One serious symptom of prolonged diarrhea in the elderly is dehydration, which can be dangerous if the individual does not receive medical attention or rehydrates.
If your elderly loved one's diarrhea symptoms last more than a few days, it may be time to seek professional medical care.
Some of the most common causes of diarrhea in older people include: Bacteria or viruses. More serious infections may cause vomiting as well. Medication: Some medications, especially antibiotics, can upset the gastrointestinal (GI) tract and cause diarrhea.
Diarrhea can cause dehydration, which means the body doesn't have enough fluid to function properly. Dehydration is particularly dangerous in older people, and it must be treated promptly to avoid serious health problems.
The signs to see a doctor for acute diarrhea: Lasts longer than two days. You're dehydrated and cannot keep food or water down. Severe abdominal pain.
Acute diarrhoea should be investigated with a stool specimen for routine microbiology investigation under certain circumstances, including if: The person is systemically unwell; needs hospital admission and/or antibiotics. There is blood or pus in the stool. The person is immunocompromised.
An isolated episode of diarrhoea will generally clear up without any treatment. Seek medical advice if you have any of the following: ongoing or severe diarrhoea. blood and/or mucus in your stool (poo)
Causes of Diarrhea in the Elderly
Food poisoning/traveler's diarrhea. Clostridium difficile bacteria (usually caused by antibiotics or stomach-suppressing medications) Bowel disorders. Bowel Obstruction/fecal impaction (hardened stool lodged in the colon; develops in people with severe constipation)
Bland, starchy, low-fiber foods like those included in the BRAT diet (bananas, bananas, rice, applesauce, toast) are binding, which can bulk stool and help you get rid of diarrhea fast. You can also try probiotics, glutamine supplements, or home remedies like herbal teas and rice water.
Rotavirus is the most common cause of diarrheal deaths in children globally. Although rotavirus vaccines were first introduced in the United States in 2006, the death rate remains high because children in many countries do not receive vaccinations.
Who is Defined as Elderly? Typically, the elderly has been defined as the chronological age of 65 or older. People from 65 to 74 years old are usually considered early elderly, while those over 75 years old are referred to as late elderly.
Hydration should be top priority for seniors when dealing with diarrhea. Dehydration from diarrhea can potentially be fatal in older adults and young children, so drink plenty of water, coconut water (no sugar added), broths, and electrolyte solutions.
It causes death by depleting body fluids resulting in profound dehydration. Diarrhea can have a detrimental impact on childhood growth and cognitive development. About 88% of diarrhea-associated deaths are attributable to unsafe water, inadequate sanitation, and insufficient hygiene.
Causes of diarrhea that are not due to acute illness include eating certain foods, food allergies and intolerances, some medications, caffeine intake, laxative use, alcohol use, digestive problems and diseases (celiac disease, irritable bowel syndrome [IBS], Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, small intestinal ...
The most common cause of diarrhea is the stomach flu (viral gastroenteritis). This mild viral infection most often goes away on its own within a few days. Eating or drinking food or water that contains certain types of bacteria or parasites can also lead to diarrhea. This problem may be called food poisoning.
You should avoid certain kinds of foods when you have diarrhea, including fried foods and greasy foods. Avoid fruits and vegetables that can cause gas, such as broccoli, peppers, beans, peas, berries, prunes, chickpeas, green leafy vegetables, and corn. Avoid caffeine, alcohol, and carbonated drinks.
The best things to drink when you have diarrhea are clear liquids (like water), electrolyte drinks, and soup broth. Avoid caffeinated drinks, sugary drinks and alcohol when you have diarrhea. Diarrhea usually gets better on its own within a few days.
It adds bulk to the stool
This improves your bowel irregularity, making bananas the best aide during loose motions.” What's more, bananas have a high pectin content which helps absorb the excess liquid in your intestines. This can result in your stool becoming firm, reducing the duration of diarrhoea.
Yogurt can usually help with diarrhea. However, if you have an intolerance or allergy to lactose, it may worsen diarrhea. If you have diarrhea and would like to try yogurt as a home remedy, choose a brand that contains probiotics and is low in sugar.
Mild or moderate dehydration is easy to recover from, but severe dehydration requires immediate medical attention. Risks for senior dehydration include: Diarrhea and vomiting – Especially Diarrhea and vomiting that comes on suddenly and is persistent.
These changes make older people more susceptible to the development of several diseases, such as gastric ulcer, atrophic gastritis, and peptic ulcer disease [41].
If diarrhea lasts more than 2 days it may mean you have a more serious problem.
Facts about diarrhea treatments: You may have heard it's better to let diarrhea run its course rather than treating it. But except in a few cases where you should see your doctor (see “How to find diarrhea relief” for more information), you can treat your diarrhea at home with nonprescription medications.
For bacterial and parasitic infections, our doctors may recommend anti-infective medicines. For viral diarrhea, treatment focuses on preventing dehydration, until the virus is cleared from the body by the immune system.