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What is Diarrhea?

Diarrhea is a condition in which you have loose or watery stools more frequently than normal, or 3 or more times per day. It is typically a sign of gastrointestinal infection, which is caused by a variety of organisms such as bacteria, viruses and parasites.

Acute Diarrhea vs Chronic Diarrhea

Acute diarrhea is short term diarrhea that usually lasts up to one or two days, but can last longer.
Chronic diarrhea can last at least 4 weeks. Symptoms can be continuous or come and go.

Diarrhea Causes

Diarrhea can be caused by various reasons:

Viruses: some viruses can cause diarrhea, such as Norwalk virus (norovirus), enteric adenoviruses, astrovirus, cytomegalovirus and viruses that cause hepatitis. Rotavirus is common cause of sudden childhood diarrhea. COVID-19 virus can also cause gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea, vomiting and diarrhea
Bacteria and parasites: exposure to bacteria such as Escherichia coli or parasites through infected food or water can cause diarrhea. Diarrhea caused by bacteria/parasites when traveling in developing countries is known as traveller’s diarrhea. Clostridiodes difficile (C. diff) is another bacterium that causes diarrhea and it can occur after a course of antibiotics or during a hospital stay
Medicines: antibiotics can disturb the balance of bacteria in your intestines as they kill off both the bad and good bacteria. Other medications that cause diarrhea are anti-cancer drugs and antacids with magnesium
Artificial sweeteners: sorbitol, erythritol and mannitol are non-absorbable sugars used as artificial sweeteners used in chewing gum and other sugar-free products can cause diarrhea
Lactose intolerance: lactose is a sugar found in milk and other dairy products. People who have trouble digesting it often have diarrhea after consumption of dairy products. Lactose intolerance can increase with age as levels of the enzyme used to digest lactose decrease with age
Fructose: sugar naturally found in fruits and honey, and sometimes also added as a sweetener to certain beverages. It can cause diarrhea in people who have problem digesting it
Surgery: partial intestine or gallbladder removal surgeries can sometimes cause diarrhea

Other digestive disorders such as IBS, Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, celiac disease, microscopic colitis and small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) can cause chronic diarrhea

Symptoms

Diarrhea Complications

Complications due to diarrhea include:

Dehydration: body loses fluids and electrolytes during this disease. Dehydration can lead to organ damage, shock, fainting or coma. Symptoms of dehydration include excessive thirst, dry mouth or skin, little or no urination, dizziness, weakness and fatigue.
Malnutrition: this disease makes it difficult to absorb nutrients from food
Blood in stool: red streaks of blood in stool may indicate bleeding in the rectum or anus
Temporary lactose intolerance

Diarrhea Prevention

Practicing good hygiene is a must to prevent the spread of diarrhea. This may include things like:

• Washing hands thoroughly with soap and warm water after using the toilet, before eating and before preparing food
• Avoid sharing towels, utensils or handkerchiefs with a person infected with diarrhea
• Clean toilet seat and handle with disinfectant after each usage by an infected person
• Stay home to reduce spread of infection
• Avoid visiting hospitals, nursing homes and swimming in public
• Cook food completely and refrigerate food properly
• Drink contaminant-free water
• Avoid eating food from street vendors, ice made with tap water, and raw/undercooked meat or seafood

Diarrhea in Children

Diarrhea is a common problem in children and can be caused by infections, food that is prepared or stored unsafely, medications, or intestinal diseases. In young children, diarrhea can lead to dehydration quickly.

Diarrhea During Pregnancy

Diarrhea is common during pregnancy and can occur due to hormonal changes, dietary changes, food sensitivities, infections or medications.

Diarrhea After Eating

Also known as postprandial diarrhea, diarrhea after consuming food can be caused by food allergies and intolerances, infections, medications, spicy foods, sugar and artificial sweeteners or gastrointestinal conditions.

Diarrhea After Antibiotics

Consumption of antibiotics can disrupt the balance of bacteria in the intestines, which can cause diarrhea. But this type of diarrhea is usually mild and will go away by itself in a few days.

Diarrhea and stomach cramps

Stomach cramps during diarrhea can be caused due to gastroenteritis, food allergies or intolerances and Traveler’s disease. Using a heating pad, drinking peppermint or chamomile tea and staying hydrated can help in easing stomach pain and cramps.

Diarrhea Treatment at Home

Some home remedies to treat diarrhea:

• Rehydration: drinking fluids like water, fruit juices, sports drinks, salty broths and oral rehydration solutions can help replenish the lost fluids and electrolytes in the body
• Eat bland foods, as these will put less stress on your digestive system
• Consume probiotics: probiotics contain live microorganisms which help restore a healthy balance to the intestinal tract
• Zinc supplements can reduce the duration of diarrhea by 25%

Diarrhea Treatment in Ayurveda

Herbal Remedies

Ayurvedic herbs such as Haritaki, Bilwa, Kutaja and Jatiphala help in rebalancing the doshas and give relief from diarrhea.

Panchakarma Therapies

Panchakarma therapies such as Nidana Parivarjana, Shamana Chiktsa, Virechana and Basti help improve digestion and also cleanse the body of toxins

Diet Changes

• Consume old shali rice, porridge, red lentils and green gram, as well as, jamun, bilwa, banana, dadima, bottle gourd and patola
• Do not consume maida, peas, black gram, pumpkin, plums, cucumber or beans

Lifestyle Modifications

• Take proper rest and get enough sleep
• Do not consume alcohol
• Do not have a tub bath
• Avoid exercise, day sleeping, having sex and night awakening
• Do not suppress natural urges such as urinating and bowel movement

Jiva's Evidence-Based Treatment Process

Nadi Pariksha

Starting with Nadi Pariksha, Jiva's certified Ayurvedic doctor use this traditional pulse diagnosis to detect imbalances and assess organ health, which is crucial for diagnosing Diarrhea accurately.

Prakriti Analysis

Understanding your unique physical and psychological patterns allow us to create a Diarrhea treatment plan that not only addresses symptoms but also aligns with your inherent constitution for lasting health.

Samprapti Ghatak (Pathogenesis)

Our practitioners investigate the progression of diarrhea by examining hygiene, dietary habits and lifestyle factors. This thorough analysis helps identify specific triggers that need to be addressed for targeted and individualised treatment.

Chikitsa Sutra - Personalised Treatment Plan

A detailed diarrhea treatment plan is then created, which consists of diet modifications, lifestyle adjustments, herbal medications and specific therapies that aim to restore dosha balance and enhance gut health.

Continuous Monitoring and Amendments

Continuous tracking of the treatment's effectiveness allows us to make necessary adjustments, ensuring that you achieve the best results from your personalised Ayurvedic Treatment for Diarrhea with Jiva’s on-going support.

What Our Patients Say

87% of patients rate us excellent in service.
78% of patients saw significant improvement in 3 months of treatment.
92% of patients stopped allopathic medicines completely.