PHARMACY - common ailments

Diarrhoea:

• Diarrhoea may have many different causes including:
• A change in diet
• Food intolerance (eg. Lactose)
• Inflammatory bowel disorder
• Drug-induced (antibiotics, magnesium containing antacids)
• A bacterial infection (food poisoning)
• A viral infection (rotavirus in children)

Diarrhoea in young children is often caused by a rotavirus, but may also be caused by diet, for example too much fruit or fruit juice.

People with diarrhoea, especially the very young and the very elderly, are at risk of becoming rapidly dehydrated. This requires immediate medical attention.

Tips and advice for customers:

• Do not give flat lemonade or other soft drinks as the high glucose content may draw fluid into the gut, causing more diarrhoea
• Restrict food intake for 24 hours. For children, give only clear fluids (eg. Electrolyte replacement fluids, water)
• After 24 hours eat only bland, dry foods. Avoid grains and uncooked fruit and vegetables
• After 48 hours fats and dairy food may be eaten
• Watch for signs of dehydration, especially in children and the elderly. Seek medical advice immediately if signs occur
• If diarrhoea persists after 48 hours seek medical advice
• Children may experience lactose intolerance (unable to digest milk sugars) for some time after the diarrhoea has settled. If this is the case, re-introduce milk products gradually

When to seek further professional advice:

• Diarrhoea lasts 48 hours in a normal adult
• A child or elderly person has server diarrhoea. Children may become rapidly dehydrated
• The patient is a child under the age of 5 years old
• There is blood in the faeces- dark, tarry stools
• The faeces have high fat content, which may be seen as pale, greasy, foul smelling and difficult to flush
• The symptoms include fever or stomach cramps, or a general feeling of being unwell
• The person has vomiting, weakness and dizziness
• There are signs of dehydration - lethargy, loss of skin elasticity, dry mucus membranes, sunken eyes, decreased urine output, rapid heart rate, confusion
• Diarrhoea occurred after a treatment with ant antibiotic
• Constipation alternates with diarrhoea
• Diarrhoea was acquired whilst travelling
• Diarrhoea occurs in an apparently anorexic person

Vitamin supplement suggestions:

• Acidophilus/Bifidum
• Slippery elm
• Multivitamin