White diarrhea

Diarrhea is a pathological condition in which fecal liquefaction occurs with frequent acts of defecation. The danger of liquid stools is that the body withdraws the fluid necessary for normal functioning and may lead to dehydration.

Common causes of diarrhea are acute intestinal infections, poisoning and intestinal dysbiosis. The color of the feces also plays a minor role, but what to do if there is white diarrhea. Consider the possible reasons for its appearance.

Causes of

White diarrhea in adults is not so common. To understand why the feces of a liquid consistency can change color, it is necessary to undergo a survey. The main reasons for the allocation of discolored stool are:

• hepatitis;
• disorders of the gallbladder and its ducts;
• intestinal infection;
• intestinal dysbiosis;
• intestinal lipodystrophy( Whipple's disease);
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• oncological diseases;
• taking certain medicines;
• period of artificial feeding of a child.

Hepatitis

Inflammatory liver disease, most often viral etiology. There are 3 types of the disease:

• hepatitis A( transmitted through water, food, general household items, etc.);
• hepatitis B( transmitted through blood and biological fluids, during sexual contact, from mother to child during labor);
• hepatitis C( transmitted through blood, biological fluids).

In the acute stage of all three varieties, almost identical symptoms appear: slight soreness in the abdomen, darkening of the urine, the appearance of icteric skin and eye proteins, and the feces acquire a white shade. The general condition thus considerably worsens, at the patient appetite disappears, he actively starts to lose weight.

In the absence of treatment, the acute stage of hepatitis becomes chronic, which in turn is dangerous for the development of cirrhosis of the liver, ascites

Intestinal infection

It is called gastric flu, intestinal flu, rotavirus gastroenteritis. The cause of the disease is a virus, which is mainly transmitted by the fecal-oral route. Children who visit kindergartens and other general educational institutions are most often ill.

The incubation period of rotavirus infection can be from 24 hours to 5 days. The main symptoms of the disease are: nausea and vomiting, fever, a loose stool with white foam or a yellowish tinge, but on day 4-5, when the recovery phase comes, the color of the feces becomes even lighter.

In case of damage to the mucous membrane and blood vessels in the stool, blood veins may appear. The general condition of patients is poor, they complain of headaches and weakness, lack of appetite and apathy.

Pathologies associated with gallbladder disease

Significantly affect the color and consistency of stool due to the content of bile pigment.

If any irregularities are noted with the transport of this pigment, the feces acquire whitish or white-yellow tinge. Most often, the cause of obstruction of the ducts is the presence of stones in the lumen.

In this case, diarrhea can occur every 60-80 minus with a strong fetid odor, a bitter taste in the mouth, a belch, nausea and vomiting. When the bile ducts are bred, the diarrhea appears after eating, and the feces get putrid smell.

Dysbacteriosis of the intestine

Sometimes accompanied by white diarrhea with an admixture of mucus in it, outwardly reminiscent of snot. The smell of feces is very strong and fetid. In addition, the patient is concerned about abdominal pain, increased gas formation, itching of the skin. Most often, the intestinal dysbiosis occurs in children of the first year of life.

Whippl's disease

A systemic disease characterized by the defeat of the small intestine and some other organs. The cause of the disease is the defeat of immune cells by the bacilli of Tropheryma whippelii.

The initial manifestation of the disease is pain in the joints and muscles, the skin over them blushes and swells, the temperature rises to 38 degrees, a chill appears and lymph nodes increase.

A few days later, other symptoms of the disease appear: frequent diarrhea( feces of a foamy consistency of yellow and white up to 10 times in 24 hours), bloating, loss of appetite and weight loss, cramping around the navel, signs of beriberi( plaque on the tongue andits swelling, peeling of the skin and their pigmentation, seizures, disorders of neurology).

Gastrointestinal cancer

It is difficult to recognize at the very beginning of development. That is why it is worth paying close attention to the color of the chair. In the presence of cancerous tumors, the color is discolored and has a white coating, there is an aversion to food, a sharp loss of body weight and diarrhea.

Taking certain medicines

Often causes a discoloration of the stool. This is most common when using antibiotics, antifungals, NSAIDs, oral contraceptives, antiepileptic and anti-tuberculosis drugs.

In a good scenario, after finishing the course, the treatment color of the feces is restored and acquires a brownish hue. If the stool remains white for a long time, then it is worth immediately contacting a specialist.

Breastfeeding period

It can also cause a color change in feces to a lighter color. Normally, in a child who receives only breast milk, fecal matter has a yellow tinge with white lumps or flakes. Do not be scared, because these inclusions are undigested mother's breast milk, which comes out unchanged.

When switching from breastfeeding to artificial feeding, the color of the feces can change one-time to a lighter shade and this will be a measure of the norm, doing nothing at all

When it comes to contact a specialist for help

It is generally accepted that a single appearance of white diarrhea in an adult and a childdoes not carry any danger in itself. In case of repeated or frequent stools of yellow-white color, consult a doctor.

Also it is not necessary to ignore such pathological conditions as:

• discomfort or pain in any area of ​​the abdomen;
• increased gassing in the intestine;
• appearance of nausea and vomiting;
• increased abdominal circumference;
• itching and burning in the anus;
• skin color, mucous and sclera of the eyes acquired a yellowish hue;
• loss of appetite and a sharp decrease in body weight;
• change the color of urine to a darker( the color of dark beer);
• increase in body temperature above 37 ° C.

If there is a light diarrhea in an adult or child and at least one of the above signs, it is worth immediately contacting the therapist. If you suspect a violation of a particular body, you will be given a referral to a specialist.

Treating the pathological condition of

There are times when it is possible to do without treatment and diarrhea passes by itself. But more often it is necessary to resort to carrying out of therapy and reception of preparations of the certain group. Regardless of the patient's age and in order to improve well-being, it is worth sticking to simple rules. These are:

• is the correct balanced supply of .In some diseases, hunger is necessary, but if diarrhea is frequent, it is necessary to eat small portions and often to conserve vital energy. The composition of the intake should include meat of low-fat varieties, broths, baked fruits and vegetables, dry biscuits. Completely exclude from the reception products that have a laxative effect;
• drinking mode .It is forbidden to fill lost water with sweet tea, juice, carbonated drinks, fruit drinks, etc. Carbohydrates contained in these liquids contribute to the removal of excess moisture from the intestine. To prevent dehydration, it is recommended to drink water without gases and saline solutions;
• adherence to hygiene rules .If a child wears diapers, then it is necessary to change after the correction and wash after each act of defecation, regardless of the frequency of emptying. In case of irritation in the anus area, you can use sea buckthorn oil, which has a good regenerating effect.

Compliance with hygiene rules is the basis for the prevention of a pathological condition

If diarrhea of ​​a light color can be quickly eliminated, this does not mean elimination of the cause of its occurrence. In order to avoid repeated occurrences of unpleasant symptoms, it is necessary to undergo a comprehensive examination in order to establish a diagnosis, and then complete the full course of treatment prescribed by the doctor.