What to do if you have diarrhea and diarrhea

　　Unclean diet, climate change or gastrointestinal sensitivity may cause sudden diarrhea. Especially when the stool is "watery", it is not only unbearable but also may lead to serious consequences such as dehydration and electrolyte imbalance. Data show that if acute watery diarrhea is not treated in time, it may lead to physical collapse within a few hours, especially the elderly and children are at a higher risk. So what should you do if you have diarrhea and water? In fact, the key is not to stop diarrhea immediately, but to deal with three things scientifically: rehydration, identification of causes, and recuperation.

What to do if you have diarrhea and diarrhea

　　The first step: replenish water first, preventing dehydration is the top priority

　　The most dangerous thing about diarrhea is not the diarrhea itself, but the dehydration caused by the loss of a large amount of water and electrolytes. It can range from fatigue and dry mouth to dizziness, rapid heartbeat, and even shock. Therefore, once watery stool occurs, the first priority is to replenish fluids and electrolytes in time. Just drinking boiled water is not enough. It is recommended to take oral rehydration salts (ORS) or homemade light salt sugar water (add 1.75g ​​salt + 10g sugar to 500ml warm water). Adults drink 500ml after each diarrhea, and children drink small amounts many times.

　　Step 2: Take appropriate medication, but don’t take antidiarrheal drugs indiscriminately

　　Don't take "antidiarrheal medicine" whenever you have diarrhea. If it is caused by a bacterial or viral infection, forcibly stopping diarrhea will cause toxins to remain in the body. The correct approach is:

　　Infectious diarrhea: antibiotics or antiviral drugs need to be used after a doctor’s judgment, and do not take them by yourself.

　　Non-infectious diarrhea: You can take montmorillonite powder (to absorb toxins and protect the intestinal mucosa) and probiotics (to regulate intestinal flora) to help recovery.

　　Disadvantage Tips: Do not take powerful antidiarrheal drugs such as loperamide by yourself when you have a fever or blood in your stool.

　　Step 3: Pay attention to diet and keep warm to reduce the burden on the gastrointestinal tract

　　During diarrhea, the diet should be "small, soft, and light": eat small meals frequently, choose rice soup, gruel, noodles and other easily digestible foods, and avoid greasy, cold, and dairy products. At the same time, using a hot water bottle to apply heat to the abdomen can help relieve intestinal spasms and abdominal pain. Pay attention to keeping the abdomen warm to prevent colds from aggravating symptoms.

Causes of diarrhea

　　1. Intestinal infection

　　Eating food or water contaminated by bacteria (such as Escherichia coli, salmonella) and viruses (such as norovirus, rotavirus) will irritate the intestinal mucosa, causing accelerated intestinal peristalsis and increased secretion, causing diarrhea and diarrhea, which is often accompanied by abdominal pain and vomiting. Some patients may also develop fever symptoms.

　　2. Improper diet or allergies

　　Eating a large amount of raw, cold, greasy, spicy food in a short period of time, or ingesting lactose (for those who are lactose intolerant), seafood and other allergenic foods, will increase the digestive burden on the intestines, destroy the balance of intestinal flora, lead to intestinal dysfunction, and then diarrhea and diarrhea, often without fever, which can be relieved after stopping eating relevant foods.

　　3. Intestinal diseases or drug effects

　　Suffering from intestinal diseases such as irritable bowel syndrome and ulcerative colitis can cause damage to the intestinal mucosa, decrease intestinal absorption function, and cause chronic or repeated diarrhea.； In addition, taking antibiotics, laxatives and other drugs may irritate the intestines or affect the intestinal flora, leading to drug-induced diarrhea.

How to prevent diarrhea

　　1. Pay attention to food hygiene

　　Ingredients must be washed thoroughly, and meats, eggs, etc. must be cooked thoroughly before consumption. Avoid eating raw pickled and overnight vegetables.； Drink boiled water or bottled purified water, do not drink raw water ； Wash your hands before meals and after using the toilet to reduce the risk of bacteria and viruses that come into contact with your hands from entering the digestive tract and reduce the risk of infection from the source.

　　2. Reasonably adjust your diet

　　Avoid intolerant foods according to your own situation. For example, if you are lactose intolerant, choose lactose-free dairy products.； Eat a balanced daily diet and avoid excessive consumption of raw, cold, greasy, and spicy foods to maintain stable intestinal digestive function ； During the season when diarrhea is most common, you can take appropriate probiotics to maintain the balance of intestinal flora.

　　3. Take good physical protection and medication management

　　Pay attention to keeping your abdomen warm to prevent coldness in the abdomen from irritating the intestines； People suffering from intestinal diseases need to follow the doctor’s advice and receive standardized treatment to reduce the recurrence of the disease. ； Consult a doctor before taking medicine to understand the possible gastrointestinal reactions of the medicine, avoid overusing antibiotics and laxatives on your own, and reduce the risk of drug-induced diarrhea.

　　Diarrhea and watery discharge should not be taken lightly, but there is no need to panic. It is recommended to seek medical attention immediately if the following conditions occur: watery stool persists for more than 2 days and does not improve ； Obvious symptoms of dehydration (sunken eye sockets, oliguria, dry skin) ； High fever that persists or blood in the stool ； Symptoms worsen in infants, young children, the elderly, or patients with chronic diseases. Remember: give priority to rehydration, use medication carefully, eat a moderate diet, and seek medical treatment in time, so that you can safely survive the gastrointestinal "crisis period".