I recall how I would get frightened to death if one of my young babies not quite three years of age got watery diarrhea. A fever seemed to always be present as well. What is going on with the inside of my baby's body?

This watery diarrhea was getting worse by the minute. Whatever my wife or I gave one of them didn't seem to matter. They could not keep the food down. They were constantly using up their diapers. I got so distraught I often felt like crying. To say this scared me was an understatement.

When my kids had watery diarrhea they looked so colorless. They had a flushed face and a wasted look about them. Like they had nothing left inside their body. This watery diarrhea did them in. I felt so helpless when my kids had watery diarrhea.

What is acute watery diarrhea?

Watery diarrhea is an increased number of stools or looser form of bowel movement. This is customary for the patient, lasting less than 2 weeks, and often associated with abdominal symptoms such as cramping, bloating, and gas. Although often mild, acute diarrhea can lead to severe dehydration as a result of large fluid and electrolyte losses.

What causes acute watery diarrhea?

Acute, watery diarrhea is usually caused by a virus (viral gastroenteritis.) Medications such as antibiotics and drugs that contain magnesium products are also common offenders. Recent dietary changes can also lead to acute watery diarrhea. These changes include the intake of coffee, tea, colas, dietetic foods, gums or mints that contain poorly absorbable sugars.

Acute bloody diarrhea suggests a bacterial cause like Campylobacter, Salmonella or

Shigella. Traveling to developing areas of the world can result in exposure to bacterial pathogens common in certain areas. Eating contaminated foods such as ground beef or fresh fruit can cause diarrhea due to E.coli.

Do not rest your intestine during this time. This can cause dehydration. Drink plenty of liquids. Like water and herbal teas There has not been a safe and effective drug to treat watery diarrhea as of yet. There have been herbal remedies that can do the job of settling stomachs and returning people to a much better state of being.

Resources used to comprise this article

American College of Gastroenterology

Cleveland Clinic

Family Practices Notebook

CS Mott Children's Hospital

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