Diarrhea Symptoms

Clay has a long history of being used internally. Since most people still equate clay with dirt and mud, the thought of ingesting clay internally may seem a little unsettling. It shouldn’t be.

For centuries, various clays have proven very effective at safely stopping diarrhea symptoms and even many types of food poisoning. Research has documented its use in China, Germany, France, and elsewhere to effectively treat cholera and to combat dysentery and other forms of diarrhea. One study from the 1960s involved 35 different individuals whose diarrhea symptoms were being caused by food poisoning, food allergy, viral infection, spastic colitis, or mucous colitis.

Two tablespoons of smectite clay (montmorillonite) were given with distilled water three times a day. (In the food allergy cases, six tablespoons of clay per day were used.) In 34 of the 35 individuals, the diarrhea was stopped in an average of 3.8 days, and bowel movements reduced to an average of 1.8 per day. Food allergy–induced diarrhea proved to be the most difficult cases, whereas those from viral infections resolved the quickest. (Med Ann Dist Columbia 61;30:326-328)

Until the late 1990s, the once very popular anti-diarrheal medicine Kaopectate contained the mineral clay kaolin, primarily found in Georgia and Alabama. It worked great, but there was some concern that the clay was mildly radioactive. The formula later was changed to include attapulgite clay, but around 2003, the formula was changed again and all clay was eliminated, due to possible lead contamination. It was replaced with pink bismuth subsalicylate (the same as Pepto Bismol). (If you’re wondering why it doesn’t work as well as it used to, this is probably the reason.)

For more information on diarrhea treatments, constipation and diarrhea, or other bowel problems, visit www.drdavidwilliams.com.

One of the more painful problems you can experience is that of mouth ulcerations, commonly referred to as canker sores. These aren’t necessarily the same as “cold sores” related to the herpes virus, which generally occur on the outside of the mouth.

There doesn’t seem to be any one trigger for these recurrent mouth ulcers. For some women, they develop when certain hormones fluctuate during the menstrual cycle; for other individuals excess exposure to the sun may be the trigger; and for others they seem to crop up in times of stress or from actual physical injury to the mouth.

They can be very painful and interfere with swallowing and eating, and oftentimes take a week or longer to resolve.

One very interesting study screened patients suffering from these recurrent ulcerations, looking for gluten intolerance (an allergy to wheat and wheat products, as well as to other grains that contain the protein gluten). This condition is also called gluten sensitive enteropathy or celiac disease. It’s considered an immune disease where products that contain gluten trigger an immune reaction in the small intestine that can cause permanent damage. Common symptoms also include unwanted weight loss, chronic diarrhea or constipation, and bloating and gas.

When individuals with gluten intolerance were placed on a gluten-free diet, there was a very significant improvement in their prior problem with mouth ulcerations. (BMC Gastroenterol 09;9:44)

A gluten-free diet may not be the answer for everyone with this problem, but for some it will be a godsend in more ways than one. Mouth ulcerations may be just the one noticeable symptom of an allergy to gluten that could be destroying areas of the small intestine. A gluten-free diet is not the easiest thing to follow, but it would be well worth trying if nothing else has helped with your recurrent mouth ulcerations.

For more information on gluten intolerance, or for a list of gluten free foods, visit Dr. Williams’ Web site.

As I was sitting eating my crunchy, delicious 15 day–fermented sauerkraut recently, I ran across a study showing that infectious digestive disorders are among the biggest risks to our military troops who are deployed overseas. Every month, about 30 percent get infectious diarrhea. Those who had experienced even just one incident had six times the risk for subsequent functional diarrhea and four times the risk of developing irritable bowel syndrome.

The medical records of personnel deployed in Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom indicate the fourth leading cause of their visits to Veterans Affairs medical centers was chronic gastrointestinal disorders. As many as 20 percent of these patients have conditions that have persisted for five years or longer after returning home.

It’s not hard to understand the high incidence of this problem, considering the stress these soldiers are under and the less-than-sanitary conditions they’re exposed to. What is hard to understand is the way these men and women are being treated.

Typical treatment focuses on the use of antibiotics to wipe out the offending bacteria. Patients are then switched to over-the-counter diarrhea treatments and bulking agents when the problem persists. Knowing what we know today, I’m amazed that probiotics aren’t being used to correct and ultimately prevent diarrhea symptoms.

