Loose Bowel Movement (LBM, Diarrhea)

Loose Bowel Movement refers to the passage of loose or watery stools at frequent intervals along the digestive tract making complete digestion and effective absorption of food and liquid less possible—a common symptom of a distorted digestive system.

Probable Causes

Functional Diarrhea

• Overeating or eating spoiled, putrefied foods

• Incomplete digestion

• Habitual use of cathartics

• Nervous tension

• Endocrine disturbance

• Diarrhea associated with disease such as sprue and pellagra

Organic Diarrhea

• External poison

• Bacterial or protozoan invasion

• May accompany certain diseases such as tuberculosis, amoebic dysentery, typhoid fever, viral hepatitis, chronic ulcerative colitis, regional ileitis (gastrointestinal tract malignancy/tumor) and enteritis or enzyme deficiencies which result in poor digestion and absorption of carbohydrates

Probable Symptoms

• Sudden onset of frequent stools of watery consistency

• Abdominal pain

• Cramping

• Weakness

• Fever

• Vomiting

Note: Acute episode may last from 1 to 3 days.

Helpful Dietary Management 

• Liberally drink clear liquid to replace fluid loss in vomiting and defecating. This is done to prevent dehydration.

• Give Oral Rehydration Solution (ORESOL) to prevent water as well as electrolyte imbalance.

• Progress from clear liquid to constipating diet as stool consistency improves.

• Eat foods rich in pectin such as banana and apple. They aid in stool formation.

• See your physician immediately if diarrhea does not improve within 24 hours. 

Stages of Dehydration

Look At: Condition Eyes Tears Mouth and Tongue Thirst	Well, alert Normal Present Moist Drinks normally, not thirsty	*Restless, irritable Sunken Absent Dry *Thirsty, drinks eagerly	*Lethargic or unconscious; floppy Very sunken and dry Absent Very dry *Drinks poorly or not able to drink
Feel: Skin Pinch	Goes back quickly	*Goes back slowly	*Goes back very slowly
Decide:	The patient has no sign of dehydration.	If the patient has two or more signs, including at least one *sign* there is some dehydration.	If the patient has two or more signs, at least one *sign* there is severe dehydration.
Advice:	Consult your doctor. Follow Helpful Dietary Management. Home Management	Consult your doctor. Follow Helpful Dietary Management.	Consult your doctor. Hospital management is needed.

        Adapted from: World Health Organization’s management of the patient with diarrhea

ORESOL Formula (World Health Organization)

¾ teaspoon table salt

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 cup orange juice

4 tablespoons table sugar

4 liter (1.06 quarts) clean water, boiled for 10 minutes (or distilled water)

Reference: Healing Wonders of Diet Effective Guide to Diet Therapy p.30-31 & 246 © 2003 Philippine Publishing House ISBN 971-581-013-6