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- Explosive or severe diarrhea is diarrhea in overdrive. The World Health Organization (WHO) defines diarrhea as three or more loose or liquid daily stools. With explosive diarrhea, the contractions of your bowels that help you pass feces become stronger and more forceful. Your rectum fills with more volume than it can contain.
www.healthline.com › health › explosive-diarrheaExplosive Diarrhea: Causes, Treatment, and More - Healthline
Diarrhea (American English), also spelled diarrhoea or diarrhœa (British English), is the condition of having at least three loose, liquid, or watery bowel movements in a day. [2] It often lasts for a few days and can result in dehydration due to fluid loss. [2]
People also ask
What is explosive diarrhea?
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When should I call a doctor for explosive diarrhea?
- Overview
- What causes severe diarrhea?
- Complications of severe diarrhea
- Who is at risk for severe diarrhea?
- When to see your doctor
- What to expect at your doctor’s appointment
- How to treat diarrhea
- Tips for self-care
- What’s the outlook?
Diarrhea is defined as bowel movements of a more liquid consistency or increasing the number or volume of bowel movements. Explosive or severe diarrhea is diarrhea in overdrive.
The World Health Organization (WHO) defines diarrhea as three or more loose or liquid daily stools. With explosive diarrhea, the contractions of your bowels that help you pass feces become stronger and more forceful. Your rectum fills with more volume than it can contain.
Often, large amounts of gas accompany severe diarrhea. This increases the ejection and loudness of the bowel movement.
Approximately 75 percent of your stool is made of water. The other 25 percent is a combination of:
•undigested carbohydrates
•fiber
Bacterial and viral infection
Bacteria that cause diarrhea-producing infections include salmonella and E. coli. Contaminated food and fluids are common sources of bacterial infections. Rotavirus, norovirus, and other kinds of viral gastroenteritis, commonly referred to as “stomach flu,” are among the viruses that can cause explosive diarrhea. Anyone can get these viruses. But they’re especially common among school-age children. And they’re common in hospitals and nursing homes, and on cruise ships. Learn more: Is it a stomach bug or food poisoning? Tips for identification »
Parasitic infection
Parasites like Giardia lamblia and cryptosporidium can cause severe diarrhea, particularly in people with weakened immune systems. As with viral and bacterial causes, these parasites are spread when there’s direct or indirect contact between feces and the mouth. These parasites are found in contaminated drinking water, recreational waters, and food. Day care centers, where caregivers may not wash their hands well enough after changing diapers, are particularly vulnerable to outbreaks.
Diseases of the bowel
Diarrhea is a common problem for people who have an inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis, or celiac disease.
Dehydration
Loss of fluids from diarrhea can cause dehydration. This is a particular concern in infants and children, older adults, and people with compromised immune systems. An infant can become severely dehydrated within 24 hours.
Chronic diarrhea
If you have diarrhea for more than four weeks, it’s considered chronic. Your doctor will advise testing to determine the cause of the condition so it can be treated.
Hemolytic uremic syndrome
Hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) is a rare complication of E. coli infections. It occurs most often in children, though adults, particularly older adults, can get it, too. HUS can cause life-threatening kidney failure if not treated promptly. With treatment, most people fully recover from the condition. Symptoms of HUS include: •severe diarrhea, and stools that may be bloody •fever •abdominal pain •vomiting •decreased urination •bruising
Diarrhea is common. It’s estimated that adults in the United States experience 99 million episodes of diarrhea each year. Some people are at greater risk and include:
•children and adults who are exposed to feces, especially those who are involved in changing diapers
•people who travel to developing countries, particularly in tropical regions
•people taking certain medications, including antibiotics and medications used to treat heartburn
Diarrhea normally clears up within a few days without treatment. But you should see your doctor if you have the following symptoms:
•diarrhea lasting longer than two days or 24 hours in a child
•signs of dehydration, including excessive thirst, dry mouth, reduced urination, or dizziness
•blood or pus in your stool, or stool that’s black in color
•a fever of 101.5 °F (38.6 °C) or greater in an adult, or 100.4 °F (38 °C) or higher in a child
•severe abdominal or rectal pain
Your doctor will ask questions about your symptoms, including:
•how long you’ve had diarrhea
•if your stools are black and tarry, or contain blood or pus
•other symptoms you’re experiencing
•medications you’re taking
You doctor will also ask about any clues you may have as to the cause of the diarrhea. Clues could be a food or fluid you suspect may have something to do with your illness, travel to a developing country, or a day of swimming in a lake
In many cases, treatment will involve managing your symptoms while you wait for the diarrhea to pass. The primary treatment for severe diarrhea is to replace fluids and electrolytes. Electrolytes are the minerals in your body fluid that conduct the electricity your body needs to function.
Drink more fluids, like water, and juice, or broths. Oral hydration solutions, such as Pedialyte, are formulated specifically for infants and children, and contain important electrolytes. These solutions are also available for adults. Find a great selection here.
You can use over-the-counter (OTC) anti-diarrheal medications if your stool isn’t black or bloody, and you don’t have a fever. These symptoms indicate you may have a bacterial infection or parasites, which can be made worse by antidiarrheal medications.
OTC medications should not be given to children under the age of two unless approved by a doctor. If your infection is bacterial, your doctor may prescribe antibiotics.
It’s difficult to completely avoid getting severe diarrhea. But there are steps you can take to protect yourself and your family.
•Sanitation is crucial. Wash your hands with soap and warm water, especially before handling food, after using the toilet, or after changing a diaper.
•If you’re traveling to an area where water purity is a concern, stick with bottled water for drinking and brushing your teeth. And peel raw fruit or vegetables before eating.
If you do get explosive diarrhea, there are some steps you can take to make yourself more comfortable and improve your outlook for a speedy recovery:
•It’s important to rehydrate. Keep sipping water and other fluids. Stick to a diet of clear liquids for a day or two until the diarrhea stops.
•Avoid sugary fruit juices, caffeine, carbonated drinks, dairy products, and food that’s greasy, overly sweet, or high in fiber.
In most people, diarrhea will clear up without requiring treatment or a trip to the doctor. Sometimes, though, you may need medical treatment, especially if your diarrhea leads to dehydration.
Diarrhea is a symptom rather than a condition. The underlying cause of diarrhea varies greatly. People who have signs of complications or chronic diarrhea need to work with their doctor to determine the cause so that it can be treated.
Dec 18, 2023 · Explosive diarrhea is a forceful form of loose or liquid stool. This severe type of diarrhea can result from infection, food intolerance, or certain medications, among other causes.
Brainerd diarrhea is a sudden-onset watery, explosive diarrhea that lasts for months and does not respond to antibiotics; the cause of Brainerd diarrhea is unknown. Brainerd diarrhea was first described in Brainerd, Minnesota in 1983. [1]
Gastroenteritis, also known as infectious diarrhea, is an inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract including the stomach and intestine. [8] Symptoms may include diarrhea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. [1] Fever, lack of energy, and dehydration may also occur. [2] [3] This typically lasts less than two weeks. [8]
Jul 22, 2024 · "Explosive diarrhea" is a severe type of diarrhea that causes you to pass loose, watery stools three or more times per day. Some of the most common causes of explosive diarrhea include health...
Dec 29, 2016 · Explosive diarrhea is a severe form of diarrhea where loose watery stool and excessive gas are expelled with a lot of force and noise. Even just one occurrence of explosive diarrhea can be very distressing and embarrassing.
