Diarrhea is a disease of small bowels (intestine) due to the bacteria E.coli and results in a watery stool, the patient may or may not accompanied by abdominal pain, cramps, fever. On the other hand, Dysentery affects the colon and results in mucoid, bloody stool which further results in abdominal pain, vomiting, cramp, high fever and weakness, caused by E. coli, Shigella, Salmonella.
Secondly, Diarrhea can be cured easily, by giving proper rehydration solutions, taking liquid diet, avoiding high- risk foods, unpasteurized milk, most importantly drinking clean and pure water. Dysentery is a serious disease than diarrhea as it results in the bloody and mucoid stool, which can be troublesome if left untreated, so antibiotics are given along with intravenous fluid is provided, proper care and rest is required.
Diarrhea and Dysentery are the clinical conditions, related to the disease of the stomach.Though common people get confused and use them interchangeably, these two diseases have a big difference between them.
Content: Diarrhea Vs Dysentery
Comparison Chart
| Basis for Comparision | Diarrhea | Dysentery |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | Diarrhea is an infection, resulting in the watery stool at least three times a day. | A dysentery is a severe form of diarrhea, which results in the bloody and mucoid stool. |
| Symptoms/Signs | Watery motions, weakness, abdominal pain (may or may not), cramping. | Dehydration is motion with blood and mucous, abdominal pain, weakness, cramping, vomiting. |
| Cause due to | Escherichia coli (E.coli). | Escherichia coli (E.coli), Shigella, Salmonella. |
| Affected body part | Small bowels (intestine). | Colon. |
| Targeted cells | Intestinal Lumen and upper epithelial cells. | Upper epithelial cells, which may result in ulceration. |
| Cell Death | No Cell death | Cell death can occur. |
| Ill Effects | Fewer chances of fever. | Fever is common. |
| No pain or cramps. | Pain in lower abdomen and cramps, weakness, ulceration in the colon. | |
| Fewer chances of danger, apart from dehydration. | Can give the complex result of malnutrition, ulceration if left untreated. | |
| Treatment | 1.Patients get recovered by taking oral rehydration solutions or intravenous liquid treatment. 2.Antimicrobial drugs are given. | 1.Antibiotic drugs should be given. 2.Should be treated by giving the anti-diarrheal drug. 3.Oral Rehydration solutions with much amount of liquid intake. 4. Infusion of liquid substances directly into the vein. |
Definition of Diarrhea
Diarrhea, also spelled diarrhoea, is a medical condition which results in at least three watery stools a day. Diarrhea is caused by bacteria called E.coli present in the stomach and affects the small bowels (intestine). It occurs due to infections, using contaminated water, and other unhygienic conditions.
The 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 the increase in a number of watery stools a day or bowel movements as compared to the normal habits, it is said as relative diarrhea.
Diarrhea can be treated easily by giving rehydration solutions as watery stools result in loss of water. Usually, there is no or very fewer chances of abdominal pain and no chances of fever or any severe effects.
There is no cell death, and disease is caused due to toxins released by infecting agent (pathogens). The antimicrobial drugs are also given to the patients if the infections are high.
Precautions
- Avoid using contaminated water.
- Wash your hands properly.
- Should not come in contact with the infected person.
Definition of Dysentery
Dysentery is a more serious condition of Diarrhoea, where stools are accompanied by blood and mucous. Dysentery disease is caused by bacteria like E.coli, Shigella, and Salmonella, affects mainly colon. Children’s, especially age 2-4 are at risk.
The patients usually suffer from abdominal pain, cramps, vomiting, fever and might results in cell death and ulceration in a colon and sometimes malnutrition. Hence proper treatment should be given like giving rehydration solutions, antibiotics, intravenous injections, increase the liquid intake in the diet.
Precautions
- Do not use untreated water.
- Avoid using public toilets.
- Should come in contact with infected person.
- Maintain the cleanliness around.
Key Differences Between Diarrhea and Dysentery
Following are the key differences between the two diseases:
- Dysentery is, much severe than Diarrhea, where diarrhea is a condition in which there is a watery stool and is easily curable, the only risk is of dehydration, but when stool is accompanied by blood and mucous it is said to be dysentery.
- Diarrhea is caused by E.coli, Dysentery is due to E.coli, Shigella, and Salmonella and affects small bowel (intestine) and colon respectively.
- Watery motions, weakness, abdominal pain (may or may not), cramping, bloating and thirst are the symptoms of diarrhea, whereas the person in dysentery suffers from motion with blood and mucous, abdominal pain, weakness, cramping, vomiting.
- In diarrhea, the cells of intestinal lumen and upper epithelial cells are affected, while in dysentery upper epithelial cells are affected, which may result in ulceration.
- Diarrhea is at small risk than dysentery; Earlier one is curable by providing rehydration solutions and antimicrobial drugs, latter one has abdominal pain, cramps, high fever and if left untreated may result in colon ulceration, malnutrition sometimes as children especially toddlers aged 2-4 are mainly affected.
- The person suffering from diarrhea is treated with oral rehydration solutions or intravenous liquid treatment, as well antimicrobial drugs are given. But the person suffering from dysentery needs extra care, so along with antibiotics, and oral rehydration solutions, the anti-diarrheal drug is also given.
Conclusion
Both the medical conditions are due to infections caused by bacteria and results in weakness and other severe outcomes like abdominal pain, cramps, and fever. Precautions should be taken to avoid such infections and these can be contagious and may affect other also.
Leave a Reply