Gray diarrhea: causes, symptoms and treatment. Red diarrhea

By color and consistency feces one can judge the state of a person’s health and nutrition. Brown feces of different shades are normal, but only in cases where it has a dense consistency. Diarrhea usually appears in various pathologies. Stool turns dark brown when a person consumes a lot of meat and animal products. It acquires a light brown color if the diet is based on plant and dairy products. You should be wary of beige stool, which indicates serious disturbances in the functioning of the liver.

Reasons for appearance

Brown diarrhea can be caused by the following factors.

Poisoning. Eating unwashed fruits and vegetables, spoiled food, and low-quality alcoholic beverages can cause diarrhea.

Food allergies. Diarrhea may also be a consequence of individual intolerance to certain foods.

Chronic and acute liver pathologies. Liquid light brown stool can be a symptom of cholestasis (insufficient bile secretion), pancreatitis, hepatitis, cirrhosis.

Eating certain foods. Indigestion and brown diarrhea are often caused by the following foods: blood sausage, prunes, blueberries, black currants, beets, large amounts of coffee.

Use of certain medications. Diarrhea can be caused by medications that contain iron and bismuth. With their long-term use, beneficial intestinal microflora is suppressed.

Necessary measures

You should not self-medicate. If diarrhea occurs, you should consult a doctor. He will conduct a diagnosis and, based on its results, select the optimal treatment.

Of primary importance in the treatment of brown diarrhea is correction of the diet and restoration of water balance. Until your stool normalizes, you will have to give up fresh vegetables and fruits, juices, dairy products, coarse and fatty foods, smoked and fried foods, canned food and marinades, black bread and fresh white bread, baked goods. It is allowed to eat steamed vegetables, porridge cooked in water, dietary meat, white crackers, strong tea, and St. John's wort decoction.

To prevent dehydration, you need to drink at least two liters of fluid throughout the day. After each bowel movement, it is recommended to drink half a glass of water. Electrolyte solutions will help retain fluid in the body. Antibiotics are usually not used for this form of diarrhea, but this issue is always discussed with a specialist.

IMODIUM ® Express in the fight against diarrhea

IMODIUM ® Express, a drug intended for the treatment, can help cope with the problem various types diarrhea in adults and children over 6 years of age¹.

Under the influence of the drug:

Intestinal motility may slow down, ensuring proper digestion;
The anal sphincter can be toned, thereby eliminating fecal incontinence and frequent bowel movements.

Find out from our video about the main causes of diarrhea!

¹ In accordance with the instructions for use.

> Light yellow diarrhea

Healthy adult stool is shaped and brown in color. Feces are eliminated from the body naturally once or twice a day. If intestinal functions are impaired, stool changes consistency and takes on a different color. Yellow diarrhea is a sign of a disorder in the body that requires diagnosis and treatment.

Deviations in the act of defecation require close attention and sometimes treatment. Bile takes part in the formation of feces, coloring them brown. Lack of liver product results in yellow stools. Another reason for yellow stool may be the rapid removal of feces from the intestines, which have not had time to form and acquire a natural color. Most common reasons loose stool:

Viral and bacterial infections.
Infection with staphylococci.
Side effects of medications.
Inflammation of the pancreas.
Liver dysfunction. A lack of bile salt, which is responsible for the proper functioning of the digestive tract, contributes to the appearance of yellow liquid stool.
Inflammation of the colon mucosa.
Food intolerance.
Hormonal disbalance. Yellow diarrhea in women can occur during menopause or pregnancy.
Inflammatory changes in the gastric mucosa.

With salmonellosis, the stool has a dark yellow or green tint and mucus is present.

With dysentery, the stool is green and watery. Yellowish, loose stools that turn gray indicate rotavirus infection. Ulcerative colitis causes light yellow stools containing blood and pus. Bright yellow, foamy diarrhea can be caused by staph. Mustard-colored stool is caused by bacteria. With intestinal candidiasis, the stool is liquid with white flakes. A beige color indicates liver damage.

Orange, red stools are caused by eating foods containing large amounts of carotene. If such products are not consumed, the cause may be hepatitis, stomach ulcers, or cystitis.

Diarrhea may occur when changing water and food in travelers.

Yellow diarrhea due to poisoning

When the body is intoxicated, inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract occurs due to the entry, reproduction, death and decomposition of microbes. Such processes irritate the mucous membrane and promote inflammation. Inflamed mucous membrane provokes the production of serous fluid. The intestinal walls lose their ability to function properly and do not absorb moisture that enters it. Excess moisture provokes light-colored diarrhea.

Poisoning is characterized by spasms, heat, feeling of nausea, incessant vomiting. Intoxication is accompanied by weakness and dizziness.

The disease that causes loose stools of an unnatural color cannot be determined without a thorough examination.

Diagnosis and treatment

A one-time intestinal disorder in an adult can be caused by overeating and does not require qualified help. If the problem begins to occur frequently, then it is necessary to consult a doctor to identify the cause and begin treatment. Consultation with a doctor is required in the following cases:

Diarrhea does not go away for more than two days.
Repeated diarrhea with water is accompanied by fever, blood, severe nausea and vomiting, and stomach pain.
Signs of dehydration appeared: dry mouth, pale skin, coating on the tongue.
Taking medications does not bring relief.
Medical care is necessary if a child under 12 years of age or an elderly person falls ill.

Diagnostics

First of all, you need to take stool tests for scatological examination and a general blood test. Stool microscopy allows you to see an increased content of leukocytes and epithelial cells, indicating inflammation of the mucous membrane of the digestive tract.

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If, based on the test results, the doctor sees deviations from the norm characteristic of a particular disease, a study of the organ that is supposedly unhealthy is prescribed. This may be an ultrasound examination of the abdominal organs, an endoscopic examination or an x-ray. You may need to examine your intestines with a colonoscope.

Regardless of the cause of the symptom, it is important to replenish the water balance in the body. When the intestines are upset, the body quickly loses moisture and beneficial microelements. Dehydration can lead to coma. In particularly difficult cases - death. Treatment must be comprehensive. If diarrhea is caused by a disease or infection of the gastrointestinal tract, then measures aimed at eliminating loose stools will be useless.

Drug therapy

To eliminate the symptom, you will need to take sorbents. The unique properties of such drugs help remove accumulated toxins from the human body. Smecta, Polysorb, and activated carbon are popular as sorbents.

Regidron will help replenish the water-salt balance. Probiotic will help restore intestinal microflora. The doctor may prescribe Bifidumbacterin, Lactobacterin, Acipol, Acilact.

Motilium will restore intestinal motility.

Immunomodulators should be taken for loose stools if they are caused by an infection.

The doctor will prescribe antispasmodic drugs if diarrhea is accompanied by abdominal pain.

Medicines based on Loperamide will help stop the urge to have a bowel movement. In case of infection, antibiotics will be required. But a doctor must prescribe medications.

In other cases, antifungal and antiviral medications may be prescribed.

The dosage is prescribed by the doctor, depending on the severity of the symptom. Vitamin-mineral complexes help replenish vitamin deficiencies.

Folk recipes

In some cases, taking medications is not possible. Traditional methods of therapy will come to the rescue.

Rowan juice has astringent properties for loose stools. Consuming half a teaspoon daily before meals will help the symptoms disappear.

Pomegranate peels, pre-brewed with boiling water, will have a positive effect on diarrhea.

Herbal teas from sage and St. John's wort have astringent and anti-inflammatory properties.

A decoction of oak bark is an excellent remedy for diarrhea.

Treatment with traditional medicine can only be relevant if it is possible to see a doctor and stop the stool modern methods absent. Babies up to one year old should be treated for diarrhea traditional methods contraindicated. If it is not possible to visit a doctor in the near future, you need to call an ambulance.

Many chronic diseases of the gastrointestinal tract periodically contribute to the appearance of diarrhea. In this case, treatment of diarrhea will only be elimination of the symptom. It makes more sense to conduct an examination of the organ and treat the identified pathology. After eliminating the disease, the symptom in the form of yellow loose stools will no longer bother you.

In case of intestinal disorders, special attention should be paid to nutrition. It is not recommended to overload the stomach with heavy and difficult-to-digest foods. It is necessary to include drinks with astringent properties in your diet. On the first day, it is better to refuse to eat and limit yourself to frequent intake of liquid in small sips.