I don’t have cost figures, but I’m certain that adding a daily probiotic supplement to their regimen would be an extremely cost-effective method to prevent many of these problems. And the fact that probiotics aren’t used following every round of antibiotics is absurd.

For more information on diarrhea treatments, body digestion, or bowel regularity in general, visit Dr. Williams’ Web site. While there, you can also sign up for Dr. Williams’ FREE eLetter or subscribe to his monthly newsletter.

One of the more painful problems you can experience is that of mouth ulcerations, commonly referred to as canker sores. These aren’t necessarily the same as “cold sores” related to the herpes virus, which generally occur on the outside of the mouth.

There doesn’t seem to be any one trigger for these recurrent mouth ulcers. For some women, they develop when certain hormones fluctuate during the menstrual cycle; for other individuals, excess exposure to the sun may be the trigger; and for others yet, they seem to crop up in times of stress or from actual physical injury to the mouth.

They can be very painful and interfere with swallowing and eating, and oftentimes take a week or longer to resolve.

One very interesting study screened patients suffering from these recurrent ulcerations, looking for gluten intolerance (an allergy to wheat and wheat products, as well as to other grains that contain the protein gluten). Common symptoms include unwanted weight loss, chronic constipation and diarrhea, and bloating and gas.

When individuals with gluten intolerance or celiac disease were placed on a gluten-free diet, there was a very significant improvement in their prior problem with mouth ulcerations. (BMC Gastroenterol 09;9:44)

A gluten-free diet may not be the answer for everyone with this problem, but for some it will be a godsend in more ways than one. Mouth ulcerations may be just the one noticeable symptom of gluten intolerance that could be destroying areas of the small intestine. A gluten-free diet is not the easiest thing to follow, but it would be well worth trying if nothing else has helped one’s recurrent mouth ulcerations.

Gluten intolerance is a tricky condition. Not only is it often misdiagnosed, it is also associated with a myriad of other conditions, including:

• thyroid disease,
• type 1 diabetes,
• lactose intolerance,
• arthritis,
• bowel and stomach cancer,
• eczema, and
• allergies.

Though no two people seem to have the exact same symptom profile, you can expect to see one or more of the more common symptoms:

• abdominal pain,
• diarrhea symptoms,
• no appetite,
• skin rashes (often itchy and blistery),
• anemia, and/or
• stunted growth.

If the condition isn’t addressed, eventually the classic signs of malnutrition will appear, including the large tummy, thin thigh muscles, and flat buttocks.

There are a couple of reasons the symptoms and other diseases caused by celiac disease are so varied; one is the body’s severe allergic reaction to the glutens. Second, the damage to the small intestine impedes the absorption of essential vitamins, minerals, and nutrients:

• Deficiencies in the B vitamins can lead to depression, mental problems, and the expression of neurological diseases, such as the Alzheimer’s.
• Deficiencies of essential fatty acids lead to skin disorders, cancer, etc.
• Inadequate calcium absorption results in osteoporosis, joint deterioration, muscle weakness and wasting, heart disease, etc.

The list related to various deficiencies goes on and on. In addition to deficiency problems, the damaged intestinal wall allows undigested proteins to enter the bloodstream, triggering additional allergic reactions throughout the body.

Based on the variety of related, complex symptoms, it’s easy to see why the diagnosis of celiac disease and gluten intolerance is often overlooked. That’s why a family health tree can be of such great help. Once it is determined that celiac disease could be a factor, there are very specific antibody blood tests your doctor can order. The presence of certain antibodies provides a definitive diagnosis, and the antibodies will rapidly decline once the problem is treated.

When you are looking to detoxify the body, you must start with the basics—your diet. To kick off a truly effective cleansing detoxification program, you should try what I call the “weed and feed” program.

The idea is to first cleanse the bowels of any harmful or large numbers of undesirable bacteria, fungi, yeast, and parasites; heal any damage that has taken place; and then re-establish a healthy population of beneficial bacteria.

Overall it’s roughly a two-week program that begins with a 24-hour fast, where ideally nothing would be consumed except purified water. (Chlorinated water is not recommended, because it is not particular about which bacteria it kills—even the beneficial types in the bowel.) If one can’t fast on water alone for 24 hours, a homemade vegetable broth or the low-sodium version of V8 juice can be included, but under no circumstances should you add any fruit, juices, or other foods or drinks.

