Stool that has an abnormal increase in water content and is liquid or almost liquid is called "diarrheal stool," while stool that is a little softer than usual is called "soft stool." A condition in which you repeatedly have diarrhea or loose stools and is accompanied by abdominal discomfort or pain is called "diarrhea or diarrheal disease."
The ideal banana-shaped stool has a water content of 70% to 80%, but if the water content is 80% to 90%, it will be called "soft stool", and if the water content exceeds 90%, it will be watery and "diarrheal stool".
Mechanism of diarrhea/loose stools
Diarrhea occurs when the intestinal function becomes abnormal.
In a normal intestine, the contents of the intestine are sent toward the anus through a movement called peristalsis. As the contents pass through the intestines, the water contained in the contents is absorbed into the body, resulting in stool containing an appropriate amount of water.
At this time, when this "peristaltic movement" becomes abnormally active for some reason, or when the water volume regulation function is impaired, the water content in the stool increases, resulting in "diarrhea" or "soft stool." .
When there is excessive peristalsis of the intestines, the contents of the intestines pass through too quickly and water is not absorbed sufficiently. As a result, feces become liquid, resulting in diarrhea or loose stools.
Also, when water absorption from the intestines into the body is insufficient or when water secretion from the intestines increases, the amount of water in the intestines becomes abnormally large, resulting in diarrhea or loose stools.
Diarrhea/loose stool symptoms
Important checkpoints
There are various symptoms of diarrhea and loose stools. Make sure you don't have a fever or bloody stool.
Even though it's called "diarrhea/loose stool," there are various conditions and symptoms. It is important to observe the condition and color of diarrhea stool and check for symptoms other than diarrhea.
Treatment for diarrhea varies depending on the cause and symptoms. If you don't know the cause, check the symptoms carefully, as treatment for diarrhea varies depending on the symptoms.
Observe your stool and check for symptoms
□ Stool color is the same as usual, liquid or pastyDiarrhea that tends to occur on a daily basis due to cold weather, stress, food intake, water intake, indigestion, etc. We recommend that you take an over-the-counter antidiarrheal medication. |
□ There is blood in the stoolMost cases of bleeding are caused by a disease in the large intestine, and it may be caused by inflammation or ulcers in the large intestine. Bleeding can also be caused by hemorrhoids. There is also a suspicion of serious food poisoning caused by dysentery, O-157, and other infections. It is necessary to see a medical institution. |
□ stool is darkBleeding in the upper gastrointestinal tract, such as the esophagus, stomach, or duodenum, results in dark, tarry stools. There is a possibility of gastritis, gastric ulcer, duodenal ulcer, or stomach cancer, so it is necessary to consult a medical institution. |
□ There is mucus in the stoolWhen you have diarrhea, the mucous membrane of your intestines is damaged, so mucus often gets mixed in with it, so it is thought that the diarrhea is caused by food, water, indigestion, cold, or stress. However, if you have a large amount of mucus, persistent mucus in your stool, or blood in your stool, you should seek medical attention. |
□ white liquid stoolRice-soak-like diarrhea is a characteristic symptom of cholera. Also, white diarrhea in infants may be caused by rotavirus. Please see a medical institution. |
□ I have nausea and vomitingIf the food is ingested, symptoms may include nausea and vomiting. Unless your symptoms are serious, we recommend that you first take over-the-counter anti-diarrheal medicines. |
□ I have a feverDiarrhea may be caused by severe food poisoning. Please see a medical institution. |
□ I have a rashDiarrhea may be caused by allergies. Please avoid foods that cause this. |
□ No improvement even after taking antidiarrheal drugs for 4 to 5 daysIf your condition does not improve even after taking anti-diarrheal drugs, you may have an organic disease. Please see a medical institution. |
Precautions in life
Drink plenty of water and wait for recovery
Diarrhea is caused by abnormal intestinal function, so it is important to keep the intestines at rest. Warm up your stomach, rest as much as possible, and monitor the situation. It is important to eat a diet that is easily digestible until your stool returns to normal.When diarrhea is severe or continues for a long time, the body loses water, electrolytes, and nutrients. It can also lead to dehydration and malnutrition. Especially for elderly people and children, if these conditions worsen, they can be life-threatening. When you have diarrhea, make sure to drink enough water. It is important to consume drinks that allow the body to easily absorb electrolytes, such as oral rehydration salts.
