Diarrhoea

It is often caused by a virus or bacteria and can be acute (short term) or chronic (long term) - lasting more than two to three weeks.

Most people are affected by diarrhoea at some time in their lives. It is often accompanied by stomach pains, feeling sick and vomiting. It is usually due to consumption of drinking water contaminated with bacteria, undercooked meat and eggs or inadequate kitchen hygiene - in other words, an infection.

Globally, seven children die of diarrhoea every minute, mainly due to poor quality drinking water and malnutrition, which still affects the majority of the world population.

What causes diarrhoea?

- Diarrhoea is mainly caused by bacterial and viral infections and food poisoning.
- Diarrhoea can also be caused by bacteria or viruses that have been transmitted from person to person. For this reason, it is important to wash your hands with soap and water after using the toilet.
- You cannot assess the quality of food or detect contamination by its smell or the way it looks. Food which is 'off' might be obvious but contaminated food usually looks and tastes fine.

Diarrhoea occurs when the micro-organisms irritate the mucous membrane of the small or large intestine resulting in an abnormally large quantity of water in the motions. The irritated gut becomes very active, contracting excessively and irregularly (colic). This can be accompanied by nausea, vomiting, and cold sweats. In some cases the motions may include some blood.

Food poisoning

Certain bacteria (usually staphylococci) irritate the digestive tract by producing toxins. These toxins affect the mucous membrane much sooner, a few hours after consumption, compared with bacterial infection. For this reason, people with inflammation or sores on their hands should not prepare food for others.

Other causes

When taking antibiotics, many people suffer diarrhoea, which may continue after the antibiotic course has finished. The diarrhoea occurs because the antibiotic alters the intestinal bacterial environment. It is not an allergic reaction. In rare cases it requires medical treatment.

Chronic diarrhoea

Chronic diarrhoea can be a symptom of many disorders:

- irritable bowel syndrome
- acute, recurrent or chronic intestinal infections
- chronic intestinal inflammation (ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease)
- chronic pancreatitis, which produces fatty stools
- laxatives
- lactose intolerance
- improper diet (consumption of too much alcohol, coffee or sweets)
- metabolic disorders such as diabetes and thyrotoxicosis
- intolerance to gluten (wheat protein).

What are the symptoms of diarrhoea?

- Frequent, watery motions.
- Loss of appetite.
- Nausea, vomiting.
- Stomach pains.
- Fever.
- Dehydration.

If the diarrhoea lasts more than three weeks, it is considered chronic.

What are the warning signs?

- Blood in the motions.
- Pus in the motions (yellow mucus).
- Inability to drink liquids because of vomiting.
- Dehydration - symptoms include excreting small amounts of dark urine, drowsiness, dry mucous membranes and thirst. Dehydration as a result of diarrhoea is a particular risk for young children and the elderly.
- Pronounced drowsiness due to dehydration or intoxication.
- Acute diarrhoea in infants.
- Acute diarrhoea in very old people.

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