Diarrhea might not be that prevalent in Canada as with other countries, but people do get affected by it. According to the Canadian Digestive Health Foundation, in a study published in 2018, 4 to 5% of the Western population suffer from chronic diarrhea. In 2008, Canadians spent almost $50 million just for diarrheal treatments.
There are three known forms of this disease.
The most common type of diarrhea in Western countries is traveler’s diarrhea. You contract the disease while going from one place to another. Those who have a significantly higher risk of contracting this sickness are people who are fond of traveling to destinations with questionable standards of sanitation when preparing food or cleaning the surrounding. If you are in another country and if you find yourself suffering from this kind of illness for more than two days, it is crucial to call your embassy representative or someone you know from the country you are in so that he or she can connect you with a physician.
Acute diarrhea is the type that is caused by bacteria, viruses, or parasites from food or unsanitary surroundings. It can also be a reaction to a particular medicine. This form of diarrhea usually lasts shortly.
Chronic diarrhea is caused by underlying digestive disorders such as inflammatory bowel disease or irritable bowel. It can also be an accompanying effect of celiac disease, lactose intolerance, or intestinal infection.
How do you know you have it?
Here are diarrhea symptoms that you should watch out for:
· Passage of watery or loose stool;
· Urgent need to go to the bathroom (at least three times a day); and,
· fever, nausea, vomiting, bloating, or abdominal, depending on the virus, parasite, or bacteria that caused the sickness;
· How do you manage it at home?
Diarrhea is easy to manage and usually lasts for one to two days. Before going to a walk in clinic Thunder Bay center, you can apply the following self-treatment at home:
Be constantly hydrated. The most common effect of diarrhea is dehydration. Because you are passing watery stools, you can quickly lose water and electrolytes. To avoid this, drink a lot of clear liquids. Sip clear broth and get your frequent dose of safe drinking water. Another alternative is room temperature sports drinks. Sports drinks are rich in salt and sugar and can temporarily replenish what your body lost. The best option is drinking oral rehydration solutions, which can adequately feed your body with its much-needed electrolytes to avoid dehydration. Stay away from alcoholic and caffeinated drinks in the meantime as it may worsen your condition.
Watch your food intake. Be sure to wash and cook your food carefully. If you are suffering from diarrhea, eat a soft diet for the meantime. Besides drinking clear broth, you can eat bread or crackers and mashed potato (omit the butter if you can). The cause of a diarrhea bout is sometimes food-related, so watch out for anything that you have consumed that might trigger and remove it from your diet as soon as possible. Always take the necessary precaution when consuming beverages or food in unfamiliar territory.
Get over-the-counter drugs. Fortunately, there are a lot of over-the-counter medications that can effectively remedy diarrhea and bring you relief from a loose bowel movement. For fast treatment, you can buy loperamide, attapulgite, or bismuth subsalicylate. These two medicines do not require a doctor’s prescription, but you must not take it for more than two days.
When to consult a doctor about diarrhea?
Again, diarrhea is a manageable disease that can go away after a couple of days of self-medication and over-the-counter drugs. When suffering from this illness, some circumstances should prompt you to seek a professional health practitioner for help immediately. Here are some instances:
· If you have a high fever (101.3 °F or 38.5 °C and higher);
· If you are experiencing severe abdominal pain or stomach cramps;
· If you are passing bloody or black stools;
· If you have white or grey stools;
· If you are consistently vomiting and cannot hold down any liquid or food;
· If you are suffering from severe dehydration. Symptoms of severe dehydration include dark yellow pee and decreased urination, extremely dry skin, dizziness, rapid breathing and heartbeat, lack of energy, lethargy, confusion, and fainting; or,
· If you have taken self-care measures, but your diarrhea persisted for more than two days.
If you are someone who travels a lot or is a gastronomic adventurer, it is never a bad thing to arm yourself with information regarding diarrhea. With all the discomfort that it can cause, knowing when to contact a doctor and understanding how you can manage this illness at home or somewhere outside Canada is a worthwhile investment. Take care of your body, and your body will take care of you.