Diarrhea is characterized by the frequent passage of watery stools. Some of the more common causes are viruses, food poisoning, parasites such as Giardia, anxiety and nervousness, or reactions to food, alcohol, or medications. Antibiotics, antacids and other products containing magnesium, antihypertensives, laxatives that are not bulk-forming and medications for irregular heartbeat can all cause diarrhea.
Because diarrhea is a healthy eliminative function that is intended to rid the gut of irritants causing the problem, experts consider it best to let the diarrhea run its course, if possible, while using rehydration products to prevent dehydration. Seek medical assistance when severe diarrhea renders you weak, when your temperature is above 101 degrees, when there is blood or black tarry stools or when diarrhea persists for more than 10 days. Other symptoms accompanying diarrhea that warrant medical attention include severe abdominal pain, confusion, unresponsiveness or dizziness while standing.
One type of frequently occurring diarrhea is due to antibiotic use. Antibiotics can cause the intestines to become inflamed. The result is diarrhea, abdominal cramps and fever. The symptoms usually begin 4 to 10 days after starting the antibiotic, but can develop after the drug has been stopped. The most serious form of antibiotic-associated diarrhea is pseudomembranous colitis, caused by overgrowth of the Clostridium difficile organism. If diarrhea has been developed from antibiotics, the physician who prescribed the drug should be consulted. It may be necessary to switch to another medication.
Self Help
Most diarrhea cases clear up within a few days without treatment. To help cope with symptoms until the diarrhea goes away, one can try the following:
- Probiotics contain healthy strains of living bacteria that are similar to the healthy bacteria found in the digestive system. Probiotics may boost the number of healthy bacteria present to fight germs in the digestive tract. Beneficial bacteria can also be found in yogurt and cheese.
- Eat baby food – it’s easy to absorb.
- Eat rice congee – 1 cup of rice cooked in six to eight cups water until porridge results
- Drink plenty of clear liquids including water, broths and juices every day. Use rehydration formulas or sports electrolyte drinks to replenish lost fluids. Avoid caffeine and alcohol.
- Avoid certain foods such as dairy products, fatty foods, high-fiber foods or highly seasoned food for a few days.
- Over-the-counter anti-diarrheal medications, such as Imodium A-D and Pepto-Bismol may help reduce the number of watery bowel movements one may experience.
Western Treatments
If one has tried lifestyle changes and home remedies without success, a doctor may recommend medications or other treatments. The doctor will advise steps to replace the fluids and salts lost from diarrhea. For most people, replacing fluids means drinking water, juice or broth. If drinking liquids upsets the stomach or causes diarrhea, the doctor may recommend replacing fluids intravenously.
Antibiotics may help diarrhea caused by bacteria or parasites. If a virus is causing the diarrhea, antibiotics won’t help. If an antibiotic medication caused the diarrhea, the doctor may modify the treatment plan by lowering the dose or switching to another medication. If the diarrhea is caused by a more serious disease or condition, such as inflammatory bowel disease, the doctor may work to control that condition. The patient may be referred to a specialist, such as a gastroenterologist, who can help devise a treatment plan.
A Case in TCM Treatment
A 64-year-old Japanese-American man reported a lifetime of diarrhea and tiredness after eating; particularly following lunch. Because of his age, he was referred to a gastroenterologist for tests; they were all normal. He was a tennis player and avid gardener. His diet consisted of mostly Japanese food. He seemed to have a sensitivity to fruits, which gave him gas. Traditional Chinese diagnosis found that his pulse was wiry and his tongue was red. He wanted to try herbs, which had previously helped him when he had kidney stones. He was advised to go on a soy-free and low fermented-food diet, eliminating soy, alcohol, dairy, fruits and high-fat foods for two weeks.
He was started on the herbal formula containing licorice root, cardamon fruit, capillaris herb and other herbs at which one tablet was to be taken three times daily for the first week and then two tablets at three times daily the second week. He was also given a formula containing bovine colostrum complex to take at two tablets, twice a day. Within two weeks, his condition was alleviated. He was then to start reintroducing the foods he had previously eliminated. In the subsequent weeks, he found that soy, milk and alcohol contributed most to his diarrhea. After six weeks, a formula containing lotus seed, nutmeg seed, White Ginseng root and other herbs were to be taken at three tablets three times a day, was substituted for the formula containing Licorice root, cardamon fruit, capillaris herbs and other herbs, in order to address spleen qi deficiency. Forty years of diarrhea would have damaged the digestive system and would be a major contributor to his fatigue. The formula containing bovine colostrum complex was reduced to one tablet to be taken twice daily; the formula containing licorice root, cardamon fruit, capillaris herbs and other herbs was restarted at three tablets, three times daily. He continued taking the formula containing the licorice root, cardamon fruit, capillaris herbs and other herbs for three months and reported his afternoon fatigued greatly improved.