DIARRHOEA

The curtain just went up on the play you spent a week’s wages to buy tickets to see and suddenly you are struck with abdominal cramping and sweaty feeling. Everyone dreads a bout of diarrhea, which can leave you feeling exhausted and dehydrated.

After you eat, most foods are digested in the small intestine. Your colon then absorbs the remaining liquid from digested food particles that pass through it forming semi- solid stools.

1. Bacteria, commonly found in food or water that is contaminated, can make a toxin that triggers intestinal cells to secrete salt and water. When this occurs, it overwhelms the capacity of your lower small bowel and your colon to absorb fluid.
2. More commonly, an invading virus can damage the mucous membrane that lines the intestine. Fluid absorption is then disrupted.

• At the first sign of diarrhea, begin to drink clear liquids –the main liquid you need to water.
• Drinks lots of liquids – at least 8 to 10 glasses of water and other liquids daily. This should prevent most complications that stem from substantial loss of fluids and electrolytes such as sodium and potassium.
• Eat low- fibre foods. As the symptoms improve or stools become formed, start to eat low fibre foods, such as crackers, toast, eggs, rice or chicken and other tender cuts of meat.
• Don’t eat greasy or fatty foods, milk or highly seasoned foods for a few days.
• Avoid over – the –counter anti – diarrhea products. These may slow the elimination of the infectious agent and actually prolong the diarrhoe.