On the second day, if the symptoms do not intensify, you can eat steamed vegetables and boiled rice. Recommended broth with chicken or turkey fillet, boiled low-fat fish.

Raw fruits and vegetables are strictly prohibited. You should not consume milk, kefir, or yogurt. Drinks containing alcohol are contraindicated. Beans, brown bread, fruit juices, coffee, and strong tea are not recommended.

Preventive measures

Problems affecting the intestines can be avoided by following simple rules:

Wash your hands often with soap, especially before eating and after visiting the toilet. Talk to children about personal hygiene rules.
Take medications only as prescribed by your doctor, without exceeding the dosage.
Properly handle food during cooking.
Eat often, but little by little, observing temperature regime dishes. Food should not be very hot.
Carefully monitor the production date of products and do not eat food that has expired.
Regularly undergo examinations and see a doctor if you have chronic diseases of the digestive tract.
Avoid stressful situations and overwork.

Intestinal disorders, if not preceded by a disease, are easier to avoid by observing the rules of personal hygiene and not violating the diet.

The appearance of yellow stool indicates pathology in the body. Therefore, you should not ignore the symptom. In this case, doing something yourself is not recommended. It is better to undergo a thorough diagnosis and use the doctor’s recommendations for treating the disease. If you seek help in a timely manner and follow the doctor’s recommendations, the disease disappears in a couple of days.

When a person is healthy, the consistency of stool is brown. A change in the shade of bowel movement elements and a softened appearance indicate the presence of problems in digestive system. Yellow diarrhea in adults occurs due to a lack of bile enzyme. Otherwise, pathologies occur in the body that cause premature defecation.

What factors influence the occurrence of yellow diarrhea?

Bowel movements normally occur once a day. If it is difficult to go to the toilet for several days, this indicates a problem. When an act of defecation occurs, the color of the stool may turn out to be abnormal. An enzyme secreted by the gallbladder is involved in giving color to stool.

Due to infections, bacterial activity and stomach diseases, bilirubin is produced in reduced quantities. The stool is not saturated with color pigment. The result is loose yellow stool.

Under other conditions, the stool does not have time to color due to rapid bowel movements. This results in the person having loose, yellow stools. The consistency of the stool is similar to water.

The main causes of yellow diarrhea include:

infectious diseases;
dysbacteriosis;
poisoning and intoxication of the body;
pathologies of the digestive system;
taking medications long time;
psycho-emotional experiences;
menopause;
alcohol poisoning;
disorders in the endocrine system;
helminthic infestations.

Sometimes climate and nutrition are considered to be the reasons for changes in color and consistency. Loose stools in adults and children do not require treatment. This is considered the body's adaptation to new conditions. However, there are a number of factors that you should pay attention to.

Yellow loose stool in an adult under serious circumstances is accompanied by accompanying symptoms. Diarrhea is not an independent disease. Diarrhea is considered one of the accompanying symptoms of a particular pathology. Adults also experience white diarrhea.

Signs accompanying loose stools

In most cases, yellow diarrhea in an adult occurs due to an infection. In this case, the person needs help.

Along with yellow diarrhea, the following symptoms additionally occur:

dark yellow feces with a mucous admixture – salmonellosis;
frequent bouts of bowel movements with a watery consistency;
increase in body temperature up to 40 ° C;
sharp pain in the left side;
bouts of vomiting;
nausea;
stools are light yellow in color mixed with pus and blood.

When stool is interspersed with purulent secretion, this is a sign of gastritis and stomach ulcers. The disease requires immediate qualified assistance. Finding foamy stool is a symptom of a staph infection.

Sometimes foamy yellow stool is observed. In this case, diarrhea occurs during the daytime. The symptom accompanies intestinal dysfunction.

The appearance of bright yellow diarrhea in an adult portends a rotavirus infection. In this case, every other day the patient’s stool acquires a grayish tint. The tongue becomes yellowish and the temperature rises slightly. When the doctor makes a diagnosis, upon palpation there is an acute pain syndrome in the abdominal area.

Diagnostic methods

To determine why an adult often experiences yellow diarrhea, you will need to undergo laboratory tests.

The doctor diagnoses the patient using:

general blood and stool tests;
ultrasound examination of the abdominal cavity.

A blood test helps determine the number of white blood cells and ESR. Elevated levels indicate the presence of inflammatory processes. They flow into internal organs which is caused by infection.

A stool test helps identify the cause of stool disorder. An ultrasound examination determines neoplasms in the internal organs, the smoothness, contours and size of the intestine. Ultrasound is used to clarify the clinical picture of the disease.

When a patient sees a doctor, a physical examination is first performed. Then studies are prescribed to clarify the diagnosis and cause. First, he palpates not only the intestines, but also the liver. This allows you to determine the cause of stool disorder.

Treatment of yellow diarrhea in adults

If diarrhea occurs with increased gas formation and unusual color should consult a doctor. A person needs to pay attention to bowel movements, frequent diarrhea with foam, feces with a pungent or sour odor. Based on the diagnosis, complex therapy is prescribed.

Treatment consists of:

balanced proper nutrition;
medicines for diarrhea;
maintaining water balance in the body.

Meals are provided 5 times a day, and the temperature of the dishes must be observed. Doctors do not recommend eating hot food. The diet is composed without adding products that additionally irritate the intestinal microflora.

For a positive result of treatment, prescribe medicines. Loperamide capsules are good for diarrhea. To use medications, you must consult your doctor. When providing first aid, take activated carbon. If a bacterial infection is diagnosed, antibiotics are used. These drugs are prescribed exclusively by a doctor.

In order for the patient to recover, dehydration will need to be eliminated. Doctors prescribe the use of both plain water and saline solutions.

Diet food

IN proper diet The attending physician includes steamed or boiled dishes. The diet for diarrhea consists of rice, carrots, cutlets and broths from dietary meat. The fruit will need to be baked. Fresh bananas are allowed to be eaten. It is recommended to consume bread in the form of crackers.

To recovery process has provided positive result, fermented milk products are excluded from the diet. You should not eat sour fruits or drink juices. Treatment for diarrhea involves avoiding alcoholic beverages. You will need to refrain from eating fatty meat for a while.

With diarrhea, the body becomes dehydrated. Therefore, it is necessary to replenish the water balance. To do this, take a large amount of water at room temperature. If the salt balance is disturbed, it is recommended to use Regidron solution. Doctors advise preparing compotes from berries and fruits.

ethnoscience

To consolidate treatment for diarrhea, use folk remedies. Before using decoctions and infusions, you will need to consult a specialist for advice. To eliminate discomfort, bird cherry tea is recommended. The product is considered a strong antiseptic.

To prevent bloating and gas formation, it is recommended to take rice water. The drink can soothe discomfort in the intestines. Oak bark is considered a multifunctional remedy. For diarrhea, infusions, decoctions and alcohol tinctures are used.

To eliminate fermentation processes during diarrhea, alder cones are used. A decoction of them has an astringent effect and disinfects the intestines.

Prevention of diarrhea

In order for the body to fully recover, it is necessary to follow proper nutrition. To maintain water balance, you should drink intensively for 14 days. To prevent diarrhea, it is recommended to maintain good personal hygiene. If a person has previously suffered from diarrhea, then probiotics are taken as a preventive measure. It is recommended to drink a decoction of St. John's wort or herbal tea.

Depending on the signs and changes in stool color, a person should pay close attention to their health. Stool mixed with secretions that were previously unnoticed can become a symptom of a serious illness. In most cases, the problem is considered to be yellow diarrhea with possible variations. A person needs to pay attention to additional symptoms. Sometimes this refers to the manifestation of adaptation of the body.

Yellow diarrhea can occur both due to malnutrition and pathology of the digestive system. With diarrhea, the weight of stool exceeds 250 grams per day (approximately more than 3 acts of defecation), and the amount of water in it is more than 60–85%.

Severe diarrhea can lead to hypovolemia, hypo- and dehydration, changes in electrolyte balance and acid-base balance of the blood. If left untreated, the functioning of the heart, kidneys, brain and other organs is disrupted. Therefore, if diarrhea occurs periodically, it is necessary to undergo a medical examination to determine and eliminate the cause.

