Diarrhoea attack: How to control?

During an attack of diarrhoea, you pass loose or watery faeces frequently. You may also lose appetite and have vomiting, abdominal cramps, bloating, and a headache. If the problem continues, you can become dehydrated due to the loss of large amounts of fluids and salts from your body. Diarrhoea is normally caused by bacteria or viruses found in infected food or transmitted from one person to another. In addition, some drugs, such as antibiotics, can cause short-term diarrhoea. An episode of diarrhoea normally clears up within a few days, but ongoing or recurrent diarrhoea can indicate an underlying bowel condition.

See your doctor if:
* You have severe pain in your abdomen and/or you are vomiting

* You notice blood or mucus in your faeces

Oral re-hydration
Oral rehydration preparations
Replace water, sugars, and salts lost from the body during an attack of diarrhoea. They are available as sachets of powder, to be made up with a recommended amount of drinking water. Drink the mixture instead of, or in addition to, regular drinks.

Stir the powder into the correct measure of water.

What you can do yourself
A mild episode of diarrhoea will clear up on its own in a few days. The following steps will ease symptoms and help prevent dehydration.

* Drink at least 8 glasses a day of clear liquids such as water and thin soups. If you are vomiting, have a drink beside you all the time and take frequent small sips. Passing small volumes of dark urine indicates that you are becoming dehydrated and need to drink more.

* Try taking an oral rehydration preparation (see DRUG REMEDIES).

* Gradually start eating again as soon as you feel able. Start with bland foods such as boiled rice, pasta, mashed potatoes, and dry toast. Avoid tea, coffee, and cola, dairy products, alcohol, and fatty and spicy foods while you have diarrhoea and for a few days after it has cleared up.

* It is best to let diarrhoea run its course because it is the body’s way of eliminating infection. You can, however, use antidiarrhoeal drugs as a short-term solution when you are out, at work, or going on a long journey (see DRUG REMEDIES).

* Take a painkiller if you have fever or headaches with the diarrhoea (see DRUG REMEDIES).

Arrange to see your doctor if:
* The diarrhoea gets worse

* There is no improvement in 24-48 hours

DRUG REMEDIES

Antidiarrhoeal drugs such as loperamide work by slowing down bowel activity. Usually, 2 capsules are taken immediately, followed by 1 capsule after each loose stool. Don’t take more than 8 capsules in 24 hours.

Painkillers Paracetamol will help reduce fever and discomfort and is less likely to irritate your bowels than other painkillers.