Loose or Watery Stools
Loose or watery stools is a common problem1. It may accompany symptoms like nausea, vomiting, stomach cramps, or even fever2, lasting for a few hours to a couple of days3.
Loose or watery stools can be caused by having harmful microorganisms entering your body through unhygienic food preparation, contaminated water, or poor personal hygiene1,2. Additionally, certain medications, like antibiotics, can also trigger loose or watery stools4.
When it comes to soothing the discomforts, there are consumer-friendly options available that can help alleviate symptoms and speed up recovery. Consider the following1,2:
- Oral rehydration therapy
- Anti-diarrheal treatment
- Zinc supplements
- Nutrient-rich food
- Probiotics
If the situation continues to worsen, it is advisable to seek medical attention immediately or consult a professional medical opinion.
Antibiotic-Associated Dysbiosis
Antibiotics are effective in treating many infectious diseases. However, they can also have unintended consequences, such as disrupting the diversity of the gut microbiota5.
Symptoms of antibiotic-associated dysbiosis typically occurs during antibiotic treament, but can also manifest 2 to 8 weeks after the completion of antibiotic therapy6.
Reference:
- WHO. Last accessed 8th November 2019.
- Farthing M, et al. World Gastroenterology Organisation Global Guidelines: February 2012. Last accessed 17th December 2019
- Feizizadeh S, Salehi-Abargouei A, and Akbari V. Efficacy and safety of Saccharomyces boulardii. Pediatrics. 2014. 134(1): e176-e191.
- McFarland, LV. Systematic review and meta-analysis of Saccharomyces boulardii in adult patients. World journal of gastroenterology: WJG. 2010; 16(18): 2202.
- Francino, MP. Antibiotics and the human gut microbiome: dysbioses and accumulation of resistances. Frontiers in microbiology. 2016; 6: 1543.
- McFarland LV. Future Microbiology. 2008; 3(5): 563-578
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