Chronic Diarrhoea – The type of diarrhoea lasts for more than 4 weeks or a month. It comes and goes on a regular basis over a longer period of time. 
2. Persistent Diarrhoea – This type of diarrhoea generally lasts consistently for up to 2 to 4 weeks. However, it does not last any further like the previous type [6].

When Should You Visit a Doctor if Diagnosed with Diarrhoea?

It is necessary to consult a doctor immediately if you are diagnosed with diarrhoea. Keep a track of all the symptoms you are experiencing such as  [7]:

1.  Traces of blood in stool
2. Severe or continuous stomach ache
3. Feeling lightheaded or dizzy
4. Sudden weight loss
5. Persistent vomiting
6. Dehydration

Whether you experience all of these symptoms together or some of them, seek medical attention immediately to avoid further complications.

It is necessary to consult a doctor immediately if you are diagnosed with diarrhoea. Keep a track of all the symptoms you are experiencing such as  [7]:

1.  Traces of blood in stool
2. Severe or continuous stomach ache
3. Feeling lightheaded or dizzy
4. Sudden weight loss
5. Persistent vomiting
6. Dehydration

Whether you experience all of these symptoms together or some of them, seek medical attention immediately to avoid further complications.

The doctor could ask about your family’s medical history before conducting tests.  The doctor would enquire about all symptoms that you have been experiencing to identify the type and cause of diarrhoea. Next, the following tests might be conducted: 

• Blood Test

A blood test is one of the most common tests prescribed by a healthcare provider to identify whether or not you are diagnosed with diarrhoea. It helps in counting the red and white blood cells to find out the effect and severity of the problem. 

Moreover, it also helps in measuring the electrolytes and the functions of the kidney to identify any complications caused due to the severity of this disease. 

• Stool Test

A stool test is also another very common test which is prescribed by a health care provider to check if you are suffering from diarrhoea. It helps the doctor to find out if any bacteria or parasite is the actual cause of your suffering from diarrhoea. 

Moreover, it also helps in identifying the type of bacteria or parasite present in your stool and also helps the doctor to assist with further medication or treatment. 

• Hydrogen Breath Test

A hydrogen breath test is a type of test which helps your doctor to determine if you have celiac disease or lactose intolerance. In this test, you will be given a liquid to drink containing high levels of lactose, and after drinking this liquid, the actual test starts. 

Finally, the doctor will measure the amount of hydrogen in your breath at regular intervals to estimate the result. If you breathe out too much hydrogen, you are not completely digesting lactose but absorbing it.

• Sigmoidoscopy, Endoscopy or Colonoscopy

These are the three different types of biopsy tests where a doctor can see inside your colon, stomach or upper small intestine. In this test, a long, thin, and lighted tube is inserted inside your rectum to study the body parts using the camera attached to it. 

This test also allows the doctor to take a small sample of tissue from your colon for further examination. Sigmoidoscopy and Colonoscopy help in studying the colon, whereas endoscopy examines the stomach and intestine area [8][9].

Diarrhoea prognosis is generally good; with the right treatment at the right time, the symptoms can resolve in a few days [10]. However, this does not mean that it cannot be dangerous, especially if the symptoms worsen over time.

In severe cases, diarrhoea can last several days, and can leave the body without the water and salts that are necessary for survival. Dehydration is one of the most dangerous side effects you can face while suffering from diarrhoea. In severe cases of diarrhoea, you can dehydrate extremely, which can lead to serious complications, especially in infants, younger children and older people. 

Hence, it is important to drink plenty of water, electrolytes (ORS) and other fluids when you are diagnosed with diarrhoea. This fluid intake will help you replace the loss of water from your body and keep you hydrated [11].

If you are diagnosed, drink ORS solution and take a lot of rest. You can also use a medicine with the composition of bismuth subsalicylate, like Pepto-Bismol and Kaopectate to get instant relief from the uneasiness.

However, taking over-the-counter diarrhoea medications is not the ultimate solution, especially if you have severe cases of diarrhoea. If you have diarrhoea caused by an infection or parasite, you should consult a health care provider for treatment.

The medications or treatments available to cure diarrhoea are as follows:

1. Antibiotics and probiotics
2. Medication for special conditions
3. Oral rehydration solutions (ORS)
4. Dietary changes
5. Anti-vomiting drugs

Note – Do not use self-prescribed medications for diarrhoea if you have blood or pus in your stool along with fever. In these cases, it is strictly recommended to consult a doctor [8][12].

Diarrhoea is a common health hazard, and it is easy to prevent it if you follow simple steps. The idea is to have a balanced, healthy diet that is full of nutrients that your body needs. 

Preliminary symptoms of diarrhoea are easy to manage if you make certain healthy changes in your lifestyle and follow them properly. There are many anti-diarrhoea drugs which can also restrict the cause of this problem, but using them without a prescription might sometimes cause complications.

The few steps which you can take to prevent diarrhoea are as follows [13] [11]:

1. Always drink clean and safe water 
2. Wash your hands frequently following a good hand-washing technique
3. Maintain proper food safety and hygiene practices
4. Do not visit public places if you have diarrhoea
5. Educate yourself on the spread of infection
6. Have a good sanitation system, such as wastewater and sewage
7. Keep your surroundings clean 

Although most cases of diarrhoea heal on their own, they can cause several complications if the symptoms don’t improve or resolve completely. The most common complication is dehydration, which is also a major symptom. Dehydration can cause a loss of electrolytes which can make you feel extremely weak and tired, and thus, the necessity of external hydration becomes necessary. 

Moreover, it can cause food to move quickly throughout your body, resulting in improper absorption of food and leading to malnutrition. 

Some other diarrhoea complications are listed below [13] [14]:

1.     Dehydration
2.     Salt imbalance in the body
3.     Spread of infection to other parts of the body
4.     Irritable bowel syndrome
5.     Lactose intolerance and more 

The cost of a single treatment of diarrhoea in India varies approximately between ₹1180 and ₹6,300. In this wide price range, the basic medication charges can vary [15].

Although the severe case cost is so high, a regular diarrhoea treatment can be as less as under ₹50. The most common symptom of diarrhoea is dehydration, which, if cured, can also relieve a person suffering from diarrhoea to a certain extent. 

Dehydration can be treated faster by consuming oral rehydration solution (ORS), which costs around ₹20 in India. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), ORS can effectively treat over 90% of normal diarrhoea cases around the world [16].

Diarrhoea is a preventable and curable disease that can be treated with proper medical help. However, if delayed, it can lead to severe complications. Severe cases of diarrhoea can be a costly affair and might require hospitalisation with numerous expensive tests.

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