Depending on the mechanism of development, diarrhea is divided into:

to osmotic (in the intestinal lumen the content of electrolytes increases and water rushes along the concentration gradient). Develops after taking laxatives or antacids containing magnesium, consuming xylitol, sorbitol, mannitol, certain medications, as well as enzyme deficiency. Stool normalizes after two to three days of fasting;
secretory (the secretory function of intestinal epithelial cells increases significantly). Non-infectious develops due to the use of laxatives or certain medications, intoxication, and also as a result of the production of secretion stimulants by a hormone-producing tumor. Infectious secretory diarrhea develops when the mucous membrane is exposed to infectious agents (Vibrio cholera, E. Coli, Helicobacter jejuni, Yersinia enterocolitica, Clostridium difficile, Staphylococcus aureus);
exudative (as a result of damage to the intestinal epithelium, water, electrolytes, proteins, as well as erythrocytes and leukocytes leak into the lumen from the blood and lymphatic vessels). Develops due to exposure to pathogenic bacteria (Shigella, Salmonella, Yersinia, Escherichia, Aeromonas), viruses and protozoa. Non-infectious diarrhea occurs with nonspecific ulcerative colitis. With this mechanism, blood is noticeable in the stool;
diarrhea that occurs against the background of impaired intestinal motility (develops due to a weakening or strengthening of intestinal motor activity, which leads to accelerated passage of intestinal contents).

The color of stool depends on the food prevailing in the diet. If a person eats a lot of meat, the feces become black-brown; plant foods give a light brown tint. A dairy diet results in light yellow stool. With increased fermentation of carbohydrates, feces have a greenish-yellow color. Based on the color of the stool, its consistency and the presence of foreign impurities, one can make an assumption about the cause of the symptom.

So, if the inflammatory process is more pronounced in the small intestine, then the discharge is abundant and watery, may be foamy and interspersed with undigested food particles. If the large intestine suffers more, then there is a frequent urge to defecate (sometimes false), and the stool is not abundant, but with mucus. If the functions of the pancreas are impaired, the stool is fatty (steatorrhea), and if the liver is damaged, the stool is white.

Accompanying illnesses

With diseases of the digestive tract, the processes of fermentation and decay intensify in the intestines, therefore the color and smell of feces change. A sour smell appears if there is increased fermentation in the intestines. With pathology of the digestive system, regardless of the food consumed, the stool changes color and can become green, yellow, bright yellow or black.

Green diarrhea indicates the development of an intestinal infection (dysentery, salmonellosis, dysbacteriosis), liver dysfunction and blood diseases.

Black stool appears due to bleeding in the upper digestive tract, and may also be a result of taking medications containing iron, bismuth, activated charcoal, and multivitamins (the condition does not worsen).

And if black or green feces with diarrhea can scare, then yellow feces are often considered sick variants of the norm and they are in no hurry to see a doctor. In most cases, yellow stool in adults appears due to serious illnesses that require medical intervention. Yellow color of stool during diarrhea occurs under the following conditions.

For infectious enteritis (escherichiosis)

The disease manifests itself as nausea, vomiting, pain and gurgling in the abdomen, diarrhea, headache, and fever. Stools up to 10–15 times a day, watery, profuse. With prolonged diarrhea, dehydration develops.

Salmonellosis

When the disease occurs, the body temperature rises, symptoms of intoxication appear, the patient is bothered by spasmodic pain in the upper abdomen or umbilical region, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. The stool is watery, foamy, foul-smelling, dark yellow in color, sometimes with a greenish tint. If the bacterium is also in the large intestine, then by day 2–3 of illness the volume of bowel movements decreases, and blood and mucus are noticeable in the stool.

Rotavirus infection or intestinal flu

It is considered a disease of dirty hands because the infection enters the body through unwashed hands or food. When the disease occurs, body temperature rises, vomiting, nausea, abdominal pain, flatulence, and rumbling appear. The stool is copious, watery-foamy, often yellow-green or bright yellow, and then becomes gray-yellow, with a pungent odor, usually without noticeable impurities, but sometimes with mucus.

Dysentery

Acute infection causes an increase in temperature to febrile levels, symptoms of poisoning, cutting pain in the right iliac region or lower abdomen, sometimes nausea and vomiting. Diarrhea can occur up to 10 times a day, the discharge quickly becomes scanty, blood, pus, and mucus are noticeable in it. The urge to defecate is very painful, sometimes false.

Ulcerative colitis

The stool becomes light yellow and may contain pus and blood. Abdominal pain is severe, cramping, and its localization depends on the location of the intestinal lesion (lower abdomen, left iliac region).

Pancreatic diseases

With pathology, the stool is mushy, yellowish in color with a greasy sheen, since it contains a large amount of undigested fats. With this pathology, patients suffer from belching, constant nausea, vomiting after eating, and girdle pain in the abdomen.

Liver pathologies

When the gland is inflamed, the stool takes on a shade from light yellow to gray, since bilirubin, which gives the stool a light brown color, does not disintegrate and is not excreted from the body, but continues to circulate through the bloodstream, causing itching, rashes, yellowing of the skin and sclera.

Changes in hormonal levels

Liquid yellowish feces in an adult may appear when hormone levels change (during pregnancy, menopause). It often appears in diabetes and thyroid diseases.

Long-term drug therapy

Antibiotics can cause changes in the consistency and color of stool. Medicines affect the composition of the intestinal microflora, which leads to dysbiosis. Most often, loose yellow stools appear due to an inflammatory process in the intestines, dysbiosis or pancreatitis (a violation of the liver and pancreas is indicated by a yellow coating on the tongue).

But the color of stool also depends on the foods consumed; for example, yellow diarrhea in an adult is observed if a person is on a strict dairy diet or eats only carbohydrate foods. When a symptom appears, you need to pay attention to your general health and if it is satisfactory (no abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting), then you should change your diet and adhere to a rational diet.

If diarrhea occurs, you should stop eating for at least 4 hours and drink as much water as possible to avoid dehydration. Next, you should adhere to diet No. 4, which reduces inflammation, reduces fermentation and putrefaction in the intestines. Products that stimulate secretion and peristalsis are excluded from the diet.

For diarrhea, you can eat crackers or dried wheat bread, porridges cooked in water, slimy soups, dietary meat and fish, boiled vegetables, jelly, fermented milk products. Dishes should be steamed or boiled, and they should be eaten warm, since cold increases intestinal motility.

Eliminate diarrhea with sorbents. These drugs absorb toxic substances and remove them from the body. Medicines are produced in tablets, capsules, powders for the preparation of suspensions, gels and drinking solutions.

The following can be used as the main active ingredient:

activated carbon (Sorbex, Karbolen);
aluminosilicate (Smecta, Enterosgel, Neosmectin, Diosmentit);
silicon salts (Polysorb, White Coal, Atoxyl);
organominerals (Polifan, Polyphepan);
plant components (Piktovit, Chitosan).

Sorbents differ in their sorption capacity and spectrum of action (which enterosorbents to give to a child with yellow diarrhea can be read here). With the help of sorbents, only harmful compounds that negatively affect the intestinal mucosa can be removed. If yellow diarrhea in an adult appears due to the development of an infection, then you will need to take antibacterial or antiviral drugs, which can only be prescribed by a doctor.

Antidiarrheal drugs cannot be taken in case of poisoning, since they stop intestinal motility, which prevents the elimination of toxic substances, which is why they continue to be absorbed by the mucous membrane and poison the body. If the symptom occurs due to increased intestinal motor function, then medications are used that reduce peristalsis, for example, Imodium.

Eliminating a periodically occurring symptom can only be done by finding out the cause of the pathology and understanding the mechanism of development of diarrhea. If the diarrhea is not infectious in nature, then it is necessary to conduct a full examination of the gastrointestinal tract to determine the underlying disease that caused the stool disorder. The patient must take a blood test, stool test, and undergo an ultrasound of the abdominal cavity.

A blood test can determine whether an inflammatory process is occurring in the body and how severe it is. Stool analysis shows whether there is blood, mucus, undigested food particles, fat, starch in the stool, on the basis of which a preliminary diagnosis can be made. An ultrasound examination will help determine the contours, structure and size of the abdominal organs, and will reveal whether there are any neoplasms.