After the first 24 hours, steamed vegetables and light salads can be gradually added to the diet. (Yeast products, sugar, and starchy foods such as potatoes and rice are not allowed.)

Days 2 and 3 begin the “weeding” of your colon as “broad spectrum” natural antimicrobials are added to the regimen. The standard antimicrobial is garlic, preferably fresh—which has been proven effective against eliminating an extremely wide variety of harmful bacteria, fungi, yeast, and viruses while at the same time sparing the beneficial forms of bacteria. You can achieve these effects by simply consuming two crushed garlic cloves twice daily with your meals.

Beginning on Day 4, and through the remaining two weeks, you need to heal any damage to the bowel and re-establish the growth and dominance of the beneficial bacteria. In addition to adding specific supplements (such as a good probiotic), you can now gradually begin to introduce more and more fresh foods into your diet.

During this period it is important not to consume sugar, alcohol, caffeine, wheat products, or high starch foods such as bread, potatoes, and rice. Steamed or stir-fried vegetables are highly recommended—particularly high-sulfur foods such as cabbage, broccoli, bok choy, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, cress, kale, mustard, radish, and turnip. Cabbage is one of the most researched (and also one of my favorites)—steamed, stir-fried, or fermented as sauerkraut. Onions, asparagus, and artichokes are also good choices.

Legumes (beans and peas) may also be introduced. Keep in mind, too, that these last few items are higher in fiber—which will be  a great help for IBS and other bowel problems, but may need to be introduced later if diarrhea is an issue. The timing of when and how much can be eaten will vary from individual to individual.

Meat can also be gradually added (begin with chicken, fish, or lamb), and it is generally easier and best to do so in the form of broths, stews, or soups. Slow-cooked (not instant) oatmeal is a good addition at this point. Dairy products may also be included. Start with the fermented ones first (such as yogurt).

As you begin to re-introduce different foods, be alert to any changes in bowel changes or symptoms. You may have to discontinue certain foods and add them back later when you see improved bowel regularity.

IBS is a digestive disorder marked by cramping, constipation and diarrhea.

It’s estimated that condition called irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Unfortunately, an estimated 70 percent of the people with IBS don’t seek any medical attention.

On top of that, being able to diagnose IBS still seems to be a problem for most doctors. The medical profession is more comfortable with diseases that present a consistent set of symptoms. However, roughly a third of those who suffer from IBS experience diarrhea, another third have constipation problems, and the remaining third alternate between the two.

If you have the problem, you likely experience abdominal pain or discomfort that is:

• relieved with defecation,
• associated with a change in frequency of stool, or
• associated with a change in the form or appearance of the stool.

Other symptoms also support a diagnosis of IBS:

• abnormal stool formation—either hard and lumpy or loose and watery,
• abnormal stool frequency—either more than three bowel movements a day or fewer than three a week,
• abnormal stool passage—straining, extreme urgency (in the case of diarrhea), or the feeling of not being able to completely evacuate,
• passage of mucus in the stool, or
• bloating or the feeling of bloating.

I am always amazed when people question whether or not they have the right balance of beneficial bacteria. The answer to this question lies, obviously, in your body. Generally, any negative health symptoms you might have are a very good indication if you have a good, balanced bacterial flora in your bowels.

The following is a partial list of common bowel problems and other health issues associated with inadequate bowel flora:

• Constipation and diarrhea;
• Intestinal gas;
• Chronic bad breath;
• Hormonal problems (i.e. PMS or menstrual complaints);
• Prostate trouble;
• Breast enlargement in men;
• Candida;
• Chronic anemia;
• Allergies to dairy;
• Vitamin B deficiencies;
• High cholesterol levels;
• Severe bruising problems;
• Chronic vaginal infections;
• Chronic bladder infections; and/or
• Osteoporosis.

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)—also known as spastic colon, nervous indigestion, mucous colitis, and inflammatory bowel disease—is the most common gastrointestinal complaint reported to physicians, and it accounts for as many as 50 percent of all referrals to gastroenterologists (physicians who specialize in problems of the GI tract).

