How to Prevent Dehydration and Electrolyte Imbalance from Diarrhea

Diarrhea, in and of itself, is an unpleasant enough experience. It is quite unfortunate that many individuals who experience diarrhea must also suffer from the likewise unpleasant, often unavoidable, and occasionally lethal diarrhea side effects.

At its simplest, diarrhea simply refers to frequent bowel movements that consist of "loose" or liquid stool. There are numerous categories of diarrhea and the classification of diarrhea into one of these categories is often helpful in determining both the cause and appropriate treatment. The categories also often indicate the potential diarrhea side effects that can be expected. These categories of diarrhea include:

-osmotic diarrhea

-secretory diarrhea

-exudative diarrhea

-intestinal motility-related diarrhea

-inflammatory diarrhea

-acute infectious dysentery

There are several side effects that all types of diarrhea may share in common, no matter the cause of the loose stools. These common adverse effects include dehydration, electrolyte abnormalities, irritation of and around the anus, stomach cramps, abdominal bloating, stomach ache, fecal incontinence or leaking, and a sense of urgency before each bowel movement.

Of these diarrhea side effects, the most dangerous is dehydration and electrolyte imbalances. Both of these adverse effects can result in the death of an individual if the diarrhea persists and fluid status is not maintained. Dehydration occurs when a person with diarrhea does not take in enough liquids to meet the increased demands required from the excess loss of water that occurs with each loose bowel movement. Abnormalities of electrolytes, namely sodium, potassium, chloride and bicarbonate, occur due to the direct loss of certain electrolytes in the stool, as well as the compensatory mechanisms of the kidneys in response to the large loss of water that occurs with diarrhea.

A child or adult who is experiencing acute or chronic diarrhea must be vigilant about their fluid intake. Increasing only one's intake of water is not enough. The recommended liquid to replace the fluid losses of diarrhea must contain water and certain solutes such as sodium and potassium. Many physicians will recommend Pedialyte for oral rehydration of both children and adults with diarrhea. Gatorade or similar preparations are not the best choice but these fluids are often a better choice than water alone in an individual with diarrhea. It is also possible to make excellent oral rehydration solutions at home.

There are many symptomatic adverse effects associated with diarrhea, which is itself only a symptom of an imbalance in the body whether infectious, inflammatory, drug-induced, etc. The diarrhea side effects that are most concerning are also, fortunately, quite preventable by maintaining adequate intake of appropriate oral rehydration solutions.