One of the common ailments that afflicts young and old alike at any time of the year is diarrhea. It does not only bring
discomfort but it is also unpleasant. Thus, when one feels like having an attack of diarrhea, he just confines himself to the comfort of his home rather than be out of the house and be “shamed” by its obnoxious effect.
The common causes of diarrhea are due to emotions and food intolerance. The one caused by emotions or the so-called irritable bowel syndrome is characterized by alternating constipation and diarrhea. On the other hand, the diarrhea due to lactose intolerance is caused by drinking milk. This is a condition that involves an inability to digest lactose, the sugar in milk, and dairy products. This is a persisting problem among Filipinos who are not used to drinking milk. Every time one drinks a glass of mil, he gets diarrhea afterwards. It is the most common reason for chronic diarrhea. If one is intolerant to milk, he must avoid it and take a calcium supplement instead.
The more serious diarrhea, which lasts for several days, is most often due to a viral
infection. The virus has invaded the bowel, causing it to absorb excessive fluid, which leads to watery stools.
Symptoms of diarrhea due to viral infection are cramping, nausea and vomiting, headache, fever. malaise, and even upper-respiratory-tract symptoms such as runny nose.
Bacteria is also a result of diarrhea. It invades foods causing food poisoning. Afterwards, the victim suffers from diarrhea.
Other causes of diarrhea which rarely attack individuals are amoebae and giardia that last for weeks or months. When one takes in contaminated food or water, splashes in public swimming pools, and communal hot tubs, there is a possibility that he can get diarrhea.
Diarrhea is also a side effect of certain drugs, especially antibiotics. Taking in magnesium-containing antacids and artificial sweeteners such as sorbitol could lead to diarrhea.