Diarrhea is passing loose, watery, and more frequent stools than you would normally. It is a common problem and usually nothing to worry about. Diarrhea is typically short-lived, lasting no more than a few days to a week. If you have tried home remedies for diarrhea without success, your primary care provider might refer you to the best Cypress gastroenterologist – a doctor specializing in the digestive system.
What causes diarrhea?
Diarrhea has numerous possible causes, but a bowel infection or gastroenteritis is a common cause in adults and children. Gastroenteritis may be due to the following:
- Bacteria and parasites. Exposing yourself to pathogenic bacteria like E. coli and parasites through contaminated water or food is a common cause of diarrhea. C. diff is another bacterium that causes diarrhea; it can occur during hospitalization or after antibiotics.
- Viruses. Examples of viruses that can cause diarrhea include enteric adenoviruses, Norwalk virus, viral hepatitis, astrovirus, and cytomegalovirus. Rotavirus is a common cause of acute diarrhea in children. The virus that causes COVID-19 is also associated with gastrointestinal symptoms like nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
Preventing infectious diarrhea
The most effective way to prevent the spread of infectious diarrhea is by washing your hands. Use the following tips to ensure adequate washing.
- Wash frequently. Always wash your hands before and after preparing food and after handling uncooked meat. You also want to ensure your hands are clean after sneezing, blowing your nose, coughing, and using the toilet.
- Take your time. After putting soap in your hands, lather with soap for at least 20 seconds. Twenty seconds is about as long as it takes to sing “Happy Birthday” twice.
- If you can’t get to the sink, use an alcohol-based sanitizer. Apply it as you would hand lotion, ensuring it covers the front and back of your hands. Ensure your sanitizer contains at least 60% alcohol.
Preventing traveler’s diarrhea
You are most likely to have diarrhea if you travel to places or countries with inadequate sanitation and contaminated food. If you tend to travel, here are tips to reduce your risk.
- Watch the foods you eat. Ensure your food is hot and well-cooked before eating. You want to avoid undercooked meat and dairy foods. Unless you can peel them yourself, avoid raw fruits and vegetables.
- Be mindful of your drinks. If you need to drink a beer, soda, or water, ensure it is served right from its original container. Avoid ice cubes and tap water and use bottled water even for brushing your teeth. You also want to keep your mouth close while you shower to avoid drinking the water. Tea and coffee are probably safe as they are made with boiled water. However, note that caffeine and alcohol can aggravate diarrhea and worsen dehydration.
- Consult your doctor before traveling. If you are traveling to a developing country for a long period, ask your doctor about antibiotics, especially if your immune system is compromised.
- Review travel warnings. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have a traveler’s health website with disease warnings for various countries. If you plan to travel outside the USA, check the travel warnings and tips to lower your risk.
If you have chronic diarrhea, visit your specialist at GastroDoxs for treatment to improve your quality of life.
