Diarrhea (medical: diarrhea or diarrhea) is spoken in medicine when a thin, unshaped stool occurs in large quantities several times a day. Depending on the duration of the symptoms, a distinction is made between acute and chronic diarrhea. Low-viscosity stool can be a symptom of many diseases (e.g. infections, food poisoning, tumors) and can quickly become a serious health hazard due to the increased fluid loss, especially for children and the elderly.
Table of Contents
- Diarrhea can have many causes
- definition
- Different types of diarrhea
- Causes and symptoms
- gastroenteritis
- Traveler’s diarrhea
- Food poisoning
- Fungal poisoning
- Chemical poisoning
- Medication
- Caffeine / tein
- Radiation enteritis / radiation colitis
- Psychological causes
- Chronic diarrhea
- Malassimilation
- Irritable bowel syndrome
- Chronic pancreatitis
- Food intolerance: lactose and fructose intolerance
- Gluten allergy as a cause of diarrhea
- Hyperthyroidism
- Inflammatory bowel disease
- Colon cancer (colon cancer)
- Pancreatic cancer (pancreatic cancer)
- Other causes of chronic diarrhea
- Anxiety / anxiety disorder
- Treatment options
- Treatment for acute diarrhea
- Treatment of chronic diarrhea
- Naturopathy for diarrhea
- Compensate mineral deficits with natural means
- Schüssler salts and homeopathy for diarrhea
- Relaxation exercises to relieve digestive problems
definition
Diarrhea is usually the term for a bowel movement that occurs several times a day and has a strikingly liquid or mushy-soft consistency. When it comes to the uncomfortable topic of “bowel movements”, however, there is often uncertainty as to whether the chair is still “normal” or whether one can already speak of diarrhea. Because the frequency and consistency of bowel movements vary individually and are assessed differently by each individual. Many people assume that going to the toilet every day is normal – but from a medical point of view, this is not the case. Since the duration of the food porridge can last for several days, a stool frequency of 3 times a week up to 3 times a day is generally regarded as “normal”.
Accordingly, it is medically spoken of if an adult has bowel movements more than three times a day, which has an increased weight (over 250 grams per day) and a high water content (over 75 percent). This makes the feces particularly mushy or thin.
Different types of diarrhea
Liquid stool can be created by various mechanisms, so a distinction is made between five types of diarrhea: “Osmotic diarrhea” occurs when food components, medication or other substances cannot be absorbed, but instead remain in the intestine and liquefy the contents there. As a result of the increased amount of fluid, the volume of the stool increases, which in this case has a thin to watery consistency.
Digestive tract disorders are often accompanied by diarrhea, but diarrhea can also have other causes. (Image: ag visuell / fotolia.com)
In the case of a so-called “secretory diarrhea”, the intestinal mucosa secretes salts (especially sodium chloride) and water in the stool to an increased extent due to chronic inflammatory bowel disease , food poisoning or the use of laxatives, which makes it extremely fluid.
In the case of “exudative diarrhea”, bacteria or parasites cause severe inflammation of the intestinal mucosa, which subsequently secretes more mucus and sometimes also blood. This form often occurs in inflammatory bowel diseases or colon cancer (colon cancer), often the secretions of mucus and blood in the faeces can already be seen with the naked eye.
Another form is referred to medically as “hypermotile diarrhea”. Here, the chyme remains only briefly in the intestine due to increased intestinal muscle movements, which means that insufficient water can be extracted from it. This is often the case, for example, with irritable bowel syndrome or a nerve disorder caused by diabetes (diabetic polyneuropathy) and is manifested by thin or mushy stools.
The so-called “ fat stool ” (steatorrhea) is a special form . It contains a high proportion of nutritional fats, because there are not enough bile acids in the intestine to absorb the fats. Accordingly, there is usually light bowel movements , which can be mushy-soft, shiny and particularly strong-smelling.
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Causes and symptoms
Low-viscosity stool is mostly described by those affected as very unpleasant, because the constant pressure in the stool and the sometimes explosive emptying of large quantities of stool have a negative impact on well-being and quality of life. It becomes particularly restrictive if, in chronic cases, due to the uncontrollability, there is always a toilet nearby. In addition, a fluid stool also affects the fluid and energy balance. Especially if the stool frequently appears in a watery consistency, the entire organism can be severely weakened within a few hours.
Based on the duration, medical professionals distinguish between acute and chronic form. The former usually only exists for a few days and is often caused by a viral or bacterial infection.
However, chronic (more than two to four weeks) diarrhea can be a symptom of many different, sometimes serious diseases. Accordingly, persistent, recurrent or relapsing diarrhea should not only be seen as an uncomfortable irregularity in digestion, but as a serious indigestion that can have serious health consequences. In this case, those affected should definitely consult a doctor in order to have the cause thoroughly investigated.
