Types of Acute Diarrhoea
Everyone is different and people can find it difficult to identify the cause of their diarrhoea.
There are many different reasons people get diarrhoea. From the widely known
Travellers’ Diarrhoea to Norovirus, each one is different and all of them can
disrupt how you go about your daily life.
Acute diarrhoea is a sudden short-lived attack of diarrhoea.
Main causes of diarrhoea
Frequent and Occasional Diarrhoea
When you get diarrhoea, it means loose or watery stools, and people can often experience abdominal pain, cramps and bloating too. Most people only experience diarrhoea from time to time, but some people can get diarrhoea rather more frequently. Typically episodes of diarrhoea clear up within a few days, but can last longer. Longer lasting or persistently recurrent diarrhoea can indicate an underlying medical condition, so you may need to consult your doctor.
Caution:
- If diarrhoea persists beyond 48 hours seek medical advice as soon as possible.
- Fluid and electrolyte depletion may occur when suffering diarrhoea.
- If dehydration is suspected seek medical attention.
- Check with your employer before returning to work to avoid putting others at risk.
- Maintain good hand hygiene by regular washing or use of a hand sanitiser.
Treat early, feel better sooner, and help reduce loss of fluids and salts that can leave you feeling weak and tired.
Other types of diarrhoea
To help you understand your body better, here are some of the common types of diarrhoea:
- Travellers’ diarrhoea: when you’re abroad it’s easy to get foreign bugs or food poisoning
- Infectious: unfortunately, there are numerous infections that can lead to diarrhoea
- Diarrhoea and pregnancy: an unwanted problem that sometime accompanies pregnancy**
- Norovirus: If you catch the Winter Vomiting Bug, it’s likely diarrhoea will be a symptom
- Diarrhoea in children: Unfortunately a common problem for kids*, as they are less immune to some of the bugs we encounter in everyday life.
*Imodium cannot be used in children under 12 years of age.
** If you experience diarrhoea during pregnancy consult your healthcare professional.
Why treat diarrhoea?
Some people just let a bout of diarrhoea run its course. Why leave it untreated when you can relieve diarrhoea, get on with your day, and help reduce the loss of fluids and salts that can leave you feeling weak and tired? Get your life back in rhythm by treating symptoms earlier.
