Learn about some of the causes of Diarrhoea, treatment and home remedies in Kenya.

What is Diarrhoea?

Diarrhoea is a medical condition which  involves the constant passage of loose, watery, and soft stools accompanied by pressure and cramps referred to as flatulence or gas. Sometimes, it can be accompanied by abdominal bloating.

Causes of diarrhoea

Diarrhoea does not occur naturally. Several factors influence its occurrence. The leading cause of this disease is bacterial and viral infections.
Intestinal disorders, including Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), is the second cause of Diarrhea. Along with these two is the case of food intolerance and reaction to medication.

Medical treatment for diarrhoea

Antidiarrheal drug: The medical treatment for Diarrhea involves the intake of over-the-counter antidiarrheal medications. They include loperamide (Imodium) and bismuth subsalicylate drugs like Pepto-Bismol and Kaopectate. These drugs should not become used for children aged five years and below. Also, it is essential to consult a doctor before using these drugs to treat Diarrhea.

Home remedies for diarrhoea   

While medical treatment is a great option, you can use home remedies to treat diarrhea.

1. Eating a recovery diet: The recovery diet ideally involves taking foods rich in pectin, potassium, electrolytes, proteins, and soft vegetables.
2. Water: Drinking plenty of water accompanied by a BRAT diet which consists of Bananas, Rice, Apple Sauce, and Toast is another home remedy of dealing with Diarrhea.
3. The third home remedy for treating Diarrhea is avoiding  eating spicy meals, greasy foods, foods high in fat, foods which have artificial sweeteners and meals with high amounts of fructose. This is because they increase ingestion, thus causing more irritation to the stomach.

You can know that you have Diarrhea if you are experiencing  stomach cramps, bloating, bowel movement urgency, dehydration, and  frequent passing of watery faeces.