Diarrhea

Care of Mother, Child with Risk/Problems (Acute and Chronic)

WARD CLASS

Submitted by:
Valiente, Robert

Submitted to:
Mrs. Melanie Joanne A. Maraat, RN

January 24, 2024

Introduction

Diarrhea can be described as an abnormal increase in the frequency, volume or

liquidity of your stools. The condition usually lasts a few hours to a couple of days.
Diarrhea is typically associated with abdominal cramps. The most common causes of
the condition are viruses, bacteria and parasites. Most cases of diarrhea go away on
their own, and the only treatment needed is to drink enough fluids and replace lost
electrolytes, such as sodium and potassium, to prevent dehydration. A doctor can help
determine whether you need additional care, such as medications to treat an underlying
bacterial or viral infection.
Diarrhea disease is the second leading cause of death in children under five
years old, and is responsible for killing around 525 000 children every year. Diarrhea
can last several days, and can leave the body without the water and salts that are
necessary for survival. In the past, for most people, severe dehydration and fluid loss
were the main causes of diarrhea deaths. Now, other causes such as septic bacterial
infections are likely to account for an increasing proportion of all diarrhea-associated
deaths. Children who are malnourished or have impaired immunity as well as people
living with HIV are most at risk of life-threatening diarrhea.
Diarrhea is usually a symptom of an infection in the intestinal tract, which can be
caused by a variety of bacterial, viral and parasitic organisms. Infection is spread
through contaminated food or drinking-water, or from person-to-person as a result of
poor hygiene.

Interventions to prevent diarrhea, including safe drinking-water, use of improved

sanitation and hand washing with soap can reduce disease risk. Diarrhea should be
treated with oral rehydration solution (ORS), a solution of clean water, sugar and salt. In
addition, a 10-14 day supplemental treatment course of dispersible 20 mg zinc tablets
shortens diarrhea duration and improves outcomes.
What causes the Diarrhea:
a) Viral Infection - Rotavirus Common cause of diarrhea in children, especially
infants and norovirus
b) Food poisoning - You can ingest harmful toxins and pathogens from
contaminated foods or drinks.
c) Medications - Diarrhea is a common medication side effect.
d) Foods that upset your digestive system - Some foods are difficult to digest,
increase water levels in the bowel, and irritate the digestive system lining. These
factors can all cause or worsen diarrhea.
e) Diseases affecting your bowel - Diarrhea is a common symptom of conditions
that cause irritation and inflammation in your bowels (intestines)
f) Bacterial Infection - compounds produced through the bacterial break-down of
stagnant food can also trigger diarrhea.

Signs and Symptoms of Diarrhea:

These are the signs and symptoms of the client experiencing diarrhea. Frequent
loose stools, Abdominal pain, Cramping, Bloating, Nausea, Vomiting, Fever, Blood in
the stool, Dehydration

Types of Diarrhea:
a) Acute Diarrhea - lasts for a short period of time, usually less than 2 weeks. It is
often caused by a viral or bacterial infection
b) Persistent Diarrhea - lasts for more than 2 weeks but less than 4 weeks. It can
be caused by a variety of factors, including infections, medications,
c) Chronic Diarrhea - lasts for more than 4 weeks. It can be caused by a range of
conditions, such as inflammatory bowel disease, irritable bowel syndrome,

Treatment for the Diarrhea:

● Oral Rehydration Therapy (ORT) - drinking oral rehydration solutions (ORS) to

replace lost fluids and electrolytes.
 ● Over-the-Counter (OTC) Medications - medications, such as loperamide
(Imodium), can help reduce the frequency and severity of diarrhea.
● Dietary Changes - Making changes to the diet can help manage diarrhea
symptoms.
● Medication for Underlying Causes - If diarrhea is caused by an underlying
condition, such as an infection or inflammatory bowel disease, specific
medications may be prescribed to treat the underlying cause.

Conclusion
In conclusion, diarrhea is a significant health issue, especially in developing
countries where it is the second leading cause of death in children under the age of 5
years. It is crucial to treat any underlying causes and manage the symptoms of
diarrhea.
Mild cases of acute diarrhea may resolve without treatment, but for persistent or
chronic diarrhea, a doctor will treat any underlying causes in addition to the symptoms
of diarrhea1. Prevention strategies, such as proper disposal of human excreta and use
of probiotics, have been found to be effective. It’s also important to avoid dehydration,
especially in children and older people.
 References

Diarrhoeal disease. (2017, May 2). World Health Organization (WHO). Retrieved
January 26, 2024, from
https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/diarrhoeal-disease
Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) - Symptoms & causes. (n.d.). Mayo
Clinic. Retrieved January 26, 2024, from https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-
conditions/small-intestinal-bacterial-overgrowth/symptoms-causes/syc-20370168