Diarrhoea - A Simple Guide

Diarrhoea is defined as an increased in frequency of bowel evacuation, with the passage of abnormally soft or watery faeces.

Below are the common symptoms:

• abdominal cramp
• flatulence (presence of excessive gas in the digestive system)
• weakness
• malaise (feeling of discomfort, illness, uneasiness)
• nausea and vomiting

The following are list of drugs that can cause diarhoea. Keep in mind that all this is very rare, but it might happen.

• Antacid (that contains magnesium salts)
• Antibiotics
• Antihypertension drugs (methyldopa, beta blockers like metoprolol)
• Frusemide
• Iron preparations
• Misoprostol

There are 3 main common treatments available in the market, well summarized by the diagram below:

From my practice in the retail pharmacy, some customer only want to stick to the 'same brand'. I would like to take this opportunity to state that as long as it contain the same active ingredient (what we call as generics), it is fine to purchase the medicine.

Some customer do ask me how much of water to give after each loose stool. Kindly refer to the simple chart below:

The usual advise that I will give to my customer are; no solid and oily food for the next 24 hours, and if possible avoid cow's milk, because lactase is inactivated during diarrhoea. Lactase is an enzyme that breakdown lactose to glucose and galactose. People who do not have enough lactase will get cramps and diarrhoea when they consume milk products.

Note : I try to use as much as possible simple word for your ease of reading. I will put a simple explanation for medical term or any jargon used throughout in this article.