The main causes of prolonged diarrhea. Diarrhea Why panos

If you have already gone to the toilet for the third time today (fourth, fifth...), and the stool cannot be called “formed” even with a fair amount of optimism, we are talking about diarrhea - acute, if this condition persists for less than two weeks, or chronic - if it lasts longer or relapses. In this article we will talk about the treatment of diarrhea in adults and about remedies that will help cope with this unpleasant illness.

Diarrhea is not a disease, but a symptom of various diseases. Clarifying the diagnosis is a matter of paramount importance, because treatment depends on it. For example, for severe dysentery, antibiotics are needed, but for Crohn's disease they are completely useless, and the effect can only be expected by prescribing glucocorticosteroids.

However, there are general rules for getting rid of diarrhea, regardless of its cause.

Diet

Replenishment of fluid losses

And this can be significant – up to several liters – volume. And not only water, but also microelements are lost, so it is better to drink not just water or a decoction of herbs, but pharmacy (Rehydron, citroglucosolan) or self-prepared glucose-salt solutions: per liter of water - a teaspoon of salt, half as much soda, a quarter spoon of chloride potassium, 4 tablespoons of sugar. If there is no potassium salt in the house (which is quite likely), it can be replaced with a glass of orange juice or dried apricot compote.

Sorbents

These include:

• first aid drug - Enterosgel, a modern enterosorbent based on bioorganic silicon, which effectively absorbs and removes only toxic substances and pathogens from the stomach and intestines. Enterosgel does not interact in any way with the mucous membrane of the gastrointestinal tract, unlike other sorbents that stick to the inflamed mucosa and further injure it. The drug does not cause constipation, does not cause allergies, and can be taken from the first days of life.
• activated carbon, up to 10 tablets during the day,
• kaolin (white clay),
• calcium carbonate and gluconate,
• bismuth salts, which are practically not absorbed in the intestines and contribute to the compaction of stool (venter, de-nol),
• smecta: dissolve the sachet in water, take 3-4 times during the day;
• lignin preparations (polyphepan, bilignin): these wood derivatives do not dissolve in water, but the powder is still easier to drink if you shake a tablespoon in half a glass of water;
  attapulgite is a silicate of aluminum and magnesium, available in tablets, you can take up to 14 pieces per day with water, it is not advisable to use it for more than 2 days,
• cholestyramine is an ion exchange resin that can bind bile acids and helps with hologenic diarrhea that occurs after surgery on the gallbladder and stomach.

Sorbents are able to bind and remove liquid and gas, viruses, bacteria and toxins from the intestines. They are effective for infectious diarrhea, reduce flatulence in irritable bowel syndrome, but in case of malabsorption (enteropathy, amyloidosis), such drugs can aggravate the symptoms of nutritional deficiency.
We should not forget that drugs in this group can also bind medications, so they should be taken with a time interval, preferably at least 2 hours.

Drugs that reduce intestinal secretion

These are non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs: indomethacin, diclofenac. They are used in short courses for acute bacterial diarrhea: on the first day from the onset of the disease. Sulfasalazine, which belongs to the same group, on the contrary, has been taken for years by patients with ulcerative colitis.
Steroid drugs (prednisolone, metipred) have the same effect. They are successfully used to treat Crohn's disease.

Phytotherapy

The effect of most “astringent” herbs is also based on reducing intestinal secretion: oak bark and alder cones, bird cherry fruits, cinquefoil root, and chamomile flowers have been used for centuries in folk medicine to treat diarrhea.

Enzymes

They are especially indicated for diarrhea associated with impaired absorption and cavity digestion. Preference is given to drugs that do not contain bile acids: Creon, pancreatin, mezim-forte, pancitrate.

Drugs that affect intestinal motility

Lopedium (imodium, loperamide) is the most advertised drug for diarrhea. It is really effective in treating functional disorders associated with increased motility (irritable bowel syndrome). It can also be used for Crohn's disease. However, it is not advisable to use it for infectious diarrhea. Slowing down the evacuation of feces from the intestines will retain toxins and bacterial agents in the body, that is, it will not speed up, but slow down recovery. It is also not effective for diabetic enteropathy and intestinal amyloidosis.
Octreotide is an analogue of the hormone somatostatin. It slows down the intestinal motor activity, but at the same time enhances absorption, which makes it indispensable for enteropathies.

Anticholinergics (atropine, platiphylline) and antispasmodics (papaverine, no-spa) reduce intestinal motility; they can be used in the first days for acute diarrhea, especially if it is accompanied by abdominal pain.