At secretory diarrhea oral rehydration is prescribed (soldering with drugs that restore water-salt balance), and if this is not possible, infusion therapy (dropper) is indicated. To eliminate the hormone-producing tumor, surgery is performed, and if this is not possible, then octreotide is prescribed, which prevents the excessive formation of hormones that activate enterocytes.

To find out the cause of yellow diarrhea, you should consult a doctor. After the examination, the specialist will make a diagnosis and prescribe the necessary treatment, which includes therapeutic diet and in some cases, taking medications (antibiotics, enterosorbents, antidiarrheals).

Normal stool of an adult should be formed, have a soft consistency without inclusions, brown color of different shades, a characteristic odor without any signs of stench. Feces are the result of the digestive process and are excreted from the body naturally no more than 2 times a day. But if there are problems with the intestines or digestive process, bacterial infection or poisoning, the color and consistency of stool may change. Yellow diarrhea in an adult is a sign of many pathological conditions requiring correct diagnosis and adequate treatment.

Accompanying symptoms

Diarrhea is not a separate disease. It only indicates disturbances in the functioning of internal organs, mainly the gastrointestinal tract. The pathological process affects different parts of the intestine. Depending on the underlying disease, yellow loose stools are accompanied by other symptoms:

Discomfort in the abdomen, a feeling of fermentation;
Pain in the epigastric region;
Temperature increase;
Nausea, vomiting;
Feeling thirsty;
Lack of appetite;
Headache;
Increased sweating;
Muscle weakness.

Acute pain, a sharp deterioration in condition, and foamy diarrhea indicate the rapid development of inflammation, the spread of infection, and require urgent hospitalization.

Depending on the speed and quality of food digestion in the intestines and the functioning of the bile ducts, the stool may take on a bright yellow or greenish tint.

Orange diarrhea can be a result of taking certain medications or foods (beets). Any non-standard coloring of stool indicates dysfunction of the intestines.

Causes of pathology

The cause of yellow, loose stool in an adult may be a pathology of organ function, infection, a hormonal disorder, or a side effect of taking a number of medications.

Many people don't give of great importance abnormal stool, however, yellow or orange diarrhea may indicate the bacterial nature of the pathology, which is characterized by a high degree of intoxication (poisoning) of the body.

The more watery the diarrhea, the faster dehydration sets in: another danger directly related to impaired vital functions.

Diseases that are characterized by yellow diarrhea in an adult:

Salmonellosis. Dark yellow or green stool mixed with mucus;
Dysentery. Frequent yellow stools of different shades, there may be an admixture of greenery, watery consistency;
Rotavirus infection. In the first days - yellow, liquid, then - with a grayish tint;
Ulcerative colitis. Light masses mixed with blood and pus;
Staphylococcal infection. Light yellow foaming stool with green inclusions;
Irritable bowel syndrome. Watery stool with mucus.

Diagnostics

A number of studies will be required to make a correct diagnosis. These include a general stool analysis, bacteriological culture, and a general blood test.

An ultrasound of the abdominal organs and a gastroscopic examination may be needed. If hormonal changes are possible, hormonal tests are performed.

Drug treatment is prescribed in accordance with the underlying disease.

Examples of medications:

An important milestone in the treatment of conditions accompanied by diarrhea is nutritional correction.

It helps restore body functions, replenish the lack of microelements, minerals, vitamins lost during the development of pathology. Deficiency of individual components (vitamin A, zinc) carries a risk of resumption of diarrhea and the development of complications.

Traditional methods

Alternative treatment includes many ways to combat the disease. Popular means:

Bird cherry decoction. Source of tannins, mineral compounds, pectins. Has a powerful antiseptic, antispasmodic effect;
Rice water. Calms the intestines, has an adsorbing effect;
Chicken gizzards are dried, crushed, and taken as an enzymatic agent to improve digestion;
Oak bark. Rich in tannins. Used in the form of infusion, decoction, alcohol tincture;
Alder cones. The decoction has an astringent, disinfectant effect, and reduces the fermentation process during diarrhea.

Boiled rice;
Boiled carrots;
Baked apples;
Bananas;
White bread crackers;
Steam cutlets;
Light broths made from lean meats.

Until complete recovery, avoid the following products:

Strong tea;
Natural coffe;
Dairy products;
Sour fruits and fruit juices;
Baking;
Alcohol;
Fat meat;
Legumes, beets;
Radish, radish, daikon;
Spices, herbs;
Black bread.

Drinking regimen

With diarrhea, the body loses a significant amount of fluid. There is a task to fill the gap.

It is better to take high-quality water at room temperature. Fermented milk and carbonated drinks are excluded. To regulate the water-salt balance, you can take a rehydron solution. Fruit drinks and compotes made from cranberries, dried apricots, and apples are useful.

Jelly is perfect. They will also have a slight adsorbing effect.

Prevention

For complete recovery, follow the diet and drinking regimen for another 2 weeks. Observe personal hygiene rules, increase resistance to bacteria with the help of herbal preparations (St. John's wort decoction, herbal teas with a fixing effect).

The topic of yellow diarrhea is discussed in some detail in this TV show.

The majority of the adult population has experienced yellow diarrhea. The absence of other symptoms does not provide grounds to ignore this clinical sign. At the initial stage of the disease, it is much easier to cope with pathologies.

Timely contact with a specialist, comprehensive diagnosis and compliance with therapeutic instructions will allow you to recover quickly and without complications.

The presence of symptoms such as:

smell from the mouth
stomach ache
heartburn
diarrhea
constipation
nausea, vomiting
belching
increased gas formation (flatulence)

If you have at least 2 of these symptoms, then this indicates a developing

gastritis or stomach ulcer.

These diseases are dangerous due to the development of serious complications (penetration, gastric bleeding, etc.), many of which can lead to

outcome. Treatment needs to start now.

Read the article about how a woman got rid of these symptoms by defeating their main cause. Read the material...

Feces are a product of our vital activity. By examining their smell, color and consistency, you can judge the health of the body. Normally, an adult's stool is dark brown or light brown in color, its consistency is shaped and soft. Let's look at the reasons why yellow diarrhea occurs in an adult. We will also consider what to do in this situation?

Factors causing yellow diarrhea

The act of defecation should occur every day, once or twice. Any deviations require special attention, often even treatment. Bile secreted by the gallbladder is involved in the formation of excrement. It is this that gives the brown color to feces, more precisely the pigment bilirubin, which is one of the components of bile. When bile is not produced in sufficient quantities, the stool is not completely saturated with pigment, and as a result we have yellow excrement.

This also happens when stool is passed out of the intestines too quickly, without having time to color and thicken. As a result, it becomes liquid like water. Common causes of yellow diarrhea include:

infectious diseases;
dysbacteriosis;
intoxication;
gastrointestinal diseases;
taking antibacterial drugs for a long time;
stress;
menopause;
influence of alcohol;
hormonal disorders;
helminthiasis.

Diarrhea often occurs due to climate change, diet, and stress. This is a manifestation of the body’s adaptation to any changes; such conditions do not require special treatment. But don't forget about dangerous reasons the appearance of diarrhea. The main factors that provoke loose yellow stools are: inflammation in the intestines, dysbacteriosis, pancreatitis.

When yellow, loose stool appears in an adult, it is necessary to determine whether there are any other complaints or signs of disruption of the body. Diarrhea is not an independent disease; it is just one of the symptoms indicating problems in the body. Elimination of diarrhea should begin with the treatment of the disease that caused it.

Diseases associated with infection

Yellow diarrhea can occur with dysentery, an infectious disease caused by the dysentery bacillus. Associated symptoms in an adult: severe abdominal pain, increased body temperature, unformed feces, frequent watery diarrhea with mucus. With this disease, there is an increase in bowel movements up to ten times per day.

With rotavirus infection, loose yellow stool occurs, mainly in the first days of the disease, then it becomes yellow-green, then gray-yellow.

Salmonellosis in adults is also characterized by the presence yellow chair, liquid like water, with mucus, foamy diarrhea is not excluded.

Staphylococcal infection: watery diarrhea is observed, foamy stool is yellow-green in color, and has an unpleasant odor.

Diseases of the gastrointestinal tract

Diseases of the stomach, liver, pancreas, intestines or gall bladder also cause yellow diarrhea. A clear sign of such diseases is a yellow coating on the tongue. The thinner and lighter it is, the earlier the disease is.

