Diarrhea specifically is the expulsion of watery and soft stools, with a greater frequency of defecation. Acute diarrhea lasts a short time and is a common problem and is characterized by the presence of 3 or more decreased stools of watery consistency in a period of one or two days, although it could last longer.
There are three types of diarrheal diseases: acute watery diarrhea, which lasts several hours or days, and includes cholera; diarrhea with acute blood, also called dysenteric diarrhea or dysentery; Y. persistent diarrhea, which lasts 14 days or more.
The various infectious agents that cause diarrhea are usually transmitted through the fecal-oral route (that is, through the intake of water or food contaminated with fecal matter, or through direct contamination of the hands or objects used daily).
To avoid them, you should drink plenty of water and liquids that contain sodium, chloride or potassium: In the case of children, specialists recommend ingesting oral rehydration solutions, such as beverages containing salts and minerals to prevent dehydration.
Medications to treat this type of condition are composed of lactose and loperamide hydrochloride. Lactose is the sugar present in the milk of mammals, which is due to its sweet taste; It is used in the pharmaceutical industry and in food. We can say that it is the main sugar (or carbohydrate) of natural origin that exists in milk and milk products, it is formed by glucose and galactose, two simple sugars that the body uses directly as an energy source. The lactase enzyme breaks down lactose into glucose and galactose. On the other hand, loperamide hydrochloride is a medication used to treat diarrhea. It slows down the movement of the small intestine muscles to allow more water to be extracted from the stool and to absorb more nutrients.
Loperamide is a haloperidol derivative that adheres to the opiate receptor in the intestinal wall, decreasing the release of chemical mediators such as acetylcholine and prostaglandins, decreasing peristalsis; It is an effective drug against diarrhea generated by gastroenteritis or inflammatory bowel disease. Use the spoon or measuring cup that comes with the medicine or use a spoon made specifically to measure liquid medications. If you take loperamide for acute diarrhea and your symptoms worsen or if the diarrhea lasts longer than 48 hours, stop taking this medication and call your doctor. Some over-the-counter medications can help you feel better if you have diarrhea. These are called antidiarrheal medications. Antidiarrheal medications include: loperamide such as the following: Numark 2mg, Imodium Caps. 2 mg, Elissan Comp. 2 mg., Fortasec Caps. 2 mg., Fortasec Flas 2 mg oral lyophilisate, Fortasec Plus Comp. 2/125 mg., Loperan Cáps. 2 mg, Loperamide / Simethicone Sandoz Duo Comp. 2 mg / 125 mg.
Learn more about health in Pharmamedic.