Diarrhoea FAQs

Diarrhoea is characterised by the passing of watery, unformed stools at frequent intervals. There may be gripey abdominal pain (colic) that relieves after a stool is passed. Acute diarrhoea comes on suddenly and lasts a short time, typically caused by bacteria or viruses, such as food poisoning. However, it can be serious in babies and the frail and elderly because of the risk of dehydration.

The bowel is designed to reabsorb water from the stools back into the body. Diarrhoea is caused by inflammation or irritation of the bowel, which speeds up bowel movements. Because stools are expelled more quickly, the bowel reabsorbs less water, resulting in loose, runny stools. Additionally, the contents pass more quickly and more frequently due to increased bowel activity.

The gut irritation that causes diarrhoea is most often due to an infection. Probiotics can help to maintain a healthy gut and hence fend off diarrhoea.

Chronic diarrhoea affects someone over a long period of time and may be a result of a more serious disorder, which your doctor should always investigate.

What types of treatment exist for diarrhoea?
Imodium contains loperamide, which reduces activity in the intestine and thus allows the stool to remain in the bowel for longer. The longer the stool remains in the bowel, the more water the bowel will absorb from it, and hence the drier the stool becomes.
Pepto-Bismol contains Bismuth Subsalicylate, which helps to form a protective antiseptic coating in the stomach and gut. This helps to fight the infections that tend to cause diarrhoea in the first place.
Dioralyte helps the body to replace fluids and body salts lost during bouts of diarrhoea.

Will it help to drink less water?
No, diarrhoea actually causes dehydration because the stools contain water that should be reabsorbed into the body. Drinking less water will only lead to further dehydration and make you feel much worse. The problem is caused by the bowels failing to remove water from the stools, rather than the stools being too watery in the first place.

Will it help to eat dry foods such as toast, etc.?
No - dry foods will only help to irritate the bowel and make the symptoms worse. The stools will not be any drier because they will still pass through the bowel without the water being reabsorbed.

How can I prevent diarrhoea?
Though no preventive treatments are foolproof, many products can help prevent diarrhoea. Probiotics, such as those in the DTECTA range, can help to maintain a healthy balance of bacteria in the digestive system and thus build up the body's own natural immunity to diarrhoea. There are also products such as turmeric and tormentil that are believed to be generally good for our digestive system.

Diarrhoea when travelling:
Travellers' diarrhoea can occur from contaminated food or drink. It is often associated with at least one of the following additional symptoms: stomach pain, cramps, nausea, or vomiting.

Advice for people planning to travel:

Here are a few preventive measures that help to reduce the risk of Traveller's diarrhoea:

• Wash hands thoroughly with soapy water.
• Carry hand sanitiser.
• Avoid tap water and uncooked meat and seafood.
• Avoid salads and peeled fruits if sanitation is unadequate.
• Try not to swallow water when swimming.