DIARRHOEA or “the runs,” is when you experience loose, watery stools and feel the urgent need to have a bowel movement multiple times a day. A few causes include infections, diseases, and food intolerances.

HOMOEOPATHIC TREATMENT FOR DIARRHOEA

Whether be it diarrhoea from infections, irritable bowel syndrome, anxiety, whatever may be the cause, Homoeopathy offers effective treatment for diarrhoea. It treats the root cause of diarrhoea to help ease the symptoms and brings about recovery. Medicine for diarrhoea is prepared from natural substances, so are safe for both children and adults. Along with the treatment it is necessary to hydrate yourself with plenty of fluids and oral rehydrating solutions. Homoeopathy is effective in both acute as well as chronic diarrhoea.

KNOW YOUR DISEASE

Diarrhoea, loose, watery and possibly more frequent bowel movements; is a common problem. It may be present alone or be associated with other symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain or weight loss.

Luckily, diarrhoea is usually short-lived, lasting no more than a few days. But when diarrhoea lasts beyond a few days into weeks, it usually indicates that there's another problem such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) or a more serious disorder, including persistent infection, celiac disease or inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

SYMPTOMS OF DIARRHOEA

Signs and symptoms associated with diarrhoea may include.

• Abdominal cramps or pain
• Bloating
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Fever
• Blood in the stool
• Mucus in the stool
• Urgent need to have a bowel movement

CAUSES OF DIARRHOEA

A number of diseases and conditions can cause diarrhoea, includes

• Viruses.  Rotavirus is a common cause of acute childhood diarrhoea. The virus that causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has also been associated with gastrointestinal symptoms, including nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea.
• Bacteria and Parasites. Exposure to pathogenic bacteria, such as E. coli or parasites through contaminated food or water, leads to diarrhoea.
• Medications. Many medications, such as antibiotics, can cause diarrhoea. Antibiotics alleviate infections by killing bad bacteria, but they also kill good bacteria. This disturbs the natural balance of bacteria in your intestines, leading to diarrhoea. Other drugs that cause diarrhoea are anti-cancer drugs and antacids with magnesium.
• Lactose intolerance. Lactose is a sugar found in milk and other dairy products. People who have difficulty digesting lactose have diarrhoea after eating dairy products.
• Fructose. Fructose is a sugar found naturally in fruits and honey. It's sometimes added as a sweetener to certain beverages. Fructose can lead to diarrhoea in people who have trouble digesting it.
• Artificial sweeteners. Sorbitol, erythritol and mannitol; artificial sweeteners are non-absorbable sugars, found in chewing gum and other sugar-free products. They can cause diarrhoea in some otherwise healthy people.
• Surgery. Partial intestine or gallbladder removal surgeries can sometimes cause diarrhoea.
• Other digestive disorders. Chronic diarrhoea has a number of other causes, such as IBS, Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, celiac disease, microscopic colitis and small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO).

DEHYDRATION AND DIARRHOEA

Diarrhoea can cause you to lose fluids quickly and put you at risk for dehydration. If you don’t receive treatment for diarrhoea, it can have severe effects. The symptoms of dehydration include:

• Fatigue
• Dry Mucous Membranes
• Increased Heart Rate
• A Headache
• Light-Headedness
• Increased Thirst
• Decreased Urination
• Dry Mouth

Contact your doctor as soon as possible if you think your diarrhoea is causing dehydration.

HOW IS THE CAUSE OF DIARRHOEA DIAGNOSED?

Your doctor will complete a physical examination and consider your medical history when determining the cause of your diarrhoea. They may also request laboratory tests to examine urine and blood samples.
Additional tests your doctor may order to determine the cause of diarrhoea and other related conditions can include:

• Diet elimination tests to determine whether a food intolerance or allergy is the cause.
• Imaging tests to check for inflammation and structural abnormalities of the intestine.
• A stool culture to check for bacteria, parasites, or signs of disease.
• A colonoscopy to check the entire colon for signs of intestinal disease.
• A sigmoidoscopy to check the rectum and lower colon for signs of intestinal disease.

A colonoscopy or sigmoidoscopy is especially helpful for determining if you have an intestinal disease or severe or chronic diarrhoea.

MANAGEMENT OF DIARRHOEA

Several things you can do to care for diarrhoea include.

• Drinking plenty of water and other electrolyte balanced fluids. Make sure to hydrate throughout the day. Your body loses water each time you have diarrhoea. By drinking plenty of extra fluids, you are protecting your body from dehydration.
• Changing your diet. Instead of picking greasy, fatty or fried foods, go for the BRAT diet:

  B: Bananas
  R: Rice (white rice)
  A: Applesauce
  T: Toast (white bread)
  

• Cutting back on caffeine. Foods and drinks that have caffeine can have a mild laxative effect, which can make your diarrhoea worse. Foods and drinks with caffeine include coffee, diet sodas, strong tea/green tea, and even chocolate.
• Avoiding foods and drinks that give you gas. If you experience cramping in your stomach with diarrhoea, it could help to cut back on things that cause gas.
• Sometimes, diarrhoea can also make you lactose intolerant. This is usually temporary and it means that you need to avoid items with lactose (dairy products) until your diarrhoea is gone.

DIARRHOEA IN BABIES

What do I do if my baby or young child has diarrhoea?

Young children are at a higher risk of dehydration than adults. You can’t treat a child’s diarrhoea the same way you would, to an adult case. Over-the-counter medications can be dangerous in young children and all treatments of diarrhoea in children should be guided by their doctor. It’s important to keep your child hydrated. Your doctor will help you determine the best way to do this, but options often include.

• Breast milk.
• Electrolyte drinks for older children – this is not recommended for babies.