In general cases, diarrhea can last anywhere from 2 days to 2 weeks (short-termed) and is not a serious condition. But you should be watchful if it is more painful, and lasts longer than 2 weeks, in that case you should see your physician for an expert advice.

What happens in the Colon?
As a part of digestion, liquid content (amount of water) in the food is needed to be at higher level for its smoother digestion. Food first enters into stomach and travels to small intestine and then large intestine, during this journey most of the nutrients are absorbed by these parts.

At the end of digestion process, when the food reaches colon, body finishes absorbing almost all the possible nutrients. Colon absorbs the excess amount of water from the stool that is then pushed towards the rectum, and stored until it is thrown out of the body.

Symptoms of Diarrhea

• Loose/watery stools
• At times there can be abdominal pain associated with diarrhea
• Nausea
• Sometimes stool contains blood
• Fever

Causes of diarrhea
As already mentioned above, diarrhea can be normal (short-termed) to severe. General causes of diarrhea are:

• Bacterial & Viral Infection: This is considered as one of the main causes of diarrhea. Bacterial & viral infection caused via various means such as consumption of contaminated food or drinking water cause diarrhea. This is common mainly in developing countries where separation of drinking and sewage water is a big problem. Diarrhea caused by few types of bacteria can also kill the patient if no proper medication is made available. Bacteria like E-coli, Campylobacter, Salmonella, lamblia etc. and virus like Rota-virus; herpes etc. are few names in the list.
  The other reason of diarrhea is through infection, in case if the patient is suffering from other diseases, especially diseases which are related to intestinal infection. Diarrhea is experienced by patients who are suffering from serious diseases like AIDS, dysentery, Crohn’s disease, inflammatory bowel diseases such as Irritable Bowel Syndrome, cholera, bowel cancer, Ischemic bowel disease, some cases of appendicitis etc.
• Body’s negative response to some elements: If your body shows negative response to some food material, then consuming it might cause you problems like diarrhea. One of the examples is consumption of milk. It has been witnessed that digestive systems of many people cannot process and digest lactose and other elements available in milk leading to diarrhea. The best advise to those people would be to avoid consumption of any such thing.
• Laxatives & other chemicals: Laxatives like magnesium (Epsom salt), phenolphthalein, cascara etc. that are used in day to day lives and also some chemicals which are part of our food, can cause diarrhea in some people.
• Medicines: Certain type of medicines (including antibiotics and other drugs) cause diarrhea in patients. You should be very careful while using any new drug. If you witness a sudden problem with your bowel habits after you have started the medication that your physician suggested you, then you should stop taking medicines and contact your physician at the earliest.
• Excessive consumption of alcohol: Excessive alcohol consumption can also cause diarrhea in patients. Generally excessive alcohol consumption causes chronic diarrhea, in which the body’s ability to absorb ample amount of water gets affected.

Diarrhea can be classified in following two types:

• Acute Diarrhea: Type of diarrhea that lasts for less than 3-4 weeks. This type of diarrhea is generally cured with normal treatment and does not need any intensive medication.
• Chronic Diarrhea: Sometimes, diarrhea lasts really long and can extend from few months to a couple of years. This type of diarrhea is mainly caused due to some type of infection. In this type of diarrhea, the patient does not experience significant/intensive illness. Poor digestion (i.e. mal-absorption) of food, serious diseases like inflammatory bowel syndrome, irritable bowel syndrome, bowel cancer, prolonged alcohol consumption and effect of abnormalities are few other causes of chronic diarrhea.

Treatments for diarrhea
It is very important that the patient should consult a physician as soon as possible and should avoid taking any of the medicine that is not prescribed by physician. The treatment for diarrhea depends on the condition of the patient and cause of diarrhea (symptomatic treatment).

• Most common and effective treatment available for the general type of diarrhea is to provide patient with drinks containing electrolytes. This can also be considered as oral re-hydration therapy
• Patients are suggested to stay away from food and drugs that can cause increase in intensity of diarrhea. Physicians suggest following a healthy diet in portions in whole day. Milk, alcohol, certain type of antibiotics etc. substances which increases the problem should be avoided.
• The patient should religiously follow medication prescribed by physician.

Article By: Nilesh Parekh

Related posts:

1. 5 Natural Ways To Relieve IBS Symptoms

IBS is not fatal. It will not also develop into a fatal disease. However, its symptoms interfere in one’s life. For example, constipation and diarrhea are so recurrent that they can get in the way even when you have important meetings or appointments. Other symptoms can hurt, too.

However, you don’t have to suffer from IBS for the rest of your life. There are medications that can ease the symptoms of this disorder, while there are natural cures to relieve or make them subside.