Probiotics

Obligate intestinal microflora ensures normal digestion and absorption. With diarrhea, it always undergoes changes. To restore it they use

• preparations containing transient microflora (enterol, bactisubtil),
• preparations that contain particles of intestinal microorganisms, their metabolic products (hilak-forte),
• preparations that contain obligate intestinal flora (bifidumbacterin, lactobacterin, acylact, narine, linex)

Diarrhea often goes away on its own even without treatment. Symptomatic therapy for loose stools is effective in most cases, regardless of the underlying cause. But behind harmless symptoms there can be serious problems, from thyrotoxicosis to colon cancer. Therefore, prolonged or repeated diarrhea, blood in the stool or black stools, weight loss - all this is a definite reason to consult a doctor and undergo a full examination.

Which doctor should I contact?

If frequent loose stools are accompanied by vomiting and fever, you should consult a therapist or infectious disease specialist. If the diarrhea is prolonged, but occurs against the background of a relatively satisfactory condition of the patient, you should visit a gastroenterologist to clarify the cause of this symptom.

Professor V.T. Ivashkin about diarrhea in the program “Embrace the Immense”

In the absence of timely treatment, diarrhea can become chronic. What should you do if your stomach is constantly churning and diarrhea has not stopped for several weeks? Choosing the right treatment option depends on the cause of the disease.

Causes of prolonged diarrhea

There are several reasons for prolonged diarrhea:

The digestion process is affected by the composition and quantitative ratio of bacteria present in the intestine. Taking antibacterial drugs leads to disruption of normal microflora.

Antibiotics destroy lactobacilli, E. coli and bifidobacteria, which are directly involved in the digestion process. The cause of dysbiosis may be a lack of fresh vegetables and fruits in the diet.

The disease leads to impaired absorption of fluids and nutrients. Lack of timely treatment can lead to enterocolitis.

Prolonged diarrhea may be a sign of pancreatic pathologies. With chronic pancreatitis, the production of enzymes involved in the digestive process is greatly reduced.

The risk group includes people who are chronic alcoholics. The inflammatory process can begin after drinking ethanol.

Pancreatitis is found in people who eat too much fat. Constant overeating greatly complicates the functioning of the pancreas. Incompletely digested food enters the intestines of a sick person. As a result, the patient begins to ferment immediately after eating.

In this case, active proliferation of bacteria occurs. Pieces of poorly digested food can be seen in the patient's loose stool. This phenomenon is called creatorrhoea. Steatorrhea indicates the presence of undigested neutral fat in the stool. Fat coats the intestinal walls, making it slippery and causing diarrhea.

Diarrhea due to ulcerative colitis

Ulcerative colitis affects the tissues of the large intestine. The patient’s mucous membranes not only become inflamed, but ulcers also form. Most patients are young people aged 20 to 35 years. Patients complain of the following symptoms:

• clots of blood and mucus appear in the stool;
• the lower abdomen begins to hurt;
• a person feels rumbling in the stomach and diarrhea does not go away after taking antidiarrheal drugs;
• the patient feels discomfort and bloating;
• a person is forced to go to the toilet more than 2 times a day;
• weight loss occurs.

Crohn's disease

The disease leads to inflammation of the mucous membranes of the digestive system. In this case, the tissues of the small intestine are affected.

There are 3 degrees of severity of Crohn's disease:

1. The initial stage of the disease is accompanied by a slight increase in bowel movements. Blood is very rarely present in the patient's stool.
2. A sign of moderate severity is an increase in stool frequency up to 6 times a day. Traces of blood appear in the patient's stool.
3. The latter degree leads to more severe complications. In many patients, bleeding and fistulas can be detected.

The disease affects people under 35 years of age. The patient develops characteristic symptoms:

• aching pain in the abdominal area;
• a person complains of weakness;
• Bloody diarrhea begins, with a frequency of up to 10 times a day.

When the worm multiplies in the body, the patient feels:

1. Cramping pain appears in the abdominal area.
2. The patient (usually a child) suffers from diarrhea and flatulence;
3. Constantly rumbling in the stomach and diarrhea does not stop for more than a week.
4. The disease leads to increased gas formation.

A distinctive feature of such diarrhea is the absence of blood and mucus in the stool.

When infected with Salmonella, stool becomes characteristic. Salmonellosis is a dangerous intestinal infection that can lead to dehydration, infectious-toxic shock, and even death. Liquid gray diarrhea can be seen in patients with pancreatic pathologies.

