When was the last time you had diarrhea?
Two weeks ago I had a mild case. I thought it was mild because I did not feel any of its side-effects. I thought two tablets of Loperamide and meals of hard-boiled eggs and congee were enough to help me get over it.
They did, but my episode was far from mild.
How did I know? Read on…
I always take a 30-min nap after lunch. To my surprise, it lasted more than 3 hours. And when I tried to get up, I couldn’t. I was totally exhausted.
Diarrhea is exhausting. It makes you feel tired and sleepy. In severe cases, like chronic diarrhea (lasting more than 2-4 weeks), it can be harmful, especially for seniors.
Here’s why…
Diarrhea, if unchecked, can cause any or all of the following:
– Dehydration and a drop in blood pressure;
– Weight loss and malnutrition;
– Electrolyte (sodium and potassium) imbalance;
– Mental deterioration.
As a result of physical changes due to aging, these can result in serious medical conditions.
Common Causes of diarrhea seniors must know:
Anybody at any age can experience diarrhea. But while younger people can bounce back with ease, seniors are not as resilient.
As people age their immune, digestive and circulatory systems undergo drastic changes. If coupled with certain medical conditions and treatment, the stomach becomes more sensitive to diarrhea triggers such as:
– Infection:
Bacteria, parasites, and viruses that come with the water and food you take in are the most common causes of diarrhea.
It can also be due to airborne fomites (an inanimate object or substance from clothing, furniture or soap capable of transmitting infectious organisms).
– Food:
Diarrhea can be caused by contaminated foods or a change in diet because these may disturb the normal function of the digestive system.
Or it can be due to maldigestion (poor digestion) and malabsorption (poor absorption of nutrients) like lactose intolerance.
– Side-effects of medication:
Side effects of some medications you are taking may trigger diarrhea.
For example, antibiotics may destroy some friendly bacteria in the bowel causing an imbalance. Side-effects of antacids, anti-depressants and some cancer drugs can cause diarrhea, too.
What to do when diarrhea strikes:
Diarrhea, no matter how slight, can sap your energy and cause dehydration. It is discomforting and embarrassing in public. So if you are having an episode, the best thing to do is…
– Stay home and rest;
– Eat well.
Food is crucial in diarrhea cases. Not just any kind of food, but foods that keep you hydrated and nourished.
Here are the top picks…
– BRAT (bread. rice, applesauce and toast) foods:
They are low in fiber, thus help in making the stool firm and high in potassium content, like bananas, to keep you nourished.
– Salt-Sugar-Water Mixture:
This mixture is good because the salt helps reduce loss of water while the sugar helps to increase absorption of water in the colon.
– Probiotics:
Probiotics replenish the good bacteria in the bowel thereby restoring balance; help promote healthy stomach.
– Natural supplements:
Zinc, soy, German chamomile, and Blond psyllium are good in treating diarrhea.
But if you want fast relief, go for Loperamides.
Other home remedies for managing diarrhea are bland foods like boiled potatoes and baked chicken (no skin and fat).
But keep away from fatty foods, dairy products, spicy foods, and caffeine.
At the very least, diarrhea is unpleasant, inconvenient and energy-sapping. At its worst, it can cause serious medical complications.
Never take it lightly. It is more harmful than you think.
~oOo~
