Antidiarrhoeal
Antidiarrhoeal
Antidiarrhoeal (pronunciation: an-ti-dye-uh-ree-uhl) is a type of medication used to treat and alleviate the symptoms of diarrhoea.
Etymology
The term "antidiarrhoeal" is derived from the prefix "anti-", meaning against, and "diarrhoea", a medical condition characterized by frequent, loose, or watery bowel movements.
Definition
Antidiarrhoeal drugs are medications that provide symptomatic relief from diarrhoea. They work by slowing down the movement of the gut. This reduces the speed at which the contents pass through, and so more water can be absorbed back into the body. This results in firmer stools that are passed less frequently.
Types of Antidiarrhoeal
There are several types of antidiarrhoeal medications, including:
- Loperamide: This slows down the movement of the gut and is available over the counter.
- Bismuth subsalicylate: This reduces inflammation and is available over the counter.
- Diphenoxylate: This slows down the movement of the gut and is available by prescription.
Related Terms
- Diarrhoea: A condition characterized by the frequent passage of loose, watery stools.
- Dehydration: A harmful reduction in the amount of water in the body, often as a result of diarrhoea.
- Electrolyte imbalance: An imbalance of minerals in the body, which can be caused by diarrhoea.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Antidiarrhoeal
- Wikipedia's article - Antidiarrhoeal
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