Why is diarrhea runny? Watery diarrhea: symptoms, causes, treatment. Folk remedies for diarrhea in adults

Diarrhea is an extremely unpleasant disease that forces a person to go to the toilet more than 2 times a day. Abdominal pain, rumbling and constant urge to defecate are the main signs of this disorder. Many people have a question about what to do if they have diarrhea?

With severe diarrhea, the number of bowel movements can reach up to 20 or more times a day. And this leads to rapid dehydration of the patient’s body.

  1. Indigestion often occurs among travelers who decide to try local cuisine. A stomach unaccustomed to unfamiliar ingredients may simply not be able to withstand exotic dishes. People with weak stomachs are at risk. Diarrhea often occurs after eating fatty, heavy foods.
  2. Severe diarrhea occurs after food poisoning from low-quality or expired products. We need to take a more responsible approach to food storage. Food spoils especially quickly in the hot summer, when the temperature outside goes beyond 30 degrees.
  3. The entry of bacteria into the intestines leads to severe digestive upset.
  4. Some people experience diarrhea after eating foods that are allergens to them.
  5. Many medications have a laxative effect. After completing the course of treatment, the patient begins to suffer from diarrhea.
  6. Severe stress can trigger diarrhea. Certain hormones are released into the blood of a person experiencing nervous tension. As a result, the functioning of the digestive system is disrupted.

When to see a doctor?

In what cases should you contact a specialist?

  1. What to do if you have diarrhea if there are streaks of blood in the stool? Blood clots can occur due to a dangerous infection entering the human body.
  2. In the process of long-term treatment with folk remedies, no tangible results were obtained.
  3. Bowel movements have become much more frequent.
  4. The patient's body temperature is more than 38 degrees.
  5. A person complains of vomiting and abdominal pain.
  6. Black stool may occur due to stomach bleeding. Blood impurities are also present in the vomit. In this case, you must immediately call a doctor. Delay can lead to unpleasant consequences, including death.

The list of medications for diarrhea includes:

  1. Enterosorbents are products that help get rid of poisoning after eating low-quality products (Kaopectate,). The drugs promote cell regeneration and restoration of the protective barrier of the intestinal mucosa. You can speed up the removal of toxins from the body with the help.
  2. To destroy pathogenic microorganisms that cause diarrhea, patients are prescribed antibacterial agents. Enterofuril and Ersefuril are used to combat pathogenic microbes. They destroy E. coli, staphylococci and streptococci.
  3. Antifungal drugs to eliminate the effects of candidal diarrhea include Nystatin and Natamycin. They are poorly absorbed in the digestive tract. They are eliminated from the body naturally.
  4. helps prevent dehydration of the body. To restore the water-salt balance, patients need to take either Gastrolit or Citraglucosolan.
  5. helps restore normal intestinal microflora disturbed by diarrhea. The preparation contains nutrients for the growth of beneficial microorganisms. The most effective of them include Enterol and Eubucor. They not only create conditions for the proliferation of beneficial bacteria. The products fight dangerous microorganisms. Eubucor contains baker's yeast, which is used to treat diarrhea. Hilak forte and Linex help improve the condition of the intestines. After taking them, organic acids (lactic acids) are produced, which are harmful to pathogenic bacteria.
  6. To eliminate diarrhea, you can also use its analogues. This and Laremid, which reduce intestinal motility. These medications should be stopped if there is any suspicion that the diarrhea is infectious. Otherwise, the removal of toxic substances from the body can be delayed.

Folk remedies

The following remedies can help cope with the symptoms of severe diarrhea:

  • Prepare a decoction of oak bark. To do this you need 500 ml of water and 1 teaspoon of oak bark. The broth should be simmered over low heat for about 10 minutes. The product is used 3 times a day, 1 tbsp. spoon.
  • Blueberries are a berry that has astringent properties. To get rid of diarrhea, you can use blueberry jelly. To do this, mix a spoonful of starch in a glass of cold water. Bring the water in the pan to a boil and add a solution of starch and berries to it. Cook the jelly for 10 minutes, stirring continuously with a spoon.
  • A decoction of St. John's wort can quickly eliminate the symptoms of diarrhea. For the decoction to work, you need to take it 3 times a day, 1 tbsp. spoon.

Don’t blindly trust TV advertisements that promise that diarrhea will go away with just one pill. Advertised remedies will slow down intestinal motility, but will not have a therapeutic effect on the disease that caused loose stools.

