Dorothy FarrarFlatulence with diarrhea
Flatulence with diarrhea usually manifests itself in the frequent discharge of digestive gases and increased, mostly liquid bowel movements. The clinical picture is often associated with unpleasant abdominal pain and can occur in an acute or chronic manner.
What is flatulence with diarrhea?
Diarrhea is reflected in the frequency and consistency of the stool. Basically, there are very big differences in people. Some often struggle with constipation , while others constantly suffer from frequent and liquid stool, which is then referred to as diarrhea or diarrhea. This is then accompanied by unpleasant flatulence , which is characterized by the discharge of digestive gases from the human intestine . They consist of methane, carbon monoxide and other digestion and fermentation gases that are produced when food is decomposed.
Causes
The causes of diarrhea and flatulence can be organic in nature, such as inflammation or viral infections. But various strains of bacteria , which are usually transmitted via contaminated food , can also trigger the clinical picture. These produce toxic metabolic products that irritate the intestinal mucosa and, in the worst case, can even damage it.
However, not only organic causes of flatulence with diarrhea come into question. Psychological triggers can also be responsible for the symptoms. The most common psychological trigger is stress in any form. Flatulence and diarrhea usually originate in the large or small intestine . In medical science, a distinction is made between secretory and osmotic causes. About ten liters of water are converted every day in the intestine. However, only a very small part of this water is excreted again.
When fours invade the walls of the intestine or bacterial toxins attack them, the cells in the intestine can no longer store water. This leads to the typical symptoms of diarrhea with associated flatulence. This process describes the secretory causes. Because of this, the stool shows up in liquid form and in high quantities. The osmotic cause, on the other hand, refers to the contents of the intestine, which liquefies the stool, such as in the case of a food intolerance.
Diseases
- Diseases of the pancreas
When to the doctor?
If flatulence with diarrhea occurs in connection with the consumption of spicy food, it is probably a one-off symptom that will end as digestion and defecation progress. The same applies if nutrients or additives have been ingested that cause intolerance or allergic reactions . This is usually the case when there are no other symptoms such as weakness, pain or fever. In these cases, there is no need to see a doctor.
If the flatulence with diarrhea persists for several days and cannot be explained by improper food intake or the consumption of alcohol, a doctor should be consulted. There may be a bacterial or viral infection that needs treatment. Additional complaints usually arise. If other people in the area are already suffering from flatulence with diarrhea, the doctor should be consulted immediately at the first sign. If this is the case, it is very likely that you are suffering from an infectious disease.
If the symptoms persist for several days, a doctor should be consulted even if there are no other symptoms. If there is a phase of increased stress, the symptoms are reduced by coping with the circumstances. If these are classified as long-lasting or not surmountable, a doctor should also be consulted.
diagnosis and course
If flatulence with diarrhea occurs, which lasts for several days and is also accompanied by fever , you should definitely consult a doctor. Simultaneous vomiting , pain or even blood admixture must be clarified immediately. Those affected quickly run the risk of dehydration. First of all, the medical history of the patient is important. It provides clues to possible triggers and thus usually enables a quick diagnosis.
The causes often lie in contaminated foods such as raw vegetables or undercooked meat . It is also important to know whether those affected are possibly taking medication due to other illnesses that can trigger the unpleasant symptoms. Furthermore, the quality of the stool is analyzed and a urine test is carried out. The latter provides information about dehydration caused by diarrhea, which can have serious consequences.
If the symptoms occur immediately after meals, the causes are usually to be found in intolerance or diseases of the pancreas. After the conversation with the doctor, a thorough examination of the person concerned is carried out. Particular attention is paid to the abdominal organs as well as the skin and mouth. The heart , the lungs and the musculoskeletal system then play a further role . The patient’s temperature and weight are also checked. The intestine is palpated to detect blockages or tumors. These causes can also lead to bloating and diarrhea.
complications
A central complication of diarrhea is the risk of dehydration. Persistent diarrhea causes the body to lose an underestimated amount of water. In addition to older people, small children and infants are also particularly at risk. Signs of dehydration include lightheadedness, sleepiness, and confusion. Dehydration can lead relatively quickly to cardiovascular failure with a fatal outcome in the worst case. Dehydration can be determined, for example, by the fact that skin folds that have been deliberately created by pinching do not recede immediately, but remain. In this case, a doctor should be consulted immediately.
