What is diarrhoea?

A clinical definition of diarrhoea is when someone has three or more loose bowel motions in a day. This is often accompanied with sharp cramping stomach pain before the motion is passed and a desperate need to find a toilet quickly.

The most common cause of diarrhoea is a bacterial or viral infection. This is more common over the summer months when food may not be stored at temperatures low enough to prevent these organisms multiplying. The usual organisms that cause diarrhoea in New Zealand are Campylobacter and Salmonella; generally from poorly cooked or stored meat, especially chicken.

What is traveller’s diarrhoea?

Traveller’s diarrhoea is common in countries where water quality is poor, and the organisms responsible for these infections are often Giardia and amoeba. Prolonged infection with these organisms may cause dysentery, which is acute diarrhoea accompanied with mucus and blood in the motions. Dysentery results in inflammation of the intestines and is persistent and often has serious consequences.

If you are travelling abroad it is advisable to bring diarrhoea treatments with you in case you need them. This can include rehydration treatments and treatments to reduce the frequency of the diarrhoea episodes.

What is chronic diarrhoea?

In some cases diarrhoea can be a chronic condition. In these cases the sufferer has frequent loose bowel motions for extended periods of time and may be a result of medical conditions, such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis. Treatments for chronic diarrhoea and the conditions like IBS must be discussed and prescribed by a doctor.

Some medications may also cause loose motions, either as an intended effect, such as from laxatives, or as an unwanted side effect.

Treatment for diarrhoea

The most common result of diarrhoea is fluid depletion, or dehydration. This is because water and minerals are removed from the body faster than you can replace them. It is important, particularly for children, to replace fluids and electrolytes quickly. Rehydration products are available from all pharmacies to treat diarrhoea. It is helpful to have a packet of rehydration sachets available at home, so that treatment may start as soon as the diarrhoea occurs.

As a rule of thumb, one sachet of rehydration powder, made up to 200ml with water, should be taken after each loose motion for adults.

Other products are also available to help with the symptoms of diarrhoea, but the best first treatment should always be rehydration. Our pharmacists can give you advice about changing your diet to help manage the symptoms of diarrhoea and speed up your recovery.

More support for diarrhoea

If there is blood in a bowel motion, it is important to seek medical advice as soon as possible. Bleeding from the bowel can be a sign of more serious conditions, or may be from haemorrhoids (piles), which also need diagnosis and treatment.

Consult our community pharmacists as they can advise you and give you information about the best treatment and prevention for diarrhoea.