Diarrhea is a disease of the small intestine (intestine) due to E.coli bacteria and causes watery stools, the patient may or may not be accompanied by abdominal pain, cramps, fever. On the other hand, Dysentery affects the large intestine and produces mucus, bloody stools which further causes abdominal pain, vomiting, cramps, high fever and weakness caused by E. coli, Shigella, Salmonella.
Second, Diarrhea can be cured easily by providing proper rehydration solutions, taking a liquid diet, avoiding high risk foods, unpasteurized milk and most importantly drinking clean and pure water. Dysentery is a more serious illness than diarrhea as it results in bloody and mucus stools, which can be troublesome if left untreated, so it is necessary to give antibiotics along with intravenous fluids provided, proper treatment and rest is also required.
Diarrhea and Dysentery are clinical conditions associated with stomach ailments. Although common people confuse and use them interchangeably, these two diseases have a big difference between them.
Definition of Diarrhea
Diarrhea is a medical condition that results in at least three watery stools a day. Diarrhea is caused by bacteria called E.coli that live in the stomach and affect the small intestine (intestine). It occurs due to infection, using contaminated water, and other unhygienic conditions.
Symptoms of diarrhea include cramping (abdominal pain), bloating, thirst, weight loss, fever. It can be classified as absolute or relative. When there are more than five bowel movements in a day or watery stools it can be said as absolute diarrhea. On the other hand, when there is an increase in the number of watery stools a day or bowel movements compared to normal habits, it is said to be relative diarrhea.
Diarrhea can be treated easily by giving rehydration solutions because watery stools cause water loss. Usually, there is no or very little chance of abdominal pain and no chance of fever or severe effects.
There is no cell death, and disease is caused due to toxins released by infectious agents (pathogens). Antimicrobial drugs are also given to the patient if the infection is high.
Preventive measure:
- Avoid using contaminated water.
- Wash your hands properly.
- It should not come into contact with an infected person.
Definition of Dysentery
Dysentery is a more serious condition of diarrhea, in which the stool is accompanied by blood and mucus. Dysentery is caused by bacteria such as E.coli, Shigella, and Salmonella, affecting mainly the large intestine. Affected children, especially ages 2-4 are at risk.
The patients usually suffer from abdominal pain, cramps, vomiting, fever and it can lead to cell death and ulcers in the colon and sometimes malnutrition. Therefore appropriate treatment must be given such as giving rehydration solutions, antibiotics, intravenous injections, increasing fluid intake in food.
Preventive measure:
- Do not use untreated water.
- Avoid using public toilets.
- Must be in contact with an infected person.
- Maintain cleanliness around.
Key Difference Between Diarrhea and Dysentery
Following are the main differences between Between Diarrhea and Dysentery:
- Dysentery, much more severe than Diarrhea, where diarrhea is a condition in which the stool is watery and easily cured, the only risk is dehydration, but when the stool is accompanied by blood and mucus it is said to be dysentery.
- Diarrhea is caused by E.coli, Dysentery is caused by E.coli, Shigella, and Salmonella and affects the small intestine (intestine) and large intestine, respectively.
- Watery movements, weakness, abdominal pain (may or may not), cramps, bloating and thirst are symptoms of diarrhea, whereas people suffering from dysentery suffer from movements with blood and mucus, abdominal pain, weakness, cramps, vomiting.
- In diarrhea, intestinal lumen cells and upper epithelial cells are affected, whereas in dysentery the upper epithelial cells are affected, which can lead to ulceration.
- Diarrhea is less risky than dysentery; Previously one could be cured by giving rehydration solutions and antimicrobial drugs, the latter had abdominal pain, cramps, high fever and if left untreated could result in ulceration of the colon, malnutrition sometimes children especially toddlers aged 2-4 are especially affected.
- People suffering from diarrhea are treated with oral rehydration solutions or intravenous fluids, as well as antimicrobial drugs. But people suffering from dysentery need extra care, along with antibiotics, and oral rehydration solutions, anti-diarrhea drugs are also given.
Conclusion: Those are some of the differences between diarrhea and dysentery, both medical conditions are caused by an infection caused by bacteria and result in weakness and other severe outcomes such as abdominal pain, cramps, and fever. Precautions should be taken to avoid such infections and these can be contagious and can affect others as well.
