Have you been experiencing a watery stool? Well, you may be suffering from diarrhea, a condition characterized by watery and loose stool that occurs more frequently than usual. Furthermore, you may experience nausea and a bloated stomach. Diarrhea affects people of all ages and backgrounds and is a common illness experienced by most. Though it's mostly a minor health condition that usually resolves itself, it can be embarrassing and uncomfortable. People suffering from diarrhea are often afraid to leave the comfort of their homes as they are frightened of their inability to control their bowel movements in public. The fear can lead to further medical conditions like stress and depression if diarrhea persists. Like many medical conditions, having knowledge about it is a great place to start when it comes to diarrhea. 

Common Causes of Diarrhea

Several factors can cause diarrhea, and they include:

• Bacteria - Bacteria and parasites can produce toxins and invade the inner lining of your intestines, resulting in inflammation. They can be found in contaminated water or food, and when consumed, they cause diarrhea.
• Medication - Some medicines can disrupt the bacterial balance, thus irritating the intestine lining or stimulating the bowels. When the bacterial balance is disrupted, it can lead to diarrhea.
• Viruses - Some viruses, like norovirus, can invade your intestinal lining, destroying cells that absorb water and nutrients. When the body cannot absorb the water, it leads to inflammation and increased fluid secretion, leading to diarrhea.
• Allergies to certain foods - Some people are allergic to certain types of food, which can trigger diarrhea when consumed.
• Intestinal diseases - Some intestine diseases, like Chron's disease, trigger diarrhea in people.

Potential Complications

Although diarrhea is known to resolve itself, it does come with some potential risks. Diarrhea can cause you to lose too much fluid, leading to dehydration if you don't drink enough to replace it. Dehydration poses a major risk for small children, the elderly, and people with weak immune systems. Additionally, diarrhea can interfere with nutrient absorption, leading to malnutrition. Malnutrition can cause several health problems, such as fatigue and a weak immune system. Furthermore, diarrhea can lead to sepsis, especially if the diarrhea is caused by a bacterial infection. The pathogenic bacteria that causes sepsis can enter your bloodstream through the damaged intestinal wall.

Treatment

The severity of diarrhea determines how it is going to be treated. In most cases, diarrhea can be managed with self-care measures; however, medical intervention is sometimes required. Staying hydrated is a common self-care measure to deal with diarrhea. Ensure you drink fluids like water and electrolyte-rich beverages to replace lost fluids and electrolytes. Also, it may help if you avoid alcohol and caffeine.

Moreover, you can modify your diet to ease the symptoms. To prevent further irritation of your intestines, eat fiber-rich foods and avoid spicy meals. Your meals should have easy-to-digest food like rice and toast, which can help reduce diarrhea.

In addition, there are over-the-counter medications one can use to reduce the symptoms. The medications can decrease inflammation in the gut and slow down bowel movements. However, the medications should be used under the guidance of a medical practitioner, especially if the diarrhea is accompanied by fever, bloody stool, and other concerning symptoms. Furthermore, if the condition persists, seeking medical attention is wise.

In conclusion, diarrhea is a manageable condition requiring an approach that addresses every aspect. Therefore, it's important to understand the trigger of your diarrhea to address it comprehensively. Also, if the condition persists, it's always wise to visit the nearest medical facility for further help.