Diarrhea / diarrhoea / Watery Bowel movements ?

Diarrhea is one of the world's biggest killer of children. It is inflammation of the bowel by production of too much mucous secretion. Also see I.B.S. (Irritable Bowels Syndrome).

Diarrhea is a condition in which bowel movements become loose or watery and more frequent. At a severe stage, 10 or more watery bowel movements per day can be experienced.

There are several types of Diarrhoea:

• Acute diarrhea
• Chronic diarrhea
• Recurrent diarrhea
• Infectious
  Caused by viruses, bacterium,
• Non Infectious
• Inflammatory (diarrhea that inflames the colon)
  Symptoms include fever, bloody diarrhea, pain in the rectum, gut pains
• Non Inflammatory (diarrhea that does not inflame the colon).
  Symptoms include nausea, stomach cramps, watery stool

It is quite shocking to see how many people suffer from this condition in our 'Modern Western World'.

Looseness of the bowels is an attempt by Mother Nature (your body) to cleanse itself of poisons and impurities.

Infrequent happenings are therefore 'normal' but if it progresses to a daily occurrence, it becomes dangerous.

The danger does not only apply to the dehydration caused by long term diarrhoea.
The fast passage time of food through the digestive system leaves the individual unable to break down & utilise the food correctly. The important vitamins and minerals are thus not absorbed and retained by the body and a nutritional deficiency develops over time.

This deficiency eventually leads to ailments such as anaemia, exhaustion, hypoglycaemia, frequent infections as well as colds and flu (due to a run down Immune System) and even colonic cancer.

Some reasons for Diarrhea / watery bowel movements are:

• Virus infection e.g. enterovirus, adenovirus, rotavirus
• Food Intolerance
• Food Allergy
• Food poisoning
• Long term use of Antibiotics
• Poor digestive system
• Faulty absorption of Proteins, Fats & Carbohydrates
• Food or water that has gone off
• Bacterial or Viral infection
• Thyroid Gland malfunction
• Traveller diarrhea (when away from 'home' due to eating and drinking contaminated foods and water). Also called Delhi Belly.
• Nervous bowel

Some symptoms of diarrhea are:

• If your stools are mainly loose / watery
• You have more than 3 loose bowel movements per day
• You feel the need for a bowel movement soon after each meal
• You experience an URGENCY before a bowel movement
• There is blood or mucus in your stool
• You get sharp pains in your abdomen
• Rumblings & noises in the bowels
• You pass a lot of wind
• Constant bloating in the gut

The above symptoms indicate that there may well be a problem looming and attention to the digestive system is required.

Travellers diarrhoea is a term used when people develop watery stools while on holiday. It is normally due to an E. Coli bacterial infection following drinking of contaminated water or eating of foods washed in water containing the bacterium.
E. Coli diarrhea is normally a self limiting infection and most people overcome it within a few days.
However, if it develops into bloody diarrhoea, it could be due to salmonella, shingella or amoebic infections and special investigation is crucial.

A simple solution of salt and sugar will help to prevent dehydration.

Food Intolerance, Digestive Disorder and an imbalance in correct Bowel Flora are some of the contributing factors to non infectious diarrhea.

It is quite easy to stop watery bowel movements and restore normal bowel function in many cases. The use of an elimination diet with added probiotics ('friendly' bowel bacteria), digestive enzymes and a small amount natural yoghurts after a few days is a good starting point.

DIARRHEA SUMMARY Eliminate the cause i.e. eliminate certain foods. A 3-day fast on water and pure fruit & vegetable juices will help to cleanse the digestive system. Avoid coffee and caffeine. Eliminate alcohol. Avoid cows milk. Improve the digestive process. Restore normal bowel flora (favourable bacteria in the colon). Provide the body with certain nutrients to help it fight off the infection. Offer the Liver support in it's detoxification function. Restore the body's immune system so that it will repair damaged tissue & enhance it's ability to ward off recurring infection. BENEFICIAL INGREDIENTS Probiotics e.g.. Acidophilus & Bifidophilus Digestive Enzymes Bayberry Cinnamon Caprylic Acid Peppermint Garlic Caraway Lapacho Tea Grapefruit Seed Extract Vitamin C L-Glutamine Potassium Iron Magnesium Zinc

This page deals with bloating in the stomach, bacteria and virus infection, inflammation of the colon and diet changes for diarrhea, loose stool, food intolerance and watery bowel movements.