DIARRHEA

Definition
Diarrhea describes loose,
watery stools that occur more
frequently than usual. Diarrhea
is something everyone
experiences. Diarrhea often
means greater volume of stool.
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS
Frequent, loose, watery stools
Abdominal cramps
Abdominal pain
Fever
Blood in the stool
Bloating
When to see a doctor

If you're an adult, see your doctor if:
Your diarrhea persists beyond two days
You become dehydrated as evidenced
by excessive thirst, dry mouth or skin,
little or no urination, severe weakness,
dizziness or lightheadedness, or dark-
colored urine
You have severe abdominal or rectal pain
You have bloody or black stools
You have a fever above 102 F (39 C)

In children or babies
Hasn't had a wet diaper in three or more hours
Has a fever above 102 F (39 C)
Has bloody or black stools
Has a dry mouth or cries without tears
Is unusually sleepy, drowsy, unresponsive or
irritable
Has a sunken appearance to the abdomen, eyes
or cheeks
Has skin that doesn't flatten if pinched and
released

CAUSES
VIRUSES
BACTERIA AND PARASITES
MEDICATIONS
LACTOSE INTOLERANCE
DIGESTIVE DISORDERS
AMOEBIASIS
Amoebiasis is a parasitic infection
of the intestines caused by
entamoeba histolytica. It
is common in tropical areas of the
world where sanitation is poor,
allowing food and water supplies
to be exposed to fecal
contamination.
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS
quite mild and can include loose stools
stomach pain
stomach cramping
bloody stools
Fever
Rarely, E. histolytica invades the liver
and forms an abscess. Even less
commonly, it spreads to other parts of
the body, such as the lungs or brain.
Patient Education

Avoid drinking contaminated water; use
bottled water while traveling if possible
If local water is to be drunk, purify it by
boiling it for more than 1 minute,
Avoid eating raw fruits and salads, which
are difficult to sterilize; eat only cooked
food or self-peeled fruits if possible
Wash uncooked vegetables and soak
them in acetic acid or vinegar for 10-15
minutes

Recipe for Making a 1 litre ORS
solution using Sugar, Salt and
Water

Clean Water - 1 litre - 5 cupfuls (each cup
about 200 ml.)

Sugar - Six level teaspoons

Salt - Half level teaspoon

Stir the mixture till the sugar dissolves.