Acute diarrhea is one of the phenomena that almost everyone has experienced. Different causes can be to blame for the discomfort. While digestion often regulates itself independently, it may be possible to intervene with medication. In addition to classical conventional medicine, home remedies often prove to be effective.
What is acute diarrhea?
Acute diarrhea is characterized by affected individuals having a liquid bowel movement at least three times a day. Acute diarrhea is characterized by affected individuals having a liquid bowel movement at least three times daily. This is often increased in volume and weight. As soon as the stool is announced, an unpleasant sensation is felt with an urgent desire to defecate. At the same time, pain, fever, vomiting and other complications may occur. As soon as other symptoms appear and persist for several days, a visit to the doctor is usually inevitable. Various causes ensure that frequent emptying of the bowel occurs. This is accompanied by a high loss of water and electrolytes. In the case of a prolonged illness, these must be added from the outside so that the body can perform its functions. In Germany alone, acute diarrhea occurs at least once a year in 30 percent of the population.
Causes
The causes of acute diarrhea are varied. Infections with bacteria or viruses are particularly common. For example, the Novo virus can be responsible for the discomfort. Infections occur more frequently, especially in autumn and spring. The disease is highly infectious and usually spreads very quickly after an initial infection. Another potentially culpable virus is rotavirus. This particularly affects children. About 90 percent of three-year-olds have already suffered from infection with the virus. In the case of bacteria, it is often pathogens from the coli family, which appear, for example, in the form of EHEC and EIEC. Less frequently than bacteria and viruses, parasites can be diagnosed. Spoiled food can cause food poisoning. The basis for the resulting pain and diarrhea are the bacterial toxins that develop in the digestive system. Those who have had a long journey can also look for the cause of acute diarrhea in cholera or malaria. In such a case, moreover, unfamiliar elements may be to blame for the discomfort. Thus, drinking water and fruit are often contaminated or the stomach does not tolerate the foreign food.
Diseases with this symptom
- Norovirus infection
- Polio
- Ebola
- HIV infection
- Rotavirus infection
- Traveler’s diarrhea
- Swine flu
- EHEC infection
- Meningitis
- Ulcerative colitis
- Food poisoning
- Cholera
- Malaria
- Inflammation of the intestine (enteritis)
- Crohn’s disease
- Diverticula in the intestine
- Malassimilation syndrome
- Anemia (anemia)
Diagnosis and course
Diarrhea is usually easy to diagnose. Already information about the changed stool habit and consistency provide the doctor with important clues. However, not only the symptoms must be verified, but also the diagnosis of the present cause is crucial for the following therapy. Thus, prior to the examination, a detailed conversation is held in which the patient describes all other symptoms. If travel has been undertaken previously, it is advisable to mention this. Also, a diet that is not digestible or the consumption of fish, meat, eggs and milk should not be ignored. Once the doctor has a first suspicion, he tries to verify or falsify it by different means. For example, a laboratory examination of blood or a stool sample may be considered. Here, possible parasites, inflammations and blood in the stool can be detected. Furthermore, the patient is examined physically in the course of palpation and ultrasound examinations. About 90 percent of all diarrheal diseases are caused by infections. In most cases, the symptoms subside after about 3 days. If diarrhea or pain persists, the doctor must be consulted again.Normally, however, no further complications arise from acute diarrhea, and a positive course can be expected.
Complications
Most acute diarrhea resolves after a few days without complications. Common complications form: Loss of appetite, bloating, fatigue, dizziness, abdominal pain, fever, and vomiting. In children, apathy also develops quickly. Because of fluid loss, violent, acute diarrhea can lead to dehydration, especially when associated with fever. This increases the risk of thrombosis, embolism (blood clots that can be washed into a pulmonary vein, for example, and block it), circulatory problems, shock, and kidney failure. The latter could cause the patient’s death. If watery diarrhea persists for several days, proteins, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins, minerals, and trace elements are absorbed in insufficient amounts. A malassimilation syndrome occurs. This can result in fatigue, weight loss, muscle wasting and weakness, swelling, anemia (anemia), and insensitivity. Furthermore, diarrhea interferes with the absorption of medications, which can trigger recurrences and/or exacerbations of drug-controlled diseases. Typhoid salmonella infection, characterized by a “pea porridge-like” diarrhea, is a general infection that affects numerous organs. If inadequately treated, it can become life-threatening. Following infectious diarrhea, rheumatoid-like joint inflammation may develop. Another severe infection-related complication is hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), triggered by enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli bacteria (EHEC). This involves blood in the stool, anemia, bruising and pinpoint hemorrhages of the skin, seizures, and paralysis, and in some cases coma or even death.
