Diarrhaoe can be classified as acute or chronic. Acute diarrhoea has an abrupt onset, resolves wihtin about 14 days and is usually caused by an infectious agent, although drugs, poisons (including bacterial toxins) or acute inflammatory reactions can contribute. Worldwide, rotavius is the major cause of infectious diarrhoea, particularly amoung young children. Other viral (adenovirus, enterovirus and nororvius) bacterial (E. coli, Salmonella, Shigella, Campylobacter and Vibrio cholerae) and parasitic (Cryptosporidium and Giardia) agents are also important pathogens.

Treatment

Oral rehydration remains the major treatment for diarrhoea, although it does not reduce the volume or duration of diarrhoea.

Other options include antibiotics and gut motility suppressing agents.

Plant-based medicines include the following:

Boraginaceae (Trichodesma indicum)

Euphorbiaceae (roots of Jatropha cureus) are used traditionally to control dysentery and diarrhaea in the ewestern coastal areas of India.

Onagraceae (Jussiaea suffruticosa) is well known in India as a treatment for dysentery and diarrhaea.

Zangrado: is sold commercially by Rainforest Phytoceuticals, Delmar, NY.