MyMediktor - Uncomplicated or trivial diarrhea

Very low urgency

Very common-

Passing abnormally liquid stool with an increase in frequency and/or amount (more than 200 mg/day), which does not constitute a health risk.

More than 90% of diarrhea is caused by an infection, but it may also be due to the intake of food in poor conditions or stress.

It usually is not linked to other symptoms and the stools do not contain mucus, blood or pus.

Diagnosis is clinical through questioning and physical examination.

The treatment is based on a soft, astringent diet and ensuring a good hydration.

Bibliographic references

Christine A Wanke. Approach to the adult with acute diarrhea in resource-rich settings. UpToDate. Jun 30, 2106.
Guerrant RL, Van Gilder T, Steiner TS, et al. Practice guidelines for the management of infectious diarrhea. Clin Infect Dis 2001; 32:331.
DuPont HL. Guidelines on acute infectious diarrhea in adults. The Practice Parameters Committee of the American College of Gastroenterology. Am J Gastroenterol 1997; 92:1962.
Thielman NM, Guerrant RL. Clinical practice. Acute infectious diarrhea. N Engl J Med 2004; 350:38.
Michael Camilleri, Joseph A. Murray. Diarrea y estreñimiento. Harrison. Principios de Medicina Interna. Volumen 1. 19ª Edición. 264:268.
S. Navarro Colás. Diarrea y malabsorción. Farreras Rozman. Medicina Interna. Volumen II. Duodécima edición. 149:157.
Antonio Guardiola Arévalo, Maria José Pérez-Grueso Macías, Alejandro Repiso Ortega. Diarrea aguda. Manual de protocolos y actuación en urgencias. Hospital Virgen de la Salud, Complejo Hospitalario de Toledo. Tercera edición. 2010.419:423.

Author

Dr. Oscar Garcia-Esquirol

Copyright

Symptoms

Diarrhea

Increased bowel movements

Localized abdominal pain

Abdominal flatulence

Symptoms to watch out for

More than 6 liquid stools in 24 hrs

Stools with blood, mucus or pus.

Fever (temperature higher than 100.4 ºF)

Severe belly pain

Signs of dehydration: more tiredness than usual, dizziness, dry mouth and tongue.

10% weight loss in one week

Antibiotic use in the last 3 months

History of immunodeficiency (HIV, Diabetes Mellitus, oncological disorders, long-term corticosteroid consumption).

Self-care

Maintain hydration of half a gallon per day. Avoid soft drinks and fruit juices with high sugar content.

The first 3 days follow an astringent diet (eat pasta, rice, baked or boiled potato, chicken, boiled skinless turkey, white fish, egg, yogurt) and then continue with an unrestricted diet.

Washing your hands is an effective way to prevent infections from spreading.