If you happen to be part of the estimated 15 percent of the population who needs help for IBS, you undoubtedly know how debilitating the disease can be. Women seem to need help for IBS more than men, but this is probably because men, for some reason, are less likely to seek help for the complaint.

IBS is a complex problem with numerous causative factors and a wide variety of changing symptoms. The following is a list of some of the more common symptoms.

• Spastic constipation and diarrhea
• Pain and distention of the abdomen
• Frequent bowel movements associated with pain
• Colicky pain often relieved by a bowel movement
• Indigestion
• Nausea
• Anorexia
• Intestinal bloating and gas
• Depression
• Fatigue
• Bowel incontinence
• Excess mucus production in the colon

The good news is that there are inexpensive and natural IBS treatments that I will discuss over the next few weeks. So be sure to check in on my blog.

Probiotic benefits vary depending on the bacteria in question. If you're looking for a probiotic digestive supplement, be sure to choose one that does what you have in mind. If you're interested in addressing a specific health area, then a single species of bacteria, or even a specific strain, might be up to the job.

Here are some of my recommendations:

• Lactobacillus acidophilus--for the relief of occasional diarrhea symptoms.
• Bifidobacterium longum--for improvement in bowel regularity.
• Bifidobacterium lactis--for improved immune function and a reduction of H. pylori, the bacteria thought to be responsible for digestive ulcers.
• Lactobacillus plantarum--also for improved immune function.
• Lactobacillus rhamnosus--for a reduction in the diarrhea symptoms known as "traveler's diarrhea."
• Lactobacillus paracasei--also for improved immune function.
• Lactobacillus salivarius--also for improved immune function.
• Lactobacillus gasseri--for the relief of occasional diarrhea symptoms.
• Bifidobacterium longum --for the relief of occasional diarrhea symptoms, particularly the condition known as "traveler's diarrhea."
• Bifidobacterium infantis--for the relief of bowel irregularity and the abdominal pain associated with bloating and gas.

If you're looking for overall digestive health benefits, including improved bowel regularity and relief from bloating and gas, you'll want a product that contains a variety of species.

Persistent bowel problems can result from an infection with the bacteria Clostridium difficile, or C diff. I've written about C diff a few times. It's an equal-opportunity bacterium, causing bowel problems for young and old alike--and, more importantly, for those who are otherwise healthy.

C diff infection is marked by watery diarrhea symptoms that occur more than three times a day and last for more than three days.

MRSA, or methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, is an invasive disease that's estimated to cause more than 18,000 deaths annually among hospitalized patients. For several years it was considered the most perilous of hospital-acquired infections, because it's so hard to treat. With C diff on the rise, however, MRSA has to take a back seat.

C diff is transmitted by contact with infected surfaces such as hands or countertops. Until recently it was considered to be a problem only among the elderly ill who had been hospitalized. Now, however, it's become much more prevalent--25% more common than MRSA, according to one recent estimate.

The bowel changes from C diff often arise after the patient has been treated with a course of antibiotics. The problem, of course, is that antibiotics kill both good and bad bacteria in your digestive tract. My suggestion: If you begin to experience diarrhea symptoms after taking a round of antibiotics, begin taking high-quality probiotic digestive health supplements immediately.

Probiotic benefits of a digestive health supplement containing Lactobacillus gasseri include the relief of occasional diarrhea symptoms.

L. gasseri is a recently discovered strain of bacteria. It resists both acid and bile, so it can survive the trip through the stomach and small intestine into the lower bowel. As side benefits, the bacteria can help in ulcer treatment by reducing levels of the competing bacteria H. pylori, and it supports healthy cholesterol levels. It even helps with the bacterial balance in the vagina.

Look for a digestive health supplement that contains L. gasseri, along with a variety of other bacteria species, to get the full range of probiotic benefits.

Probiotic benefits of a digestive health supplement containing Lactobacillus paracasei include improved immune function.

L. paracasei is a hardy strain of bactera that's found mostly in the small intestine, but when combined with milk it can survive the trip into the lower intestine. Regardless of where it's found, L. paracasei increases the number of lactic acid-forming bacteria--which can work to reduce diarrhea symptoms. As a side benefit, the bacteria can improve liver function in people with poorly performing livers.

Look for a digestive health supplement that contains L. paracasei, along with a variety of other bacteria species, to get the full range of probiotic benefits.

