| Diarrhoea may have many different causes including a | | | | considered chronic. |
| change in diet, food intolerance (e.g. lactose), | | | | Sign |
| inflammatory bowel disorder, medications (e.g. | | | | Blood in the motions. |
| antibiotics, magnesium-containing antacids), a bacterial | | | | Pus in the motions (yellow mucus). |
| infection (food poisoning) or a viral infection (e.g. | | | | Inability to drink liquids because of vomiting. |
| rotavirus in children). Diarrhoea in very young children is | | | | Dehydration - symptoms include excreting |
| often caused by rotavirus. There is now a vaccine | | | | small amounts of dark urine, drowsiness, dry mucous |
| available that can prevent gastroenteritis (or reduce | | | | membranes and thirst. Dehydration as a result of |
| the risk of severe gastroenteritis) caused by rotavirus | | | | diarrhoea is a particular risk for young children and the |
| infection. The vaccine is given as part of the routine | | | | elderly. |
| childhood immunisation schedule. | | | | Pronounced drowsiness due to dehydration |
| Diarrhoea may also be caused by diet, for example, | | | | or intoxication. |
| too much fruit or fruit juice. People with diarrhoea, | | | | Acute diarrhoea in infants. |
| especially the very young and the very elderly, are at | | | | Acute diarrhoea in very old people. |
| risk of becoming rapidly dehydrated. This requires | | | | Treatment |
| immediate medical attention. | | | | Water, clear soups and sugary drinks are ideal to |
| Causes | | | | replace lost water, salt and sugar. |
| Common causes of diarrhoea include food poisoning, | | | | Eat foods as usual, unless this makes matters worse. |
| gastroenteritis, anxiety, excess alcohol, some foods | | | | Sometimes bland foods such as bread, rice and |
| and side effects of certain drug treatments. | | | | potatoes are better tolerated. |
| Sign and Symptoms of diarrhoea? | | | | Anti-diarrhoea medication is available from the |
| Frequent, watery motions. | | | | pharmacist. |
| Loss of appetite. | | | | Ask the doctor for advice if there's mucus, pus or |
| Nausea, vomiting. | | | | blood in the diarrhoea, severe stomach pains, no |
| Stomach pains. | | | | passing of urine over a 12-hour period, if the diarrhoea |
| Fever. | | | | continues for more than four days or if there are signs |
| Dehydration. | | | | of dehydration. |
| If the diarrhoea lasts more than three weeks, it is | | | | |