Diarrhea like water in an adult: causes

Diarrhea with water and fever in an adult

The combination of loose stools and high temperature are signs of severe food poisoning, inflammation of the pancreas or rotavirus infection.

Bacterial infections can also cause fever. If they are present, the stool becomes greenish in color and may contain blood.

Yellow diarrhea with water in an adult

The drugs Loperamide and Imodium will help to quickly slow down intestinal motility.

To restore the balance of fluids and salts, you need to drink solutions with Regidron, Gastrolit and Citroglucosolan. If you don’t have these drugs on hand, just dilute a third of a glass of sugar, one teaspoon of salt and lemon or orange juice in half a liter of water. This composition is drunk in small portions throughout the day.

Important in the treatment of loose diarrhea - application

Diarrhea is a fairly common symptom that occurs during the development of many diseases. Liquid stool may indicate an eating disorder or indicate serious diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, such as ulcers. Why does the problem most often occur in adult patients, and what treatment methods will be relevant here? Let's talk.

Reasons for the development of the disease

Human feces are approximately 75% water. Everything else is particles of processed food, enzymes, fiber and some mucus released from the body. The consistency of feces is usually hard, but diarrhea also occurs frequently.

Usually the problem appears due to the body’s reaction to not the most healthy food, which has difficulty digesting. However, if liquid stool appears all the time, it's time to sound the alarm. Here are the most common reasons for the frequent occurrence of this disorder:

  • intolerance to certain components in the diet that cause allergies;
  • pancreatic diseases;
  • the vital activity of pathogenic bacteria in the gastrointestinal tract;
  • ulcerative colitis;
  • intolerance to certain dairy products or consumption of large amounts of fatty foods;
  • cancerous formations;
  • problems with fluid absorption.

Regular problems with stool consistency should raise certain questions in a person. Such disorders do not arise just like that, and usually this problem indicates the early stages of the development of very serious diseases.

Often the symptom is combined with others that are no less alarming. For example, diarrhea often occurs against the background of increased flatulence or severe abdominal pain. You should see a doctor because the range of potential problems is too wide to diagnose on your own.

Types of liquid stool and diagnosis

  • antispasmodics that help relieve pain by weakening the smooth muscles of the intestines;
  • absorbents - drugs effectively and quickly compact feces, absorbing substances that cause intoxication, removing them from the body.

The doctor may also prescribe a complex of beneficial probiotics that restore beneficial intestinal microflora, contributing to the full restoration of its function.

If an adult experiences excessive water diarrhea, this indicates an intestinal disorder. The causes of the disease can be different - from infections to chronic diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. In this case, special attention should be paid to those cases when diarrhea does not stop for more than 2 days, even after taking medications. In addition, if it is accompanied by a sharp weakening of the body and other dangerous symptoms, it is necessary to undergo an examination as quickly as possible.

Excessive diarrhea can occur for various, unrelated reasons. These include intestinal disorders, infectious pathologies, and the use of low-quality food and drinks. A complete list of the most likely causes is presented in the table.

Group of diseasesDescription
Infections caused by bacteria: dysentery, escherichiosis, salmonellosisA disorder of the intestinal microflora, leading to profuse diarrhea and signs of poisoning
Viral infections – adenoviral, enteroviralIncreased temperature, signs of poisoning
Enzymopathy – gallstones, pancreatitis, individual congenital characteristicsInsufficient production of digestive enzymes, resulting in indigestion
Tumors benign and malignantPolyps in the intestines, carcinomas, leading to complications in the form of inflammation, digestive disorders, etc.
Allergic reactionsArise due to individual intolerance by the body to certain substances (for example, gluten, pigments in berries, fruits, etc.)
Poisoning (intoxication)Poisoning by harmful impurities, toxic substances, nitrates (symptoms are typical - nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, weakness, etc.)
Side effects of medicationsComplications are usually observed as a result of long-term use of antibiotics, overdose of laxatives, use of cytostatics, medications for gastrointestinal diseases, etc.
Bleeding in the stomach and various parts of the intestinesAccompanied by dark red diarrhea, water, black discharge (especially likely with open ulcers of the stomach and duodenum)

Very often, infection occurs due to typical lack of personal hygiene. Therefore, if there are doubts about the purity of the product, it is better to either refrain from consuming it altogether, or carefully process it: raw vegetables and fruits are washed under water, and it is better to reheat meat dishes.

