What is Diarrhea and How to Prevent it During Summer

Summer is a high-incidence season for diarrhea, with many people experiencing symptoms such as abdominal pain, diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting. The onset is often sudden, and in severe cases, bowel movements can exceed ten times per day, with loose and watery stools often accompanied by abdominal cramps. Severe cases can lead to electrolyte imbalances, dehydration, and metabolic acidosis. Diarrhea has a high incidence rate and is a significant cause of death among infants and the elderly. So, what should we do if we encounter summer diarrhea? Let’s learn some essential points.

What is Diarrhea

Diarrhea is a common symptom characterized by an increase in the frequency of bowel movements, loose or watery stools, and a daily stool weight exceeding 200 grams. It may also contain undigested food, pus, or mucus. Diarrhea often comes with a sense of urgency, anal discomfort, and incontinence.

Western Medicine Perspective on Diarrhea

From the perspective of Western medicine, summer diarrhea can be classified into four types:

Acute Infectious Diarrhea

Acute infectious diarrhea has a sudden onset, usually occurring within two days of infection. Besides diarrhea, symptoms may include vomiting, fever, chills, abdominal cramps, and general weakness. Bowel movements can exceed three times a day, with some severe cases reaching over ten times per hour. Patients with acute infectious diarrhea may pass mucus-purulent stools primarily consisting of mucus, and there is often a persistent feeling of needing to defecate (tenesmus).

Acute Non-Infectious Diarrhea

Patients may experience vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and fever, along with other acute gastrointestinal symptoms. Additional symptoms may include bloating, nausea, acid reflux, heartburn, and belching.

Chronic Diarrhea

Chronic diarrhea is more insidious and less noticeable, with more severe consequences than acute diarrhea. It has three characteristics:

“Long”: The disease course usually lasts more than two months.

“Slow”: The onset is usually gradual, with few cases of acute attacks, and the frequency of diarrhea is not easily noticeable.

“Recurrent”: The disease alternates between periods of exacerbation and remission, or the symptoms gradually worsen during exacerbations.

Chronic Non-Infectious Diarrhea

Patients may have two to three bowel movements daily, or alternating diarrhea and constipation, with severe cases reaching dozens of bowel movements per day. Unlike acute patients, chronic non-infectious diarrhea patients pass mucus-purulent stools with more pus and a persistent feeling of needing to defecate (tenesmus).

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Perspective on Diarrhea

From the perspective of TCM, summer diarrhea can also be classified into four types:

Damp-Heat Syndrome

Symptoms include diarrhea, abdominal pain, burning sensation in the anus, yellowish-brown and foul-smelling stools, a feeling of irritability and thirst, and short and yellowish urine.

Cold-Damp Syndrome

Symptoms include watery stools resembling clear water, frequent abdominal pain, lack of appetite, a feeling of coldness throughout the body, nasal congestion, and general body aches.

Spleen and Stomach Deficiency Syndrome

This syndrome is characterized by recurrent and alternating loose stools and diarrhea. After eating, especially greasy foods, bowel movements increase, and abdominal bloating occurs. Patients often have a sallow complexion, fatigue, and listlessness.

Food Retention Syndrome

Symptoms include foul-smelling stools resembling rotten eggs, undigested food in the stool, abdominal pain that eases after defecation, abdominal bloating, and a sour odor from the mouth.

Why Diarrhea is Prevalent in Summer

Food Spoilage in Summer

High temperatures and humidity in summer create favorable conditions for the growth of intestinal pathogens, making leftover food more likely to spoil. Consuming spoiled food, which is laden with bacteria, can cause diarrhea.

Increased Intestinal Infectious Diseases in Summer

The proliferation of flies, mosquitoes, and cockroaches in summer can spread pathogens, making it easier to contract foodborne illnesses if proper hygiene is not maintained.

Decreased Gastrointestinal Resistance

Excessive sweating in hot weather necessitates increased fluid intake, which can dilute stomach acid and reduce gastrointestinal resistance, allowing pathogens to invade the body more easily.

Poor Dietary Habits in Summer

Staying in air-conditioned rooms for extended periods, excessive consumption of cold drinks, and eating greasy, unhygienic, or undercooked food can all stimulate the gastrointestinal tract and cause diarrhea.

Cooling Off Excessively in Summer

Overconsumption of cold food and beverages, or wearing clothes that expose the navel in air-conditioned environments, can cause the body to become cold and lead to diarrhea. Symptoms include periumbilical pain, intestinal gurgling, watery and yellowish stools, and frequent bathroom visits.

Treatment Methods for Diarrhea

Dietary Therapy

TCM suggests using simple yet effective home remedies like scorched rice porridge and fried flour paste to alleviate diarrhea symptoms. These recipes are easy to prepare and have beneficial effects.

Scorched Rice Porridge

Ingredients: 50g of millet, 300g of water

Function: Stops diarrhea, improves congenital spleen and stomach weakness

Method: Cook and consume directly

Preparation: Toast millet over low heat until golden brown, add boiling water, and simmer until the millet becomes sticky (about 30 minutes).

Fried Flour Paste

Ingredients: 30-50g of flour, boiling water

Function: Stops diarrhea, improves congenital spleen and stomach weakness

Method: Fry the flour and mix with boiling water before consuming

Preparation: Toast flour over low heat until golden brown (about 15 minutes), mix with boiling water in a bowl, and stir until smooth.

Moxibustion Therapy

Moxibustion can help restore gastrointestinal function, enhance large intestine motility, and resolve internal cold by raising yang energy.

Abdominal Acupoints

Zhongwan (CV12): Located four inches above the navel.

Shenque (CV8): Located at the center of the navel.

Tianshu (ST25): Located two inches lateral to the navel.

Guanyuan (CV4): Located three inches below the navel.

Leg Acupoints

Zusanli (ST36): Located three inches below the outer knee depression.

Moxibustion Method

Apply moxibustion to each acupoint for 20-30 minutes, adjusting the duration based on individual tolerance to heat. Keep the moxa stick or moxa device about 2-3 centimeters away from the skin and move slowly, ensuring a warm but not burning sensation.

Symptomatic Medication

When dealing with diarrhea, targeting the root cause is essential for effective relief. Symptomatic treatment involves using specific medications and remedies tailored to the type and severity of diarrhea you’re experiencing. Over-the-counter anti-diarrheal medications, such as loperamide, can provide quick relief by slowing down bowel movements. For bacterial infections, antibiotics prescribed by a healthcare professional are necessary. Additionally, staying hydrated with oral rehydration solutions and consuming a bland diet can help restore balance in your digestive system. Always consult with a healthcare provider to determine the best treatment plan for your specific symptoms.

Conclusion

In summary, while summer diarrhea is common and frequent, it can be effectively alleviated and prevented through proper dietary adjustments, moxibustion therapy, and symptomatic medication. Maintaining good dietary habits and personal hygiene, staying cool, and avoiding excessive cold can significantly reduce the risk of summer diarrhea. If symptoms persist or worsen, seek medical attention promptly to ensure your health. May everyone stay comfortable and free from diarrhea during the hot summer months.

Common Queries about Diarrhea