Viruses such as the norovirus are often the cause of severe diarrhea. (Image: Henrie / fotolia.com)
gastroenteritis
Acute diarrhea often arises from “gastroenteritis” (also known as gastrointestinal flu, gastrointestinal infection, vomiting diarrhea), which in most cases is caused by viruses – such as the norovirus. It is an inflammation (Greek: “itis”) of the mucous membranes of the stomach (“Gaster”) and the small intestine (“Enteron”), which despite the colloquial term as “gastrointestinal flu” with the “real” Flu or influenza is unrelated. In addition to viruses, bacteria such as Salmonella or certain parasites (so-called “protozoa”) are less likely to be the cause.
The symptoms can – depending on the pathogen – be very different and vary in intensity. Since the pathogen normally travels “from top to bottom” through the digestive tract in an infectious gastrointestinal flu, loss of appetite , nausea or vomiting usually occur first . After a while, the liquid bowel movement occurs, whereby – depending on how badly the mucous membrane is damaged – blood may also appear in the stool . Since the movements of the intestines are increased during the diarrhea, severe abdominal pain or abdominal cramps often occur, often fever , dizziness and a general feeling of exhaustion.
If liquid stool and vomiting persist for a long time, the symptoms of dehydration (desiccation) can occur due to the loss of fluid and the impaired fluid intake. This manifests itself above all in the fact that a skin fold that is pulled up on the back of the hand does not go back, but remains. Kidney pain , cramps or reduced urine production are further warning signs.
In the case of gastrointestinal flu, the infection usually occurs directly from person to person via the so-called “smear infection”. In this case, the pathogens from the stool and vomit of a victim reach objects and surfaces and from there through the hands into the mouth and thus also into the stomach and intestines of other people (fecal-oral transmission).
Other distribution channels are poor hygiene conditions (e.g. in developing countries), contaminated drinking water or food (especially fish and seafood). So-called “droplet infection” is possible, in which tiny droplets containing the virus are directly transmitted to other people through vomiting through the air. In this way, a gastrointestinal virus, for example, spreads particularly quickly in facilities with many people such as kindergartens, schools, old people’s homes or nursing homes.
Traveler’s diarrhea
If the complaints arise in connection with (long-distance) travel, they are often very uncomfortable – but usually harmless. The so-called “traveler’s diarrhea”, which particularly affects tourists in Asia, Africa and South and Central America, can have various causes and occur both during the trip and before or after it.
The cause is usually bacteria (especially coli bacteria), viruses (e.g. norovirus) or parasites (e.g. amoebas) that are ingested through food or drinking water. Factors such as poor hygienic conditions, changing the time and climate, stress during travel planning or unplanned incidents at the holiday location can have a favorable effect.
Typical symptoms of traveler’s diarrhea are very soft to liquid stool that occurs several times a day, which is partly accompanied by vomiting, abdominal pain and fever. Slimy feces or blood in the stool are not uncommon. In general, the symptoms often appear quite quickly and violently, but in some cases it can take several days for the first signs of the disease to become visible.
Especially on long-distance trips, gastrointestinal problems quickly arise due to coli bacteria. A medicine for diarrhea should therefore not be missing in any travel pharmacy. (Image: racamani / fotolia.com)
Food poisoning
Food poisoning can trigger thin or watery stools. This form of diarrhea is not caused by pathogens, but by toxins (toxins) that are formed by bacteria and are absorbed into the digestive tract with food.
In most cases it is the bacterium “Staphylococcus aureus”, but also the “Bacillus cereus” and various types of Clostridium occur. With food poisoning, symptoms such as low-viscosity stools, nausea, vomiting and abdominal cramps usually show up in several people who have consumed the same food or dish after a few hours – fever , on the other hand, occurs very rarely.
The symptoms usually go away after a day or two. Because sufferers lose a lot of fluids in the course of the illness, circulatory problems such as dizziness or weakness often arise, which can lead to a circulatory breakdown.
Foodstuffs such as milk and meat products (e.g. potato salad or raw milk cheese) are particularly often affected by the pathogens, as are eggs in “pure” and processed form (dips, creams, cake fillings, ice cream, etc.). Cooked foods can also be infested because, because the toxins are relatively heat-stable, they remain behind even at normal cooking temperatures and can easily get into the gastrointestinal tract.
Poisoning with the toxin that forms the bacterium Clostridium botulinum (botulinum toxin) is far less common – but life-threatening. This occurs primarily in canned food and vacuum-packed foods and leads to diarrhea and vomiting even in the smallest quantities, as well as neurological complaints (swallowing, speech and vision disorders) and paralysis. In severe cases, such poisoning can lead to respiratory paralysis and thus death (botulism). Accordingly, if the symptoms mentioned appear twelve to 36 hours after eating, a doctor must be consulted immediately or the emergency doctor called.
Fungal poisoning
This can be caused by fungal poisoning (mycetism). This arises from poisons of certain mushrooms, whereby even small amounts can cause severe symptoms of poisoning or can even be fatal. In Europe this applies to around 150 mushrooms, of which the “green tuber agaric” and the “coniferous woodpecker” are the most dangerous species. The signs of poisoning – depending on the respective fungal poison – appear to different degrees and in some cases appear after minutes, but sometimes only after days. Typical symptoms are thin / liquid stool, dizziness , cardiovascular problems, nausea and vomiting. In some cases, itchy rash and difficulty breathing appear.
