When the solid and liquid foods you ingest pass through your digestive system too quickly, your stool becomes soft and watery - you have diarrhea. It can be caused by various factors such as viruses, medications, and some foods. Given that the etiology of this condition is very broad, identifying the precise cause can be complicated. If you want to know more, keep reading.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Part One: Finding Out if You Have a Temporary Illness
Step 1. Determine if you can have a virus
Viruses are a common cause of diarrhea and are spread from person to person through handshaking, sharing utensils, or touching the same surfaces. Children who go to school or kindergarten are more prone to contracting viruses. If your child has recently spent time in an area with many people, he may have caught a virus.
- Viral gastroenteritis is a disease affecting the small intestine and stomach. It has symptoms such as diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal cramps and nausea which can last for about 3 days.
- Rotavirus is the virus most commonly found in children with diarrhea. Other symptoms are vomiting, abdominal pain, fever and nausea.
- See your doctor if you think diarrhea is caused by a virus.
Step 2. Determine if you have bacterial diarrhea
Bacteria that cause diarrhea are usually ingested with foods that have not been stored or cleaned properly. Bacterial diarrhea has the same symptoms as food poisoning.
- Have you recently eaten at a new restaurant or have you eaten food with a strange taste? Try to remember your last meals.
- The symptoms of food poisoning are headache and vomiting. The situation resolves itself in a couple of days.
- If symptoms of intoxication persist, see your doctor.
Step 3. Determine if you have come into contact with a parasite
Another frequent cause of diarrhea is the ingestion of dirty water. If you have gone swimming in a lake or river that may be contaminated, or if you have drunk unclean water, you may have caught a parasite.
- People traveling abroad have experienced this type of diarrhea, but it usually resolves in about 12 hours.
- If your symptoms don't go away in a couple of days, contact your doctor.
Method 2 of 3: Part Two: Finding Out if You Have a Chronic Illness
Step 1. Evaluate if you have Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
It is a very common cause of diarrhea and abdominal pain. It causes cramps and swelling and forces you to go to the bathroom more often than normal.
- IBS is treated by changing your diet and other habits.
- Stress makes IBS symptoms worse. Determine if this is the case for you.
Step 2. Determine if you have inflammatory bowel disease
Inflammation causes diarrhea and other ailments. If you have chronic dysentery, ask your doctor if this inflammation may be the cause.
Step 3. Discuss the possibility of celiac disease with your doctor
It is an intolerance to gluten, the protein of wheat, rye and barley. It causes fatigue, irritability, general malaise and a host of other symptoms including diarrhea. Talk to your doctor about this.
Step 4. Consider if your symptoms are related to another pathology
Take note of the symptoms that come along with dysentery to assess the possibility of a more serious illness.
- Some diseases, such as AIDS / HIV, Crohn's disease, hyperthyroidism, Addison's disease or colon cancer can cause diarrhea.
- Report all symptoms to your doctor to diagnose and arrange treatment.
Method 3 of 3: Part Three: Eliminate Diarrhea-Causing Foods and Drugs
Step 1. Eliminate foods that induce diarrhea
Monitor what you eat and make a daily note of what may irritate your gut causing this symptom. If you benefit from excluding certain foods for a few days, consider not eating them anymore.
- Foods that cause flatulence such as beans and other legumes, cabbage and nuts, can induce diarrhea if you eat them in large quantities.
- Try to eliminate caffeine. This stimulates your gastrointestinal tract and increases bowel movement.
- Fats also cause diarrhea, especially the saturated ones found in fried foods and snacks.
- Artificial sweeteners found in drinks and candy cause diarrhea.
- Some people have a hard time digesting red meat, so try eliminating it.
- Alcohol irritates the colon.
Step 2. Determine if a new drug is causing you diarrhea
If you have started a new therapy based on quinidine, colchicine, antibiotics or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), this could be the cause of your disorder. Overuse of laxatives also causes diarrhea. Talk to your doctor about the side effects of your medications.
Warnings
Call your doctor right away if diarrhea is accompanied by a high fever over 38 ° C, blood in the stool, or dehydration
Related wikiHows
- How to Prepare Home Remedies for Diarrhea
- How to Treat Diarrhea (BRAT Diet Method)