Probiotic benefits of a digestive health supplement that contains Lactobacillus rhamnosus include a reduction in the diarrhea symptoms known as "traveler's diarrhea."

L. rhamnosus is a hardy bacteria that survives far down in the digestive tract. It adheres well to epithelial cells in the intestine and elsewhere, and can help reduce irritation and infection in the urinary tract and vagina.

Look for a digestive health supplement that contains L. rhamnosus, along with a variety of other bacteria species, to get the full range of probiotic benefits.

Diarrhea caused by antibiotics can present a real challenge to the patient. Antibiotics kill bacteria indiscriminately: the bad ones that cause disease, as well as the good ones that keep you healthy.

Diarrhea symptoms can appear as soon as 12 hours after taking your first dose of antibiotics. The solution is to replace the good bacteria as quickly as you can, with a combination of probiotic digestive health supplements and foods that contain live cultures, such as yogurt, kefir, and real sauerkraut.

Yes, the antibiotic will kill off many of the probiotics, but it's essential to keep replacing them so that they can begin to colonize your bowel the moment the antibiotic is gone.

Bowel problems can be directly connected to working shift work. A study published in the American Journal of Gastroenterology showed that nurses who worked either night shifts or rotating shifts were significantly more likely to experience bowel problems such as abdominal pains, constipation, and diarrhea--essentially IBS symptoms (irritable bowel syndrome).

In the study, 399 nurses were asked about their digestive health, including constipation and diarrhea symptoms. Those who worked rotating shifts reported similar risk for constipation and diarrhea, but a significantly higher risk for abdominal pain and other IBS symptoms.

Certainly the high stress involved in nursing increases ones risk of bowel problems overall. What made those bowel problems worse in the shift workers is that their daily rhythms have been disrupted. I've reported before about how daily rhythm is connected to heartburn. Now it appears that other areas of digestive health, including bowel regularity, are also driven by the clock.

Over the last couple of months I've provided you with treatments for addressing diarrhea symptoms. I've found that these are also useful for preventing diarrhea before it starts. Some of the treatments involve digestive health supplements, and others are dietary items. Here's a summary.

• Diarrhea treatment #1: Clay helps in preventing diarrhea by absorbing water in the bowel
• Diarrhea treatment #2: Ileocecal valve manipulation works for diarrhea treatment by closing off the valve that allows digestive products to move from your small intestine to your large intestine.
• Diarrhea treatment #3: Turmeric works to restore bowel regularity.
• Diarrhea treatment #4: Black tea restores absorption of water in the bowel.
• Diarrhea treatment #5: Carob powder is a useful diarrhea treatment for infants.
• Diarrhea treatment #6: BRAT for kids provides bulk and essential minerals that can be lost via diarrhea, along with calming the digestive tract.
• Diarrhea treatment #7: Lactic Acid Yeast wafers help support a natural bacterial environment in your gut.
• Diarrhea treatment #8: Probiotics also support a normal bacterial balance.

Here are more complete explanations for the diarrhea treatments in this "series."

Diarrhea symptoms are more likely to appear in women travelers than in men. Women seek diarrhea treatment about 25% more often for the "traveler's diarrhea" that's so dreaded by vacationers, according to a report in the journal Clinical Infectious Diseases.

The researchers aren't sure why women seek diarrhea treatment more often. It could be because women are more willing to ask for help when they need it, or they may be more susceptible to diarrhea symptoms in the first place. According to the study, women were also more likely to seek help for the bowel problems of irritable bowel syndrome, which include abdominal pain, constipation and diarrhea.

Men were more likely to come down with fever-related diseases, including malaria and bacterial infections.

Whenever you're traveling to a new place, it's a good idea to keep a diarrhea treatment available, whether you're a man or a woman. Black tea and digestive health supplements such as probiotics can help promote bowel regularity while you're on the road.

Probiotic benefits of a digestive supplement containing Lactobacillus acidophilus include the relief of diarrhea symptoms. As a side benefit, people who take L. acidophilus supplements tend to come out of a course of antibiotics with more of their good bacteria intact. 

L. acidophilus colonizes in the small intestine, where it helps promote absorption of many nutrients, including iron.

Look for a digestive health supplement that contains L. acidophilus along with a variety of other bacteria species, to get the full range of probiotic benefits.