Since non-toxic mushrooms are often difficult to distinguish from poisonous ones, laypeople should always be very careful when collecting them and also carefully check before eating which mushrooms can be safely eaten. However, if symptoms of illness appear immediately after consumption, this does not always mean poisoning – instead, an intolerance or an allergy to fungi can lead to symptoms such as liquid stool, nausea and vomiting.
In order to avoid taking any risks, a medical explanation of the causes should always be given in the event of a corresponding reaction to consumed mushrooms, and in acute cases, a clinic should always be consulted or the responsible poison control center should be contacted.
Chemical poisoning
Chemical poisoning may be present in the event of diarrhea. This often occurs in connection with pesticides (insecticides) which, if taken up via the gastrointestinal tract without treatment, are fatal within a very short time and are therefore to be regarded as an absolute emergency. If such poisoning is present, severe diarrhea, vomiting and intestinal colic occur, and symptoms such as high blood pressure, rapid heartbeat and anxiety occur.
Metals such as arsenic, chromium, cadmium or lithium play an important role in connection with chemical poisoning. In the event of an overdose via the digestive tract, severe diarrhea, nausea, vomiting and acute abdominal pain occur . If it continues to spread in the body of the person concerned, there is a risk that blood, brain, nerves or organs such as the kidneys and liver may be attacked and damaged. In the gastrointestinal area, permanent poisoning with chromium can lead to gastrointestinal inflammation, and chromium and arsenic are also considered to be carcinogenic.
Nowadays there are strict regulations for exposure limits and regular checks are mandatory at the corresponding workplaces. Nevertheless, there are dangers in some areas, e.g. from contaminated sites or generally in the context of work and chemical accidents. Accordingly, in the event of poisoning by chemicals, the emergency call must always be made to 112 so that the person concerned can be cared for and then the appropriate further treatment can be instructed.
Medication
Certain medications can cause discomfort. There is an increased risk when taking antibiotics, as they not only affect bacterial pathogens, but can also unbalance the intestinal flora.
Taking laxatives (laxatives) can cause liquid stool, especially if they are taken in excess or over a long period of time. Especially people who are not affected by constipation requiring treatment and instead take laxatives, for example for weight loss purposes (often with anorexia / anorexia and bulimia ), often suffer from chronic diarrhea. In addition, there is a risk of severe electrolyte loss, which in turn can lead to constipation or even life-threatening cardiac arrhythmias.
Other medications that can cause symptoms include cancer medication (cytostatics), water propellants (diuretics), anti-inflammatories, anti-Parkinson drugs, stomach or food supplements (vitamin C, iron supplements). Likewise, excessive consumption of the sugar substitute “sorbitol” or sorbitol, which is often found in chewing gum, candy or toothpaste, can lead to diarrhea.
Caffeine / tein
Caffeine (caffeine, also theine or tein or tea), which is included in luxury foods such as coffee, tea, cola, energy drinks and cocoa and some hair shampoos, can trigger acute diarrhea. Caffeine is a so-called “psychostimulant”, a substance that increases the psychological and thus physical drive and thereby also increases the bowel movements. While moderate consumption of caffeinated stimulants is normally not a problem, increased consumption in addition to diarrhea can also cause other complaints such as increased nervousness and difficulty concentrating, increased blood pressure or tachycardia (rapid heartbeat).
Radiation enteritis / radiation colitis
Another trigger can be radiation treatment (radiotherapy). In this, patients with benign or malignant tumors or cancer are treated with ionizing radiation in order to destroy the cancer cells or at least to prevent further growth. Since the intestinal mucosa is particularly sensitive to radiation, it can quickly damage the small and large intestine when used in the abdominal or pelvic area. Examples are swellings and ulcers, up to ever progressive changes in the intestinal mucosa.
A distinction is made between different forms of radiation-related bowel disease, depending on whether the small intestine (radiation enteritis), large intestine (radiation colitis) or the rectum (radiation proctitis) has been damaged by, the latter occurring most frequently. In all three cases, diarrhea (often in connection with mucus or blood in the stool) and building pains appear symptomatically, especially in the case of radiation enteritis, bloating and vomiting are common.
Whether problems at home, unresolved conflicts or trouble at work: Psychological stress literally hits the stomach and leads to digestive problems (Image: Drobot Dean / fotolia.com)
Psychological causes
An important aspect in connection with acute complaints are psychological factors. If no organic cause for acute diarrhea can be found, it may be a sign of psychological stress. Many people literally “hit” psychological stress through private anger or stress at work. Likewise, events associated with fear, excitement and increased inner unrest , such as job interviews, exams, a performance in front of large groups, a visit to the dentist or an upcoming flight, are considered to trigger the complaints.
