What you should know about diarrhea outbreaks

Posted by Master, Doctor Mai Vien Phuong - Department of Examination & Internal Medicine - Vinmec Central Park International General Hospital

Diarrhea is defined as looser stools or an increase in the number or volume of bowel movements. The World Health Organization (WHO) source, more specifically, defines diarrhea as three or more loose or loose stools per day.

A flare-up or severe diarrhea is when the diarrhea is too much to be expelled. The contractions of the intestines that help you pass stools become stronger and faster. Your rectum holds more mass than it can hold. Usually, a large amount of gas is accompanied by severe diarrhea. This increases the bowel movement and the loudness of bowel movements.
About 75% of your stool is made up of water, the remaining 25% is a combination of:
Indigestible Carbohydrates Fiber Protein Fat Mucus Intestinal secretions As stool moves through your digestive system, substances Liquids and electrolytes are added to their contents. Normally, your large intestine absorbs excess fluid.
However, when you have diarrhea, digestion speeds up. The large intestine cannot absorb fluid that is rushed or more than the usual amount of fluids and electrolytes secreted during digestion.

Diarrhea is a symptom that occurs with a number of medical conditions. The most common causes of severe diarrhea include:
Bacterial and viral infections
Bacteria that cause diarrheal infections include salmonella and E. coli . Contaminated foods and liquids are common sources of bacterial infection.
Rotavirus, norovirus, and other types of viral gastroenteritis, commonly known as “stomach flu,” are among the viruses that can cause outbreaks of diarrhea.
Anyone can get these viruses. But they are especially common among school-age children. And they're common in hospitals, nursing homes and on cruise ships.
Parasite infections
Parasites like Giardia lamblia and cryptosporidium can cause severe diarrhea, especially in people with weakened immune systems. As with viral and bacterial causes, these parasites are spread by direct or indirect contact between feces and mouth.
These parasites are found in contaminated drinking water, recreational water and food. Day care centers, where caregivers may not wash their hands enough after diaper changes, are particularly susceptible to outbreaks.
Bowel diseases
Diarrhea is a common problem for people with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis, or celiac disease.
Due to Medicine
Many medicines can cause diarrhea. Antibiotics, certain medications used to treat heartburn and acid reflux, and chemotherapy drugs are frequent culprits.
Food allergies or intolerances
Diarrhea usually occurs when you have an allergy or intolerance to certain foods, like the sugar lactose found in dairy products.

Diarrhea flare-ups are usually short-lived. But there are complications that require medical attention. These include:
Dehydration Dehydration from diarrhea can cause dehydration. This is a particular concern in infants and children, older adults, and people with compromised immune systems. Newborns can become severely dehydrated within 24 hours. Chronic diarrhea
If you have diarrhea for more than four weeks, it is considered chronic. Your doctor will advise testing to determine the cause of the condition so that it can be treated.
Hemolytic uremic syndrome
Hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) is a rare complication of E. coli infection. It occurs most often in children, although adults, especially older adults, can also get it.
HUS can cause life-threatening kidney failure if not treated promptly. With treatment, most people make a full recovery from the condition.
Symptoms of HUS include:
Severe diarrhea and possibly bloody stools Fever Abdominal pain Vomiting Decreased urination Bruising

Diarrhea is common. It is estimated that adults in the United States experience 99 million episodes of diarrhea each year. Some people are at higher risk and include:
Children and adults exposed to feces, especially those involved in diaper changes People traveling to developing countries, especially in tropics People who are taking certain medications, including antibiotics and medicines used to treat heartburn People with bowel problems

