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17 people have died of diarrhea in Jabalpur division of Madhya Pradesh. Jabalpur and Mandla districts reported 6 deaths each, while Dindori district reported 5 deaths. According to Sanjay D. Mishra, Regional Director of Health Services, a total of 800 people fell ill due to diarrhea, in which several people died in different districts.
During the monsoon season, the risk of diarrhea increases due to many reasons including contaminated water caused by rain. Madhya Pradesh is receiving more rain than normal this year. This is the reason why cases of diarrhea are increasing due to bacteria growing due to waterlogging all around and lack of hygiene maintenance.
According to the World Health Organization, diarrhea is not a fatal disease. It can be cured with timely treatment and care. But if timely treatment is not received, this disease can also be fatal.
Diarrhea is the third leading cause of death in children under 5 years of age and every year it causes the death of about 4 lakh 44 thousand children all over the world. The mortality rate from diarrhea in children under 5 years of age is up to 9%. If diarrhea lasts for several days, dehydration can occur, which is fatal.
Today ‘health report‘ We will talk about diarrhea. Along with this, we will know that-
- What are the main causes of diarrhea?
- What are its symptoms?
- What is its treatment and what are the ways to avoid it?
Diarrhea means dysentery or loose motion. A medical condition when we feel the need to defecate frequently and the stool becomes thin like water is diarrhea. Diarrhea can happen to anyone of any age. Usually it gets cured on its own in a few days. If there is no improvement in it or symptoms like fever or blood in the stool are seen along with diarrhea, then immediate treatment is required.
Why does diarrhea occur?
The main cause of diarrhea is norovirus, which infects our intestine and causes a medical condition called ‘gastroenteritis’. It is also called ‘stomach flu’ in medical terms. However, there can be many reasons for diarrhea.
Look at the graphic-
Let us understand the points given in the graphic in detail.
infection
Many types of viruses, bacteria and parasites can cause infections in our intestines, which lead to diarrhea. The most common cause of diarrhea in adults is norovirus, which causes gastroenteritis. While in children, rotavirus is the most common cause of severe diarrhea. Rotavirus can sometimes prove to be very fatal in infants and children.
Food Poisoning
If harmful toxins and pathogens enter our stomach through our food or drinks, it can cause food poisoning. These toxins can infect our intestines and cause diarrhea.
Eating food infected with bacteria or viruses
When a person travels to an area with poor sanitation and filth, he or she is more likely to ingest an infectious pathogen through contaminated water or food. Diarrhea is often caused by E. coli bacteria.
Side effects of medicines
Diarrhea can also be caused due to the side effects of some medicines. Understand it like this, we took antibiotics to kill some harmful bacteria, but in this process some good bacteria can also be destroyed. This can lead to a condition of dysbiosis. Diarrhea can occur due to the decrease in good bacteria in our gut. Diarrhea can also occur due to magnesium antacids, some cancer medicines and treatments.
Foods that cause poor digestion
- If a person is lactose intolerant, he may get diarrhea by eating lactose-rich food. This happens because their body has to work very hard to digest lactose i.e. the sweetness present in any dairy product. This spoils digestion.
- Similarly, some people have trouble digesting fructose, a sweetener that is added to honey and fruits and some foods as a sweetener.
- Some people have celiac disease. Their bodies have trouble breaking down a protein called gluten present in wheat.
In all these conditions, diarrhea may occur due to poor digestion.
Diseases affecting the intestines
Any medical or health condition that can cause irritation and inflammation of the intestines can also cause diarrhea. Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) can all cause diarrhea. If a person has a condition like IBS, it can be worsened by stress and anxiety.
Apart from this, many people may also have diarrhea after intestinal surgery. Actually, after the operation, the digestive system takes time to return to its old state. It becomes weak in absorbing nutrients from the food we eat and then converting the waste into solid stool. This can cause diarrhea.
What are the symptoms of diarrhea
The main symptoms of diarrhea are frequent watery stools and a strong urge to have a bowel movement.
It has many other symptoms as well. A person may experience only one or all of these symptoms. Its symptoms also depend on what is causing the diarrhea.
Dehydration due to diarrhea
Diarrhea can cause rapid loss of water in our body and can lead to dehydration. If diarrhea is not treated on time, it can have serious effects. The following are the symptoms of dehydration:
If you are experiencing symptoms of dehydration due to diarrhea, then consult a doctor as soon as possible and get treatment. In such a condition, not getting timely treatment can have fatal consequences.
What is the treatment for diarrhea
According to a study published in the National Library of Medicine, diarrhea means that the body itself is trying to eliminate and expel dangerous pathogens. Usually no medicine is needed to treat it. When the symptoms of diarrhea do not improve, doctors give medicines to create a balance in the gut microbiome.
However, it is necessary to treat the condition of dehydration caused by diarrhea. For this, the doctor may recommend drinking ORS solution. If there is severe dehydration, then IV (drip) may be required.
Apart from this, it is advisable to stay away from caffeine and coffee during this period. Also, one should avoid consuming such food items which can cause gas in the stomach.
What are the measures to prevent diarrhea
To avoid diarrhea, cleanliness is most important. For this-
- Keep washing your hands frequently.
- Keep the food covered well.
- Do not eat stale or old stored food.
- Avoid roadside food.
- If you go out somewhere, drink only clean water.
- Do not drink fruit juice available on the roadside.
- Wash fruits and vegetables with warm water and then eat them.
