Diarrhea is the frequent passage of loose, watery, soft stores with or without abdominal bloating, pressure, and cramps frequently referred to as flatulence or gas.

Diarrhea is one of the most prevalent health problems. It can vary from a mild, temporary condition to a possibly life-threatening condition. According to WHO Waterborne diarrhoeal diseases, are responsible for 2 million deaths each year, with the majority occurring in children under 5.

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In 2012, the World Health Organisation, WHO, and United Nations Children’s Fund, UNICEF ranked Nigeria 3rd behind China and India as countries with the largest population without adequate water supply and sanitation coverage.

According to the minister of Water Resources, Suleiman Adamu, in 2017 stated that Over 59,000 Nigeria children under the age of five die annually from preventable water and sanitation related diseases, the federal government has said.

SYMPTOMS INCLUDE:

·         Loose, watery stools

·         Abdominal cramps or pain

·         Fever

·         Blood or Mucus in the stool

·         Bloating

·         Nausea

·         There is an urgent need for bowel movement

CAUSES OF DIARRHEA

Most cases of diarrhea are caused by an infection in the gastrointestinal tract. The microbes responsible for this infection include:

·         bacteria

·         viruses

·         parasitic organisms

PREVENTIONS

The following can help prevent diarrhea:

·         Good sanitation systems, for instance waste water and wastewater

• Clean and safe drinking water
• Good hygiene practices, including handwashing with soap after defecation, after cleaning a child who has defecated, after disposing of a child’s stool, before preparing food, and before eating
• Breastfeeding for the first 6 months of life
• Education on infection spread

SEEK HELP

Visit your nearest hospital if you are experiencing any of the below

·         diarrhea lasting more than 2 days

·         frequent vomiting

·         six or more loose stools in 24 hours

·         severe pain in the abdomen or rectum

·         stools that are black and tarry or contain blood or pus

·         symptoms of dehydration

Call hbx on xxx to speak to a doctor for free or book an appointment with your nearest hospital.

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/158634.php

https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/digestive-diseases/diarrhea/symptoms-causes

https://www.emedicinehealth.com/diarrhea/article_em.htm#what_is_diarrhea