The so-called “sympathetic nerve” is responsible for part of the vegetative nervous system. In the case of fear, stress and excitement, this inhibits gastric and intestinal activity and thus slows digestion, so that energy is saved and the body can quickly be brought into a state of maximum attention and readiness to flee. Anxiety and stress are often manifested by symptoms such as loss of appetite , malaise, feeling of fullness, stomach pain , nausea and vomiting. Functional complaints in the lower abdomen area such as severe diarrhea or constipation often occur – sometimes alternately.
Chronic diarrhea
In contrast to the acute form, the symptoms of chronic diarrhea do not disappear after one or two days, but occur regularly over and over again for more than 14 days or in batches. Persistent complaints can have many different causes and should in any case not be regarded by those affected as a harmless irregularity in their digestion, but should be taken seriously and absolutely examined by a doctor. Because a permanent indigestion can lead to severe health damage if left untreated.
Malassimilation
A possible cause of chronic complaints is “malassimilation”. However, this is not an independent disease, but can occur in the context of many different chronic disorders in the digestive tract.
A distinction is made medically between “Maldigestion” and “Malabsorption”: With Maldigestion, the food taken in cannot be broken down sufficiently due to a lack of enzymes, which leads to the digestion of fats, but also of protein and carbohydrates, being disturbed. The cause can be diseases of the stomach, pancreas or liver, as well as a genetic enzyme defect (such as innate lactose intolerance).
In malabsorption, the absorption of already broken down or pre-digested food components through the intestinal wall into the lymphatic or bloodstream is disturbed. This can be caused by, among other things, inflammatory bowel diseases, food intolerance or infections. The disorder can also occur due to radiation damage or as a result of operations in the gastrointestinal area.
Typical symptoms of malassimilation are extreme forms of diarrhea with often more than 300 grams of stool weight, flatulence and a lack of nutrients, which include carbohydrates, protein and fat, but also vitamins (e.g. A, D, E), iron, potassium and Calcium affects. Depending on the type of undersupply, iron deficiency can lead to swelling (edema), but too little vitamin A leads to dry eyes .
In addition, coagulation disorders can result from an insufficient supply of vitamin K, an overactive parathyroid gland or muscle weakness. Some of those affected suffer from night blindness, triggered by the lack of iron.
Irritable bowel syndrome
Chronic diarrhea is a key symptom of a so-called “irritable bowel” (also irritable bowel syndrome, RDS), a relatively common functional disorder of the intestine, the exact cause of which has not yet been clarified. Characteristic are constant or recurring bowel disorders, which cause severe, pulling, stinging or cramp-like pain in the entire abdominal area, often accompanied by a feeling of pressure in the lower abdomen or right or left upper abdomen. In addition, there is in most cases (severe) flatulence, constipation and diarrhea, which often occur alternately. The chair is usually mushy to thin, sometimes mixed with light mucus.
With an irritable bowel it is also possible to have hard bowel movements , in which the faeces are excreted in the form of small, extremely firm and dry faeces stones. The frequency of the complaints can vary: in some cases, symptoms only appear every now and then or in special situations (increased nervousness, hectic pace, excitement, etc.), while other sufferers constantly suffer from their irritated bowels.
The exact cause of an irritable bowel has not yet been clarified. However, it is clear that it is a functional bowel disorder, so those affected are basically healthy from an organic perspective. Instead, a number of different triggers come into consideration, such as hypersensitivity of the intestine, increased psychological stress or intolerance to milk sugar or fruit sugar, inflammation of the intestinal mucosa or a disturbance in the intestinal flora.
Chronic pancreatitis
Permanent symptoms can be triggered by chronic pancreatitis (chronic pancreatitis), which in most cases leads to irreversible damage to the pancreas. The inflammation that occurs again and again gradually destroys the functional cells within the pancreas and replaces it with a scarred, non-functional tissue (fibrosis). This means that the pancreas can no longer fully perform its normal functions (pancreatic insufficiency).
As a result, the gland gradually gives up its digestive function because not enough enzymes are released to break down the individual components of the food (fats, proteins and carbohydrates). The so-called “islet cells” of the pancreas are destroyed, which means that it is no longer possible to produce enough insulin. However, this plays a central role in regulating blood sugar since it is the only hormone that can lower blood sugar levels.
Chronic pancreatitis can narrow the bile ducts, which may result in jaundice or eyes and skin. The inflamed gland can narrow the duodenum, and it also increases the risk of pancreatic cancer in people with chronic pancreatitis.
The triggers are usually excessive alcohol consumption and unnoticed gallstones. This means that digestive juices can no longer flow out of the pancreas into the intestine, but rather accumulate. From a medical point of view, genetic factors play an important role, and this is often the cause of affected children. An overactive parathyroid gland (hyperparathyroidism) or the associated excess calcium in the blood or certain disorders of lipid metabolism can be the trigger. Smoking appears to increase the risk of chronic pancreatitis.
