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The majority of the population has experienced diarrhea at one point or another. It may have been caused by having your favorite street food, touching your mouth with hands contaminated with germs, or as a reaction to certain medicines. It is very common in all people, particularly in children younger than five.
Diarrhea occurs when you have 3 or more bowel movements in a day with abnormally soft, loose and watery stools. Nausea, vomiting, fever, abdominal pain and cramps, and bloating may accompany. Most cases can get better without treatment.
Diarrhea is usually not serious, but it can be dangerous if complications occur, such as dehydration (thirst, dry mouth and dark-colored urine, etc.) and malabsorption (bloating, changes in appetite and weight loss, etc.).
IMPORTANT: Infection-related diarrhea can spread via contaminated food and drinks, and sometimes air droplets of matters from vomiting. Stay at home from school or work until you have recovered and do not have diarrhea for at least 2 days.
Diarrhea, especially when acute and persistent, is mainly caused by intestinal infections.
See your doctor if you do not get better after OTC treatment or your symptoms worsen. You should also visit your doctor immediately if any of the following conditions happen:
It is important to replenish fluids and salts (e.g. sodium and potassium) while having diarrhea. Infants and children are at increased risk of dehydration. Oral rehydration salts (e.g. Oralite) are available over-the-counter in Hong Kong. Mix with the recommended amount of water, and sip little and slowly until diarrhea stops. You can also make it at home by mixing 6 level teaspoons of sugar, half level teaspoon of salt and 1L of clean drinking water together.
Most diarrhea goes away without treatment. However, you can still use OTC antidiarrheals if needed, such as Charcoal tablets. Loperamide, bismuth subsalicylate (avoid if allergic to aspirin) and dioctahedral smectite generally are not advised unless absolutely necessary. OTC medications should not be given to infants and children aged below 12 as they can be dangerous. Always consult your doctor or pharmacist before taking them.
Your doctor may prescribe antibiotics if it is caused by bacteria, for example azithromycin and ciprofloxacin, and antiparasitics, such as mebendazole, to eradicate parasites.
Probiotics, for example lactobacillus, are good microorganisms that help increase the amount of good bacteria in your gut. They may be useful in managing antibiotic-induced diarrhea. Chronic diarrhea is treated according to the underlying diseases. If you have diarrhea from medications, talk to your doctor or pharmacist so they can help you adjust them. Viral diarrhea often goes away on its own. There are no particular antiviral drugs for treatment.
If you would like to know where to buy medicines in Hong Kong, please check out this article:
Dr. Lily Wong 黃淑婷醫生 is a family practitioner at The London Medical Clinic. She is both a registered general practitioner and a pharmacist in the UK and HK. Having lived and worked as a general practitioner for many years in busy practices in London, she relocated to Hong Kong with her family a few years ago. Dr. Wong has also been appointed Honorary Assistant Professor in the Department of Family Medicine at Hong Kong University, for her teaching of medical students.
This article was independently written by Healthy Matters. It is informative only and not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. It should not be relied upon for specific medical advice.
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