When should you see a doctor?
Acute diarrhea requires medical attention if the diarrhea lasts longer than a maximum of two days, is accompanied by vomiting or severe stomach cramps, or if the stool has a bloody or mucous consistency (usually foul-smelling and tarry black). If the diarrhea is accompanied by a high fever above 38.5° C and headaches, or if it develops into constipation, it is also advisable to consult a doctor. If diarrhea occurs after a long trip, as a result of a fall or injury, or during pregnancy, a doctor should also be consulted. Acute diarrhea that is accompanied by a distended and hard abdominal wall (signs of intestinal paralysis) or occurs as a result of a chronic inflammatory bowel disease such as Crohn’s disease must also be clarified quickly. A doctor should generally be consulted for children under two years of age, as fluid loss can quickly lead to dehydration. Warning signs are a sunken face and accelerated breathing as well as a high pulse and accelerated breathing. The same applies to elderly and debilitated people and patients with previous diseases of the cardiovascular system or gastrointestinal tract. If cholera, HIV or heavy metal poisoning is suspected, or if kidney or gallstones are already present, the exact causes of acute diarrhea must be clarified promptly in a doctor’s office.
Treatment and therapy
Treatment depends first on the exact diagnosis. Because acute diarrhea is usually bacterial and disappears on its own within a short period of time, further medical treatment is usually not necessary. Instead, sufferers should make sure to take in enough water. Since the body is deprived of a lot of water by every liquid bowel movement, it is essential to replenish the stores. Water mixed with a little sugar and salt is particularly suitable for this purpose, while at the same time taking care of the loss of important electrolytes. This is the only way to avoid dehydration with further symptoms. The risk of dehydration is increased, especially in infants and the elderly. Adults can be guided by a water intake of about 3 liters. Even though acute diarrhea is often accompanied by a loss of appetite, the body should still be regularly supplied with energy. If the diarrhea takes on very intense proportions or is accompanied by severe pain, it is at the doctor’s discretion to prescribe medications. These often include analgesics as well as antispasmodics.If the body does not succeed in fighting the pathogens on its own, it is recommended to take antibiotics. In addition, there are drugs that reduce the movement of the intestines and provide the organism with more time to channel the fluid out of the intestines.
Outlook and prognosis
Acute diarrhea often leads to dehydration of the body. This is accompanied by mineral deficiency, irritation of the gastrointestinal tract, and a general weakening of the immune system. In children, the elderly and high-risk patients, this can lead to a life-threatening condition with apathy, dizziness and circulatory problems. Depending on the severity of the diarrhea, circulatory collapse with kidney failure may also occur. In cases of organ failure or dehydration, the prognosis depends on how quickly and comprehensively the underlying disease is treated. It is not uncommon for acute diarrhea to require intensive care treatment. If the disease and symptoms are treated quickly and professionally, the prospect of complete recovery is positive. Thus, the prognosis depends essentially on the underlying disease, the patient’s constitution, the previous course of symptoms, and the timing and type of treatment. A final prognosis can only be made by the patient’s family physician, an internist, or a gastroenterologist.
Prevention
Acute diarrhea can be prevented in moderation. When traveling, only washed, peeled or cooked fruits and vegetables should be eaten. In addition, it is advisable to check the quality of water before drinking. Hands must be washed and disinfected regularly, especially after contact with sick people or during a Novo virus outbreak. This is the only way to prevent the pathogens from entering the body. If acute diarrheal illnesses occur regularly, the presence of food intolerances should be checked.
What you can do yourself
In acute diarrhea, severe dehydration of the body occurs immediately after a short time. The dehydration not only provides a lack of fluid. It additionally flushes important salts such as sodium and potassium out of the body. Affected persons can counteract this condition, which is permanently very stressful for the body, by a targeted selection of foods. In general, the most important means of self-help is an increased intake of compatible and soothing liquids. The well-known household remedy cola is not recommended due to the caffeine it contains and a dehydrating effect. Still water or teas help soothe the gastrointestinal tract. Salted pastries such as pretzels and pretzel sticks provide plenty of sodium chloride, but these snacks do not compensate for the loss of potassium. A classic alternative is chicken broth with balanced proportions of salts. This also subsequently replenishes the water balance. Fruits such as bananas are also rich in potassium. Grated apples also help stabilize the intestines thanks to their detoxifying effect. Electrolyte-glucose mixtures are also freely available on the market and additionally support the body in replenishing flushed-out reserves. A low-fat diet that is not too high in sugar is recommended to relieve the intestines until the symptoms gradually subside. Return to normal eating habits can be accomplished by eating more solid foods such as potatoes, bread, or rice in combination with poultry.