Colonoscopy

The patient examination includes the following procedures:

1. Colonoscopy allows you to evaluate the surface of the patient's large intestine. Based on the data obtained, specialists draw conclusions about various diseases - ulcers, diverticula, polyps, bleeding, tumors.
2. Bakposev (bacteriological examination) is used to identify pure cultures of bacteria.
3. During a proctological examination, you can find out about cracks and fistulas in the colon.
4. No less valuable information can be obtained by rectomanoscopy. Using an endoscope, specialists examine the mucous membranes of different parts of the intestine. .
5. If additional questions arise, I can refer the patient to undergo irrigoscopy. The procedure involves examining the large intestine using a radiopaque contrast agent. The method allows you to determine the condition of the mucous membranes, the presence of tumors and damage.
6. Thanks to an ultrasound of the abdominal cavity, inflammation of various parts of the digestive tract can be detected in a timely manner. Doctors evaluate the functioning of the pancreas, stomach and intestines.

Treatment of long-term diarrhea

Loose stools are not a disease. This is a syndrome, and it just indicates a disorder of the digestive system, which can occur for various reasons.

Antibiotics are used to treat diarrhea associated with bacterial infection.

Blackberry decoction

You can get rid of diarrhea using blackberry twigs. Before preparing the decoction, they must be cut into small pieces. Fill Art. spoon of raw material with a glass of water and cook for 15 minutes. You can replace tea with a prepared decoction. Within 3 days after starting to use blackberry decoction, you will notice an improvement in your condition.

To cope with chronic diarrhea, you can use cinquefoil root. Pour 100 grams of raw material into a liter of water and cook for 20 minutes over low heat. The solution helps with bloody diarrhea that does not go away for a long time.

A condition that can lead to rapid dehydration of the body is frequent diarrhea; in an adult, the causes of such intestinal disorder can be different.

Chronic diarrhea is often a symptom of a serious illness. Because of the complications of chronic diarrhea, it should not be underestimated. Contact your doctor to determine the cause and begin treatment as soon as possible. It should be borne in mind that during diarrhea it is necessary to drink large amounts of fluid, since the consequences of dehydration are dangerous for adults and children.

Symptom

Frequent diarrhea is a loose stool in a patient, characterized by an increased frequency of occurrence. The stool has a liquid or semi-liquid consistency. Increased frequency is defecation more than 3 times a day.

Diarrhea is divided into acute and chronic. The acute form lasts up to 14 days, and the chronic form lasts more than 4 weeks. Diarrhea is often accompanied by pain, discomfort in the rectal area and fecal incontinence.

Division of chronic diarrhea:

• secretory diarrhea;
• osmotic diarrhea;
• fatty diarrhea;
• inflammatory diarrhea.

In adults, among the causes of diarrhea there are also mental factors (stress, neurotic diseases), poisoning, and diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. Frequent diarrhea can be caused by long-term use of antibiotics. In this case, treatment is carried out using probiotic drugs.

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Diarrhea may be accompanied by cramps and abdominal pain, general weakness, malaise, vomiting and high fever, increased thirst or infrequent urination.

It is important to identify what causes diarrhea and begin timely treatment.

Secretory diarrhea

Secretory diarrhea can be a consequence of the action of certain drugs, toxins, bile and fatty acids. If we are talking about medications, then most often long-term diarrhea is caused by laxatives from the stimulant group (Bisacodyl, Sennosides, Aloe).

Toxins that cause diarrhea every day include chronic alcohol abuse. Bile acids, if their absorption is impaired, can also cause diarrhea in adults. A similar condition can occur when there is an increase in the concentration of bacteria in the intestine, inflammation of the ileum, or after resection of a section of the ileum.

Some types of cancer can cause rare causes of chronic diarrhea:

• carcinoid tumor;
• gastrinoma;
• medullary thyroid cancer.

Cancer in this case is accompanied by a number of other symptoms. Therefore, if you have diarrhea every day, you should not suspect you have cancer. To find out what causes diarrhea, you need to visit a specialist and undergo some tests.

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Osmotic

Causes of osmotic diarrhea:

• medications - Magnesium sulfate, Lactulose, Orlistat, constantly taken Cholestyramine, Neomycin;
• some foods and sweets containing sorbitol, mannitol;
• lactase deficiency (congenital or acquired condition as a result of inflammatory processes occurring in the intestines);
• short small bowel syndrome;
• intestinal fistulas.

This type of diarrhea is associated with excessive osmolarity of substances found in the intestinal lumen. Diarrhea persists in patients even during fasting.