Pancreatitis is a disease of the pancreas. Characteristic symptoms: yellow mushy diarrhea, belching, constant nausea, vomiting after eating, weakness, weight loss. The pain syndrome is pronounced, patients complain that their stomach hurts after every meal, the pain sometimes takes on a girdling character. The act of defecation occurs three times a day or more. Undigested food remains are often observed in the stool.

Gastritis is inflammation of the gastric mucosa. With this disease, an adult has a yellow tongue, a very sore stomach, nausea in the morning, and sometimes severe diarrhea.

Hepatitis is inflammation of the liver. A yellow coating also appears on the tongue. Characteristic changes in feces:

diarrhea with foam in an adult;
yellowish stool;
stinking putrid odor of feces.

Among other diseases that can contribute to the appearance of yellow feces and diarrhea with mucus in an adult are peptic ulcers and cholelithiasis.

Effect of drugs on stool changes

Yellow diarrhea in adults often occurs when taking multivitamin complexes. Taking antibacterial drugs for a long time causes dysbiosis, which is also characterized by the appearance of a yellow coating on the tongue and seething in the stomach.

Causes of diarrhea that do not require drug treatment: overeating, stress, climate change.

If diarrhea occurs under the influence of these factors, you should reduce the consumption of foods that increase intestinal motility and fermentation processes. These are cabbage, onions, radishes, milk, greens. You need to eat enough lean meat, fresh cottage cheese and cereals. When the cause of diarrhea is eliminated and with proper nutrition, bowel movements return to normal within a few days. Diarrhea may also occur after drinking alcohol. Alcohol thus removes fluid from the body.

Diagnostics

In order to determine the true cause of yellow or green diarrhea in an adult, the following research methods must be used:

General blood analysis. A high level of ESR and leukocytosis are determined, this indicates the presence of an inflammatory process in the body.
Blood chemistry. High level alpha-amylase indicates chronic pancreatitis.
Coprogram– microscopic analysis of stool. The presence of muscle fibers in feces also indicates chronic pancreatitis. Detection large quantity leukocytes – inflammation in the intestines. Colitis may be the cause of the presence of red blood cells.
Bacteriological culture of stool. Thanks to this research method, it is possible to detect the causative agent of an infectious disease.

After these tests, the doctor may need additional research methods, such as: ultrasound of the abdominal organs, radiography, endoscopy.

If an adult has yellow diarrhea, which is accompanied by bloating, burning pain in the stomach or other digestive organs, fever, vomiting, you should consult a doctor. Also, you should not miss such changes in stool: frequent foamy diarrhea, foul-smelling or sour-smelling stool. The main methods of combating diarrhea in adults are:

Proper nutrition. You need to eat in small portions, 4–6 times a day, the food should be warm. We exclude products that enhance intestinal motility and fermentation processes. These products include: cabbage, onions, greens, radishes, radishes, milk. We eat low-fat and non-spicy foods.
Taking medications. As prescribed by a doctor, Enterosgel, Smecta, and activated carbon are used, which are also taken after food poisoning. Bacterial infections should be treated with antibiotics.
Eliminate dehydration. We drink enough water and saline solutions.

Many people, having discovered they have diarrhea, begin to treat themselves. This can make their situation worse. After all, many diseases can be hidden under these symptoms. If water diarrhea in an adult is accompanied by other symptoms, you should immediately consult a specialist.

The human body is designed so intelligently that it itself is quickly and successfully able to get rid of consumed low-quality food by naturally returning it through vomiting. If for some reason the stomach did not have time to react in time, then a second-order cleansing mechanism is activated - diarrhea begins. Thus, a short and active process of cleansing the body can be considered a blessing, but sometimes it drags on and indicates serious problems.

Localization of the problem

Diarrhea may be a consequence of an infectious process in the small intestine

Diarrhea may be a consequence of an infectious process in the small intestine. In this case, there will be very loose stools with undigested pieces of food, quite often (about six times a day), accompanied by pain in the umbilical region and in the lower abdomen. At infectious lesions mucous membrane of the large intestine, the urge is even more frequent (about ten times a day), with spasms, cutting pain with false unbearable urge and stool incontinence.

The consequence of active and prolonged diarrhea can be dehydration, which is deadly, especially for children.

If Small child cries without tears, with chapped, dry lips and a prolonged absence of urine, continuing to diarrhea, you should immediately call an ambulance. Young children usually do not experience problems with loose stools in the first year of life - this is normal for them and should not cause alarm.

But if the body temperature suddenly rises, the fontanelle retracts, and the eyes become sunken, this is a bad signal and measures need to be taken.

What does the color of diarrhea tell you?

Feces can be any color, although we are accustomed to thinking that in an infant they are predominantly yellow, while in an adult they should be brown.

But anyone who eats exclusively dairy products for some time will also end up with a yellow color. Sometimes after eating red foods, such as beets, the feces turn red. However, color diversity usually indicates abnormalities in the gastrointestinal tract.

Diseases of the liver, gallbladder and pancreas can cause stool to discolor to almost white. Intensely dark, tarry colors may be the result of bleeding, such as an ulcer in the stomach or duodenum. The stool of a person with mercury poisoning may also be black. Bright red blood in the stool indicates problems with the rectum (bleeding fissures, hemorrhoids). The color of stool will be green if there is a bacterial infection.

Intestinal disorders are very often accompanied by loose stools, and the frequency of such stools is more than 3 times a day. Depending on the color of the stool, a diagnosis can be made for a particular patient.

Search for reasons

Yellow diarrhea is the most common symptom of intestinal disorders

Yellow diarrhea is the most common symptom of intestinal disorders or when an infection enters the human body. If the yellow color of your stool is not a reaction to certain medications, such as beta-carotene, then it makes sense to see a doctor. Even a doctor can give a definite answer only after the patient has undergone a stool test. Diagnoses may include the following diseases.

Yellow diarrhea may indicate a lack of bile salts in the human body. A stool analysis may indicate liver dysfunction, which will also affect the condition and color of the stool. The presence of infection in the human body can turn the stool first green and then yellow in one stool, which depends on the speed of passage of digested food through the intestines.

If the stool is bright yellow, then its speed of passage through the intestines is very fast and the stool simply cannot change its color to the more usual brown. A similar consistency and color of stool is caused by a lack of bile. In cases where diarrhea is caused by an infection, it is very important to follow a diet, and only a doctor prescribes treatment.

Elimination of consequences

Should not be neglected medical care if diarrhea began after eating mushrooms

Sometimes it is enough just to take regular chloramphenicol tablets - 2 tablets immediately after the onset of diarrhea, then 1 tablet 4 times a day. Sometimes IV drips are necessary to treat diarrhea and prevent dehydration. So, under no circumstances should you neglect to see a doctor, especially if frequent diarrhea is accompanied by an increase in body temperature, the presence of a large amount of mucus and severe abdominal pain.

Medical attention should not be neglected if diarrhea began after eating mushrooms, or after a trip to nature, or if several people began to have diarrhea at once. It is important not to miss the moment when the amount of urine has sharply decreased, it has acquired a dark, rich color, and the sclera of the eyes has turned yellow.

If the day before a person did not take activated charcoal, and the stool has a darker color than usual for a long time, obvious signs weakness, dizziness and loss of strength. Most likely, immediate hospitalization followed by surgical treatment will be required. Therapeutic measures are indicated for persistent yellow staining of stool.

Symptoms of intestinal flu

During an influenza epidemic, in addition to the expected runny nose, sore throat, especially when swallowing, frequent stools are often observed, with a pronounced yellow color at first, gradually acquiring a grayish tint. This means that a rotavirus infection has entered the body, affecting the mucous membranes of the respiratory and digestive systems.

In an adult, symptoms disappear after 3-5 days with plenty of fluid intake. Children suffer the infection more severely. Diet is very important - fermented milk products, which serve as an excellent breeding ground for bacteria, are excluded from the diet. In any case, diarrhea is the body’s response to irritating factors of a pathogenic nature, and so that it does not complicate our life, there is no need to risk our health again.

In many cases, attacks of diarrhea that do not cause any accompanying symptoms can occur due to poor nutrition, overeating and even overwork. Very often, treatment with antibacterial drugs or other types of medications can lead to digestive problems or disrupt the microflora.

