DIARRHEA

Diarrhea is one of the most common gastrointestinal ailments. It is still the second most common cause of death in childhood, killing over 1.5 million children in India alone.

The occurrence of diarrhea indicates that there is contamination of food and water with virus and bacteria from human faeces. In diarrhea, the stools are liquid or semisolid and large volumes of these are passed frequently. There is also vomiting, cramps and abdominal pain. The food passes through the gastrointestinal tract so rapidly that its digestion and absorption is reduced. The fecal matter moves through the colon so fast that water and electrolytes are not reabsorbed.

Frequent and/or prolonged attacks result in loss of fluids, electrolytes, minerals, vitamins, proteins, fats, carbohydrates and as a result there is loss of body weight. This leads to dehydration.

THERAPY:

• The first step is to identify the cause and remove it. 
• If diarrhea is severe and dehydration has set in (eyes sunken, skin loose and inelastic, passing reduced amounts of dark urine), fluids and electrolytes may be first given intravenously to let the gastrointestinal tract to rest.
• This is followed by feeding fluids, with gradual move to oral rehydration therapy and later to a very low residue diet.