Diarrhoea is the passing of increased amounts of loose or watery stools. Normal stools are usually solid because the small intestine and colon are highly efficient in absorbing nutrients, fluid and salts from the liquid, upper gut contents. Diarrhoea occurs when these processes are impaired typically due to increased intestinal secretion of fluid and electrolytes, predominantly in the small intestine; and decreased absorption of fluid, electrolytes, and more rarely of nutrients that can involve the small and large intestines. It can be acute (short-term) or chronic (long-term) if symptoms persist more than three weeks. Most people are affected by diarrhoea at some point in their lives. It is often accompanied by abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting. Natural polyphenols are abundant micronutrients in our diet and products rich in vegetable tannins, like herbal medications, have long been used to treat diarrhoea; whilst there is plenty of evidence to support the antidiarrhoeal effect of medicinal plants found to be rich in tannins, there is little clinical evidence available so far to support its efficacy and safety in human patients.
Last date updated on September, 2024