Things You Need to Know about Diarrhea
Millions of people do suffer from loose bowel movement. If you suffer from watery or possibly more-frequent bowel movement, there is a possibility that you may be suffering from diarrhea.
People need to know, normally, diarrhea is a short-lived disease that may last for a few days. It is a problem when the diarrhea lasts for a few weeks. It the diarrhea persists, it is possible that there could be other underlying problems.
Diarrhea is not supposed to last for weeks. If the diarrhea lasts for weeks, a patient may be suffering from another medical condition which the doctor can help figure out. The doctor will give an update of your health condition if you visit him for an examination. One possible reason the diarrhea may persist is due to an infection. Another could be an inflammation.
The common signs and symptoms of diarrhea include: watery & loose stools, abdominal cramps, abdominal pain, fever, possibly blood in the stool, nausea, bloating, and frequent need to dispose the contents of the bowel.
If a diarrhea persists for a few days or almost a week, it is time to see a doctor. It is also a problem when a person has diarrhea because of dehydration. A person with severe abdominal pain and loose bowel movement may be a sign for you to seek medical attention.
A patient should see a doctor when the stools are bloody and blackish. See a doctor if a person suffering from diarrhea is having fever. If the patient is a child, the diarrhea may quickly lead to dehydration. Call a doctor if the diarrhea does not improve after a day or two.
There is a number of possible reasons people suffer from diarrhea. It is possible that a diarrhea is caused by a virus. It is possible that a Norwalk virus, cylomegalovirus, and viral hepatitis may be causing the diarrhea. It is also knowm that the rotavirus may cause diarrhea.
Another possible reason for diarrhea is bacterial and parasite infection.
Usually, bacteria and parasites are transmitted through food or drinks. It is best to be careful in consuming food and drinks especially when traveling to developing countries or to areas with suspicious food safety and dubious water safety.
The bacteria called clostridium difficile may cause diarrhea.
It is possible for a diarrhea to be caused by the bacteria called clostridium difficile. These bacteria may lead to a serious case of bacterial infection and in turn cause diarrhea.
It is also known that there are some medications that may cause diarrhea. Antibiotics are known to cause diarrhea. While the antibiotics can help a patient overcome a bacterial infection, it is also possible the antibiotic may also cause a disturbance in the balance of the natural intestinal bacteria. Anti-cancer drugs and antacids with magnesium are also known to cause diarrhea. It is important to let your doctor know about the adverse effects of your medications.
People who are lactose intolerant have a hard time digesting a sugar caller lactose. Lactose is sugar found in milk and dairy products. It is possible for people with lactose intolerance to have diarrhea after consuming milk or dairy products.
Another kind of sugar that may cause diarrhea is fructose. It is sugar found naturally in fruits. It is sometimes added as a sweetener in certain food products like beverages. People who have difficulty digesting fructose may suffer from diarrhea.
Moreover, some artificial sweeteners such as sorbitol and mannitol are known to cause diarrhea in some people.
There are some who may suffer from diarrhea as a result of surgery. Gallbladder removal may increase the likelihood of diarrhea.
In some cases, people who suffer from chronic diarrhea may be suffering from health conditions such as Crohn’s disease, microscopic colitis, celiac disease, ulcerative collitis, and irritable bowel syndrome.
Dehydration is the leading health threat associated with diarrhea. Dehydration due to diarrhea is dangerous especially among small children. Dehydration is also dangerous to older adults with compromised immune system.
People who are suffering from dehydration may experience extreme thirst,dry mouth, little or no urination, weakness, fatigue,and urine that is dark-colored.
In small children, dehydration signs may include not having a wet diaper, dry mouth, fever, tear-less crying, drowsiness, the cheeks, eyes, and abdomen may appear sunken.
According to experts, the simplest way to avoid diarrhea is hand washing. It is recommended for people to wash their hands before and after preparing food. Wash the hands after you use the toilet. Make sure to wash the hands after sneezing, coughing, and blowing the nose. Of course, wash the hands before eating.
Use soap and water to wash the hands for 20 seconds, or if unable to wash the hands with soap and water, an alternative is a hand sanitizer.
Ask your doctor on how you can prevent diarrhea especially if it happens too often.
Dental concerns on sinusitis
Dentists have special interest about maxillary sinus due to its proximity to the roots of the maxillary posterior teeth. It is possible for dental infections caused by cavities on the teeth and also failed endodontic treatment leading to development of maxillary sinusitis.