But, if a person has red diarrhea (with pronounced blood impurities), this can be considered as an alarming signal about the development of severe gastrointestinal pathology. In medical practice, stool mixed with blood requires emergency treatment, and it is not advisable to carry out therapy on your own.

Causes

There are many reasons for the appearance of feces in the blood, which is why it is necessary to undergo an examination by a qualified specialist. Among the typical diseases that have a symptom in the form of red diarrhea are:

Infectious diseases such as salmonellosis, enteritis, dysentery. They are accompanied by frequent attacks of painful diarrhea mixed with mucus and blood, body hyperthermia, and vomiting.
Disturbance of intestinal microflora and ulcerative colitis– cause diarrhea with traces of bright red blood.
Blood clots in the feces often indicate the presence of hemorrhoids, but this disease is also characterized by many additional symptoms, especially severe pain and burning in the anal area.
Severe food poisoning.
Blood during diarrhea often appears due to polyps in the intestines, which are damaged during the passage of feces and begin to bleed.
Dark blood clots indicate bleeding in the upper gastrointestinal tract - a stomach ulcer or cancer.
Cracks in the rectum.

Sometimes, red diarrhea is an alarming signal of the development of a dangerous disease - oncology in the gastrointestinal tract. Blood impurities appear mainly in the last stages, so a person should take this problem seriously and consult a doctor, especially if there are other signs:

Body hyperthermia coupled with red diarrhea, frequent symptoms of intestinal infection.
Nausea and vomiting that accompany diarrhea most often occur after poisoning with toxic substances, or against the background of severe intestinal diseases (cholera, salmonellosis).
General malaise, constant drowsiness, body aches and red diarrhea are frequent companions of a disease called dysbacteriosis. And also, this is part of the symptoms of an ulcer or malignant tumor.

Treatment of hemorrhagic diarrhea

Drug (conservative) therapy

To treat such a pathology as diarrhea with traces of blood, only if its cause does not lie behind some severe pathology, special medications are used that have a binding effect, and at the same time, possible dehydration is prevented - by simply taking oral rehydration agents, such as Regidron powder .

Self-medication at home, especially with antibiotics or any other group of drugs, is strictly prohibited. If red diarrhea is not treated correctly, it can make the problem worse.

Almost all drugs for oral use are actively absorbed by the intestinal walls, and when the cause of diarrhea is an imbalance of microflora, and not an infection, then self-medication with antibiotics will only lead to worsening.

To treat diseases such as hemorrhoids, it is important to carry out local therapy using ointments, suppositories or surgery. When diagnosing oncology in parts of the intestines, the doctor is more likely to prescribe surgery.

If diarrhea with blood impurities occurs against the background of ulcerative colitis, then in this case it is impossible to do without complex therapy with drugs and intravenous injections. In addition, the ulcer must be treated with strict adherence to a special gentle diet, which includes eating food that does not irritate the walls of the stomach and intestines.

Treatment with folk remedies

Having discovered red diarrhea, the patient should definitely visit a doctor, and only after that begin treatment, be it traditional or traditional medicine. People who trust the old recipes of healers try to treat all ailments at home, using the means at hand. ethnoscience has recipes for treating even such a problem as traces of blood in diarrhea, but most of them are aimed at combating hemorrhoids (the most common cause):

Horse chestnut - this remedy has a tonic effect on vascular system intestines. For medicinal purposes, a tincture is prepared consisting of 50 g of fruit and 1 liter of vodka. The fruits are crushed and filled, the vessel is sent to an unlit room for 14 days. After infusion, you can use 30 drops diluted in 1/3 glass of water.
Walnut - in the fight against diarrhea beneficial properties The nut has partitions (they are located between the kernels). 1 tbsp. A spoonful of partitions is boiled for 15 minutes in 0.5 liters of water. The decoction is filtered and consumed 3-4 times a day.
Oak bark – this remedy has a strong binding effect and relieves inflammatory processes. A small amount of bark is crushed into a powdery mass (1 teaspoon) and poured with 1.5 cups of boiling water. Boil the mixture until the water boils to 1 cup of liquid. Take 1-2 spoons, 3 times a day.
Rosehip – has a strengthening effect on vascular walls and relieves inflammation in hemorrhoids. The fruits need to be ground in a blender (about 1 tablespoon of powder). All this is filled with water and another 2 teaspoons of sugar are added. The mixture is infused throughout the night, and in the morning it is filtered and drunk in 3 doses during the day.

When treating red diarrhea, we must not forget that dehydration may develop. Doctors recommend monitoring the body’s water balance by drinking at least 2 liters of water per day.

When a person is healthy, the consistency of stool is brown. A change in the color of bowel movements and a softened appearance indicate problems in the digestive system. Yellow diarrhea in adults occurs due to a lack of bile enzyme. Otherwise, pathologies occur in the body that cause premature defecation.

What factors influence the occurrence of yellow diarrhea?

Due to infections, bacterial activity and stomach diseases, bilirubin is produced in reduced quantities. The stool is not saturated with color pigment. The result is loose yellow stool.

Under other conditions, the stool does not have time to color due to rapid bowel movements. This results in the person having loose, yellow stools. The consistency of stool is similar to.

The main causes of yellow diarrhea include:

infectious diseases;
dysbacteriosis;
poisoning and intoxication of the body;
pathologies of the digestive system;
taking medications for a long time;
psycho-emotional experiences;
menopause;
alcohol poisoning;
disorders in the endocrine system;
helminthic infestations.

Sometimes climate and nutrition are considered to be the reasons for changes in color and consistency. Loose stools in adults and children do not require treatment. This is considered the body's adaptation to new conditions. However, there are a number of factors that you should pay attention to.

Yellow loose stool in an adult under serious circumstances is accompanied by accompanying symptoms. Diarrhea is not an independent disease. is considered one of the accompanying symptoms of a particular pathology. In adults it also happens.

Signs accompanying loose stools

In most cases, yellow diarrhea in an adult occurs due to an infection. In this case, the person needs help.

Along with yellow diarrhea, the following symptoms additionally occur:

dark yellow feces with a mucous admixture – salmonellosis;
frequent bouts of bowel movements with a watery consistency;
increase in body temperature up to 40 ° C;
sharp pain in the left side;
bouts of vomiting;
nausea;
stools are light yellow in color mixed with pus and blood.

When stool is interspersed with purulent secretion, this is a sign of stomach ulcers. The disease requires immediate qualified assistance. Finding foamy stool is a symptom of a staph infection.

Sometimes foamy yellow stool is observed. In this case, diarrhea occurs during the daytime. The symptom accompanies intestinal dysfunction.

Diagnostic methods

To determine why an adult often experiences yellow diarrhea, you will need to undergo laboratory tests.

The doctor diagnoses the patient using:

general blood and stool tests;
ultrasound examination of the abdominal cavity.

A blood test helps determine the number of white blood cells and ESR. Elevated levels indicate the presence of inflammatory processes. They occur in the internal organs, which is caused by infection.

When a patient sees a doctor, a physical examination is first performed. Then studies are prescribed to clarify the diagnosis and cause. First, he palpates not only the intestines, but also the liver. This allows you to determine the cause of stool disorder.

Treatment of yellow diarrhea in adults

If you experience diarrhea with increased gas formation and an atypical color, you should consult a doctor. A person needs to pay attention to bowel movements, frequent bowel movements, feces with a pungent or sour odor. Based on the diagnosis, complex therapy is prescribed.

Treatment consists of:

balanced proper nutrition;
medicines for diarrhea;
maintaining water balance in the body.

Meals are provided 5 times a day, and the temperature of the dishes must be observed. Doctors do not recommend eating hot food. The diet is composed without adding products that additionally irritate the intestinal microflora.

For a positive treatment result, medications are prescribed. Loperamide capsules are good for diarrhea. To use medications, you must consult your doctor. When providing first aid, take activated carbon. If a bacterial infection is diagnosed, antibiotics are used. These drugs are prescribed exclusively by a doctor.

In order for the patient to recover, dehydration will need to be eliminated. Doctors prescribe the use of both plain water and saline solutions.

Diet food

The attending physician includes steamed or boiled dishes in the correct diet. The diet for diarrhea consists of rice, carrots, cutlets and dietary meat broths. The fruit will need to be baked. Fresh bananas are allowed to be eaten. It is recommended to consume bread in the form of crackers.

