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Dehydration
Diarrhea can cause dehydration, which means the body has lost too much fluid and too many electrolytes and can't function properly. Dehydration is particularly dangerous in children and in older adults and must be treated promptly to avoid serious health problems.

Signs of dehydration include

•     * thirst
•     * less frequent urination
•     * dry skin
•     * Fatigue
•     * light-headedness
•     * dark-colored urine

Signs of dehydration in children include

•     * dry mouth and tongue
•     * no tears when crying
•     * no wet diapers for 3 hours or more
•     * sunken abdomen, eyes, or cheeks
•     * high Fever
•     * listlessness or irritability
•     * skin that does not flatten when pinched and released

If you suspect that you or your child is dehydrated, call the doctor immediately. Severe dehydration may require hospitalization.

Preventing Dehydration
The fluid and electrolytes lost during diarrhea need to be replaced promptly because the body cannot function without them. Electrolytes are the salts and minerals that affect the amount of water in your body, muscle activity, and other important functions.

Although water is extremely important in preventing dehydration, it does not contain electrolytes. Broth and soups that contain sodium, and fruit juices, soft fruits, or vegetables that contain potassium, help restore electrolyte levels. Over-the-counter rehydration solutions such as Pedialyte, Ceralyte, and Infalyte are also good electrolyte sources and are especially recommended for use in children.

When should a doctor be consulted?
Diarrhea is not usually harmful, but it can become dangerous or signal a more serious problem. You should see the doctor if you experience any of the following:

• diarrhea for more than 3 days
• severe Pain in the abdomen or rectum
• a fever of 102 degrees or higher
• blood in your stool or black, tarry stools
• signs of dehydration

How is the cause of diarrhea diagnosed?
Diagnostic tests to find the cause of diarrhea may include the following:

• Medical history and physical examination. The doctor will ask you about your eating habits and medication use and will examine you for signs of illness.
• Stool culture. A sample of stool is analyzed in a laboratory to check for Bacteria, parasites, or other signs of disease and Infection.
• Blood tests. Blood tests can be helpful in ruling out certain diseases.
• Fasting tests. To find out if a food intolerance or allergy is causing the diarrhea, the doctor may ask you to avoid lactose, carbohydrates, wheat, or other foods to see whether the diarrhea responds to a change in diet.
• Sigmoidoscopy. For this test, the doctor uses a special instrument to look at the inside of the rectum and lower part of the colon.
• Colonoscopy. This test is similar to a sigmoidoscopy, but it allows the doctor to view the entire colon.
• Imaging tests. These tests can rule out structural abnormalities as the cause of diarrhea.

How is diarrhea treated?
In most cases of diarrhea, replacing lost fluid to prevent dehydration is the only treatment necessary. Medicines that stop diarrhea may be helpful, but they are not recommended for people whose diarrhea is caused by a bacterial infection or parasite. If you stop the diarrhea before having purged the bacteria or parasite, you will trap the organism in the intestines and prolong the problem. Rather, doctors usually prescribe Antibiotics as a first-line treatment. Viral infections are either treated with medication or left to run their course, depending on the severity and type of virus.

Tips About Food
Until diarrhea subsides, try to avoid caffeine, milk products, and foods that are greasy, high in fiber, or very sweet. These foods tend to aggravate diarrhea.

As you improve, you can add soft, bland foods to your diet, including bananas, plain rice, boiled potatoes, toast, crackers, cooked carrots, and baked chicken without the skin or fat. For children, the pediatrician may also recommend a bland diet. Once the diarrhea has stopped, the pediatrician will likely encourage children to return to a normal and healthy diet if it can be tolerated.

Points to Remember

• Diarrhea is a common problem that usually resolves on its own.
• Diarrhea is dangerous if a person becomes dehydrated.
• Causes include viral, bacterial, parasitic infections, food intolerance, reactions to medicine, intestinal diseases, and functional bowel disorders.
• Treatment involves replacing lost fluid and electrolytes. Depending on the cause of the problem, a person might also need medication to stop the diarrhea or treat an infection. Children may need an oral rehydration solution to replace lost fluid and electrolytes.
• Call the doctor if the person with diarrhea has severe pain in the abdomen or rectum, a fever of 102 degrees or higher, blood in the stool, signs of dehydration, or diarrhea for more than 3 days.