IBS can be treated naturally. Here are some ways.

1. It is very important that you consult your doctor or your dietitian before you try experimenting with various IBS treatments. This way you will find out whether the treatment fits you or not. If you are considering changing your diet still try to get the advice of your doctor. Avoid self-medication because it is dangerous.

2. Peppermint was found out to lower symptoms of IBS. However, always bear in mind that different people different reactions to treatment methods.

3. Undergoing a change in your diet may also help in controlling IBS symptoms. Products like milk, meat and cheese take so much time to break down and often increase IBS symptoms. So avoid eating them.

4. Relax your mind. Stress was also found out to cause IBS flare-ups. If you are one of those IBS patients that is experiencing too much stress then it’s high time that you try having a hypnosis session. This is because hypnosis was found out to lessen stress. Another stress relieving method is acupuncture.

5. Gas is another symptom that brings much pain for most IBS patients. Avoiding food that bring you this problem also helps in avoiding IBS flare-ups. Avoid cabbage, some beans, broccoli and other foods that worsen IBS symptoms.

IBS patients must remember that as of this writing, there is no known cure that will fight or treat IBS per se. That means if you should seek relief for it, be sure to cure the symptoms you have. For example, if you have IBS with diarrhea, seek medications or cures that can relieve diarrhea. Don’t be fooled by scams or medicines that promise you will be relieved of IBS itself since it is composed of various symptoms.

Also, these symptoms may be subsided but can come back later. They can be worse than before. This means you should always prevent the symptoms of IBS by following the right diet for IBS, among other things. A diet for IBS patients is important since IBS is related with the food one eats everyday.

Article By: Juana Cruz

Learn more about proper IBS cures by visiting IBS Treatments, a comprehensive information source on IBS. Additionally, read our review on Great Taste, No Pain, to help treat your condition.

Related posts:

1. Diarrhea – Symptoms, Causes and Treatments
2. Natural Cure For Constipation

However, constipation is not an ailment on its own. It is the symptom of the food and water not properly passing through the colon. The colon absorbs too much water, making the stool to be dry. This causes the muscles have difficulty in compacting and getting rid of the feces.

Firstly, a diet with enough fiber helps the body form soft, bulky stool. High-fiber foods include beans, whole grains and bran cereals, fresh fruits, and vegetables such as asparagus, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, and carrots. For people prone to constipation, limiting foods that have little or no fiber, such as ice cream, cheese, meat, and processed foods, is also important.

Licorice
Licorice is a safe laxative that can also be used in conjunction with other herbal laxatives to increase their effectiveness. Licorice acts by increasing intestinal responsiveness and relieving the spasms that result in cramping.

Guava (but is must have the seeds) because of their roughness is a great way of getting relief from constipation. Also eating bran cereal not just for adults but for children as well is another way of safeguarding against constipation. A more natural way for the elderly to deal with constipation is to drink milk that has either extra sugar or honey in it.

Mangoes and Bananas
Mangoes and bananas are also high in fiber. Eat a mango after dinner and a banana or two during the day. Steer well clear of unripe fruits though, as they can cause constipation.

Honey and Vinegar
Vinegar and honey are natural laxatives for many people. Mix a teaspoon of honey and apple cider vinegar with warm water each night after dinner.

Dieting
The easiest natural constipation remedies start with your diet. Make sure you include plenty of fiber in your diet. Choose wholegrain bread, and wholewheat pasta, and brown rice. Eat lots of fresh fruit and veg, and avoid pre-packaged cakes, pastries, biscuits etc. Some foods are gentle natural aids to get things started. Try foods like figs, prunes, stewed rhubarb and apricot.

Fruits
Apples are one of best fruits to eat because they provide alkaline mineral for you body. What these minerals do is neutralize acids that are created during illness, anxiety, anger, exercising, breathing pollution, and improper eating. Body acid is a major reason we get deadly diseases as we age and minerals help to keep acids neutralized.

Aloe
Another natural remedy for constipation is Aloe. This herb that works so good on your outsides can also help your insides too! Aloe and its cousins buckthorn, frangula and senna have natural laxative chemicals and can be very powerful constipation cures It is recommended you take any of these herbs with caution and not for extended periods of time.

Probiotics
Probiotics and Digestive Enzymes - take these nutrients during meals and also between meals to get probiotics into the colon.

Flaxseed
Use 2 tablespoons of raw flaxseeds and add them to your salad. You can ground them up and mix them into salads, soups after they have cooled off, and into health smoothies.

Article By: Michael William

Related posts:

1. 5 Natural Ways To Relieve IBS Symptoms
2. Dog Constipation: Yes They Get Constipated Too
3. Product Review: Almighty Cleanse