In order for the recovery process to provide a positive result, fermented milk products are excluded from the diet. You should not eat sour fruits or drink juices. Treatment for diarrhea involves avoiding alcoholic beverages. You will need to refrain from eating fatty meat for a while.

ethnoscience

To consolidate treatment for diarrhea, folk remedies are used. Before using decoctions and infusions, you will need to consult a specialist for advice. To eliminate discomfort, bird cherry tea is recommended. The product is considered a strong antiseptic.

To prevent bloating and gas formation, it is recommended to take rice water. The drink can soothe discomfort in the intestines. Oak bark is considered a multifunctional remedy. For diarrhea, infusions, decoctions and alcohol tinctures are used.

To eliminate fermentation processes during diarrhea, alder cones are used. A decoction of them has an astringent effect and disinfects the intestines.

Prevention of diarrhea

In order for the body to fully recover, it is necessary to maintain proper nutrition. To maintain water balance, you should drink intensively for 14 days. To prevent diarrhea, it is recommended to maintain good personal hygiene. If a person has previously suffered from diarrhea, then probiotics are taken as a preventive measure. It is recommended to drink a decoction of St. John's wort or herbal tea.

The information on our website is provided by qualified doctors and is for informational purposes only. Don't self-medicate! Be sure to consult a specialist!

Gastroenterologist, professor, doctor of medical sciences. Prescribes diagnostics and carries out treatment. Expert of the group for the study of inflammatory diseases. Author of more than 300 scientific papers.

Diarrhea is a human condition in which frequent bowel movements are observed, while the stool is watery. This condition is dangerous because it can lead to dehydration. Diarrhea can be caused by infections of the digestive tract, poor diet, stress, and drug poisoning.

The disease can also be caused by the presence of worms or intestinal dysbiosis. It is worth carefully monitoring the frequency of stool, paying attention to its smell (sour, putrid), color (gray, white), and the admixture of blood.

There are several types of stool disorders; to determine them, there are specific characteristics that, in fact, distinguish this symptom from the norm.

Clear criteria and differences between them are given in the table:

The data presented in the table requires a little clarification, since the boundaries of normality and pathology are individual for each person. All generally accepted physiological indicators are averaged, combining a fairly wide spread. First of all, it is worth clarifying the indicator of the number of daily bowel movements. For some people it ranges from once every 2-3 days to 3-4 times a day. The same applies to the consistency of feces, which can be from liquid-mushy to solid-formed.

The most important thing when assessing these characteristics of bowel movements is their duration. If they occur over a long period of time (long months and years), without causing any negative manifestations in a person, then there is no need to worry, since such characteristics are individual. This is not diarrhea.

The situation is completely different with other characteristics of the stool, such as odor and the presence of impurities. Their change always indicates diarrhea. Moreover, from time to time, by their appearance, one can clearly determine its origin. Therefore, it is so important to always pay attention to feces, because they indicate the state of digestion and the health of the body as a whole.

Causes of diarrhea in adults

Diarrhea is a consequence of improper functioning of the intestinal tract: the digestive process accelerates, and this leads to dilution of stool and frequent bowel movements.

As a rule, diarrhea is caused by viral or bacterial infections or food poisoning. Typically, the causative agents of diarrhea are Escherichia coli and salmonella bacteria; they can be in food or water. Diarrhea, which is caused by a bacterial infection, most often affects tourists when traveling to exotic countries. It’s not for nothing that this type of disease is sometimes called “tourist’s diarrhea.”

Diarrhea can be caused by herpes simplex or hepatitis viruses, as well as taking antibiotics.

Another cause of diarrhea can be ulcerative colitis. It also causes severe diarrhea, but colitis is detected very late and, as a rule, during an internal examination of the intestines.

Considering the close contact of the digestive system with external environment and internal systems of the body, one can safely notice its persistent dependence on them. That's why she gets sick so often. Most often, any irritation or disruption in normal functioning is manifested by increased motor skills, mucus secretion, and ultimately diarrhea.

A complete list of causes of diarrhea is given below:

Viral infections

Rotaviruses;

Enteroviruses;

Adenovirus;

Bacterial infections

Salmonellosis;

Dysinteria (shigellosis);

Food poisoning;

Escherichiosis;

Enzyme deficiency

Pancreatitis;

Gallstone disease with impaired bile outflow;

Enzymopathies;

Congenital intolerance to certain foods;

Intestinal diseases

Enterocolitis;

Nonspecific ulcerative colitis;

Crohn's disease;

Whipple's disease;

Tumor growths

Adenocarcinomas;

Diverticula complicated by inflammation;

Autoimmune diseases

Intestinal damage due to lupus erythematosus;

Rheumatoid arthritis;

Atopic dermatitis and allergic reactions;

Intoxication

Nitrate poisoning;

Heavy metals;

Pesticide;

Household chemicals;

Drug influences

Antibiotics;

Cytostatics;

Overdose of laxatives;

Anticholinesterase agents and prokinetics;

Gastrointestinal bleeding

Open ulcer of the stomach and duodenum;

Small intestinal bleeding;

Colonic bleeding;

Diarrhea after taking antibiotics

This is due to the fact that it is caused by iatrogenic (medical) influences, which are initially designed to help a person. They are very common and can cause serious illness and even death. First of all, this concerns side effects antibacterial therapy, causing dysbacteriosis, and subsequently pseudomembranous colitis. The peculiarity of the latter complication is that it is very difficult to correct by any methods, accompanied by debilitating diarrhea.

No less important are infectious diarrheas of bacterial and viral origin. They occur more often than others, but fortunately, they end well in most cases. This is due to the body's ability to ultimately defeat aggressive pathogens, since they are natural components of nature. The same cannot be said about diarrhea caused by toxic influences and other external influences. They, being unnatural, cannot be overcome only by protective immune mechanisms without outside influence.

As for the mechanisms of diarrhea, they can also be different. Which one is included depends on the cause of the diarrhea. The most typical pathogenetic mechanisms and their corresponding causes are presented in the table.

Usually, with diarrhea, there is not only one mechanism for its implementation. Their combination with the predominance of one over the others is typical.

Types of diarrhea

Infectious diarrhea is observed with dysentery, salmonellosis, food infections, viral diseases (viral diarrhea), amoebiasis, etc.

Alimentary diarrhea occurs when poor nutrition, if you are allergic to any products.

Dyspeptic diarrhea occurs when the digestion of food masses is impaired due to secretory insufficiency of the stomach, pancreas, liver, or when there is a lack of secretion of any enzymes by the small intestine.

Toxic diarrhea accompanies uremia, mercury and arsenic poisoning.

Drug-induced diarrhea occurs when the physiological intestinal flora is suppressed and dysbiosis develops.

Neurogenic diarrhea is a consequence of a violation of the nervous regulation of intestinal motor activity (for example, diarrhea that occurs under the influence of excitement or fear).

Mild and short-lived diarrhea has virtually no effect on the general condition of a person. Severe or chronic - depletes the body, leads to hypovitaminosis, significant changes in organs.

Diarrhea symptoms

Clinical manifestations of diarrhea are usually characterized by a standard set of complaints and objective examination data. For some of its types there are specific features, by which the specific nature of the disease can be accurately determined. But it also happens that even additional laboratory and instrumental data do not always turn out to be informative. In order not to miss anything, you need to be very attentive to everything that happens to the body, accompanying diarrhea.

High temperature with diarrhea

It is noted by many patients as an additional symptom. Its development is characteristic of many types of diarrhea. First of all, this concerns microbial (viral and bacterial) types. After all, any penetration of foreign protein structures into immune cells causes the production of antibodies, which is accompanied by the release of inflammatory mediators and a temperature reaction.

Considering that the intestines are one of the most powerful immune organs, its occurrence should not be surprising. On the contrary, when a person has signs of an infectious intestinal disease, but there is no fever, this indicates the presence of immunodeficiency. As for its specific values, they depend on the pathogenicity of the microbe and the reactivity of the body and can range from 37.1? C to above 39? C.

Nausea and vomiting with diarrhea

Nausea is by far the most common symptom of diarrhea of any origin. There is a logical explanation for this. After all, disruption of the normal movement of food and feces through the intestines necessarily leads to their incorrect reflux in the opposite direction.

