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Diarrhoea
Description
Diarrhoea is a condition of abnormally frequent and fluid-like
bowel movements. It may be a symptom of an underlying disorder.
There are two basic types of diarrhoea: acute and chronic.
Acute diarrhoea, the common form, may last two or three
days. Chronic diarrhoea may last for months with recurrent
or continuous symptoms. Either may be a problem if it results
in dehydration and excessive loss of nutrients and body
salts. Treatment for mild diarrhoea can involve dietary
change, removing a specific causative agent from the diet,
increasing liquids to replace fluid loss, and antidiarrhoeal
medications.
Diarrhoea is often a defence
mechanism to rid the body of toxic substances. It may be
caused by excessive indulgence in alcohol or other substances
that prove irritating to the stomach or intestines, by Allergy
to certain foods, by poisoning with heavy metals, by chemicals
found in cathartics, by Hyperactivity of the nervous system
and by viral or bacterial Infections. Diarrhoea produces
hypermotility of the bowel and consequently decreases faecal
transit time.
Normally, adults are not
harmed by diarrhoea, but it can be life threatening to children,
the elderly and the debilitated.
Herbs
Peppermint (5)
Slippery Elm (6)
Valerian
Nutritional Supplements
L-acidophilus (1,2)
Calcium
Evening Primrose Oil
Folic Acid (3)
Garlic (4)
Homeopathy
- Diarrhoea and Vomiting
Arsen. alb.
Simultaneous diarrhoea and Vomiting.
For Food Poisoning and "traveller's tummy."
Patient often feels very chilly and/or terribly weak.
Bryonia
Especially useful for upsets caused by fruit.
Colocynthis
Useful where colic is particularly bad.
Patient doubled up with Pain.
Ipecac.
Terrible nausea, not helped by Vomiting.
No thirst, coating on tongue.
Much saliva produced.
Diarrhoea may be particularly offensive.
Pulsatilla
Upsets caused by fruit or cold drink or food, particularly
ice cream.
Frequent urging to stool, may only pass mucus.
No two stools alike.
Worse at night.
Sulphur
Diarrhoea with much offensive flatus.
May have to rush out of bed to go to toilet.
References
1. Saavedra JM, Bauman NA, Oung I, et al. Feeding of Bifidobacterium
bifidum and Streptococcus thermophilus to infants in hospital
for prevention of diarrhoea and shedding of rotavirus. Lancet
1994;344:1046-49.
2. Colombel JF, Cortot A, Neut C, Romond C. Horhurt with
Bifidobacterium longum reduces erythromycin-induced gastrointestinal
effects. Lancet 1987;ii:43 [letter].
3. Haffejee IE. Effect of oral folate on duration of acute
infantiile diarrhea. Letter, Lancet 1988; 2:334-35.
4. Barowski H and Boyd L. The use of Garlic (allistan) in
gastrointestinal disturbances. Rev Gastroenterol 1944; 11:22-26.
5. Leicester R and Hunt R. Peppermint oil to reduce colonic
spasm during endoscopy. Lancet 1982; II:989.
6. Pederson M. Nutritional Herbology. Warsaw, Indiana:Wendell
Whitman Co., 1987:160. | 
