What Is Diarrhea?

Diarrhea also referred to as loose motions or simple the flux, is one of the most common health complaints. It can range from a mild, temporary condition to a potentially life-threatening condition. Diarrhea is characterized by abnormally loose or watery stool that occur more than three times a day. Most cases of diarrhea are as a result of a viral, bacterial or parasitic infection in the gastrointestinal tract.

The most common causes of diarrhea are the bacteria Salmonella, Campylobacter, Shigella and Shiga-toxin producing Escherichia Coli. Diarrhea can also be caused by a number of conditions or circumstances include food intolerance, intestinal disease, food allergy, stomach surgery and adverse reaction to medication.

Symptoms of diarrhea largely depend on the cause. A person may experience one or more of the following:

• Bloody stools
• Large volume of stools
• Cramping
• Nausea
• Abdominal pain
• Bloating
• Fever
• Dehydration
• A frequent urge to evacuate your bowel

Statistics

Around the globe, an estimated 2 billion cases of diarrhea occur each year and about 1.6 billion are children mostly in developing countries. Out of the 1.6 billion children, 17% die due to diarrhea.

What You Need To Know About Diarrhea

1. Diarrhea is a bacterial infection resulting in watery stool with no blood and mucus.
2. Diarrhea infection affects the small bowel.
3. Chances of fever in patients with diarrhea are less.
4. Diarrhea affects only the intestinal lumen and epithelial cells.
5. Diarrhea is caused by E.coli.
6. There is no cell death in diarrhea and the infection is only caused because of the release of some toxins by the infecting species (agent).
7. The effects of diarrhea are not that serious, other than the risk of dehydration.
8. The diarrhea patients may or may not be accompanied by cramps or a pain.
9. Patients of diarrhea get recovery by taking oral rehydration solutions or intravenous liquid treatment. Also, antimicrobial drugs are administered.

What Is Dysentery?

Dysentery is a type of gastrointestinal tract inflammation that results in diarrhea with blood. It is often spread through contaminated food or water. It can range from a mild, temporary condition to a potentially life-threatening condition. Dysentery is most often caused by Shigella bacteria (Shigellosis) or  Entamoeba histolytica. Laboratory results will reveal whether the infection is due to Shigella or Entamoeba histolytica.

There are two types of Dysentery; they include:

• Bacillary dysentery (Shigellosis)
• Amoebic dysentery (amebiasis)

Bacillary dysentery is caused by Shigella bacillus and symptoms tend to appear within 1 to 3 days of infection. There is normally a mild stomach ache and diarrhea, but no blood or mucus in the feaces. Other symptoms of bacillary dysentery may include:

• Intense abdominal pain
• Fever
• Nausea
• Vomiting

Amoebic Dysentery is caused by an amoeba referred to as Entamoeba histolytica (E. histolytica). Normally a person with amoebic dysentery may experience one or many of the following symptoms:

• Abdominal pain
• The painful passing of stools
• Fatigue
• Intermittent constipation
• Watery diarrhea which may contain mucus, pus or blood.

Statistics

Each year worldwide, there are between 120 million and 165 million cases of Shigella infection of which 1 million are fatal. Over 60% of these fatalities are children under 5 years of age and in developing countries.

What you need to know About Dysentery

1. Dysentery is a severe form of diarrhea, which results in bloody and mucoid stool.
2. Dysentery infection affects the colon.
3. Chances of fever in patients with dysentery are high.
4. Other than affecting the upper epithelial cells, dysentery also results in colon ulceration.
5. Common causes of dysentery are E.coli, Shigella and Salmonella.
6. When a person gets dysentery, the upper epithelial cells are attacked and destroyed by the pathogen or disease causing agent.
7. Dysentery can result in a lot of complications such as malnutrition and ulceration if left untreated.
8. Cramps and complains of pain in the lower abdominal area are common in dysentery patients.
9. Patients of dysentery get recovery by administration of anti-diarrhea drugs

Also Read: Difference Between Bacillary Dysentery And Amoebic Dysentery

Difference Between Diarrhea And Dysentery In Tabular Form