There was a case of a 35-year-old female patient suffering from chronic maxillary sinusitis secondary to a vertically fractured root canal treated maxillary second molar, managed by extraction of the offending tooth and curettage of the periapical lesion. Based on examination of the specimen, it was revealed that it was a periapical cyst. The case was revisited after three months and there has been marked improvement in the condition of the patient.
Sinusitis is known as the inflammation of what is known as paranasal sinuses. It may be caused by either infection or allergy. The inflammation may happen to most or all sinuses. Maxillary sinusitis is one that dentists are concerned about. They are odontogentic in nature. Dentists are interested about this condition because of the proximity of the maxillary posterior teeth to maxillary sinuses.
The infections from these teeth may lead to infections or irritations of the maxillary sinus.
Dental origin of sinusitis accounts for 10 to 12 % of sinusitis cases. Odontogenic sinusitis may either be acute or chronic depending on the nature and onset. Odontogenic sinusitis may be caused by abscesses and some periodontal reasons that may affect the Schenderian membrane, sinus perforation as a result of tooth extractions or displacement of roots. It may also lead the entire teeth into the sinus, or irritation or secondary infection by the intranasal foreign bodies such as dental implants. Some radicular cysts are known to cause of maxillary sinusitis.
Other pathological reasons that may lead to problems with the sinus are dentigerous cysts, mucous retention cyst, benign and malignant neoplasms, osteomyelitis, antral rhinoliths, and polyps.
Maxillary sinusitis infection may be caused aerobic-anaerobic infection, with more anaerobes than aerobes.
Next week, we will tackle a case and dig deeper on the dental origin of a type of sinusitis.
The New Normal in my Pediatric Clinic
The Novel Coronavirus 2019 has brought very many changes in our lives. In everything that we do, we aim to protect not only ourselves but also the people surrounding us. Everyday, we are constantly being reminded the “Must Do”, and “Must have”.
For a month, I closed my pediatric clinic because I waited for official guidelines and protocols from our Philippine Pediatric Society on the new normal in our outpatient pediatric clinic. Basically, we are told to wear mask, do strict hand washing and social distancing.
On May 27, 2020, Dr. Joseph Regalado, assistant treasurer of the Philippine Pediatric Society; and, Dr. Anna Lisa T. Ong-Lim, immediate President of the Pediatric Infectious Disease Specialists of the Philippines, talked extensively on these basic things that we have to do.
On face masks, they gave emphasis on the following issues:
1. To ensure seal and snugness of our face mask, we have to perform a fit test.
2. The KN95 mask approximates the standards of N95 face masks so it is a good replacement but just be sure that what you are using are authentic ones. They are advising the people to not use the N95 mask unless necessary and to reserve this type of mask for front liners who are caring for Covid patients.
3. Men with facial hair should shave since this could affect the sealing area of the mask.
4. Certain face masks with valves are for industrial use only. This type of mask protects the wearer from being infected but does not protect those who are around, if the wearer has infection
5. Surgical masks are intended for single use only
6. N95 masks can be stored in brown paper bags after every use (maximum of 5 reuses only).
7. Avoid touching the surface of the mask to prevent contamination
On thorough washing of the hands with clean soap and water is a must every after handling a patient. In addition to this, it is being reiterated that,
1. Gloves and gowns are recommended when doing vaccinations and seeing sick babies.
2. Gloves and gowns should be changed every after patient encounter
3. Bunny suits are better for those attending confirmed cases of Covid19.
4. The use of jewelries and wristwatches are being discouraged
5. Long hairs should be tied properly.
On proper practice social distancing,
1. Only 1 accompanying adult of the child is allowed inside the clinic
2. Patients seen per day are limited
3. Walk in patients are discouraged
4. Patients are usually seen by appointments
Every after patient encounter, our secretary sanitizes common areas such as tabletops, chairs, doorknobs, infant weighing scale and examining table. On these areas, they recommend the use of soap and water and 70% alcohol. Stethoscope, otoscope and thermometers can be safely cleaned with 70% alcohol. Though, no touch thermometers or contactless thermometer is the in thing now. Our examining tables nowadays are bare of bedsheets with no toys on top. Leatherette covers of the bed is being recommended since it is easier to wipe it with soap and water and or 70% alcohol.
What is their stand on the use of shoe sole bath? This is not necessary. Why? It is because, the floor is low touch. To make sure floors are completely disinfected, it is a must to clean it with water mixed with chlorox solution in 1:1000 ratio. The areas in the clinic considered to be high touch are the door knobs, the table tops and the telephone.
With these new normals in our outpatient pediatric clinic, we are asking everyone’s understanding and consideration. We have to protect ourselves so as to protect the children we serve.