External signs of the disease

Loose stools are a normal physiological phenomenon that is sometimes observed in a healthy person (after taking fermented milk products, carbonated drinks, vegetables, fruits, etc.). However, profuse diarrhea with an almost liquid consistency clearly indicates an intestinal disorder. To determine the difference between conditionally “normal” diarrhea and profuse water diarrhea, you can conduct independent observations using such data.

Comparable characteristic"Normal" diarrheaProfuse diarrhea with water
Frequency of bowel movements1-2 times a dayMore than 3-4 times (approximately every 1-2 hours)
ConsistencyLike liquid porridge, homogeneous massWatery, heterogeneous mass (foamy, with different fractions, etc.)
ColorTypical – brown, orange-brown, dark yellowDifferent shades - light, yellow, greenish, black, burgundy, brown, wine red
SmellTypical, not smellyFetid, very unpleasant, sourish or even without a distinct odor

Discharge color

Diarrhea is not always the usual brown color. The appearance of different shades is often observed, which can also indicate the development of specific diseases, as shown in the table.

ColorImagePossible reason
Hepatitis, dysfunction of the gallbladder (insufficient amount of bile)
Severe poisoning, infectious intestinal disorder (dysentery, dysbacteriosis)
Bleeding in the upper parts of the stomach and intestines, the effect of certain medications containing bismuth (for example, Vikair, De-Nop and others)
Stomach and intestinal disorders, indigestion

Note! In most cases, it is impossible to make a diagnosis based on color and other symptoms. Therefore, if profuse diarrhea of ​​water does not stop, it is necessary to be examined by a doctor as soon as possible.

What to pay attention to

If such a phenomenon occurs only once or lasts only 1-2 days, and the cause is obvious (for example, drinking raw water), there is no reason to worry.

However, in some cases, severe water diarrhea continues for several days in a row and is accompanied by other symptoms:

  • urinary retention (more than 3 hours);
  • signs of poisoning (loss of appetite, abdominal pain, vomiting, etc.);
  • general weakening of the body, malaise, dizziness;
  • blood pressure surges;
  • temperature fluctuations, chills;
  • semi-fainting state;
  • paleness of the skin (especially on the extremities), cooling;
  • inexplicable anxiety, irritability;
  • a strong feeling of thirst that occurs for no apparent reason.

If one or more of these symptoms occurs, you should immediately consult a doctor. It should be especially alarming that the diarrhea does not stop for several days, and the signs of the disease do not disappear even when taking fixatives, activated carbon, Smecta and other medications.

It is important to understand that the main danger with this type of disorder is that the body loses large volumes of water. Accordingly, dehydration may occur, which will negatively affect the functioning of all internal organs. Therefore, treatment must be started as quickly as possible.

Note! If the shades of diarrhea are blackish-burgundy, or the diarrhea contains particles of blood, urgent measures should be taken and emergency assistance should be called. This symptom may indicate the onset of internal bleeding.

What to do: first aid for diarrhea

You can provide first aid yourself. If heavy discharge is observed, the following measures should be taken immediately:


Note! You should not use large quantities of antibiotics - only a doctor can prescribe them, and self-medication can lead to complications.

Diagnosis and treatment of diarrhea

In most cases, the occurrence of heavy discharge goes away within a few days or even a few hours. To do this, you just need to adjust your diet and use fixatives, as well as activated carbon. However, if these measures do not lead to results, and severe diarrhea with water recurs, you need to consult a doctor as soon as possible and undergo diagnostics.

The doctor analyzes complaints and medical history, paying attention to the following questions:

  • how long does diarrhea last?
  • whether the patient is taking any medications (one-time or in a course);
  • what is the person’s diet?
  • how often does discharge appear?
  • external signs of discharge (color, consistency, smell, etc.).

In some cases, to clarify the diagnosis, instrumental diagnostics will be required - for example, ultrasound of the abdominal cavity, electrogastrography, radiography of the stomach and others. Treatment directly depends on the identified causes and diagnosis. The most commonly prescribed medications are those described in the table.

