Diarrhea

Diarrhea is generally referred to the increase in the frequency of the bowel movements or decrease in the hardness of the stool. Generally incontinence of stool, rectal urgency, incomplete evacuation, bowel movements immediately after eating are very often misinterpreted as diarrhea.
The World Health Organization has defined diarrhea as “having 3 or more loose or liquid stools per day, or as having more stools than is normal for that person.”
People suffering from diarrhea generally pass more than a quart of stool a day. Acute diarrhea may stay for a day or two and pass away without any special treatment being given while prolonged diarrhea is a cause to worry as it may lead to dehydration.
Diarrhea can cause dehydration, a situation in which the body lacks enough fluid to function properly. Dehydration is particularly dangerous in children and older people, and it must be treated promptly to avoid serious health problems
Diarrhea is one of the most common diseases found in all age group and is the main reason for the lost days of work. On an average a child by the time reaches the age of 5 would have got the attacks of diarrhea by 6 to 10 times and an average adult has this attack four times in a year.
Causes for Diarrhea:
Diarrhea is generally caused by the infection. This infection may be caused by-
Viral Infections : Many viruses like rotavirus (in children), Norwalk virus (adults and school going children), cytomegalovirus, herpes simplex virus, and viral hepatitis. Cause diarrhea. Generally diarrhea caused by viral infection lasts from 3 to 7 days.
Bacterial Infection : Diarrhea caused by bacterial infections is very severe and are accompanied with vomiting, fever, and severe abdominal cramps or abdominal pain. Bowel movements occur frequently and may be watery. They are mostly caused by intake of contaminated foods or drinks.
Parasites: The parasites infect the digestive system which may result in diarrhea. This is caused by the usage of contaminated drink.
Food Intolerance: Some people are unable to digest some food components like lactose. If they have those, it may lead to diarrhea.
Reaction to medicines: Reaction to a medicine may lead to diarrhea. Generally medicines like antibiotics, blood pressure medications, cancer drugs, and antacids may lead to diarrhea.
Symptoms of Diarrhea:
• Watery liquid stool- The stool passed out is liquid or semi solid. Sometimes it may be of red in color which indicates intestinal bleeding. If it is of thick, tarry black color it indicates bleeding in stomach or upper part of the intestine.
• Abdominal Pain: Occasionally diarrhea is accompanied with mild-to-moderate abdominal pain. If the pain is severe it suggests more severe disease.
• Dehydration: If diarrhea leads to dehydration, it is a sign of serious disease.
Some general symptoms found in persons suffering from diarrhea are:
• Feeling thirsty and having a dry mouth
• Skin appearing loose
• Sunken eyes among children and infants.
Herbal and Home made Treatment for diarrhea:

• Meadowsweet helps in toning the lining of small intestine and may prove beneficial for treating diarrhea among children.

• Boil the roots of the blackberry bush in a quart of water until it boils down to 1 pint. Cool and strain, take 1-2 table spoon 3 times daily. (Note, I know those who will just chew on the roots of the blackberry bush)

• Drink a thin, gruel with oatmeal or a handful of raw oats.

• Cook 8 good-sized well washed leeks in 2 l of water for three hours in a covered pan. Give a tea spoon of the resultant in every hour to the child suffering from diarrhea. It brings relief very soon.
• Boil a few barley seeds in 1/2 l of water for half an hour. Allow it to cool down. Add salt or sugar and a few drops of  lemon juice  to taste. Drinking this will bring relief