Constant diarrhea can be caused by a number of factors, most frequently virus and bacterial infections, prolonged use of medications, food allergies, intestinal disorders or illnesses, which usually cause other symptoms such as malaise, abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting.
The treatment depends on the cause that is in its origin but for all of them it is very important to avoid dehydration through the ingestion of liquids or solutions of oral rehydration. There are also remedies that can help stop diarrhea, but they should only be used for medical reasons, and home remedies should be given preference.
1. Viruses, bacteria and parasites
Infections with viruses and bacteria usually cause sudden onset of severe diarrhea accompanied by other symptoms such as nausea and vomiting, headache and muscle pain, fever, chills, loss of appetite, and weight loss. However, in the case of parasite infections, these symptoms take longer to emerge and last longer, which can lead to constant diarrhea.
This type of infection usually occurs due to the ingestion of contaminated water, raw or undercooked fish that is contaminated or by handling food without washing your hands thoroughly. Some of the most frequently contaminated foods are milk, meat and eggs. Learn how to identify the symptoms of food poisoning.
How to treat
In case the infection is caused by viruses, the treatment consists in the prevention of dehydration, through the ingestion of liquids and solutions of oral rehydration. In more severe cases, it may be necessary to administer fluids into the vein.
Since the treatment of food poisoning by parasites and bacteria depends on the severity of the infection, and although it can be cured at home, drinking lots of fluids and avoiding foods with fat, lactose or caffeine, in many cases it is necessary to consult a gastroenterologist to start treatment with antibiotics and antiparasitic medicines.
2. Prolonged use of medicines
Some medicines, such as antibiotics, cancer medicines or magnesium containing antacids can cause diarrhea. The diarrhea caused by antibiotics happens because they attack the good and bad bacteria of the organism, thus destroying the intestinal flora and making digestion difficult. Depending on the type of medication, diarrhea may be constant, especially if the medicine needs to be swallowed every day for a long time.
How to treat
In the case of antibiotics, a good solution to avoid or attenuate diarrhea is to take together a probiotic, which has in its composition good bacteria for the intestine that will help restore the intestinal flora. See other benefits of probiotics. In the case of antacids with magnesium, the ideal is to choose associations that besides this active substance, also contain aluminum, which helps reduce diarrhea.
3. Lactose Intolerance
Lactose is a sugar that can be found in milk and milk products. Some people are intolerant to this sugar because they do not have or have insufficient amount of an enzyme called lactase, which is responsible for degrading this sugar into simpler sugars, and then being absorbed. Therefore, in these cases, if dairy products are frequently eaten, the development of constant diarrhea is common. See how to know if you have lactose intolerance.
Babies may also have diarrhea when they ingest lactose because as their digestive system is still immature, they may not have enough amounts of lactase to digest milk properly.
How to treat
To avoid the gastrointestinal effects caused by lactose, one should reduce the consumption of milk and dairy products or opt for those who do not have lactose in the composition, where it has been industrially degraded into simpler sugars. There are also remedies like Lactosil or Lactaid, which have this enzyme in the composition, which can be taken before meals.
4. Intestinal disorders
People with intestinal disorders and diseases such as Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, celiac disease, or irritable bowel syndrome often have episodes of constant diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting, especially in situations where there are foods that are stronger or contraindicated for these disturbances.
How to treat
Many of these diseases have no cure and the treatment usually consists of relieving symptoms with medicines for abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting and oral rehydration solutions.
In addition, depending on the type of disease in question, foods with caffeine, raw vegetables and fruits in shell, dairy products, oats, fried and fried foods, sweets or red meats, for example, should be avoided.
5. Food Allergies
Food allergy is an exaggerated reaction of the immune system to certain foods such as eggs, milk, peanuts, wheat, soybeans or seafood for example that can manifest in various regions of the body such as skin, eyes or nose and cause vomiting, abdominal pain and diarrhea. Learn how to identify a food allergy.
How to treat
Treatment for food allergy depends on the severity of the symptoms, and may be done with antihistamines such as Allegra or Loratadine or with corticosteroids such as betamethasone. In more severe cases, when anaphylactic shock and shortness of breath occurs, it may be necessary to take an injection of adrenaline and use an oxygen mask to aid breathing.
In addition, foods that cause food allergy should be avoided. To know which foods can cause allergy, a food intolerance test can be performed. Learn more about treatment.
6. Bowel cancer
Bowel cancer often causes frequent blood-borne diarrhea associated with stomach pain, tiredness, weight loss, and anemia. If these symptoms persist for more than one month, you should see your doctor to have treatment as soon as possible. Check out 8 symptoms that may indicate bowel cancer.
How to treat
Treatment for bowel cancer can be done with surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy or immunotherapy, depending on the location, size and development of the tumor.
Watch the following video and see what food you should do during periods of diarrhea:
