The following sections of this BookRags Literature Study Guide is offprint from Gale's For Students Series: Presenting Analysis, Context, and Criticism on Commonly Studied Works: Introduction, Author Biography, Plot Summary, Characters, Themes, Style, Historical Context, Critical Overview, Criticism and Critical Essays, Media Adaptations, Topics for Further Study, Compare & Contrast, What Do I Read Next?, For Further Study, and Sources.
(c)1998-2002; (c)2002 by Gale. Gale is an imprint of The Gale Group, Inc., a division of Thomson Learning, Inc. Gale and Design and Thomson Learning are trademarks used herein under license.
The following sections, if they exist, are offprint from Beacham's Encyclopedia of Popular Fiction: "Social Concerns", "Thematic Overview", "Techniques", "Literary Precedents", "Key Questions", "Related Titles", "Adaptations", "Related Web Sites". (c)1994-2005, by Walton Beacham.
The following sections, if they exist, are offprint from Beacham's Guide to Literature for Young Adults: "About the Author", "Overview", "Setting", "Literary Qualities", "Social Sensitivity", "Topics for Discussion", "Ideas for Reports and Papers". (c)1994-2005, by Walton Beacham.
All other sections in this Literature Study Guide are owned and copyrighted by BookRags, Inc.
Diarrhea is a liquid stool or bowel movement that results from the movement of fecal material through the intestines in such a rapid manner that there is insufficient time to properly absorb water. In addition to excessive water, diarrhea waste contains abnormally high amounts of electrolytes. According to World Health Organization statistics, diarrhea--resulting from a number of causative agents--is the leading cause of dehydration and death in children.
If excessive amounts of the electrolytes are lost as a result of diarrhea, the loss interrupts the normal acid-base balance (e.g., excessive potassium loss induces acidosis).
Diarrhea may be acute (rapid onset, short duration) or chronic (occur over a long period of time). Many infectious bacteria such as Shigella, Salmonella, and Campylobacter may induce diarrhea. In many areas of the world with poor water quality, parasites such as Giardia and Cryptosporidium are leading causes of diarrhea. Viral infections, especially rotavirus infections, also cause diarrhea.
Diarrhea-inducing agents generally produce an irritation of the gastrointestinal tract, specifically the gastrointestinal mucosa. Other leading causes of diarrhea include ingestion of spoiled food laden with harmful bacteria (food poisoning). Diarrhea may also result from noninfectious causes including overeating, milk intolerance, or a number of bowel and/or intestinal disorders. Diarrhea may also occur as an unintended side effect of medical treatment with antibiotics or other drugs.
Any increase in peristalsis—the wave-like, directional contraction of longitudinal and smooth muscle in lining the intestine that helps food and waste move through the intestines--may result in diarrhea. Accordingly, emotional disturbances that result in increased peristalsis may induce acute diarrhea.
Types and the extent of diarrhea are classified by whether the diarrhea is acute or chronic, the volume of the fecal material expelled, the frequency of expulsion, the water content of the stools and whether mucus or blood are present in the stool.
When diarrhea occurs without vomiting (the expulsion of food and water through the mouth) it is often possible to rehydrate individuals suffering from diarrhea while attempting to treat the actual cause of the diarrhea. Children are often rehydrated with osmotically balanced liquids such as Pedialyte. The World Heath Organization uses Ricelyte, or it's own osmotically balanced rehydration formula to replenish lost water and needed electrolytes in dehydrated patients.