Fat

This is a relatively common type of diarrhea that is caused by poor digestion or absorption. Digestive disorders are observed in diseases of the pancreas, in which this organ does not correctly perform its excretory function: it does not secrete or secretes too little pancreatic juice. Then some substances in the intestines, especially fats, are not digested or absorbed. Malabsorption occurs with an increase in the concentration of bacteria in the intestines and with certain liver diseases.

Malabsorption disorders include diseases such as celiac disease, Whipple's disease (a bacterial infection affecting mainly the large and small intestines) and intestinal ischemia. Chronic diarrhea associated with malabsorption may persist in patients even when the stomach is empty.

Inflammatory

The causes of this diarrhea are inflammatory bowel diseases, that is, Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, hypersensitivity of the body, immunodeficiencies, malignant neoplasms (for example, colon cancer), drugs from the group of cytostatics and NSAIDs, as well as protozoa in the intestines. Chronic diarrhea of ​​this type occurs quite often.

Some illnesses, such as irritable bowel syndrome, an overactive thyroid gland, and prokinetic drugs (Metoclopramide, Cisapride) can cause diarrhea because they speed up intestinal motility.

Differentiation of disorders

When looking for the cause of diarrhea in an adult, you must first determine whether you are dealing with acute or chronic diarrhea. As mentioned above, acute diarrhea lasts less than 14 days, and chronic diarrhea lasts more than 4 weeks. This boundary is defined conditionally, but allows you to separate and distinguish the nature of diarrhea.

The next step in diagnosis is to determine the type of chronic diarrhea. In some cases, you can immediately find the cause of the disease, but it is not always so easy, so you should act step by step.

The clinical picture in each type of diarrhea is as follows:

• Secretory diarrhea is characterized by copious watery stools, often bowel movements are not accompanied by abdominal pain;
• persists when the stomach is empty;
• with osmotic diarrhea, the stool is often foamy and disappears in patients on an empty stomach;
• with fatty diarrhea, stools with the presence of fat, very shiny and difficult to wash off in the toilet, often accompanied by a very unpleasant odor;
• Inflammatory diarrhea is characterized by stool mixed with blood and pus;
• diarrhea is often accompanied by symptoms of a prolonged inflammatory process (high fever, chills, increased sweating).

When performing a stool test, the result may indicate a specific group of causes.

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Diagnostics and treatment measures

Diagnosis is based first on a conversation between the doctor and the patient, in which the nature of the diarrhea is determined - acute or chronic. A stool test is then performed to see if the diarrhea persists while not eating. All this and a few additional questions help determine why the patient has frequent diarrhea.

When you're dealing with chronic diarrhea, it's important to get basic blood tests done, as diarrhea can lead to serious complications. Basic blood tests include:

• complete blood count;
• Ca concentration designation;
• designation of vitamin B 12 concentration;
• designation of folic acid concentration;
• Fe concentration designation;
• checking liver and thyroid function;
• studies for celiac disease.

Depending on the cause of diarrhea, additional tests are performed to confirm it and prescribe adequate treatment. The doctor may prescribe special examinations based on the patient's complaints. These include:

• Ultrasound of the abdominal cavity;
• abdominal x-ray;
• colonoscopy with taking a biopsy of the intestinal mucosa for histopathological examination.

The basis of treatment is irrigation and nutrition with low-fat stewed foods. In addition, probiotics and (depending on the cause) drugs that inhibit intestinal motility (for example, Loperamide), as well as antibacterial drugs, are used. If medications are the cause of diarrhea, you should stop using them.

Treatment is not always a simple process, for example, when a patient has nonspecific intestinal inflammation (Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis). Then symptomatic therapy is used, aimed at reducing the severity of symptoms. It is important to eliminate micronutrient deficiencies, as they can also lead to dangerous complications.

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Complications of the chronic form

The most common disorder is dehydration. If it is mild, it is not very dangerous, but when it comes to losing more water, the condition can be life-threatening. Symptoms of dehydration are:

• weight loss;
• dry mouth;
• decreased saliva secretion;
• loss of skin elasticity;
• dark circles under the eyes;
• pallor of the conjunctiva, skin;
• dry, cracked lips;
• severe headache, dizziness;
• the amount of urine excreted decreases;
• tachycardia, fainting.

Severe dehydration can lead to hypovolemic shock, which is why preventing and treating dehydration is so important.

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Other complications of chronic diarrhea include:

• electrolyte disturbances;
• metabolic acidosis (acid-base imbalance);
• deficiency of vitamins and microelements.

