Diarrhea means loose, watery stools three or more times a day, or more often than normal. When it becomes chronic and lasts for a long time, it can cause weight loss. Nutritional deficiencies and weakness occur along with weight loss. With diarrhea, body fluid is lost. In addition, low appetite may be felt along with diarrhea, leading to reduced food intake. There may also be poor absorption of nutrients. These factors play a role in causing weight loss in cases of diarrhea. The medical reasons behind diarrhea and weight loss can be several. The first reason may be IBS, that is, irritable bowel syndrome. IBS is a functional disorder of the large intestine (colon) involving loose stools or constipation or a change between loose stools and constipation, in addition to gas, bloating and abdominal pain. The next cause could be celiac disease. It is an autoimmune disease in which the lining of the small intestine is damaged by the consumption of gluten (a type of protein) found in wheat, rye and barley. Another reason may be IBD, that is, inflammatory bowel disease. IBD is an autoimmune disease that involves two gastrointestinal disorders. The first of these conditions is Crohn’s disease, which is characterized by inflammation in any part of the gastrointestinal tract, starting from the mouth to the anus. The second condition of IBD is ulcerative colitis, in which inflammation and ulcers develop in the colon and/or in the rectum.
Food allergy and food intolerance can also be a cause. In the case of food allergies, there is an overreaction of the immune system to the consumption of certain foods. Food intolerance refers to problems digesting certain foods, for example lactose intolerance where a person cannot digest lactose, which is a type of sugar in milk due to a deficiency of the enzyme lactase. Hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid) can also be one of the reasons. Other causes include chronic pancreatitis, Whipple’s disease and tropical sprue. Chronic pancreatitis refers to long-term inflammation of the pancreas. Whipple’s disease is a bacterial infection caused by troferyma whipplei that affects the gastrointestinal tract and joints. Tropical thrush is a condition in which there is inflammation of the intestines leading to prolonged diarrhea, weight loss and nutrient malabsorption, affecting people who live/visit tropical areas for long periods of time. Apart from the above, colorectal cancer can also be a reason for diarrhea and weight loss. Depending on the cause, diarrhea may be accompanied by other signs and symptoms, including nausea, vomiting, weakness, abdominal pain, mucus/blood in the stool, and fever.
Homeopathic treatment
There is a wide scope within homeopathy of treating cases of diarrhea with weight loss. Homeopathic medicines are 100% natural medicines that focus on treating the underlying cause of diarrhea and weight loss. In addition, they strengthen the body’s self-healing mechanism to overcome this complaint naturally. Homeopathic medicines gradually reduce the intensity and frequency of diarrhea and control further weight loss. Homeopathic medicines are selected based on the characteristic symptoms in each individual case. Prescribing homeopathic medicines requires a thorough case evaluation. So it is recommended to take any homeopathic medicine after consulting a homeopathic doctor and in any case avoid self-medication. Homeopathic medicines are recommended for mild to moderate cases. In severe cases with extreme weight loss and a serious cause (e.g. colorectal cancer), conventional treatment should be sought.
Homeopathic medicines for diarrhea with weight loss
1. Arsenic album – Top solution
Arsenic Album is a top recommended drug for treating cases of diarrhea with weight loss. In cases where this is necessary, there is loose stool with mucus. The mucus may be greenish. The feces have an unpleasant odor. Abdominal pain may be associated with it. The pain is of the cutting or tearing type, mainly marked in the upper abdomen. A burning sensation is felt in the umbilical region before and during the passage of stool. A burning sensation also occurs in the rectum and anus. Vomiting may be present along with diarrhea. Weakness is well marked along with the above complaints.
2. China Officinalis – For loose stools with excessive gas
China Officinalis is the next best medicine of great use for cases of diarrhea accompanied by weight loss. In cases where this is necessary, the stool is watery and pale, along with excessive gas. The stool may be foamy and may contain undigested food particles. Mucus may come out of the rectum. During the passage of stool, sharp pain is felt in the rectum. The frequency of bowel movements increases at night. Before passing loose stools, pain is felt in the umbilical region. There is excessive weakness. In addition to the above symptoms, abdominal bloating is very prominent. Weight is felt in the stomach after eating a small amount of food. In some cases there is a bitter taste and vomiting. The vomit is acidic and contains undigested food.
3. Silicea – For foul-smelling, loose stools containing undigested food particles
Silicea is indicated for weight loss due to diarrhea when there is loose stool with undigested food particles and a very intense foul odor. This causes a cutting or pinching pain in the abdomen. There is marked exhaustion with diarrhea. A feeling of warmth is felt in the abdomen, along with excessive rumbling. There is nausea after passing stool. There may be prolonged diarrhea with ulcers in the intestines, which may require this medicine.
4. Lycopodium – For diarrhea with abdominal bloating
Lycopodium is a beneficial medicine for diarrhea and bloating. The stool is watery and yellow and contains undigested food particles. Loose stools may pass with hard lumps. Excessive foul-smelling gas accompanies the feces. There is a lot of rumbling and croaking in the abdomen due to gas accumulation. Abdominal pain can occur due to gas. There may be a cutting or tearing pain in the abdomen. In some cases, acid vomiting may occur, along with diarrhea and gas in the abdomen.
5. Podophyllum – When the stool is loose, copious and flowing
This medicine works well for diarrhea with weight loss where the stool is profuse and flowing, meaning the stool disappears suddenly with great force. Stoll may contain mucus or undigested food particles and has a foul odor. Anal pain occurs after passing stool. Diarrhea mainly occurs in the morning and afternoon, but normal stool disappears in the evening.
6. Natrum Mur – For controlling diarrhea, vomiting and weight loss
This medicine helps control diarrhea and vomiting with weight loss. Those who need it look very thin. The thinness is especially visible in the neck. They have loose stools that can be brownish and greenish and may also contain blood. The stool is accompanied by excessive foul-smelling gas. Usually the stool passes during the day. There is abdominal pain accompanied by nausea. Pain gets better after passing gas. Sometimes the stool passes involuntarily.
7. Ferrum Met – For diarrhea with weight loss and great weakness
Ferrum Met is another useful drug for controlling diarrhea with weight loss and great weakness. In cases where this is necessary, the stool is watery and gas is expelled. The urge to defecate appears after ingesting food. The abdomen is hard and swollen. Burning in the anus occurs along with loose stools. Vomiting may occur shortly after eating. There is a decrease in appetite along with the above complaints.