In addition, intoxication that occurs against the background of any intestinal catastrophe necessarily leads to the absorption of these toxic products into the systemic bloodstream with their distribution to all organs and tissues. The first to react to them is the vomiting center of the brain, which clinically manifests itself in the form of nausea followed by vomiting. By the way, the last reflex act is one of the most physiological mechanisms for cleansing the body of toxins of any origin.

Abdominal pain

It is always a consequence of increased intestinal motility. As a rule, it is spastic, strong and intense. It is characterized by a paroxysmal course with periods of sharp intensification with gradual subsidence and complete cessation. Usually after or during a painful attack there is a urge to defecate, which is manifested by severe diarrhea.

The appearance of pain is characteristic of almost all types of diarrhea, but most often occurs with microbial types and food poisoning. All other types of it are accompanied by discomfort and a feeling of heaviness in the stomach.

Rotten belching with diarrhea

It occurs as a primary symptom or gradually against the background of diarrhea. In the first case, when it precedes diarrhea, its appearance indicates enzymatic insufficiency of the pancreas, stomach and biliary system.

As a result of the fact that the food entering the body is not digested, it rots. This eventually vents into the formation of foul-smelling gases, which emanate from the stomach through belching. Naturally, undigested particles entering the intestines cause irritation and diarrhea. When rotten belching occurs against the background of diarrhea, this is a consequence of secondary digestive disorders caused by the underlying disease and indicates its progression.

Color of diarrhea in an adult

An experienced clinician can determine the origin of diarrhea by the color and typical characteristics of liquid stool. In this case, it is necessary to add up the remaining symptoms. This will make it possible to understand and clarify some details of the origin of the true culprit of diarrhea.

Green diarrhea

Characteristic exclusively for bacterial and viral intestinal lesions. The appearance of greenery is associated with the direct accumulation of leukocytes in the feces, as well as the active proliferation of pyogenic coccal flora (staphylococci) against the background of weakened local immune mechanisms in the intestine.

Clinically, it looks like liquid stool of heterogeneous consistency with small greenish inclusions or thickly coated and mixed with viscous green mucus. Typically, such diarrhea is accompanied by a severe hyperthermic reaction, abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting, signs of severe intoxication and inflammatory changes in the blood system.

Yellow diarrhea

It is one of its most favorable types, since most often it is caused by increased peristalsis (contraction) of the intestine. As a result of the acceleration of the movement of feces, they do not have time to fully form into a normal shape and consistency. But at the same time, they undergo almost complete enzymatic processing and partial absorption of the active components into the bloodstream. The result is stool of normal color, but liquid consistency. There are no additional symptoms except for minor pain and heaviness in the abdomen,

Black diarrhea (dark in color)

Refers to very formidable or, conversely, natural symptoms. First of all, it’s worth focusing on it as a threatening sign. The appearance of stool that is black, like tar or tar, can indicate only one thing - bleeding from the stomach. The appearance of this particular color is due to the destruction of erythrocyte hemoglobin under the influence of hydrochloric acid of the stomach. In this case, hydrochloric acid hematin is formed, which provides the characteristic color. In such situations, you should not waste a minute and urgently seek medical help.

The second situation that may result in black feces is the consumption of foods based on animal blood (bloodweed), large amounts of beets, blueberries, or certain medications (activated carbon, bismuth preparations - Vikalin, de-Nol). It is this fact that often causes people to seek medical help. A differential diagnostic criterion for the origin of black diarrhea is the presence of an appropriate history of use of the listed substances or a decrease in hemodynamic parameters (hypotension, tachycardia) in the case of gastrointestinal bleeding.

White diarrhea (light in color)

Along with black feces, it is one of the most specific, characterizing only one reason for its appearance. In this case, it is insufficient processing of food masses in the intestines with bile. This is possible when the common bile duct is compressed or blocked by a tumor or stone.

In typical cases, such diarrhea is necessarily accompanied by yellowness of the skin and severe darkening of the urine. Pain, temperature reaction and dehydration are not typical. It is often of a mild nature, occurring only a few times, after which the white color of the stool remains with its normal consistency.

Diarrhea with blood

The most dangerous of all types of diarrhea, since it indicates ongoing active bleeding into the cavity of the intestinal tract. Usually characteristic of disintegrating tumors of the large intestine, severe intestinal infections, which result in complete destruction of the mucous membrane of the intestinal wall.

Sometimes the appearance of bloody diarrhea can be a consequence of the toxic effects of various chemical compounds and poisons on the intestines. Bloody diarrhea may not be represented by pure blood, but by liquid, dark cherry-colored stool. In this case, we can say with confidence that the source of bleeding is located in the right half of the large intestine.

Diarrhea with mucus

This characteristic alone cannot determine the true origin of diarrhea. After all, mucus can be completely different and released in different quantities. Its transparent appearance is a sign of a relatively favorable course, which may be due to foodborne illness and mild poisoning. When the mucus becomes greenish, brown or bloody, this always indicates severe diarrhea or lack of effect from its treatment.

Water diarrhea

In any scientific manual or ordinary women's magazine dedicated to health, you can find only one answer to the question about watery stools. This is of course cholera. The causative agent of the disease is designed in such a way that when it enters the intestines, it turns on all possible mechanisms of diarrhea, which is manifested by the indomitable release of water instead of feces. The most interesting thing is that the temperature rises extremely rarely. But the number of bowel movements is so large that patients are unable to count them. As a result, severe dehydration occurs, which requires immediate correction through massive infusion therapy.

Treatment of diarrhea in adults

Only those who can clearly determine its nature and mechanism of occurrence can treat diarrhea correctly and effectively. The table below should help you navigate these issues a little.

Type of diarrhea

Basic groups of drugs

Infectious

Antibiotics;

Intestinal antiseptics;

Slowing down peristalsis;

Sorbents;

Enzymes;

Enzymatic

Replacement therapy with enzyme preparations

Intestinal diseases

Antibiotics;

Specific anti-inflammatory intestinal drugs;

Glucocorticoid hormones;

Bleeding

Antiulcer drugs;

Hemostatics;

Intoxication

Gastric lavage and enemas;

Sorbents;

Motor normalizers;

Diarrhea after antibiotics

Antifungal;

Sorbents;

Probiotics;

Diet for diarrhea in adults

The issue of nutrition for any disease of the digestive system should be given special attention. Especially with diarrhea. In general terms, it is worth saying that you should not eat rough, fried, fatty, smoked foods. Everything should be light, well digestible and not burden the already busy intestines. He must simultaneously rest and provide the body with the most necessary substances for life. The water regime must be adjusted with the consumption of a sufficient amount of liquid in any form.

What can you eat if you have diarrhea?

Types of products

What should you not eat if you have diarrhea?

Black with bran, yesterday's baking, crackers, biscuits

Bread and flour dishes

Fresh white bread, buns, pies, rolls, cookies

Dietary meat of chicken and rabbit, turkey, doctor's sausages

Meat products

Pork, beef, duck and other fatty meats, smoked sausage

Ryazhenka, cottage cheese, yogurt, light yogurt

Dairy products

Whole milk, full fat sour cream, cream

Lemon juice in water, blueberries, viburnum, cranberries, baked apples, potatoes

Vegetables and fruits, berries

Tomatoes, cucumbers, cabbage, orange, banana, plums, apricot

Buckwheat, rice, oatmeal

Cereals and porridges

Legumes and peas

Beans, peas in any form

Dried blueberries, apples, pears, rose hips

Nuts and dried fruits

Raisins, dried apricots, all types of nuts

The given power supply diagram is indicative only. Nutrition for diarrhea depends on the intensity of diarrhea, the form and stage of the disease that led to its occurrence. Naturally, in the first hours and even days after the problem occurs, it is better to abstain from food altogether, with the exception of sweetened tea and various liquids. This approach will provide trophism to the affected intestinal cells and will not have an irritating effect on them. Gradually, the volume of nutrition is expanded, introducing permitted foods as the condition stabilizes.

As for the method of cooking, it should be exclusively boiled or stewed. It is best to cook non-rich soups, porridges, mashed potatoes, steamed cutlets and meatballs. Various jelly and jellies made from permitted fruits are suitable. When the intensity of diarrhea decreases, you can add half a soft-boiled egg to your diet, a little butter for seasoning soup or porridge. Gradually, the diet expands with the transition to a normal, habitual diet.