Constant diarrhea is a common symptom of many diseases. Due to possible complications, diarrhea should not be underestimated; you should consult a doctor to determine the cause of diarrhea as soon as possible and begin treatment. Please note that during frequent diarrhea, you need to drink plenty of fluids, as the consequences of dehydration can be dangerous to the health of any person.

Diarrhea is a condition in which a person has frequent, watery stools. Painful cramps and flatulence accompany diarrhea in an adult; The causes and treatment of diarrhea are closely related, since the treatment of diarrhea caused by an intestinal infection does not coincide with the prescription for congenital enzyme deficiency, etc.

Causes and types of diarrhea

What can cause diarrhea? The frequency of normal stool varies among people, but normally 100-300 g of stool should be present every day. If diarrhea begins, the frequency of stool increases from 4 to 20 times a day. The amount of water in it sharply increases, so its daily weight exceeds the standard.

In adults, the causes of diarrhea are very diverse:

1. Intestinal diseases.
2. Lesions of other organs caused by disorders of motor or secretory function.
3. Poisoning.
4. Effect of medications, etc.

When the causes of diarrhea in an adult are associated with intestinal dysfunction, it may be:

Diarrhea in an adult, the causes of which lie in diseases of other organs, can be divided into diarrhea:

1. Caused by metabolic disorders due to amyloidosis, hypovitaminosis, etc.
2. Gastric. That is, those that occur with gastritis with secretory insufficiency, cancer, or after partial removal of the stomach.
3. Pancreatic (for cystic fibrosis, inflammation and pancreatic cancer).
4. Hepatogenic. They sometimes accompany hepatitis and cirrhosis of the liver.
5. Endocrine. Any hormonal disturbances in the functioning of the endocrine glands - the thyroid gland, adrenal glands and others - can cause very loose diarrhea.

What else could cause diarrhea?

1. Prolonged diarrhea can plague people who suffer from food allergies - intolerance to lactose, gluten and galactose.
2. Water diarrhea in an adult occurs when poisoned by poor quality food, alcohol, poisonous mushrooms, or salts of heavy metals.
3. Watery diarrhea can be a consequence of taking medications - antibiotics, digitalis preparations, laxatives, cytostatics, etc.

Unexpected water diarrhea in women can coincide with menstruation. 1/3 of the fairer sex experience problems with the digestive tract during menstrual periods. The exact mechanism of this disorder has not been fully identified, but it is thought to be due to increased levels of prostaglandins, which activate peristalsis.

Features of diarrhea for diagnosis

Diarrhea has its own distinctive features; it is important to take into account the color, consistency, as well as the presence of small inclusions, mucus and blood. All this information must be provided to the doctor at the appointment. Watery diarrhea often accompanies a bacterial, viral or intestinal infection. The color may be yellow, light brown or greenish. Important information can be gleaned from a stool test.

Persistent diarrhea can be caused by enteritis, colitis, Crohn's disease, peptic ulcer of the stomach and intestines, as well as other diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. If the disease has caused internal bleeding in the upper or middle part of the digestive system, black diarrhea will appear.

Diarrhea that is light yellow or pale brown in color indicates problems hidden in the small intestine. Pasty stools, repeated no more than 3 times a day, are characteristic of damage to the initial part of the small intestine. The disease, which develops in the ileum, usually causes yellow, foamy diarrhea, like water, repeated 6-8 times a day.

Diarrhea that appears for no apparent reason and does not go away for a long time (2 weeks or longer) in elderly and middle-aged people is a reason to check the intestines for the presence of tumors. If you have colon cancer, there may be blood in your stool.

Treatment of pathology

The causes and treatment of diarrhea are interrelated. If diarrhea does not go away within 3 days, you should consult a doctor for medical help. Otherwise, the patient's diarrhea can cause dehydration and other complications. The causes of diarrhea are of paramount importance, because the underlying disease needs to be treated. Along with this, the patient is prescribed medications aimed at eliminating diarrhea.

A severe form of dehydration, when the patient experiences loss of skin turgor, dry skin and mucous membranes, must be replenished with drip intravenous infusions of Disol, Trisol, and glucose. The patient must be given water, 2 or more liters per day.

Infectious diarrhea in an adult requires appropriate antibacterial drugs and intestinal antibiotics. Along with this, adsorbents, enzyme preparations, as well as agents that restore intestinal motility can be recommended.

