Health Awareness Resolving The Myths And Facts Of Diarrhea (NAPSA)—It’s one of the most uncomfortable issues to talk about but, unfortunately, diarrhea is also one of the most commonly reported illnesses in the United States. Diarrhea falls second only to respiratory infections, with the average adult suffering four bouts of acute diarrhea per year. When > it comes to treating diarrhea, there are manydifferent opinions. But as it turns out, all you need to knowarethefacts. Here are some of the questions you may be hesitant to ask and the answers you should know: Q. I’ve heard that there are manycauses of diarrhea. What are some I should know about? A. There are manythings that can trigger diarrhea. Some of the more commoncausesinclude viral infections,like those due to rotavirus or norovirus (aka Norwalkvirus), bacterial infections from contaminated food or water, lactose and gluten intolerance, and certain medications such as variousblood pressure treatments and the magnesium found in someantacids. Caffeine or alcohol consumed in excess, which can stimulate the intestines, can also cause diarrhea. Lastly, some women may have diarrhea before their menstrual cycle due to hormonal changes. Q. Is it true that it’s best to let diarrhea run its course? A. That’s a common myth. Many people might say that diarrheais a sign of a “bug”in the sys- When it comesto treating diarrhea, there are many different opinions. But as it turns out, all you need to knowarethefacts. tem that needs to run its course. Although one of the most common causes of diarrheais a virus, diarrhea is not always an immune response to get rid of an infection —it can be a result of a disruption to your digestive system. To date, there is no data supporting the idea that treating diarrhea will prolong anillness. Q. I have diarrhea. What should I do now? A. If you have diarrhea, be sure to avoid foods or beverages that may make your symptoms worse. Dairy products, like ice cream or cheese, greasy foods, citrus fruits and sugary treats are all examples of foods to avoid when you have diarrhea. Diarrhea can also lead to dehydration, so be sure to reduce your risk by drinking plentyof clear liquids. You may also want to consider an over-the-counter medication like IMODIUMA-D or IMODIUM Multi-Symptom Relief. Products such as these can be an effective way to manage diarrhea when used as directed. Not only is IMODIUM Multi-Symptom Relief the only antidiarrheal brand that also relieves the symptomsof gas, cramps, bloating and pressure, but research also showsthat it works 33 percent faster than the fastest prescription antidiarrheal medicine (loperamide HCI) to relieve diarrhea. For additional information, please visit www.imodium.com. Q. Should I be concernedif I have frequent bouts of diarrhea? A. If you experience diarrhea that persists for more than two days, you should talk with your doctor. Frequent diarrhea may also be a sign of a food intolerance or allergy to milk or wheat products, which are common culprits. Talking with your doctor about your symptomswill help him or her determine the correct diagnosis and prescribe an appropriate treatment. Q. What can I do to help avoid diarrhea in the future? A. While there’s no one preventative measure that can be taken to avoid future bouts of diarrhea, there are certain precautions you can take. For example, be sure to wash your hands to avoid spreading germs. You can also make sure the food you consume, such as meat andpoultry, is cooked to the proper temperature.
