Diarrhea is defined as having 3 or more loose or liquid stools (feces) per day. Whatever the type of diarrhea, be it acute, or chronic, associated with antibiotics, C. difficile , food poisoning, a viral infection or Traveler’s diarrhea,the appearance of the stool is always liquid and the clinical symptoms remain practically the same. Diarrhea is characterized by a significant loss of water due to its poor absorption by the cells of the large intestine, often because they are damaged or destroyed by a toxin or microorganism. As a result, dehydration is the most serious result of diarrhea. Many other symptoms can result from diarrhea including fever, abdominal pain, cramps and vomiting.

Involvement of probiotics

Many studies have successfully demonstrated that the use of probiotics can significantly reduce the duration and severity of diarrhea. Although their effectiveness has been demonstrated, their mechanism of action, i.e. how these microorganisms are able to reduce symptoms of diarrhea is not known with any certainty.Several studies on the subject are under way worldwide.

References

1. WIKIPÉDIA. Diarrhea. http://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diarrh%C3%A9e. Page consulted June 16, 2009.
2. PANT, A. R. GRAHAM S. M. ALLEN S. J. HARIKUL S. SABCHAREON A. CUEVAS L. HART A. Lactobacillus GG and Acute Diarrhea in Young Children in the Tropics. J Tropical Pediatrics 1996; 42: 162-165.
3. CANANI, Roberto Berni. CIRILLO, Pia. TERRIN, Gianluca. CASARANO, Luisa. SPAGNUOLO, Maria Immacolata. VINCENZO Anna De. ALBANO, Fabio. PASSARIELLO, Annalisa. MARCO, Giulio De. MANGUSO, Francesco and GUARINO, Alfredo. Probiotics for treatment of acute diarrhea in children: randomized clinical trial of five different preparations. BMJ 2007l 335: 340.