Special diet

Prolonged diarrhea (diarrhea) takes away strength, sometimes it does not go away even at night. A person has a stomach ache and loss of appetite, as food begins to be associated with unpleasant sensations and pain. What to do? To begin with, forget about foods that stimulate intestinal motility and enhance the production of digestive enzymes. Food should be neutral, light and have a fixing effect.

In the first couple of days, it is advisable to drink a decoction of chamomile and bird cherry, green tea, cranberry and blueberry jelly. Sugary drinks are undesirable, as they can cause fermentation and increase gas formation and painful cramps.

White bread crackers, rice water and bananas are preferred. After a few days, you can switch to mashed potatoes, rice porridge with water, slimy soup, boiled lean meat, vegetables and fish. In order not to burden the stomach and intestines, food must be consumed pureed. Chronic diarrhea requires a long-term diet, maintained for 2-3 months.

During the treatment period, you should forget about eating raw vegetables, boiled beets, plums, apricots, figs, sauces and spices. People with lactose or gluten intolerance will have to spend their entire lives avoiding foods that contain ingredients that are harmful to them.

Replenishing fluid loss

This is a very important component of the treatment of diarrhea, since a person with constant diarrhea loses not only water, but also vital electrolyte salts (sodium, potassium, magnesium). Lethargy, headache, drowsiness, dizziness, extreme thirst, loss of appetite, decreased volume and darkening of urine, decreased blood pressure and accelerated heartbeat are just an incomplete list of symptoms that accompany constant water diarrhea in an adult; treatment of mild dehydration may be limited to drinking plenty of fluids. To do this, use clean water, herbal tea, a solution of Regidron or Citroglucosolan. You can prepare a similar solution yourself. Pour 500 ml of chilled boiled water into a liter jar, add 2 tbsp. l. sugar and ¼ tsp. salt and soda. Mix everything well. If severe diarrhea is accompanied by vomiting, dehydration occurs faster, but you need to drink liquid in small portions - a couple of sips with a 5-minute break.

The pharmacy Regidron includes potassium chloride, but it is difficult to find at home. To compensate to some extent for the loss of potassium salts, you can drink a glass of natural orange juice or a decoction of dried apricots.

Sorbents.

Sorbents are used to bind and remove pathogenic microorganisms, their waste products, toxins, food allergens, ethanol and excess gases from the body. For non-infectious diarrhea, sorbents reduce flatulence and abdominal pain associated with intestinal distension. The class of sorbents includes:

1. Activated carbon. An adult can take 10-15 tablets during the day, and in case of acute poisoning, the amount increases to several packs.
2. Calcium gluconate and carbonate.
3. Preparations containing bismuth salt (De-nol, Venter) are practically not absorbed in the intestines, but they help the feces to form.
4. Smecta is dissolved in ¼ glass of water and taken before meals 3 times a day.
5. Lignin preparations (Filtrum, Bilignin, Polyphepan).
6. Atapulgite is a colloidal preparation containing aluminum and magnesium silicate. Start with 2 tablets, and then take 2 pieces after each bowel movement. The daily dose is no more than 12 tablets.
7. Cholestyramine is an anion exchange resin that, once in the intestine, binds bile acids and helps remove them from the body. This medicine is indicated for diarrhea caused by liver and gallbladder diseases.

Remember that sorbents can neutralize other medications, so they are taken with a break of at least 2 hours.

Drugs to reduce intestinal secretion.

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (Diclofenac, Indomethacin, etc.) have a similar effect. They are recommended to be taken for acute bacterial diarrhea for no longer than 5 days. There are some exceptions: patients with ulcerative colitis take sulfosalazine for a long time. Steroid medications (Metypred, Prednisolone) have a similar effect in patients with Crohn's disease.

Herbal medicine.

Extracts, infusions and decoctions of some plants are successfully used in the treatment of diarrhea. This can be a decoction of pomegranate peels, oak bark, bird cherry fruits, alder cones, etc. They reduce secretion in the intestines and have an astringent effect.

It happens that watery diarrhea does not go away even after the intestinal infection is eliminated. In this case, you always need to take into account what causes diarrhea. One possibility may be a malabsorption of water and an imbalance in the production of digestive enzymes. Doctors recommend medications that do not contain bile acids - Pancreatin, Pancitrate, Mezim Forte, Creon.

Enzyme preparations.

Medicines that affect intestinal motility.

