is loose motion good for health - #18332
I am feeling super confused and anxious about this whole situation. A few days ago, I started having this really bad stomach ache, and then it turned into something else. Like, I went to the bathroom and had loose motions, kind of non-stop. At first, I thought it was just something I ate, but then it kept happening, and I ended up going to the ER. The doctor told me it could be a viral infection and that loose motion is your body’s way of flushing stuff out, but I can’t help but feel worried if is loose motion good for health? I mean, my stomach feels awful and I just want to feel normal again. My friends say that sometimes loose motion helps clear your system, but is it true? If is loose motion good for health, then how come I'm feeling so drained? I’m also trying to stay hydrated, but every time I drink something, it just... you know, adds to the whole situation. I’m really not sure what to think, and I just wanna know if I should be worried about this or if I should just ride it out, thinking is loose motion good for health? Can someone please clear this up for me? How do I know when it’s too much or if I’m just being overly dramatic about it?
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Doctors' responses
Loose motions, or diarrhea, is your body’s natural response to getting rid of infections, irritants, or toxins from your digestive tract, often related to a viral, bacterial, or sometimes parasitic infection. While your friends are somewhat right in saying that loose motion can help clear out harmful substances, it isn’t necessarily “good” for health if it’s causing distress or dehydration is a risk. The sensation of being drained is because diarrhea can lead to the loss of water and essential electrolytes, causing dehydration and weakness, especially if it’s persistent. Staying hydrated is vital, so continue taking small sips of water or rehydrating solutions even though they seem to contribute to the issue—these solutions often contain necessary salts and sugars that help replace lost fluids more effectively than plain water. If you’re finding it difficult to retain fluids, try oral rehydration solutions (ORS), which are specifically balanced for this purpose. You should keep an eye on symptoms like persistent diarrhea lasting more than two days, high fever, blood in stools, or severe abdominal or rectal pain, as these might indicate a more severe problem that requires further medical attention. To alleviate symptoms, consider mild eating, bland BRAT diet (bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast) which are gentle on the stomach. Avoid dairy, caffeine, alcohol, and greasy or highly seasoned foods. If this persists or if you notice signs of dehydration (like reduced urination, dizziness, dry mouth), seek medical care. Remember that while occasional diarrhea usually isn’t an immediate concern, the persistence and severity of symptoms should guide you on when to seek further advice.
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