DIARRHOEA
Diarrhoea is defined as an abnormal increase in the quantity, frequency or fluidity of bowel motions. Diarrhoea is not a disease, but a symptom of bowel transit alteration.
There are many different causes of diarrhoea; they may be infectious (virus, bacteria or parasites) or non infectious (metal poisoning, food allergies or emotional discomfort).
In diarrhoea, bowel movement is accelerated and faeces are soft or semisolid, but may become liquid, foamy and have a very bad smell. Liquid loss due to aqueous and abundant faeces may cause severe dehydration. When diarrhoea is very intense shock, collapse and death may occur due to water and salt loss. Severe dehydration can appear very quickly.
The main treatment for diarrhoea is to replace lost water and salts: this may be done, in most cases, orally. Oral rehydration salts are packed in sachets or aluminium bags (DRAWER 13, first aid kits A and B), which must be dissolved in water. If oral rehydration salts are not available an adequate solution must be made by adding four spoons of sugar, half a teaspoon of salt and half of bicarbonate, with the juice of one or two lemons in a litre of water. The solution must be given quickly at first and then in smaller quantities, a glass (200 ml) after each defecation to replace continuous losses.
In case the patient is unable to drink, an alternative is to give liquids intravenously (normal sodium chloride solution 0,9 %, DRAWER 13, first aid kits A and B) after obtaining MEDICAL ADVICE VIA RADIO .
As a general rule, in acute diarrhoeas antibiotics should not be used and, they may even be counterproductive.
The patient must stay in bed and remain as comfortable as possible. As soon as there is appetite, an astringent and soft diet must be given (refer to APPENDIX 5) which includes non-alcoholic beverages and broths containing salt.
If there is fever, blood or pus, risk of malaria or the condition does not resolve within 48 hours, ask for MEDICAL ADVICE VIA RADIO .