|
Diarrhea is the body's defense response aimed at eliminating toxic elements or germs that may have caused inflammation in the intestinal mucosa.
Diarrhea is a very frequent disturbance, especially in infants and the elderly. It's usually not a serious problem, except in very small children or in elderly persons who have difficulty in eating and drinking. In these cases there is the risk of dehydration due to the excessive loss of liquid and mineral salts through the feces.
In recent years there has been an enormous increase in diarrhea due to poor absorption, typical of food intolerances or of celiac disease.
The therapy can be of an urgent nature (with China, Arsenicum, Orthohistaminum, and with the use of colostrum of Gastro remargin, with rice water as described below or with Cellfood) or of support, in order to compensate for the post-diarrhea losses as well as to activate a detoxifying action afterwards (with Inositol, Cellfood, Depur) and definitely an investigation into the possibility of a food intolerance (see Instructions for use).
The principle symptoms are frequent bowel movements that are fluid and sometimes contain mucous; they may contain food residue and have traces of blood. Fever may be present and the bowel movements may be accompanied by abdominal pain, flatulence and redness and burning in the area of the anus.
Therapies for treating this disturbance can also be found in the sections on Food intoxication and Indigestion. Keep in mind the fact that, when diarrhea is just occasional, of short duration and doesn’t seem to involve the rest of the body as a whole, it’s best not to take anything and let Nature follow its course.
Suggested links
If you wish to read more on this subject, you may consult the Merck manual section on the physiopathology of diarrhea (Gastro-intestinal diseases: diarrhea). There is also an interesting section dedicated to dysentery (Diarrhea) in the list of diseases discussed by the Karolinska Institutet of Stockholm. Another document by the Karolinska Istitutet is a flowchart for the differential diagnosis of the possible causes of diarrhea along with possible “do-it-yourself” treatments (Diarrhae: symptoms, diagnosis and self-care).
Homeopathy
These remedies are to be taken at 5 CH or 7 CH, in doses of 3 granules at a time, at frequent intervals in acute cases with a gradual reduction of frequency as the patient’s condition improves. In the beginning, one may take even 8 – 10 doses and then gradually reduce the frequency to 2-3 times per day.
Antimonium crudum: bowel movements contain liquid feces mixed with solid pieces, usually the result of overeating.
Argentum nitricum: diarrhea gives burning sensation and can have a green tint with traces of blood; usually caused by overindulgence with sweets; can also be the classic case of diarrhea due to nervous shivers.
Arsenicum album: diarrhea due to food –induced toxic infection, burning sensation associated with fever and general exhaustion; the feces aren’t abundant but the bowel movements are extremely weakening; patient has a thirst for cool water in small sips, even though he seeks localized warmth and feels cold.
diarrhea da tossinfezione alimentare; comunque bruciante, anche associata a febbre con prostrazione generale; le feci non sono abbondanti, e le scariche però debilitano molto; è presente sete di acqua fresca a piccoli sorsi, nonostante si cerchi localmente il caldo, e si abbia freddo.
Veratrum album: profuse and abundant diarrhea combined with abdominal cramps and intense sweating, especially on the forehead; sensation of internal burning although the skin is very cold.
Mercurius solubilis: greenish and bloody feces; condition worsens during the night, associated with a disturbing sensation of anal contraction; breath has a very bad odor, there is abundant salivation, and a fever is often present.
Podophyllum peltatum 9 CH (the only exception here is the dilution): yellow tinted diarrhea, with bowel discharges occurring mostly in the morning, practically spurted out, followed by an extreme tiredness and intestinal pains that improve with heat and when the patient lies on his stomach.
China: diarrhea is watery but isn’t associated with intestinal pain, while the resulting tiredness is very intense.
Croton tiglium: diarrhea that has the same characteristics of Podophyllum, but is stimulated by the ingestion of any kind of food.
Chelidonium: yellow-tinted diarrhea, not completely liquid; the feces are light and float in the toilet water after the bowel movement.
R4 Reckeweg: a good homeopathic composition that can be used when the symptoms are not well-defined. Use a dosage of 6-7 drops several times a day. It is an effective composition that is to be used alone. It acts very rapidly.
Phytotherapy and drainage
Since it's necessary to drink liquids during diarrhea, we recommend two particular infusions:
Dietetic Notes
Once a person feels able to eat, he can eat astringent foods such as potatoes, carrots, apples, rice. This obviously follows a relatively brief period of liquid diet based on infusions or rice water. Potatoes in particular should be used since they are rich in Potassium, the mineral that is depleted the most during diarrhea and therefore must be heavily replenished. A diarrheal phenomenon could be a sign of Food intolerance and as such should be identified and treated.
Traditional medicine
Rice water has a therapeutic action that is superior to that of any other chemical solution. It is prepared in this way: boil 30-40 grams of rice in a liter of water for about a half of an hour. Remove the rice and drink the remaining liquid at various times throughout the day.
Problems associated with the presence of intestinal phlegm should be treated with the same remedies, but you should consult a doctor first. If the diarrhea has a black tint, with old blood (melena), consult a doctor before doing anything else and in then refer to the section on Gastritis and Ulcer and Hemorrhages.
Doctor Attilio Speciani
Clinical Allergist and Immunologist
|
Illnesses A-Z 
