Diarrhea and Homeopathy

Definition

Diarrhea is increased frequency of stool or liquidity of feces. There may be including blood also.

Types

Acute diarrhea: Discussed under acute gastro-enteritis

Chronic diarrhea: It is not a disease but a symptom of many diseases and disorders

Diarrhea closely following intake of food

Etiology

1. Sensitive gastro-colic reflex
2. After gastric operation
3. Inflammation of colon

Homeopathic medicines

Aloe soc, Apis, Arg.Nit, Croton Tig

Diarrhea with pain

Etiology

1. Infective disease of intestine
2. Ulceration of intestine
3. Neoplasms
4. Spastic colon

Homeopathic medicines

Aloe soc, Belladonna, Chammomila, Cinchona off, Cuprum ars

Painless diarrhea

Etiology

1. Gastrogenous diarrhea
2. Nervous diarrhea
3. Malabsorption syndrome
4. Pancreatic insufficiency

Homeopathic medicines

Baptisia, Cinchona off, Ferrum Met, Gelsemium, Phosphoric acid

Irritable bowel syndrome

Etiology

1. Due to altered reflexes of the intestines
2. Often related to psychogenic illness. Usually the patient do not agree to a suggestion that he or she is having any psychogenic illness

Types

1. Diarrheal
2. Constipation
3. Alternating diarrhea and constipation

Homeopathic medicines

Antim crudum, Chellidonium Majas, Nux vomica, Sulphur

Diarrhea in elderly patients

Etiology

1. Neoplasm of colon
2. Diverticulitis 
3. Misuse of purgative

Homeopathic medicines

Antim Crud, Carbo Veg, Sulphur

Diarrhea with palpable tenderness in right iliac fossa

Etiology

1. Tumors of cecum or colon
2. Crohn's disease
3. T.B entero-colitis
4. Amebic colitis

Homeopathic medicines

Arsenicum album, Ars iodum, Baptisia, Cinchona off, Phosphorus

Diarrhea with palpable mass in left iliac fossa

Etiology

1. Carcinoma sigmoid colon
2. Diverticulitis

Homeopathic medicines

Aconitum nap, Argentum nit, Gelsemium, Opium, Phosphoric acid, Mer sol

Nocturnal diarrhea

Etiology

1. Explosive, waking the patient at night
2. As complication of diabetes mellitus
3. Multiple jejunal diverticulosis

Homeopathic medicines

Arsenicum albun, Cinchona off, Pulsatilla, Rhus toxicodendron

Management

1. Rehydration 
2. Take 'diet C' or soft rice
3. Rest
4. In severe case, go to health care center
5. Sometimes need Isotonic fluids, when prognosis is poor

Investigations

1. History and physical examination
2. RE stool
3. Internal radiology: Barium meal follow through and Barium enema examination
4. Colonoscopes

[NB: All medicines are probable medicine, must take advice from physician]