Dorothy FarrarLoss of appetite and diarrhea
Loss of appetite and diarrhea can occur with various diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. In particular, long-term loss of appetite and diarrhea can indicate a serious illness.
What is loss of appetite and diarrhea?
If you lose your appetite , you are not hungry and the food does not taste good. In medicine, loss of appetite means a lack of hunger. Loss of appetite can have both psychological and physical causes. The same goes for diarrhea . Basically, a distinction can be made between chronic and acute diarrhea. Chronic diarrhea is when the changes in the stool last for at least three weeks. In osmotic diarrhea, food components that cannot be absorbed in the intestine, medicines or other substances draw water into the intestinal tube. This leads to the characteristic liquid stools. In secretory diarrhea, the intestinal mucosa actively sheds water or electrolytes .
On the other hand, the stool changes in exudative diarrhea are caused by the addition of mucus and blood. In the case of hypermotile diarrhea, intestinal motility is increased, so that the intestine cannot absorb enough liquid from the stool if it stays too short and the stool remains too thin. In steatorrhea, the fatty stool, on the other hand, there is a lack of bile acids in the intestines, which break down the fats ingested .
Basically, diarrhea is present when the normal frequency of bowel movements is exceeded by up to three times a day, the stool has a high water content and the stool weight exceeds a mass of 200 to 250 grams per day. Pseudodiarrhea must be distinguished from diarrheal diseases. Although the stool frequency and water content are increased here, the stool weight is normal. Likewise, the paradoxical diarrhea that often occurs with colon cancer is not actually diarrhea, since the stool weight can even be reduced here.
Causes
Loss of appetite and diarrhea are mostly caused by the digestive organs. Infections of the gastrointestinal tract often lead to a lack of appetite and liquid stools. The bacterium Vibrio cholerae is the pathogen that causes most gastroenteritis worldwide. Around six million people worldwide contract cholera every year . In Germany, on the other hand, cholera does not occur. Most infections here are caused by viruses such as norovirus, rotavirus or salmonella.Diarrhea and loss of appetite are often caused by spoiled food. These contain bacteria that produce toxins. Representatives of these bacteria that can cause food poisoning are Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus cereus and Clostridium perfringens. Diarrhea is also common in travelers. Travelers’ diarrhea develops in almost half of all travelers to subtropical and tropical countries .
Not only infections, but also food intolerances can lead to diarrhea and loss of appetite. In Germany, 15 percent of the population is affected by lactose intolerance. In Asian countries it is even well over 90 percent. The typical symptoms of lactose intolerance include diarrhea and loss of appetite, flatulence and abdominal pain. Gluten or fructose intolerance can also lead to diarrhea and loss of appetite.
Taking antibiotics can disturb the intestinal flora and thus cause diarrhea and loss of appetite. The spectrum ranges from slight stool changes to dangerous pseudomembranous colitis, which is caused by antibiotic-induced spread of Clostridium difficile. Likewise, excessive use of laxatives can lead to diarrhea.
Diarrhea and loss of appetite are also possible side effects of cancer drugs, iron supplements, and dietary supplements. Furthermore, excessive consumption of the sugar substitute sorbitol, which is found in chewing gum and candies, among other things, can lead to diarrhea and loss of appetite. Chronic inflammatory bowel diseases such as Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis are also associated with severe diarrhea and loss of appetite, especially in acute episodes. Other possible causes of diarrhea and loss of appetite are hormonal disorders, poisoning, irritable bowel syndrome and diseases of the pancreas .
Diseases
Diagnosis and course
A detailed survey of the medical history is part of the basic diagnostics for diarrhea and loss of appetite. The doctor asks about the frequency of bowel movements, the quality of the stool and the patient’s appetite. Stays abroad and taking medication can also provide an indication of the underlying disease. The medical history is followed by a physical examination, during which the abdomen is listened to (auscultation) and palpated (palpation).
Pathogens can be detected using various laboratory methods. For example, microscopy of the stool can be necessary, especially in the case of severe clinical pictures. Evidence of leukocytes in the stool can be an indication of norovirus, rotavirus or protozoa. Other examination methods that are used to diagnose loss of appetite or diarrhea are endoscopy , ultrasound examination of the abdomen and a laboratory blood test . If lactose intolerance is suspected, a lactose tolerance test can be carried out.
Treatment and therapy
The main therapy for diarrhea is fluid and electrolyte replacement. In the case of prolonged diarrhea in particular, the lost water must be replaced as quickly as possible. Otherwise there is a risk of dehydration. Ready-made electrolyte mixtures are available for substitution, the composition of which is tailored to the needs of the body. Drugs containing the active ingredient loperamide inhibit intestinal motility and thus counteract diarrhea.
However, such drugs must not be used in severe bacterial intestinal infections, since the active ingredient also suppresses the excretion of pathogens. Antibiotic therapy is mandatory for infections with typhoid, cholera, amoeba, Clostridium difficile and lamblia. Antibiotics should never be used for diarrhea caused by EHEC (enterohemorrhagic E.coli). In this case, the use of antibiotics can lead to life-threatening kidney failure .Depending on the disease, herbal remedies can also be used. Wormwood, condurango, angelica root and various plants with a high bitter content are said to stimulate the appetite. Studies also show that a plant combination of myrrh, chamomile and coffee charcoal can relieve chronic and acute diarrhea associated with inflammatory bowel disease.
Prevention
Not all causes of diarrhea and loss of appetite can be successfully prevented. The main preventive measure against all forms of infectious gastro-intestinal diseases is personal hygiene. Regular hand washing can prevent the spread of pathogens. Avoiding polluted water and contaminated food in risk countries also serves to protect against diarrhea and loss of appetite.
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.