Dealing
With Diarrhoea
What
is diarrhoea?
Diarrhoea is the increase in the number of loose or watery stools.
What
causes diarrhoea?
Bacteria and viruses are the common cause of acute diarrhoea. It
can also be a side effect of some medications.
Is
diarrhoea a dangerous illness?
Because dehydration (the excessive loss of body fluids and salts)
can occur as a result of diarrhoea, it can be dangerous especially
in infants and young children. You should seek medical attention
as soon as you notice any signs of dehydration including:
- Urine that
is dark yellow.
- No urination
for over eight hours.
- Very dry
skin and tongue.
- Lack of energy.
- Rapid pulse.
- Sunken eyes.
- Crying without
tears (in children).
How
do you prevent dehydration?
Drink plenty of fluids, especially water and other clear fluids, juice
and clear soup.
At
what point is it advised to seek medical attention for diarrhoea?
Seek medical attention immediately if:
- the diarrhoea
lasts more than two days
- is severe
with painful stomach cramps
- is accompanied
by a fever above 39ºC (101ºF)
- if stools
are red or very black.
Does
diarrhoea prevent other medication from working?
Diarrhoea can affect the efficacy of some medications. If you are
taking oral contraceptives to prevent pregnancy, you should use an
alternative form of contraception for the duration of the diarrhoea
and for 14 days afterwards. Be sure to tell your doctor or pharmacist
what medication you are taking. |
