Diarrhea is loose, watery stools. A
person with diarrhea typically passes stool more than three times a day. People
with diarrhea may pass more than a quart of stool a day. Acute diarrhea is a
common problem that usually lasts 1 or 2 days and goes away on its own without
special treatment. Prolonged diarrhea persisting for more than 2 days may be a
sign of a more serious problem and poses the risk of dehydration. Chronic
diarrhea may be a feature of a chronic disease. Diarrhea can cause dehydration,
which means the body lacks enough fluid to function properly. Dehydration is
particularly dangerous in children and older people, and it must be treated
promptly to avoid serious health problems.
Acute diarrhea is usually related to
a bacterial, viral, or parasitic infection. Chronic diarrhea is usually related
to functional disorders such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) or inflammatory
bowel disease. The common causes of diarrhea include the following:
· Bacterial
infections
· Viral
infections
· Food
intolerances
· Parasites
· Reaction
to medicines
· Intestinal
diseases
· Functional
bowel disorders. Diarrhea can be a symptom of irritable bowel syndrome.
Diarrhea may be accompanied by
cramping, abdominal pain, bloating, nausea, or an urgent need to use the
bathroom. Depending on the cause, a person may have a fever or bloody stools.
Acupuncture and Chinese herbs can
treat various gastrointestinal disorders. Not only do they control the
symptoms, they often change the underlying constitution of the body to achieve
long-term results. If you would like to pursue acupuncture & Chinese herbal
treatment or information, please contact Xiaoyan.
Diarrhea