Diarrhea usually resolves within a few days without treatment. But you should see your doctor if you have the following symptoms:
Diarrhea that lasts more than two days or 24 hours in children Signs of dehydration, including extreme thirst, dry mouth, decreased urination or dizziness Blood or pus in your stool or black stools Fever of 101.5°F (38.6°C) or higher in adults, or 100.4°F (38°C) or more in children Abdominal pain or Severe rectal diarrhea at night You can connect with a doctor in your area using the Healthline Find Care tool.
What to expect at your doctor's appointment
The doctor will also ask about any clues you may have about the cause of the diarrhea. The clue could be food or liquid that you suspect may be related to your illness, travel to a developing country or a day swimming in a lake
After providing these details, doctor your doctor can:
Do a physical exam and examine your abdomen Check your stools Ask for blood tests How to treat diarrhea In many cases, treatment will involve managing your symptoms while waiting for the diarrhea to pass. The mainstay of treatment for severe diarrhea is fluid and electrolyte replacement. Electrolytes are minerals in conductive body fluids that the body needs to function.
Drink more fluids, such as water and juice, or broth. Hydrating solutions, such as Pedialyte, are specially formulated for infants and children, and contain important electrolytes. These solutions are also available for adults. Find a great selection here.
You can use an over-the-counter (OTC) anti-diarrheal medicine if your stools are not black or bloody and you do not have a fever. These symptoms suggest that you may have a bacterial or parasitic infection, which can be made worse by taking medicine for diarrhea.
Over-the-counter medicines should not be given to children under two years of age unless authorized by a doctor. If your infection is caused by bacteria, your doctor may prescribe antibiotics.

It is difficult to completely avoid severe diarrhea. But you can take steps to protect yourself and your family.
Hygiene is very important. Wash your hands with soap and warm water, especially before handling food, after using the toilet, or after changing diapers.
If you are traveling to an area where water purity is a concern, use bottled water for drinking and brushing. And peel raw fruits or vegetables before eating.
If you have a flare-up of diarrhea, there are some steps you can take to make yourself more comfortable and improve your prospects for a quick recovery:
It is important to stay hydrated. Continue to drink water and other fluids. Follow a high-liquid diet for a day or two until the diarrhea stops.
Avoid sugary juices, caffeine, carbonated drinks, dairy products and foods that are greasy, too sweet or high in fiber.
There is one exception to avoid dairy products: Yogurt has active, live cultures that can help curb diarrhea.
Eat a bland, soft diet for a day or two. Starchy foods like cereals, rice, potatoes, and soups made without dairy are good choices.
What is the outlook?
In most people, diarrhea will go away on its own without treatment or a visit to a doctor. Sometimes, however, you may need medical treatment, especially if the diarrhea leads to dehydration.
Diarrhea is a symptom, not a condition. The underlying causes of diarrhea vary widely. People with signs of complications or chronic diarrhea need to work with their doctor to determine the cause and then treat.
Vinmec International General Hospital is one of the hospitals that not only ensures professional quality with a team of doctors, modern equipment and technology, but also stands out for its examination, consulting and service services. comprehensive and professional medical treatment; civilized, polite, safe and sterile medical examination and treatment space.
Department of Endoscopy - Gastroenterology is one of the key specialties at Vinmec International General Hospital. For timely examination, advice and treatment of digestive diseases, you can contact Vinmec Health System nationwide or book an appointment on the website for service.

Reference
Constipation and impaction. (2014, January) health.harvard.edu/digestive-health/constipation-and-impaction Deshpande A., Lever D. S., Soffer E. (2013, August). Acute diarrhea. Retrieved from clevelandclinicmeded.com/medicalpubs/diseasemanagement/gastroenterology/acute-diarrhea/ Diarrhea. (2016, February 10) aboutkidsgi.org/lower-gi/diarrhea.html Diarrhoeal disease. (2013, April) who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs330/en/ Ochoa, B. & Surawic, C. M. (2012, December). Diarrheal diseases - acute and chronic patients.gi.org/topics/diarrhea-acute-and-chronic/ Rose, C., Parker, A., Jefferson, B., Cartmel, E., (2015, September 2). The characterization of feces and urine: A review of the literature to inform advanced treatment technology. Critical Reviews in Environmental Science and Technology, 45(17), 1827-1879 ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4500995/