Ayurvedic Name: Atisar
Description:
Atisara is diarrhea resulting from Pitta imbalance, which leads to frequent loose stools, dehydration, and weakness. It can be due to infections, poor digestion, or excessive heat. Ayurvedic remedies include Bilva, Kutaja, and pomegranate to restore gut balance.
Signs & Symptoms:
- Atisara (Diarrhea): Frequent, loose stools, often accompanied by urgency and abdominal discomfort.
- Shwasa (Breathlessness): Difficulty breathing due to dehydration or electrolyte imbalance.
- Trishna (Excessive Thirst): Increased thirst due to the body’s attempt to rehydrate.
- Dourbalya (Weakness): Generalized weakness and fatigue from fluid loss.
- Rukshata (Dryness): Dryness in the mouth, skin, and eyes due to dehydration.
- Agnimandya (Poor Digestion): Digestive issues and discomfort, often after eating or drinking.
Diagnosis:
Stool Routine and Microscopy
Risk Factors:
- Dietary Factors
Contaminated Food and Water: Consuming contaminated or spoiled food or water can lead to food poisoning and diarrhea.
Excessive Dairy or Fatty Foods: A diet rich in dairy, fatty, or greasy foods can cause diarrhea in people with sensitive digestive systems. - Lifestyle Factors
Stress and Anxiety: Psychological stress can affect the digestive system, leading to diarrhea.
Travel or Change in Environment: Traveling to regions with different bacteria or water sources can trigger traveler’s diarrhea. - Medical Conditions
Gastrointestinal Infections: Bacterial or viral infections such as salmonella, rotavirus, or norovirus can cause diarrhea.
Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD): Conditions like Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis can lead to chronic diarrhea.
Complications:
- Dehydration (Trishna Kshaya): Diarrhea causes rapid fluid loss, leading to dehydration, which can be severe if not managed.
- Electrolyte Imbalance (Rakta-Vata Vikruti): Loss of essential electrolytes like sodium, potassium, and chloride can occur, leading to weakness, muscle cramps, and irregular heartbeats.
- Malnutrition (Ahar Kshaya): Prolonged diarrhea can lead to nutrient malabsorption, causing weight loss and deficiencies in essential vitamins and minerals.
- Intestinal Infections (Antar Roga): Persistent diarrhea may indicate an underlying infection, leading to more severe intestinal issues or systemic infections.
- Hemorrhoids (Arsha): Chronic diarrhea can cause irritation and swelling in the anal area, leading to painful hemorrhoids.
Epidemeology:
Affects approximately 2 billion people globally each year, particularly in developing countries.
Higher prevalence in children under 5, especially in regions with poor sanitation and access to clean water.
More common in areas with poor sanitation, leading to waterborne diseases such as cholera, rotavirus, and bacterial infections.
Seasonal incidence is common, with higher rates during the rainy season or when temperatures increase, facilitating the growth of pathogens.
In developed countries, diarrhea is often caused by foodborne infections, gastrointestinal illnesses, or side effects of medication.