A main symptom of the disease is severe, recurring or persistent upper abdominal pain, which is often belt-shaped and can radiate up to the back. As the process progresses, the pain intensifies, in addition there are signs of deteriorating functioning of the pancreas such as severe diarrhea, sticky, loamy fat stool, flatulence, abdominal cramps and a strong weight loss. Diabetes mellitus develops relatively frequently as a result of reduced insulin production.
In the case of lactose intolerance, the symptoms often appear immediately after consuming milk or milk products. (Image: BillionPhotos.com/fotolia.com)
Food intolerance: lactose and fructose intolerance
A common cause of a chronic form is food intolerance. Above all, intolerance to lactose and fructose as well as gluten protein (celiac disease) are possible.
With a Lactose intolerance is a congenital or acquired later in life intolerance to lactose. It is a component of various foods, which is also known as milk sugar, which is why lactose intolerance is also known under the name “lactose intolerance”. Lactose is a “double sugar”, which consists of the two single sugars glucose and galactose. In the course of digestion of lactose-containing foods, the enzyme lactase normally breaks down the lactose into its two building blocks so that it can enter the blood via the mucous membrane of the small intestine.
However, if there is a lack of lactase, this process does not work or does not work completely, so that the lactose does not get into the blood, but instead goes undigested into the colon. Here the lactose is broken down by intestinal bacteria, among other things, to fatty acids and gases, which can irritate the intestinal mucosa. This leads to the typical symptoms of lactose intolerance, such as thin to liquid bowel movements, abdominal discomfort and flatulence (flatulence).
The symptoms usually appear fairly quickly after consuming milk and milk products and become more severe for most people who have lactose the more they eat. If people with lactose intolerance are more prone to diarrhea, this can quickly lead to a lack of vitamins and minerals and weight loss.
A fructose intolerance (also called fructose intolerance) is rarely an innate intolerance, but mostly a reaction after excessive consumption of fructose (fructose). This occurs in many types of fruit (apples, pears, grapes etc.), honey, yoghurt, muesli and reduced-calorie “wellness products” (eg juices or jams), in which fructose is used as a sweetener.
With excessive consumption, the intestine can quickly become overloaded, which is particularly problematic when the “transport protein” is not working properly. This is responsible for the fact that the fructose is transported inside the body. If it doesn’t work properly, the sugar does not get into the blood, but instead into the large intestine, where it is broken down by bacteria and ultimately causes discomfort.
This includes primarily low-viscosity bowel movements and flatulence, in many cases there is also abdominal pain, a feeling of fullness, increased belching and nausea. The complaints usually appear immediately after eating large amounts of food containing fructose, but can be very different.
Gluten allergy as a cause of diarrhea
Another cause of chronic diarrhea is a gluten allergy (celiac disease). It is a congenital autoimmune disease, which is characterized by a lifelong intolerance to the gluten protein or the gliadin sub-fraction, which occurs in wheat, spelled, rye and barley, for example. With timely diagnosis and treatment, celiac disease can usually be well controlled and digestive problems do not always occur, as sometimes there is only a genetic disposition.
Accordingly, the intolerance manifests itself in very different forms: There are courses in which, apart from occasional diarrhea, there are no further complaints. Other sufferers suffer from severe, extremely fluid diarrhea or fatty stools, which are often accompanied by deficiency symptoms (especially iron deficiency) and involuntary weight loss.
Hyperthyroidism
Another cause of chronic complaints is an overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism). In this, the thyroid gland forms more hormones than are required by the body, which leads to an oversupply and thus to an acceleration of the metabolic processes. An overfunction can have different triggers, in many cases the autoimmune disease “Graves ‘disease” (or “Graves’ disease”) is the basis. According to the variety of causes, there are very different symptoms of different forms. Diarrhea occurs frequently due to the accelerated metabolism, in addition there are general symptoms such as excessive sweating , hair loss and weight loss.
As part of the action of the hormone over-production on the cardiovascular system often arrhythmia come in the form of strong palpitations to heart palpitations and high blood pressure (hypertension). Because hyperthyroidism affects the central nervous system (CNS) – consisting of the brain and spinal cord – increased nervousness, restlessness, mood swings, muscle pain and muscle weakness are possible. Likewise, some sufferers suffer from increased irritability, aggressiveness and increased anxiety.
The intestinal disorders in inflammatory bowel diseases such as Crohn’s disease cause severe diarrhea. (Image: Juan Gärtner / fotolia.com)
Inflammatory bowel disease
Triggers can be chronic inflammatory bowel diseases “(IBD) – which summarizes diseases that are characterized by recurrent or continuous inflammatory changes in the intestine. The most common diseases are “ulcerative colitis” and “Crohn’s disease”. While the inflammation is confined to the intestinal mucosa in the former, the entire digestive tract can be affected in Crohn’s disease.