The complication of dehydration can usually be avoided under medical supervision by immediately supplying liquids via the vein. If the cardiovascular system has already failed, the patient often requires intensive care. Constant flatulence in combination with diarrhea can also indicate an impending intestinal obstruction and a tumor in the abdomen. Without treatment, severe internal bleeding can occur as a complication. Especially when the cause is unknown, these are often difficult to stop and, despite immediate intensive care treatment, have a corresponding mortality rate.
treatment and therapy
Flatulence with diarrhea, which causes moderate symptoms at most and lasts only a few days, usually does not require medical advice. Here, increased fluid intake is often enough to counteract the threat of dehydration. However, if underlying diseases of the heart or kidneys are already present, a doctor should definitely be consulted. Depending on the symptoms, it may be necessary to stop eating solid food for the time being.
In most cases, flatulence and diarrhea also cause a loss of appetite , which is often seen in children. Nevertheless, they should not do without solid food for too long. Dry and low-fat foods such as raw vegetables, rusks, rice or pretzels are suitable. Water, unsweetened tea or broth have proven to be good drinks. In the case of flatulence with diarrhea, your personal lifestyle and diet should always be checked first.The smallest changes are often enough to counteract the symptoms. Anything that causes a lot of flatulence or is not well tolerated by those affected should be avoided. Beverages should contain neither carbonic acid nor fruit acid. Milk and drinks containing milk are also not suitable for diarrhea and flatulence . Certain foods and drinks that contain sugar substitutes like sorbitol can trigger diarrhea. Basically, several small meals a day are recommended. You should definitely drink a lot, preferably just water.
outlook and prognosis
Flatulence with diarrhea can be cured very easily in most cases. As soon as the cause has been clarified and eliminated, the symptoms ease and heal completely. In most cases, flatulence with diarrhea is caused by a cold, flu , or infection. These are caused by bacteria and viruses. At the beginning of the disease, there is often an increase in symptoms. The germs spread within a short time and worsen the state of health. Medical treatment stops the growth of the germs. The healing process begins and after a few days the symptoms disappear completely.
Symptoms such as flatulence with diarrhea can occur after a lavish or particularly fatty food intake. These disappear again within a few hours as the digestion process progresses. In the case of a food intolerance, the symptoms recur as soon as the substance that initiates an allergic reaction is ingested. If the substance is avoided, there are no further complaints.
If there is a psychosomatic cause, the healing process is often lengthy. Finding out the problem at hand often takes several months. Therapy also lasts several months. The symptoms often persist until the psychological cause is found and the soul heals.
prevention
The causes of digestive problems such as flatulence with diarrhea are mostly harmless mistakes in nutrition. They are the most common triggers for the unpleasant symptoms and can usually be easily eliminated. Many people eat food that causes gas, eat too quickly and are at the mercy of stress and hectic. You just eat too much in a very short amount of time. This behavior does not agree with the digestive system, and flatulence with diarrhea are the result. Meals should always be eaten slowly and chewed thoroughly. They should also be distributed in several small portions throughout the day. Ideally, the food is still easy to digest and does not lead to gas accumulation in the intestines.
But exercise also plays a big part in preventing bloating with diarrhea. Physical activity keeps the intestines, digestion and the entire metabolism going. Heat and massage can also help relieve spasms and stimulate bowel activity. Spices such as savory or caraway can also be used as a preventive measure, as they have a beneficial effect on the digestive tract and contribute to better digestibility of food. In any case, an adequate fluid intake must be ensured.
Hello and welcome to my Health Guide & Encyclopedia! My name is Dorothy Farrar, and I'm the founder and main author of this platform.
My passion for health and wellness started at a young age when I became interested in the connection between the food we eat and the way we feel. This fascination led me to study nutrition and dietetics in college, where I learned about the importance of a balanced diet and the impact of various nutrients on the body.