Diarrhea is often our body's reaction to changes and any food. Diarrhea occurs when we move or change places. What to do so that vacation memories are not overshadowed by constant visits to the toilet? Use caution and common sense. Just in case, it's worth knowing how to quickly get rid of diarrhea.
Diarrhea- a typical holiday ailment is fostered by eating unwashed fruit and vegetables, undercooked meats, and thawed ice cream. Diarrhea is a violent reaction of the body topoisoningwith toxic substances. The reason is e.g.bacteria . The irritated intestine begins to contract more vigorously and the food moves so quickly that the body is unable to absorb the water it contains. The result is diarrhea - frequent (more than 3 times a day) passing loose or even liquid stools. It may be accompanied by: increased temperature, cramping abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting. Diarrhea can be dangerous because it dehydrates the body and loses minerals.
What causes diarrhea?
The most common causes of holiday diarrhea are bacterial infections (E. coli, Campylobacter, Shigella, Salmonella, Aeromonas, Plesiomonas). Microorganisms enter the body with contaminated food or liquid. So you just need to be careful to avoid diarrhea. What does this mean?
- Wash your hands thoroughly before handling any food.
- Thoroughly wash vegetables and fruits, as well as kitchen utensils.
- Do not allow ready-to-eat food to come into contact with raw foods such as meat or eggs.
- Store food in airtight containers in the refrigerator.
- Check the use-by dates, and follow the recommendations for the storage of open products.
- Protect your food from insects.
- Do not drink unboiled water.
- In summer, do not eat foods that contain raw eggs, fish or meat.
- Do not pick mushrooms and forest fruits unless you are absolutely sure that they are edible.
- Remember that mushrooms should be thoroughly washed, the same applies to forest blueberries or wild strawberries - resist the temptation to eat straight from the bush!
- Buy meat and fish only in stores, not at the market, give up ice cream that does not look well frozen.
- If you eat out, eat outin restaurants, not in a booth on the street.
- If you are in doubt about the taste, smell or appearance of a food, do not eat it.
How to treat diarrhea?
What to do if diarrhea does appear? The most important thing is to replenish your fluids. You should drink 3-5 liters a day (water, chamomile infusion, special rehydration fluids). If diarrhea is accompanied by vomiting, drink chilled water in small portions - it reduces vomiting. But give up caffeinated drinks (such as cola, coffee, strong tea), because they additionally dehydrate the body. It's good to take probiotics - they will restore the normal bacterial flora in the intestines. Follow a diet: eat rice and semolina gruel, carrot soup, bananas, stewed apples, stale rolls and rusks. It is worth reaching the first aid kit for anti-diarrheal drugs, e.g. with loperamide hydrochloride, which inhibits peristalsis, increases the tone of the anal sphincter, and reduces the loss of water and electrolytes. Charcoal is also helpful - it traps toxins, which soothes diarrhea. Relaxation medication will help when loose stools are accompanied by severe cramping abdominal pain.
What if it's something more serious?
Prolonged diarrhea with blood or pus may indicate dysentery - a disease caused by a bacterium from the Shigella group. An indication for a visit to a doctor is any prolonged diarrhea - over 48 hours (in a child and the elderly - 24 hours).
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