Eating habits that are good for your stomach
Part 1: Regular meals
Second, a nutritionally balanced diet
Part 3: Chew well
Part 4: Drink enough water
Part 5: Increase the number of good bacteria in your intestines
If it doesn't subside within a few days, go to the hospital.
If no improvement is seen after several days (usually 4 to 5 days) after taking anti-diarrheal drugs, it may be due to inflammation or ulcers in the intestine itself, such as colon cancer, ulcerative colitis, or Crohn's disease. The possibility of a disease such as chronic pancreatitis is also considered. We recommend that you visit a medical institution.
reason
If you have diarrhea or loose stools, first check the cause. The solution will vary depending on the cause. Let's look for possible causes before and after the symptoms occur for 2 to 3 days.
Per meal
□ I ate food that was past its expiry date. |
□ I ate food that was prepared a long time ago. |
□ Eating raw or semi-raw food (sashimi, raw oysters, raw vegetables, chicken, eggs, beef, etc.) |
□ I ate a boxed lunch or a sandwich. |
Per water
□ Drinking water that is different from usual (tap water at a travel destination, hard drinking water, etc.) |
□ I drank a drink with ice while traveling. |
□ I drank too much water |
□ I drank too much beer/alcohol. |
Indigestion
□ Eating too much fat/sugar foods (fried foods, grilled meat, milk, cake, apple juice, etc.) |
□ Eating strong food or drinks (coffee, carbonated drinks, etc.) |
□ I ate a dish with lots of spices. |
□ Ingested food or drinks that you have never eaten before |
Stress
□ Mental stress (before going to school/work, before important events such as exams, entrance exams, meetings, interviews, etc.) |
□ Cold body (too much air conditioning, changes in temperature) |
Others
□ Taking medicines (antibiotics, etc.) |
□ Intake of milk and dairy products |
□ Cold (stomach cold) |
□ Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) |
□ Organic diseases such as inflammation or tumors in the intestine itself (Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, etc.) |
Medicines for loose stools and diarrhea
There are various types of antidiarrheal drugs depending on their mechanism of action. Select and take antidiarrheal medicine based on the cause and symptoms.
Intestinal motility normalization type
Wood creosote has the effect of regulating the amount of water by normalizing intestinal peristalsis, suppressing water secretion in the intestinal tract, and promoting water absorption. It does not stop normal intestinal function, so it is recommended as the first choice when you have diarrhea.
SEIROGAN 550Tablets
Intestinal remedy type
Live bacteria such as lactic acid bacteria help to balance the disturbed intestinal flora during diarrhea and gently restore intestinal function to its normal state. It does not improve the symptoms of diarrhea, but is sold as a ``intestinal medicine''. It is effective when used in combination with antidiarrheal drugs.
Bio-three Combination tablets 630 tablets
Fungicide type
It is said to be effective when eaten as it has bactericidal properties. Contains the intestinal disinfectant acrinol, berberine chloride, and berberine tannate.
Intestinal motility inhibitor type
This medicine suppresses nerve function, suppresses intestinal peristalsis, and suppresses water secretion.
Loperamide hydrochloride exerts antidiarrheal effects by acting on opioid receptors in the intestinal tract, suppressing intestinal peristalsis, suppressing the secretion of water and ions in the intestinal tract, and promoting absorption. Because it suppresses intestinal motility, it cannot be used for bacterial or viral infectious diarrhea.
LOPERAMIDE HYDROCHLORIDE Capsules 1mg "SAWAI"
Astringent type
Astringents are ingredients that combine with proteins in the intestinal mucosa to form a precipitate, protecting the intestinal wall and suppressing inflammation. Examples include albumin tannate and bismuth subnitrate.