Diarrhea is the second most reported illness all over the country. The most prominent characteristic of diarrhea is a watery or loose stool. If diarrhea lasts for four or more weeks, then it will be regarded as chronic diarrhea. Although acute diarrhea may not be that serious and will get cured with time, chronic diarrhea may create some serious complications if it is not treated as soon as possible. Here are some of the causes and treatment methods of chronic diarrhea.
Causes of chronic diarrhea
Too much alcohol and caffeine
If you consume foods that have too much caffeine or cola content, then you might get the watery stool. Also, consumption of too much alcohol can ruin your digestive system. In that case, you will face the problem of chronic diarrhea. However, if you consume these substances in a limited amount or even stop consuming it completely, then you may not face this problem.
Consuming sugary items
Taking too much sugar is known to cause diarrhea. Also, there are some substances that are artificial sweeteners. Consuming these substances regularly can cause chronic diarrhea. Here are some the examples of these substances:
- Lactose
- Fructose
- Mannitol
- Sorbitol
Taking certain medications
Certain medications might cause acute or chronic diarrhea. Medications that are used for chemotherapy may cause diarrhea, or if you have taken a course of antibiotics, then you may also get vulnerable to diarrhea. So, if you have this medical condition after starting a particular medication, then you should consult your doctor immediately.
Celiac disease
If you have celiac disease, then it will be difficult for you to link your food with the specific symptom you are having because your stomach will already be damaged. So, you will be experiencing these symptoms all the time. This will last for around four or more weeks.
Food allergy
You may be allergic to a specific food. If you consume that food then within a couple of hours of your food intake, you will start having watery stools, sometimes with blood. This type of diarrhea generally lasts for less than 24 hours. Vomiting, eczema, and swelling of the face are some of the other symptoms that are associated with diarrhea due to food allergy.
Lack of enzymes
In order to digest the food properly, you need enzymes in your body. Lack of enzymes will cause the inability to digest the food properly. For example, if you have trouble in digesting sugary items or dairy items, it will mean that you have lactose intolerance or you have a lack of the enzyme that helps in digesting these substances. This type of diarrhea will last for around four weeks, and the symptoms which are water stools with mucus, abdominal pain, and gassiness will start appearing within two to 12 hours of taking a specific food item.
Treatment for chronic diarrhea
The actual treatment option for chronic diarrhea depends on its cause. If you are facing diarrhea due to a medical condition, then the treatment procedure will be different. In such cases, diarrhea will improve as your condition improves. However, there are other treatment options that could really help to improve the condition of your diarrhea.
Proper diet plan and lifestyle changes
Proper diet and changes in your lifestyle is the primary treatment for diarrhea. You will have to eat certain foods that help in improving diarrhea. You can also note all the foods you are eating to determine which foods are triggering the condition of diarrhea. When you know which foods are causing diarrhea, you should look to avoid them. Here are some tips for creating a proper diet plan to treat diarrhea:
- Eat foods that are low in fiber content
- Drink lots of water and other fluids to keep your body properly hydrated
- Understand your eating limits so that you don’t overeat
- Stop taking alcoholic beverages in higher quantity
Home remedies
Diarrhea can occur also because of antibiotics. If you have taken antibiotics, then there is a great chance that you might be facing diarrhea at some point in time. In such cases, you need to take suggestions from your doctor about an alternative medication, and if there is none, then you have to include probiotics in your diet which will be found in yogurt.
Ways to prevent chronic diarrhea
The best way to cure diarrhea is by preventing it from happening. You can follow some of the ways enlisted here to prevent chronic diarrhea from happening:
- Filter the water before drinking it
- Before consuming meat, cook it properly
- Wash the kitchen surface properly to avoid food contamination
- Before consuming vegetables or fruits, wash them properly
If you have acute diarrhea, then you may not have to worry that much. But, if you are having diarrhea for a stretch of time, then you should be consulting your doctor as soon as possible.
