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While diarrhea is quite common, it is important to know the cause and assess the level of dehydration to prevent complications
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Acute diarrhea refers to the abrupt onset of loose stools or increased frequency of stools. Chronic diarrhea is when loose stools last for more than 4 weeks
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Diarrhea can be caused by organisms like Staphylococcus aureus, Rotavirus, Escherichia coli and Vibrio cholerae (cholera)
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Other causes include consumption of certain kinds of mushrooms, heavy metals like arsenic and also due to malabsorption syndromes
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Inflammatory bowel diseases, irritable bowel syndrome, carcinoma of the colon, bacterial toxins and laxative abuse can also lead to diarrhea
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The severity of dehydration must be assessed. The urine output may be markedly reduced in severe dehydration caused by diarrhea
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As dehydration progresses, the person may become irritable, then lethargic and ultimately comatose if there is no intervention or treatment
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The mouth and oral mucosa may become dry or even parched due to excessive loss of water by diarrhea through loose stools
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While mild dehydration may not have any effect on the blood pressure, severe forms can cause marked reduction in the blood pressure
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If not timely treated, complications like shock, sepsis, haemolytic-uremic syndrome and reactive arthritis due to offending organisms like Shigella