Causes and risk factors:
Diarrhea is caused after consumption of antibiotics which are used for treating infection. Nearly most of the antibiotics can cause diarrhea however some of the common ones are penicillin, cephalosporins, fluoroquinolones etc.Our digestive system contain certain bacteria’s (Intestinal flora) which are essential for normal functioning of the digestion. This intestinal flora maintains a balance and keeps a check on the harmful bacteria’s. Certain antibiotics destroy the intestinal flora creating an imbalance between the harmful and beneficial ones and causing the resistant bacteria’s to produce toxic substances which results in diarrhea.
Clinical presentations:
Clinically patient’s presents with history of consumption of antibiotics recently followed by loose watery stools or increased frequency of stools. The stools are watery, loose or sometime associated with discharge of mucus, blood in stools. It can consist of undigested food particles. Certain other associated complaints like fever, abdominal pain, cramps, vomiting, nausea and weakness or feeling of exhaustion is seen. Body temperature can be warm or cold clamminess of the body occurs.
Diagnosis and investigations:
In cases of diarrhea diagnosis can be made on the basis of the symptoms narrated by the patients, recent history of antibiotic intake and the physical examination carried out by the doctor. Routine blood test and stool test is done in all cases. Generally no pathogens are detected in stool samples.
Treatment:
Usually antibiotic associated diarrhea (AAD) is mild and they resolve on its own after the course of antibiotics is over. While in some cases the doctor can advice to stop the antibiotics which is causing diarrhea. Maintenance of hydration and electrolyte balance is the foremost step of treatment. Oral hydration therapy should be started. In severe cases hospitalization is required and intravenous administration of fluids is initiated .Adequate food intake to maintain the nutrient levels are necessary. Probiotics can also be co prescribed during intake of antibiotics.
Other Modes of treatment
The other modes of treatment can also be effective in treating diarrhea. Homoeopathy is a science which deals with individualization considers a person in a holistic way. This science can be helpful in combating the symptoms. Similarly the ayurvedic system of medicine which uses herbal medicines and synthetic derivates are also found to be effective in treating diarrhea.
