Preventing Dehydration for Diarrhoea and Dysentery

Preventing Dehydration of Diarrhoea and Dysentery

Dehydration occurs when the body has lost too much fluid an electrolytes ( the salts potassium and sodium). The fluid and electrolytes lost during diarrhoea need to be replaced promptly- the body cannot function properly without them. Although water is extremely important in preventing dehydration, it does not contain electrolytes. To maintain electrolyte levels, one should drink the juice of half a lemon with a pinch of salt, a teaspoon of sugar and a glass of water. This is also known as Oral Rehydration Solution (ORS). It is also commercially available in a variety of flavours. A glass of ORS should be consumed for every loose motion. 

Tips about Food for Diarrhoea and Dysentery

Until diarhoea subsides, milk products, greasy, high-fibre, or very sweet foods should be avoided, as these aggravate diarrhoea. As diarrhoea improves soft, bland foods like bananas, plain rice, boiled potatoes and bread can be added to the diet. 

Prevention of Diarrhoea and Dysentery

The best way to avoid getting diarrhoea is to be conscious of how one can avoid eating or drinking substances that may be contaminated with stool. However, the cleanliness maintained to restaurants at which one has food is something that may not be obvious, and over which one has no control. A few ordering tips may help prevent some cases of diarrhoea:

Many vegetables and fruits become contaminated on their surfaces, either in the fields or in transit to markets. The insides stay clean, and can be eaten safely after the skin is removed. 
Sufficient heat destroys all microorganisms and their toxins. Any food item which is thoroughly cooked or heated throughout, and is served while still hot is safe to eat. 
Water served at hotels and restaurants may not have been boiled, and should be avoided. Ice is often made from untreated water, and freezing does not kill the organisms that can cause diarrhoea. 

Carbonated soft drinks are safe because carbonation lowers the pH of the drink (making it acidic) , and this acidic environment kills all the bacteria. 
Beer would be a safe choice. Stronger alcoholic beverages would be safe in themselves, but any drink mixed with water will not make it safe to drink. 

Water Purification and Personal Hygiene

There are three main methods of decontaminating water: (i) heat (boiling) ; (ii) chemical disinfection (iodine or chlorine); and (iii) filtration. The first two methods are equally effective. Filtration alone almost never renders water safe to drink because of the presence of viruses that can't be filtered. Filtration must be used in conjunction with chemical treatment in this setting. Boiling has the advantage of not altering the flavour of the water. Chemical decontamination does not require wood or fuel, but can add a slight taste to the water. 

There are tow different end points in water purification: disinfection ( to make it safe to drink), and sterilization ( which would make it safe to use in surgery, for example). Therefore, for the purpose of drinking water, disinfection should be the goal. All organisms that can cause diarrhoea begin to get killed at 140oF (65oC). The length of time that water takes to go from 140oF to boiling point ( 212oF; 100oC) is sufficient to decontaminate the water for drinking. A few bacteria exist as hardly 'spores', which can resist high temperatures for a certain length of time. The boiling time of 20 minutes has been suggested to sterilize water and completely eliminate these spores. However, the spores cannot cause diarrhoea when ingested. Therefore, just bringing water to a boil renders it safe to drink. 

Many brands of filters are marketed to the public to purify drinking water. A filter has to have an absolute filter side of 0.2 microns or less in order to filter out pathogenic bacteria. Giardia and amoebic cysts are easy to filter, as they are 5-8 microns in size. Viruses are more than 8 times smaller than a 0.2 micron filter pore, so they can readily pass through. This is why chemical treatment is necessary in addition to filtration. 

Introduction to Diarrhoea and Dysentery
Causes, Symptoms and Signs of Diarrhoea and Dysentery
Diagnosis of Diarrhoea and Dysentery
Preventing Dehydration for Diarrhoea and Dysentery