A typical symptom in both cases is recurring or relapsing diarrhea, which often contains visible mucus or even blood in ulcerative colitis. In comparison to Chron’s disease, other organs such as the skin, eyes (uveitis) or joints (arthritis) are also more often affected by inflammation. In addition, in both cases there are usually severe abdominal pain or cramps, loss of appetite and weight loss. Chron’s disease can also narrow the transition from the small intestine to the large intestine, causing severe pain in the right lower abdomen and fever.
Although the exact cause of both diseases has not yet been clarified, it is usually assumed that several factors play a role, such as genetic predisposition, infections, eating habits, tobacco consumption and pollution. In addition, in connection with inflammatory bowel diseases, psychosocial stress is also often regarded as a trigger or intensifier. Accordingly, IBD is also described in part in the specialist literature as a psychosomatic disease.
Colon cancer (colon cancer)
If fluid stools alternate with constipation, this can in serious cases indicate colon cancer or a malignant tumor of the intestine (colon carcinoma). This is the second most common cancer in men (after lung cancer) and women (after breast cancer) and typically occurs in people in their middle to late age, but there are also cases before the age of 40.
Colon cancer usually arises from initially benign colon polyps. Accordingly, symptoms rarely appear at the beginning, which means that the disease is often only diagnosed at a very advanced stage. It is therefore all the more important to always take warning signs or any prolonged change in digestion seriously. This includes not only the change of diarrhea and constipation include crampy abdominal pain, frequent urge to defecate, bloody stools and black stools and constant fatigue, fatigue , pallor , bloating , weight and power loss.
If there are signs of this, it does not automatically mean colon cancer. Nevertheless, a doctor should always be consulted to clarify the cause of the symptoms. This is especially true if blood appears in the stool. A certainty can only be achieved by a colonoscopy, which is considered the “gold standard” in medicine.
Pancreatic cancer (pancreatic cancer)
A tumor of the pancreas (pancreatic cancer or pancreatic carcinoma) can be responsible for chronic symptoms. Although this occurs much less frequently than colorectal cancer, it is nevertheless a very dangerous cancer that in many cases leads to death. Since pancreatic carcinoma usually causes no or only slight symptoms for a long time, it is often discovered too late. As a result, the cancer has often spread and may already have metastasized to other organs.
In most cases, the typical signs of jaundice (jaundice) and pain in the upper abdomen only appear later on – however, these can also occur in other diseases and therefore do not inevitably indicate pancreatic cancer. Further complaints such as chronic diarrhea, fatty stools, a persistent feeling of pressure in the abdominal region as well as nausea and vomiting, loss of appetite and weight loss can provide further information here, because these arise when the cancer spreads to neighboring organs such as the stomach or intestines. In addition, a diseased pancreas can also cause back pain due to its proximity to the spine .
Although the exact causes of pancreatic cancer are still unknown, from a medical point of view there are factors that increase the risk of a disease: These include, above all, smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, obesity (obesity) and previous illnesses with subsequent gastric surgery (e.g. due to a stomach ulcer) . Heredity and inflammation of the pancreas (chronic pancreatitis) that has existed for many years also seem to play a role in pancreatic cancer.
The same applies to type 2 diabetes mellitus, although it must be borne in mind here that “diabetes” can also be caused by pancreatic cancer itself. As in the case of colorectal cancer, early detection is important in order to achieve good healing and survival chances. Affected people should immediately see a doctor at the first signs to clarify the causes of the complaints.
Other causes of chronic diarrhea
There are a number of other possible triggers for a chronic course, such as the chronic inflammatory colon diseases “collagenous colitis” and “lymphocytic colitis” – however, these are much less common in comparison. In addition to watery, very fluid stools, symptoms such as abdominal pain, nausea, flatulence and, in some cases, fatigue and tiredness appear , and weight loss is also common. Although the exact causes of colitis are not known, a genetic link is often suspected. Previous intestinal infections and the use of anti-inflammatory painkillers to treat rheumatism (so-called “non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs” (NSAIDs)) also appear to play a role.
A permanent (strong) increased consumption of alcohol leads to damage to the gastric and intestinal mucosa, liver and pancreas and can cause chronic diarrhea. There is a particularly high risk of deficiency symptoms here, since those affected by alcohol problems in many cases tend to be one-sided or deficient in nutrition from the outset. Accordingly, medical advice regarding withdrawal options and eating habits, as well as subsequent treatment, is always recommended.
Another cause of diarrhea is the so-called “Whipple’s disease” (Whipple’s disease). It is a relatively rare disease of the small intestine that primarily affects middle-aged men and is usually fatal if left untreated. It is caused by the bacterium “Tropheryma whipplei”, which presumably reaches the stomach and upper part of the small intestine via oral intake and causes lymphatic congestion there. As a result, the absorption of nutrients is inhibited and there is a malabsorption syndrome (see above) with typical symptoms such as strong, foul-smelling mass stools, fatty stools, abdominal pain and weight loss.
Whipple’s disease can also affect other organs such as the heart, eyes, brain and joints (including the sacroiliac joint) or the lymphatic system of the abdominal organs. This can lead to further symptoms such as visual and gait disorders, muscle cramps, arthritis or sacroiliitis or dementia.
