Diarrhea is the condition of frequent loose or liquid bowel movements. It is most common in developing countries and major cause of death. Diarrhea is too frequent with poorly formed stools which precipitate often with excess of water in feces. Acute diarrhea is the common cause of death. It is most common cause of death in infants worldwide. It is disabling symptom and very inconvenient.

There are different types of diarrhea depending on the nature and its cause. They are:

*osmotic diarrhea

*secretary diarrhea

*exudative diarrhea

*inflammatory diarrhea

*motility-related diarrhea

*dysentery

Medical supervision is required in,

• Moderate and severe diarrhea in children.
• Diarrhea associated with blood.
• In infants it is very dangerous.
• It is danger when continues for then 2 days.

Causes of diarrhea:

• Bowel cancer
• Due to protozoal infection
• Ischemic bowel disease
• Celiac disease
• Chronic diarrhea is caused due to chronic alcoholism

Treatment of diarrhea:

The treatment of diarrhea depends upon the severity of the condition. It even depends upon its nature and cause. The general treatment includes:

*rehydration therapy

*maintenance of diet

*medication

Rehydration therapy:

it is important to treat the fluid depletion which is caused due to diarrhea. Rehydration is one orally. Apart from oral rehydration intravenous rehydration is also done. in intravenous rehydration therapy replacement of lost fluid and salts is important. This therapy is needed when fluid loss is severe that is more than 10% of body weight. If not corrected, it leads to shock and even death. Serious patients who cannot take fluid orally, intravenous rehydration therapy is good. This is suitable for the emetic patients. The fluid should be given for 2-4 hours. Oral rehydration therapy is used when fluid loss is mild. Recommended formula is sodium chloride, potassium chloride, trisodium citrate, glucose and water.

Diet:

Diarrhea patients should be given simple and light food. They should not be starved as starvation prolongs this condition.

The food includes:

*buffalo milk

*rice

*banana

*boiled potato

*chicken soup

*sago

Medications:

The drugs used to treat diarrhea are,

• Loperamide
• Bismuth subsalicylate
• Codeine

With proper medications and diet diarrhea can be treated.