How to treat diarrhea?

My 15-year-old daughter has been having unpleasant episodes from time to time lately. That is, she seems to feel quite well and does not complain about anything. But sometimes he suffers from diarrhea. What could it be? Which doctor to go to and what to check, please tell me.

Veronica, 35 years old, Volgodonsk

Olesya Butuzova , presenter of the “Successful Parents” course, Moscow:

– Dear Veronica, there can be many reasons for diarrhea. To find out what is causing the loosening of stool specifically in your daughter, you need to examine the girl, ask her in detail about the nature of her diet, the presence/absence of abdominal pain and much more. Such a conversation, together with an examination, will help make a presumptive diagnosis and determine the list of examinations. Of course, most often stool problems are directly related to diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. However, as a pediatrician, I cannot help but notice that diarrhea can be caused by a viral infection or chronic low-grade inflammation in the body. Such pathological processes always negatively affect the organs of the digestive system and can cause stool disorders.

Also, based on my pediatric experience, I can note that girls of this age are prone to first loves and, as a result, dissatisfaction with their appearance. It is during puberty that many young ladies first try various, often very unhealthy diets. Diarrhea is often observed when there is a predominance of coarse plant foods in the diet, as well as the use of dietary fiber as a food additive.

Vitamin deficiency can also lead to diarrhea. Deficiency of vitamins F, K, B2 and niacin can provoke this problem. I recommend that you first take a closer look at what your daughter eats and, for preventive purposes, give her a course of a vitamin supplement (after consultation with a doctor).

Sometimes diarrhea is caused by an allergic reaction. That is why it is very important to constantly analyze the girl’s nutrition in order, as they say, to keep your finger on the pulse. If the suspicion of an allergy is confirmed, specific scratch tests will help you accurately determine the allergen.

Tatyana Kosheleva , herbal medicine specialist, St. Petersburg:

– Of course, most often diarrhea signals problems with the gastrointestinal tract. But let's talk about everything in order.

Let's start with the stomach. Diarrhea can be caused by gastritis - the eternal companion of schoolchildren and students. This disease can occur in a mild, chronic form, periodically exacerbating against the background of errors in the diet. Let's say your daughter ate a hamburger for lunch, washed it down with lemonade - and now her stomach is irritated. This can be manifested by nausea, pain in the epigastric region, and in some people, thinning and frequent stools.

The second group of reasons is intestinal diseases. The main ones are colitis, that is, inflammation, and dysbiosis, a well-known disorder of the intestinal microflora. Colitis may be accompanied by abdominal pain, as well as mucus or blood in the stool. Dysbacteriosis is characterized by periodic bloating.

The third group of diseases is digestive disorders. Most often observed as a result of problems with the gallbladder or pancreas. If the pancreas is acting up, in addition to diarrhea, pain in the left hypochondrium and fatty stools are possible. If your gallbladder is sick, diarrhea will be accompanied by bitter belching and dry mouth.

Vladimir Lushnikov , doctor of the highest category, Volgograd:

– As a neurologist, I can’t help but remember the so-called bear disease, that is, episodes of diarrhea at times of extreme excitement. Particularly impressionable people may encounter such a misfortune during exams, romantic dates and in other stressful situations.

Parasites!

Sometimes stool disorders can be caused by... parasites living in the body. Pinworms, roundworms, and lamblia have an irritating effect on the gastrointestinal tract, which can lead to increased peristalsis and, as a result, diarrhea.