Why is there very loose stool? Sometimes diarrhea occurs with active intestinal peristalsis. A similar phenomenon accompanies irritable bowel syndrome and Crohn's disease. To reduce intestinal tone and motility, Loperamide (Imodium, Suprilol, Enterobene, Loperadium) is prescribed. Please note that Loperamide and its analogs cannot be used for infectious diarrhea. Since a delay in the excretion of toxins and excess pathogenic flora with feces can cause severe intoxication, a rise in temperature and a sharp deterioration in the patient’s condition.

Loperamide does not help with diabetic enteropathy and intestinal amyloidosis. To treat these types of diarrhea, Octreotide is used, which slows down intestinal activity and enhances the absorption of water and nutrients.

Antispasmodics (Drotaverine, Papaverine) and anticholinergic drugs (Platifilin, Atropine) reduce peristalsis. They are indicated for acute diarrhea with abdominal pain.

Probiotics.

Frequent diarrhea is often accompanied by dysbiosis, so for several weeks or months it is recommended to take drugs that restore normal microflora in the intestines. These include:

1. Agents with transient flora (Bactisuptil, Enterol).
2. Preparations that include obliterative intestinal flora (Linex, Bifidobacteria + Lactobacterin, Polybacterin, Linex, Acipol, Bifiform, etc.).
3. Products containing particles of intestinal bacteria and substrates of their metabolism (Hilak forte).

Long-term diarrhea leads to dehydration, loss of electrolytes, lack of nutrients and other negative phenomena. If you suffer from water diarrhea and it does not go away within 3 days, urgent hospitalization and examination are necessary.

How to properly treat hemorrhoids at home

Have you ever tried to get rid of hemorrhoids at home on your own? Judging by the fact that you are reading this article, victory was not on your side. And of course you know firsthand what it is:

• seeing blood on paper once again;
• wake up in the morning with the thought of how to reduce swollen, painful lumps;
• suffer every trip to the toilet from discomfort, itching or an unpleasant burning sensation;
• again and again hope for success, look forward to results and be upset by a new ineffective drug.

Constant diarrhea is an unpleasant problem associated with a malfunction of the gastrointestinal tract.

What are its causes, how to treat and, most importantly, prevent the occurrence of chronic diarrhea - all these issues are discussed in the article.

Why does constant diarrhea occur?

Nowadays, only a few can boast of good health and a well-functioning digestive system. Most people have experienced diarrhea at least once in their lives.

Diarrhea is a pathological condition that is characterized by frequent (2-3 times a day) bowel movements and loose stools. In addition to the acute form of the disease, chronic diarrhea is also common.

Persistent diarrhea in an adult can occur for a number of reasons. In most cases, the cause of this condition is irritated colon.

The condition of this organ of the gastrointestinal tract is affected by poor nutrition, physical inactivity and constant stress.

Diarrhea often occurs due to diseases of the liver and gallbladder.

Malfunctions in the functioning of these organs lead to a deterioration in the absorption of nutrients from food during its digestion in the small intestine. Constant diarrhea becomes one of the symptoms of these diseases.

Intestinal function is influenced by a number of hormones, including thyroid hormones produced by the thyroid gland.

With hyperthyroidism, the thyroid gland produces an excess amount of hormones, which causes constant diarrhea.

Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis are accompanied by chronic diarrhea with the presence of mucus, blood and pus in the stool.

This condition is very dangerous and requires immediate medical attention.

Problems with bowel movements often occur due to certain medications (such as antibiotics or laxatives).

Long-term use of laxatives disrupts peristalsis, reduces the sensitivity of the intestinal walls and leads to the development of chronic diarrhea.

In adults, causes of persistent diarrhea may include excessive alcohol consumption.

The fact is that the toxins contained in strong drinks also have a detrimental effect on the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract.

The load on the liver and pancreas affects the functioning of the entire digestive system.

Very rarely, the cause of persistent diarrhea is malignant tumors of the abdominal organs or thyroid gland.

Oncological diseases have many symptoms, so an unambiguous diagnosis should be made by a competent specialist.

Diagnosis of chronic diarrhea

Before starting treatment for chronic diarrhea, it is necessary to establish why the pathology occurs and what symptoms appear in the patient.

First of all, it is worth clarifying the form in which the disease occurs. Acute diarrhea lasts up to two weeks, while chronic diarrhea lasts more than four weeks.

Symptoms of constant diarrhea are frequent bowel movements (2-3 times a day), insufficiently formed stools (watery, liquid or mushy).

Diarrhea is often accompanied by painful sensations in the abdomen, flatulence, and discomfort in the rectal area.

