Diarrhea is a condition that involves passing out loose, liquid stools. This is considered as a common condition that affects both children and adults at some point in their lives. Diarrhea occurs if there is an interference with the usual functioning of both small and large intestines.
The intestines are responsible for removing excess fluids as well as electrolytes, nutrients and minerals from the partly digested food. Even though a viral infection is considered as the usual cause of abrupt onset diarrhea, there are also other factors such as taking certain medications that can contribute to diarrhea. You can register for first aid training so that you can properly manage this condition.
Antibiotics
Antibiotics are usually prescribed in order to treat bacterial infections but they can cause diarrhea. It is reported that even though antibiotics can cause diarrhea, most cases are usually triggered by clindamycin, cephalosporin, penicillin, erythromycin, tetracycline and quinolones.
It is important to note that the digestive tract maintains a delicate balance of microorganisms including various types of bacteria. Some of these bacteria present in the intestines are considered as good bacteria that help prevent the bad bacteria from growing out of control. The intake of antibiotics can eliminate both the good and bad bacteria, resulting to a disruption in the normal balance. As a consequence, harmful bacteria that are resistant to antibiotics can increase in number and produce detrimental toxins that cause inflammation and eventually leading to diarrhea.
Chemotherapy
The medications used in chemotherapy can quickly kill dividing cells. This is why it is highly effective in dealing with cancer. The doctor administers the chemotherapy medications either via injections or orally. This will allow the medications to enter the bloodstream, reaching the cells all over the body. Even though chemotherapy medications attack the cancer cells, they can also affect other cells in the body, particularly the rapidly dividing cells such as those present in the digestive tract.
Once the medications used in chemotherapy destroy the cells lining the intestines, they disrupt the ability of the intestine to absorb excess water from the partly digested contents. Additionally, eliminating the cells in the intestines can disrupt the function of the enzymes required to break down the carbohydrates and proteins. As a result, this leads to the increased secretion of fluids into the stool, thus resulting to diarrhea.
Antacids that contain magnesium
Antacids are basically medications that are used in neutralizing the stomach acid, particularly in conditions such as heartburn. It is important to note that antacids are comprised of salts that increase the pH, thus lowering the acidity level in the stomach content. The antacids that are comprised of magnesium salts can trigger diarrhea.
The body needs magnesium which is a naturally occurring mineral for both function and structure. The skeleton is comprised of about 60% of the magnesium in the body. On the other hand, an excess of magnesium due to the intake of antacids that contain magnesium salts will draw out fluids from the intestinal lining, thus resulting to diarrhea.