Cause of the diseaseTypes of drugs
Image
InfectiousAntibiotics (“Furazolidone”, “Tetracycline”, etc.);
sorbents (activated carbon, Smecta);
antiseptic drugs (“Sulgin”, “Metronidazole”, “Levomycetin”, “Gentamicin”, etc.);
fixatives (“Loperamide”)
EnzymopathyEnzyme preparations (“Panstal”, “Festal”, “Pankral”, etc.)
Chronic bowel diseasesAntibiotics;
anti-inflammatory drugs (Pentasa, Dipentum, Asakol);
hormonal drugs (glucocorticoids)
Internal bleedingAntiulcer agents (“Histodil”, “Antacid”, “Kvamatel”);
hemostatics (drugs to increase blood clotting - aminocaproic, aminomethylbenzoic acids, cortical, etc.)
Poisoning with food, drinks, hazardous substancesSorbents (usually activated carbon); gastric lavage is also often performed with enemas
Diarrhea due to antibioticsSorbents;
probiotics (“Linex”, “Lactovit”);
antifungal drugs (Levorin, Ketoconazole, Diflucan)

Diet for excessive water diarrhea

In the first hours after the onset of severe diarrhea, it is better to abstain from eating altogether or at least eat foods that are easily digestible:

  • chicken bouillon;
  • boiled rice;
  • lean beef broth;
  • boiled buckwheat.

Diarrhea is an extremely unpleasant problem that usually strikes at the most inopportune moment. Although water diarrhea in an adult does not require special treatment, no one wants to wait until the problem goes away on its own. There are quite a lot of methods to combat diarrhea, and it will not be superfluous to get acquainted with them.

What can cause water diarrhea in an adult?

Diarrhea or, more simply put, diarrhea is a phenomenon familiar to many. More often than others, this problem is encountered by children who follow basic hygiene rules every now and then. Although adults treat hygiene standards more responsibly, not everyone can protect themselves from diarrhea. Therefore, almost everyone has to suffer from frequent runs to the toilet and extremely unpleasant abdominal pain from time to time.

Diarrhea in the form of water can appear for various reasons:

  1. Some people suffer from stomach upsets due to stress.
  2. Even one unwashed and hastily eaten apple (or any other fruit) can cause diarrhea.
  3. We must not forget about infectious bacilli, which most often multiply in untreated water.
  4. Very often, diarrhea appears as a negative reaction of the body to taking potent drugs: antibiotics, cyostatics, prokinetics and, paradoxically as it may sound, laxatives.
  5. Dysbacteriosis can also manifest itself as diarrhea.

Regardless of what caused it, diarrhea causes many problems and harms the body.

What to do if diarrhea is like water?

As is the case with most other diseases, it is strictly not recommended to start fighting diarrhea without understanding the cause of the problem. It turns out that the first thing you need to do when you have water diarrhea is to determine what caused the diarrhea. Usually this is not a difficult task - you will probably remember how, in a hurry, you drank a glass of untreated water or, having decided to remember your childhood, you ate an unwashed apricot straight from the tree.

In most cases, diarrhea goes away on its own within a day or two. Even doctors do not advise doing anything special at this time. All you can do is drink more water (diarrhea greatly dehydrates the body) and follow a gentle diet. If you have diarrhea, you should not eat heavy or fried foods; alcohol, fast food, fresh fruits and vegetables are strictly prohibited. The following products will help treat diarrhea with water in an adult:

  • dried bread;
  • dairy products;
  • porridge;
  • dried fruits and berries;
  • baked apples;
  • lean boiled meat;
  • jelly.

You shouldn’t forcefully eat if you have diarrhea like water. The main thing is to drink, and you can recover and recharge your body with energy even after recovery.

Of the medications, only harmless sorbents are allowed, such as activated carbon or calcium gluconate. Some people find help such as:

  • Smecta;
  • Atoxyl.

It is not advisable to stop taking these medications until complete recovery.

If diarrhea like water in an adult continues for a long time (three or more days), while the patient suffers from fever, sudden weight loss and bloody discharge, it is better to seek qualified help. Most likely the reason in a serious infection, and therefore appropriate treatment is required - with antibiotics, probiotics, anti-inflammatory, antifungal drugs and enzymes.

Some methods of treating diarrhea with water are also available in folk medicine:

  1. Oak bark tincture helps with diarrhea.
  2. Chamomile decoction promotes a speedy recovery.
  3. Adherents of traditional methods of treatment recommend eating for diarrhea.
  4. A good remedy is peppercorns.