For proper treatment of the pathological condition, you must consult a doctor. Frequent bowel movements for more than two weeks are a symptom of many diseases.

The doctor, based on the patient’s complaints, will prescribe tests and examinations to make an accurate diagnosis.

First of all, it is necessary to conduct a general examination of the patient. The doctor may note the presence of painful sensations during palpation of the abdomen, bloating, and asymmetry of the abdominal area.

Next, a stool test, a complete blood test, and an analysis for the content of certain vitamins and microelements in the blood are mandatory. It would be a good idea to donate blood to check the functioning of the liver and thyroid gland.

To clarify the diagnosis and choose an effective treatment method, additional studies are often performed.

The doctor may prescribe x-rays and ultrasound diagnostics of the abdominal organs. These types of examinations will allow us to determine the presence of pathological changes in the structure and tissues of internal organs, and malfunctions of the digestive system.

One possible additional test is a colonoscopy. Colonoscopy allows you to assess the condition of the intestinal walls, determine the presence of polyps, ulcers and tumors.

During the procedure, a biopsy of the intestinal mucosa is performed for histological examination.

Based on the results of histology, pathological changes in the intestine that affect the process of defecation can be established.

Treatment for persistent diarrhea

Constant diarrhea, the causes of which are hidden in the patient’s lifestyle (an abundance of fatty and fried foods, the predominance of meat products in the diet, low physical activity, frequent stress), is treated, first of all, by correcting the patient’s behavior and eating habits.

Patients with chronic diarrhea need to include in their diet foods that reduce fermentation processes and gas formation.

The basis of the diet is steamed dishes with a puree-like consistency. To stop diarrhea, it is recommended to take rice water or liquid rice porridge, because this cereal has a strengthening effect.

Since constant diarrhea leads to severe dehydration of the body, it is necessary to establish a drinking regime and drink at least 2 liters of clean water per day.

To improve the functioning of the digestive tract, probiotic therapy is recommended. Drugs in this spectrum restore intestinal microflora, promote the absorption of nutrients and improve the functioning of the liver and pancreas.

Sometimes, to relieve an acute condition, doctors prescribe medications that reduce the tone and motility of intestinal smooth muscles.

A popular drug with this pharmacological property is Loperamide.

If an inflammatory process is detected in the abdominal organs during diagnosis, it is recommended to take antibacterial drugs.

The choice of regimen and dosage should be made by a doctor based on tests and examinations of patients.

Incorrect selection of antibiotics can lead to deterioration of the intestinal microflora and complications of chronic diarrhea.

Constant diarrhea leads to a deficiency of many vitamins and microelements in the human body.

A balanced diet and taking dietary supplements will eliminate this deficiency and improve the functioning of the digestive system.

For both men and women, taking traditional medicine can be beneficial. Their choice and treatment regimen must be discussed with the attending physician. The most popular among people are teas and infusions made from blueberries.

How to prevent chronic diarrhea?

To prevent problems with the gastrointestinal tract from becoming chronic, you need to constantly monitor the condition of your body.

Prevention of persistent diarrhea includes a certain diet, physical activity and good hygiene.

Often, diarrhea can be caused by the ingestion of E. coli or other bacteria that adversely affect the condition of the intestines.

Raw fruits and vegetables should be washed in hot water or treated with a special product. You should be especially careful in the summer, because bacteria multiply more actively in a warm environment.

Meat and dairy products, eggs that have not undergone heat treatment can provoke diarrhea.

A diet to prevent persistent diarrhea includes foods that are steamed or baked in the oven.

Fatty and fried foods are difficult for the body to digest and put extra stress on the enzymatic system, which often leads to malfunctions of the liver, pancreas and intestines.

Often the cause of persistent diarrhea is impaired intestinal motility associated with physical inactivity.

Lack of physical activity leads to a decrease in the tone of the intestinal walls, weakens blood flow to the organs of the digestive system and provokes disruptions in the gastrointestinal tract.

A little physical activity during the day, gymnastics, walking will become a natural stimulator of the internal organs and improve their blood supply.

To prevent the acute form of diarrhea from becoming chronic, it is recommended to treat each attack and not let the disease take its course.

A timely visit to a doctor during diarrhea will allow you to quickly determine the cause of the ailment and develop an effective treatment strategy.

Constant diarrhea is often a consequence of poor nutrition and physical inactivity, but in some cases chronic diarrhea becomes a symptom of many serious diseases.

For quick and effective treatment, you should seek medical help, because only a doctor can determine the true cause of diarrhea and select the appropriate treatment regimen.