Symptoms often occur after gastrointestinal surgery . These include a partial removal of the stomach, which often results in constant belching , abdominal cramps, severe palpitations, headaches and dizziness. Removal of part of the small intestine (small bowel resection) can lead to diarrhea, fatty stools, bloated abdomen (meteorism) and, in some cases, increased kidney oxalate and cholesterol-containing gallstones .
Anxiety / anxiety disorder
Constant diarrhea also plays a central role in some mental illnesses. Emotional stress is “expressed” through recurring liquid bowel movements, which is also reflected in common phrases such as “He got scared!” And “I can’t digest this!”. The complaints are particularly common in connection with fears that are to a certain extent completely “normal” and above all important in order to recognize dangerous situations and threats and to be able to react accordingly. In addition, there are a variety of situations that can trigger anxiety, for example due to fear of existence due to loss of job or wealth, illness or concern for a loved one.
However, as soon as these fears “have a grip” on the person concerned and increasingly master everyday life and make certain actions difficult or impossible, there is a suspicion of a serious anxiety disorder or other mental illness. The term “anxiety disorder” is used to summarize all those mental disorders in which there are fears (either abstract or concrete) of situations (e.g. crowds of people), places (e.g. free spaces, bridges) or objects (dogs, spiders etc.) less or not scared at all without such a disorder.
With a so-called “panic disorder”, the fear triggers real panic attacks in those affected . Subjectively, many people with an anxiety disorder do not perceive fear as such as the central problem – instead, the focus is often on physical signs. Here, bowel or stomach problems such as chronic diarrhea, nausea and vomiting as well as dizziness, rapid heartbeat, tremors, sweating and a general feeling of weakness or limited resilience are mentioned. In specific anxiety situations, chest pain and a feeling of oppression and loss of control are often felt.
Treatment options
The focus of treatment for diarrhea is always on fluid balance to prevent dehydration and consequential damage. Babies under six months in particular are generally at high risk, as is children if the watery stool occurs in rapid succession or lasts longer. Older people are at increased risk to health, as they quickly experience a lack of fluids due to a reduced feeling of thirst and there are often other diseases as well.
With regard to the compensation of the lack of fluids, it is initially irrelevant whether it is an acute or chronic form, only the further treatment then depends on the cause, external circumstances and severity of the disease.
Treatment for acute diarrhea
Since acute diarrhea usually passes after a day or two, in most cases no visit to the doctor is necessary. Instead, those affected can largely help themselves by drinking as much as possible (at least 3 liters a day) and thus counteracting the risk of dehydration. Here, for example, mineral glucose solutions from the pharmacy can be used to compensate for the lack of salt and fluids. In addition, lightly sweetened tea, broth or still water are generally suitable; nursing children should be put on as often as possible in the event of acute liquid stool.
Already at the first signs, either no or only very light food should be consumed to relieve the intestine. Rusk, clear soups and rice gruel as well as grated carrots and apples are particularly suitable due to their stuffing effect. Once the intestine has been “cleaned”, the natural activity of the intestine is ideally slowly stimulated by light, light food – that is why the food should initially contain little fat and protein. It is advisable to avoid flatulent foods, milk and milk products, alcohol and coffee.
In more severe cases and / or if other symptoms such as abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting occur, a doctor should always be consulted as a precaution. After careful diagnosis, the doctor decides whether medication is used. Here, for example, antispasmodic agents (e.g. butylscopolamine) come into consideration for severe abdominal cramps. In some cases, an antibiotic is also required. However, children should generally only take any kind of medication after consulting a doctor to avoid (serious) health side effects and consequences.
Treatment of chronic diarrhea
The further treatment of chronic diarrhea depends on the cause. For example, a medically controlled change of laxatives or other medications can cause the symptoms to go away. In the case of food intolerance, a diet can quickly bring success. Examples here are the extensive avoidance of milk sugar in the case of lactose intolerance or the complete elimination of foods containing gluten (bread, pasta, beer, muesli, cakes, etc.) in the event of gluten intolerance.
Depending on the underlying cause, there are a variety of other treatment options. With the frequently occurring irritable bowel syndrome, for example, a number of medications such as painkillers or antispasmodic agents for abdominal cramps or laxatives (laxatives) for constipation or hard bowel movements come into consideration. However, this should generally only be taken over a short period of time and after consultation with the doctor, otherwise the complaints may increase.
As with other problems with the digestive tract, it makes more sense to use “self-help measures”, which can also alleviate the symptoms. Above all, this includes switching to a diet that is predominantly high in fiber, sufficient hydration (at least 2 liters per day) as well as regular exercise and moderate consumption of alcohol, coffee and nicotine. Experts advise you to eat several meals throughout the day instead of a sumptuous dinner, generally taking enough time to eat and chewing carefully.
