Dehydration in case of diarrhea: what to do?
When you have loose or watery stools, it is called diarrhea. It is a very common health condition that usually resolves without intervention. However, it greatly increases the risks of dehydration and kidney failure, and can be accompanied by other diseases. Through this article, we will explain the reasons and management of diarrhea.
1. What causes diarrhea?
Diarrhea can occur for a wide variety of reasons, ranging from classic pathogens to hygienic reasons. Many pathogens can be responsible:
The most benign (for diarrhea only!), are the bacteria Salmonella spp. and Shigella spp., as well as the parasite E. histolytica. For children, rotavirus and norovirus are particularly common. The most dangerous, most often leading to hospitalizations, are E.coli and cholera bacteria.
The water used and consumed is the most important vector of these pathogens. It is therefore essential to use and consume only clean and potable water in all situations. However, be careful not to neglect food and respect the expiration dates before consumption.
Finally, if these diarrheas are repeated, it is possible to suspect particular foods, such as those rich in lactose, for which there is a risk of intolerance, or other related health problems.
2. What are the symptoms of diarrhea?
Diarrhea is therefore manifested by soft or liquid stools as previously mentioned, accompanied by an increased frequency of trips to the toilet, often with an urgent need. It can be accompanied by a feeling of bloating, lower abdominal cramps and sometimes nausea.
In most cases, diarrhea is mild and transient, but it can lead to serious complications if it persists or is not managed properly. The main consequence of diarrhea is dehydration: a significant loss of water and an electrolyte imbalance with a loss of electrolytes such as sodium, potassium and magnesium. These elements are important for vital bodily functions, and their imbalance can lead to complications, including kidney failure if fluid intake becomes insufficient.
It is then necessary to drink abundantly to compensate for these losses and prevent dehydration, even if this can be difficult.
Inadequate or delayed rehydration could worsen your overall health. To limit these risks, we recommend that you favor drinks rich in electrolytes or oral rehydration solutions.
3. Why does diarrhea cause dehydration?
Due to the liquid nature of stools, diarrhea causes a significant loss of water through the digestive tract. When combined with other symptoms such as fever, vomiting or excessive sweating, water loss is even greater, further weakening the overall condition of the body.
However, the impact of diarrhea is not limited to water loss, it also causes a significant loss of electrolytes. Simply drinking water is not always enough to compensate for these losses, as the body needs these electrolytes to effectively absorb water and restore its balance. This is why, in the case of diarrhea, the risk of dehydration is particularly high.
It is therefore essential to be attentive to the warning signs of dehydration, such as:
A feeling of intense thirst and a dry mouth
Dark or infrequent urine
Dry skin or lack of elasticity (skinfold test)
Marked fatigue and difficulty concentrating
Nausea or a feeling of general malaise
4. How to recover after a period of diarrhea?
4.1. How should diarrhea be managed in adults and children?
We recommend eating rice as soon as possible to facilitate intestinal transit and to hydrate yourself generously with drinks rich in electrolytes . During this period, vegetables are not necessarily digestible, but gradually eating them can be useful. Without shocking the metabolism, it is important to gradually return to a normal diet after this episode.
When diarrhea is accompanied by many other symptoms, especially vomiting and nausea, it is right to suspect gastroenteritis, and to follow the associated recommendations .
If diarrhea episodes recur regularly, it is important to understand the cause of this disorder. It may be due to lactose intolerance (dairy products), lack of fiber in the foods consumed, or bacteria/infection.
In any case, seek advice from your healthcare professional if this symptom persists.
4.2. Rehydrating during and after diarrhea
After a diarrheal episode, it is essential to gradually restore the body's digestive and water balance. In both adults and children, eating rice as soon as possible can help slow down intestinal transit thanks to its binding properties. Hydration remains a priority, ideally with drinks rich in electrolytes to compensate for losses.
Vegetables, although nutritionally interesting, can be difficult to digest at first; it is therefore advisable to reintroduce them gradually. Resuming a normal diet gradually allows you not to shock your metabolism and promotes a smooth recovery.
Oral rehydration solutions (ORS) are composed of electrolytes (sodium, potassium, chloride, etc.) and sugar (such as glucose) and are used to prepare a solution to treat dehydration. ORS is one of the WHO's essential medicines and is used in infants and young children to prevent severe dehydration during diarrhea. Thus, ORS “saves millions of lives worldwide” and reduces “the need for intravenous solutions by 33%” according to WHO, which are used as first-line treatment in hospital to rehydrate and therefore lead to a reduction in hospitalization of children caused by diarrhea.
A convenient and enjoyable alternative for hydration is the use of Hydratis tablets. These tablets contain electrolytes and trace elements, optimizing water absorption while offering a variety of flavors to make the experience more enjoyable.
5. When should you call a doctor?
It is recommended to consult a doctor if diarrhea or vomiting persists beyond 48 hours. However, more rapid treatment is necessary in certain cases such as:
Presence of high fever
Severe abdominal or rectal pain
Black or bloody stools
Signs of dehydration (intense thirst, dry mouth, weakness, dizziness, dark or infrequent urine)
In vulnerable people, such as infants, young children, the elderly or those with compromised immune systems, it is important to seek medical attention at the first sign of acute diarrhea, without waiting 24 hours. Prompt treatment can prevent complications and ensure adequate rehydration.
Diarrhea, although benign and short most of the time, remains unpleasant and facilitates dehydration. To avoid it, drinking clean water, unspoiled and well-cooked food is essential. If it does occur, eat rice or foods rich in fiber, and limit the risks of dehydration with rehydration solutions (ORS), such as Hydratis solutions. If diarrhea lasts or presents unusual symptoms and signs, contact a doctor quickly. For children and the elderly, do not wait!
Bibliography
Walker, F., Sack, D., & Black, R. (2010). Etiology of Diarrhea in Older Children, Adolescents and Adults: A Systematic Review. PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases , 4. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pntd.0000768 .
Ramlah, M., Wahyuningsih, N., & Hanani, Y. (2024). The Influence of Environmental Hygiene Factors and Water Consumption on Diarrhea: A Literature Review. Techno: Jurnal Penelitian . https://doi.org/10.33387/tjp.v13i1.7727.
