DIAGNOSIS OF DIARRHEA
Let's go with the second part of the article devoted to the diarrhea, if you haven't read the first can do here what is diarrhea?
As we mentioned in the first part, for the diagnosis of diarrhea the doctors begin to "a history of the person", questions about the problem, drugs that have been taken, medical history and underlying conditions.
Also concerned the doctors know if there is dehydration, and if so, its gravity, the greatest danger to life is the one created by dehydration, which has 3 stages:
Death may follow severe dehydration if not quickly resolved the problem of dehydration.
TESTS FOR DIARRHEA
Since the majority of the cases of diarrhea are self-limiting and resolve, the diagnosis can be clinical way, which is not usually necessary to perform tests. However, if the cases are serious, yes it can be necessary to carry out tests.
In acute cases, especially if the person is young or old, can require a stool sample and a test of fecal leukocytes. Acute cases would be the following:
A bacterial infection can cause white blood cells to appear in the stool. In this case can be a rapid test to analyze the bacterial infection. The laboratory can also provide other tests of feces for different pathogens.
They will also be necessary in these patients’ blood tests to measure the complete blood count, electrolytes, blood urea nitrogen and creatinine.
In chronic diarrhea cases will be tested the underlying cause which is suspected, which may include the following investigations:
TREATMENT FOR DIARRHEA
Treatments for diarrhea may need? Mild cases of acute diarrhea may resolve without treatment. By underlying causes, in particular which lead to persistent or chronic diarrhea, these will be diagnosed and treated, as well as symptoms that present the diarrhea.
For all cases of diarrhea, the main thing in their treatment the rehydrated.
Correction of dehydration is the first priority of treatment.
Zinc supplements with a daily dose of 10 to 20 milligrams can reduce the severity and duration of diarrhea in children. 10 to 14 days zinc supplement is recommended.
MEDICATIONS FOR DIARRHEA
Antidiarrheal medications available:
NUTRITION
Let's look at some tips nutritional par diarrhea:
A poor diet can worsen diarrhea, avoid caffeine from coffee, tea, soft drinks like cola, etc., other aggravating circumstances of the diet are:
REMEDIES FOR DIARRHEA
What remedies for diarrhea can help us to avoid it? In developing countries, the prevention of diarrhea may be more difficult, since there is dirty water and sanitation is poor. The following measures can help the prevention of diarrhea:
Let's go with the second part of the article devoted to the diarrhea, if you haven't read the first can do here what is diarrhea?
As we mentioned in the first part, for the diagnosis of diarrhea the doctors begin to "a history of the person", questions about the problem, drugs that have been taken, medical history and underlying conditions.
- When the problem started
- Frequency of bowel movements, are type, volume, etc.
- Presence of blood in the stool
- If the person you have been vomiting.
Also concerned the doctors know if there is dehydration, and if so, its gravity, the greatest danger to life is the one created by dehydration, which has 3 stages:
- Dehydration early: It does not display signs or symptoms, possible dizziness or fatigue (lack of energy).
- Moderate dehydration: SED, restlessness, irritability, dizziness, decreased elasticity of the skin, shrunken face, dry tongue and sunken eyes.
- Severe dehydration: The signs of this increase the severity of the above, also may have reduced consciousness, decreased urine output, wet and cold extremities, rapid and weak pulse, blood pressure low, pale skin, you can enter in a State of coma.
Death may follow severe dehydration if not quickly resolved the problem of dehydration.
TESTS FOR DIARRHEA
Since the majority of the cases of diarrhea are self-limiting and resolve, the diagnosis can be clinical way, which is not usually necessary to perform tests. However, if the cases are serious, yes it can be necessary to carry out tests.
In acute cases, especially if the person is young or old, can require a stool sample and a test of fecal leukocytes. Acute cases would be the following:
- Parasites and their eggs can be seen with a microscope.
- Have blood in the stool
- Severe pain
- Low blood pressure.
- The person is immunocompromised.
- There have been trips abroad recently.
- It has recently received antibiotics or person who has been in a hospital.
- Diarrhea that lasts more than one week.
A bacterial infection can cause white blood cells to appear in the stool. In this case can be a rapid test to analyze the bacterial infection. The laboratory can also provide other tests of feces for different pathogens.
They will also be necessary in these patients’ blood tests to measure the complete blood count, electrolytes, blood urea nitrogen and creatinine.
In chronic diarrhea cases will be tested the underlying cause which is suspected, which may include the following investigations:
- Complete blood cell count: anemia.
- Liver function tests, including the level of albumin.
- Evidence of malabsorption, calcium, vitamin B12, folate in red blood cells, State of iron, thyroid function tests.
- ESR (erythrocyte sedimentation rate) and CRP (C reactive protein), with levels, possibly indicating an inflammatory bowel disease.
- Evidence of celiac disease.
TREATMENT FOR DIARRHEA
Treatments for diarrhea may need? Mild cases of acute diarrhea may resolve without treatment. By underlying causes, in particular which lead to persistent or chronic diarrhea, these will be diagnosed and treated, as well as symptoms that present the diarrhea.
For all cases of diarrhea, the main thing in their treatment the rehydrated.
Correction of dehydration is the first priority of treatment.
- Replace fluids lost through measures ranging from drinking more liquid to receive them intravenously in more severe cases. Children and the elderly are more vulnerable to dehydration.
- Oral rehydration solution: water containing salt and glucose absorbed by the small intestine to replace water and electrolytes lost in the watery stool.
- Oral rehydration products that are commercially available.
Zinc supplements with a daily dose of 10 to 20 milligrams can reduce the severity and duration of diarrhea in children. 10 to 14 days zinc supplement is recommended.
MEDICATIONS FOR DIARRHEA
Antidiarrheal medications available:
- Lope amide: It is an antispasmodic drug that reduces the frequency of stools.
- Bismuth subsalicylate: It reduces the production of diarrheal stools in children and adults and can be a safer alternative to lope amide.
NUTRITION
Let's look at some tips nutritional par diarrhea:
- Bananas are rich in potassium
- Take liquids like fruit juices that do not have added sugar, instead of the water lost after every bowel movement.
- Take food and liquids-rich in potassium (juices of fruits, potatoes, bananas, etc.)
- Take food and liquids high in sodium (broths, soups, beverages for athletes, crackers, etc.)
- Foods rich in soluble fiber to help thicken the stool (bananas, rice, oatmeal, etc.)
- It limits certain foods to not worsen diarrhea, such as fried foods and sugary foods.
- Take probiotics
- Cherries, plums, raisins, candy, chewing gum.
- Fructose in large quantities, juices of fruits, grapes, honey, dates, walnuts, figs, soft drinks and prunes.
- The lactose of milk
- Magnesium
REMEDIES FOR DIARRHEA
What remedies for diarrhea can help us to avoid it? In developing countries, the prevention of diarrhea may be more difficult, since there is dirty water and sanitation is poor. The following measures can help the prevention of diarrhea:
- Drinking water
- There is a good sanitation.
- Wash hands with SOAP after defecation, after cleaning a child who has defecated, after disposing of faces of a child, before and after preparing food.
- For moms with babies, breastfeeding in the first 6 months of the baby's life.
- Good personal hygiene and in the kitchen.
- Education about the spread of infections
- It is proven that only with washing hands properly can be reduced rates of diarrhea in a third.