What is diarrhea?

Diarrhea is a watery stool occurring more than three times in a day, usually lasting a day or two. However, if prolonged it can be an indication of serious problems. It can be accompanied by cramping abdominal pain, bloating, nausea or an urgent need to use the bathroom.

Depending on the cause, a person may have a fever or even bloody stool. Later symptoms can be similar to hemorrhoids symptom, as both may cause rectal bleeding, itching or burning. Diarrhea can be temporary (acute), like an infection, or a long-term (chronic) problem.

Temporary usually last up to a month (3-4 weeks), and is related to infection by bacteria, virus or parasite.

Short-term can cause further discomfort if you all ready suffer from hemorrhoids, but cannot be hemorrhoids cause by it self.

Long-term diarrhea (chronic) is longer then 3-4 weeks and the cause for it comes from some kind of functional disorder like irritable bowel syndrome, similar bowel diseases, parasites, medication side effects (antibiotics, antacids, chemotherapy medications , high blood pressure drugs, nutritional supplements containing magnesium ), lactose intolerance or misuse of laxatives.

It is long-term diarrhea that is the cause of hemorrhoids, straining during very frequent bowel movements caused by diarrhea causes bulging of the veins in the anal canal, and that is what causes hemorrhoids.

When to visit a doctor?

Hemorrhoids and diarrhea are similar in several ways, people usually don't take it seriously and it's great for jokes, but there are several cases when you should not delay going to the doctor to get a proper diagnosis.

For example: if it lasts for more then three days, you suffer from pain in abdomen or rectum, have a high fever, there is blood in your stool or if you are dehydrated.

If any of these apply you should immediately see your doctor.

Children are exception, do not hesitate going to see the doctor, diarrhea is a very dangerous for children, causing loss of fluid and minerals.

How will your doctor diagnose diarrhea?

Your doctor can perform several exams like sigmoidoscopy and colonoscopy. Diagnosing condition will depend on your condition, but usually doctor will look in your medical history, perform physical examination (using special instruments to check inside rectum and colon), take stool samples to check for parasites, bacteria or any other sign of disease, take blood tests, perform food test (for allergies).

What should you eat?

If you plan to combat hemorrhoids with diet, it means that you will be attacking the hemorrhoids cause. Usually it means stacking up with food that will soften your stool. With diarrhea you must take different route and include food that will harden your stool naturally.

Any food that hardens your stool is ok, bananas, rice, toast, crackers, toast all cause stool to harden, just be careful not to over do it. Avoid milk products and most of the fruits.

Traveler's Diarrhea

It is most common in southern parts of our planet, close to the equator. Europe, Canada, Japan, New Zealand and Australia (urban areas have one of the highest standards in the world for hygiene, but Australian outback is something different) all have very high standards when it comes to food and water.

Most of Africa, Asia and South America is where you should watch your food and water. Don't drink tap water, don't drink dairy products, don't eat raw fruits or vegetables, avoid raw or rare meat. In case that you can not buy bottled water that you know for certain is OK, make sure to bring along either water purifying tablets or kits.

Also if you plan a trip in one of those areas, please contact you physician and ask for advice. Bugs that you can get, can cause a lot of damage, and make your life a misery for a long time to come.

Diarrhea is very rare the cause of hemorrhoids, but it can nonetheless contribute if you already have other predisposition. Treat it seriously and persistently and it should go away, usually all it takes is to find what food your body does not absorb well.