Diarrhea: Things You Should Know (Questions and Answers) explains the definition, causes, symptoms, complications, and treatments of diarrhea in a question-and-answer format.
The book describes diarrhea as frequent loose or watery stool, distinguishing between acute, persistent, and chronic forms. It highlights triggers such as infections, food poisoning, hyperthyroidism, abdominal surgery, radiation therapy, contaminated food and water, lactose intolerance, fructose, celiac disease, Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, medications, alcohol, caffeine, and artificial sweeteners.
Readers will learn about symptoms including abdominal cramps, bloating, nausea, vomiting, fever, blood in stool, and weight loss. It also covers complications such as dehydration, kidney failure, low blood pressure, and malabsorption.
Diagnostic methods are explained, including stool tests, blood tests, colonoscopy, endoscopy, sigmoidoscopy, and hydrogen breath tests. The book also outlines treatments such as hydration, antidiarrheal medications, probiotics, dietary changes (bananas, rice, oatmeal, boiled potatoes), and electrolyte replacement through coconut water, soups, or sports drinks.
This book is intended for students, healthcare workers, and readers interested in understanding diarrhea, its risks, and how it can be managed.