We have all went through diarrhea in our lives, and it’s one of the most uncomfortable situations. Even though it is not a medical emergency, diarrhea is a severe condition that requires proper diagnosis.
There are many causes of diarrhea, and it is one of the reasons there is a need to diagnose the underlying cause accurately. Even though many causes of diarrhea are common such as eating food contaminated with bacteria or not maintaining proper hand hygiene – others are profoundly strange. In all cases, the best way to prevention is by being informed and vigilant. Adapting an active stance is necessary to avoid parasitic, bacterial and other causes of diarrhea. Using Dettol Hand Wash is highly recommended to protect against contamination and eliminate chances of diarrhea.
In this article, we will mention some strange causes of diarrhea that we bet you didn’t know. Read on!
- Parasite
Giardia is a parasite that contaminates food and water. It is protected by an outer shell that allows it to survive for long periods outside the body.
Drinking or eating food contaminated by this parasite can cause severe diarrhea. The situation is so grim that diarrhea can last for over two weeks. Other symptoms such as cramps, dehydration, nausea, and gas can also be witnessed in the case of diarrhea occurring due to a parasite. If a child gets affected by Giardia – the condition can be so worse that the child may have slow mental and physical growth and even suffer from malnutrition.
The best way to prevent oneself from Giardia is by following proper hand hygiene. Use Dettol Hand Wash to wash hands before cooking and eating food. Also, make sure to cook food thoroughly and eat when hot.
- Antibiotics
Yes, antibiotics can cause diarrhea in many cases. People take antibiotics for many reasons – either for a sinus infection, throat infection or after a dental procedure. Medicines can cause an imbalance of harmful and good bacteria affecting the body’s natural way of processing food.
Having too many antibiotics in a short period can lead to diarrhea. In such a case, it’s essential to consult the doctor for a change of medication.
- Artificial Sweeteners
Things as common as artificial sweeteners can cause diarrhea. Sorbitol, an artificial sweetener is found in popular products with the ‘sugar-free’ tag such as cough drops, sports drinks, candies, and juices. Artificial sweeteners are among the top causes of diarrhea in people.
The reasons being when sorbitol is digested, it draws waters in the intestinal tract which can lead to diarrhea. Other artificial sweeteners including aspartame and saccharine can disrupt the biology of the intestines and cause diarrhea.
- Stress
Stress and anxiety can cause diarrhea, sometimes even recurrent episodes. When people are stressed or nervous, the body produces adrenaline and plenty of other chemicals. These chemicals speed up normal functioning of the body including the nervous system. It leads to faster action of muscles, including that of intestines. The increased speed causes the natural rhythm of digestion to increase as well, causing diarrhea.
So, stress leads to faster digestion where stools are watery and frequent because the body is absorbing less fluid.
Even physical stress can cause diarrhea, and it is linked with overworking or heavy workouts.
- Inflammatory Bowel Diseases
Crohn’s disease and Ulcerative Colitis are the two most common inflammatory bowel diseases. A case of chronic inflammation surfaces in the intestines that leads to persistent diarrhea.
In this case, the food may pass too slow or fast through the gut because of inflamed areas. Typically, IBD occurs in people due to another underlying cause such as food intolerance, infection or even hormonal imbalances.
The condition can be so critical that there is rectal bleeding and the person may lose weight and their appetite. Some people even get fissures due to the severity of diarrhea.
Many causes of diarrhea are linked to other conditions. The most important thing to do is to follow a balanced diet, drink enough water, maintain hand hygiene by using Dettol Hand Wash and always be aware of what you are eating. Other than that, avoid traveler’s diarrhea by still keeping things like Dettol Hand Sanitizer with you. Be aware and be safe!
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