Psyllium has a regulating effect on liquid stool due to its swelling effect. (Image: dima_pics / fotolia.com)
Naturopathy for diarrhea
Since diarrhea is a natural process in most cases in order to rid the body of harmful substances as quickly as possible, from a naturopathic perspective, no medicinal measures should be taken to stop the liquid stool. Of course, the prerequisite here is that there is no serious illness. Instead, the body should be supported as gently as possible in this “cleaning process” by eliminating the causes of the diarrhea and thus activating the body’s self-healing powers.
The cause should therefore always be analyzed first, for example whether unfamiliar food has been consumed, new medication has been taken, or perhaps there is increased stress in work and / or private life. If there is a plausible trigger here, further steps such as a change in medication or discontinuation should be discussed with the doctor or other therapeutic measures (change of diet, relaxation exercises etc.) should be taken.
In the area of naturopathy, there are various therapeutic options to alleviate the symptoms and treat unpleasant side effects. For example, taking the mineral earth “bentonite” is advisable at the first sign. This has an unusually high adsorption capacity and therefore provides quick relief in many cases by taking it three times a day with a glass of water. This effect can be further enhanced by taking psyllium , as these are extremely swellable and can absorb the excess fluid in the intestine.
From a naturopathic point of view, diarrhea can only occur if the immune system is weakened in any way – accordingly, an intestinal cleansing should play a central role in the treatment, which involves the natural reconstruction of a healthy intestinal flora . This is done, for example, by the administration of powder containing fiber, algae or herbs, the use of prebiotics and probiotics (e.g. Saccharomyces boulardii) and the consumption of primarily basic foods . Schüßler salts are also frequently used, for example potassium chloratum or sodium phosphoricum.
With herbal teas, quick relief can be achieved with liquid bowel movements. Here, so-called “tannin drugs” such as St. John’s wort, blackberry and raspberry leaves or bloodroot are used in naturopathy. These have a contracting, drying and anti-inflammatory effect and “seal” the intestinal mucosal surface against the absorption of toxic substances.
In the case of acute diarrhea, the tannins can be taken in the form of tea, for example. However, the dose and duration of use should be observed in order to avoid additional irritation of the gastric mucosa. Drink tannin teas unsweetened, because sugar means additional food for the bacteria in the intestine and thereby favors fermentation processes in the intestine.
The “miracle cure” chamomile tea, which can be used by children and adults alike, can be very beneficial because it has antispasmodic, anti-inflammatory, calming and drying effects. It is advisable to infuse one or two teaspoons of chamomile with about 200 ml of hot water, let the tea steep for 10 minutes and drink a cup several times a day.
Compensate mineral deficits with natural means
Since, in addition to liquid, many of the body’s own vital and mineral substances are withdrawn from the body, this can lead to calcium deficiency , iron deficiency and magnesium deficiency , among other thingsas well as a deficit of potassium and sodium. It is therefore important to supply the body with this again after the illness via foods that are as rich in vital substances and minerals as possible or appropriate food supplements. There are a number of “natural suppliers” here, such as the “Sango sea coral”, which has a high concentration of calcium and magnesium. To compensate for the lack of potassium, apricots and bananas are ideal. The minerals are in optimal bioavailable form, so that the mineral deposits in the body can be replenished quickly.
Dandelion tea is a proven home remedy to provide the body with iron in case of diarrhea. (Image: superfood / fotolia.com)
Other ways to naturally compensate for the mineral deficits that arise are, for example, home remedies for iron deficiency such as dandelion or nettle tea, herbal blood juice or the consumption of red juices (raspberry juice, currant juice, cherry juice, etc.).
Schüssler salts and homeopathy for diarrhea
A common home remedy for diarrhea are Schüßler salts , whereby a combination of Ferrum phosphoricum (salt No. 3) and potassium chloratum (salt No. 4) has proven particularly useful. This should be taken quarterly at the beginning of the complaint.
The field of homeopathy offers a number of helpful tools. Gelsemium sempervirens can be used for thin stool as a result of nervousness, stage fright, increased excitement or anxiety. Pulsatilla pratensis can provide relief if there are complaints from fruit, heavy, extremely greasy food or food that is too cold. In other cases, Mercurius solubilis (with severe abdominal cramps), Sulfur (due to too much sugar) or Bryonia alba (for overexertion and psychological stress, anger, etc.) help.
As with the use of classic medication, the same applies when taking Schüssler salts and homeopathic remedies that they are discussed in advance with a doctor or alternative practitioner. In homeopathy in particular, careful coordination of the right preparation and the appropriate dosage and duration of use are essential to achieve success and avoid unpleasant side effects.
Relaxation exercises to relieve digestive problems
In many cases, diarrhea has (also) a psychological component. Therefore, additional measures are available as a supplement, through which those affected can ensure a psychological balance. Exercises to relieve stress such as yoga, autogenic training or progressive muscle relaxation are good ways to release mental tension (as a result of stress, problems, conflicts, etc.) and thereby get a grip on diarrhea and accompanying complaints.
