What Is Diarrhoea?
To understand diarrhoea, you first need to know how digestion works and what happens when we tip the balance.
How digestion works
When your digestive system is in its normal rhythm, food and fluid pass regularly from the stomach into the small intestine. Food is then broken down and nutrients are absorbed along with most of the fluid. The remaining waste and some water pass into the colon (large intestine) where more water is absorbed and finally the waste is passed in the form of stools.
When your small intestine or colon are irritated, the relaxed and regular movement of your intestines can become overactive. Essential salts and fluids end up being passed through the colon too quickly with less fluid being absorbed by the body. The result is loose or watery stools, commonly known as diarrhoea.
Imodium contains an active ingredient called loperamide, which gently slows down your digestion, to help your body restore its natural rhythm and resume normal fluid absorption.
Types of diarrhoea
Diarrhoea can be either acute (short lasting) or chronic (long lasting):
Acute diarrhoea can be caused by many things including: Diet, stress, infection (e.g. food poisoning), IBS and menstruation.
Chronic diarrhoea can be caused by long term underlying conditions such as ulcerative colitis or IBS.
Treating Diarrhoea with IMODIUM®
The good news is that you can treat acute diarrhoea – fast. IMODIUM® can help stop diarrhoea in just one hour, so you can start to feel better and get on with your day.
If you have severe diarrhoea, blood in your stools, fever or if symptoms persist for more than 48 hours consult your doctor and don't take IMODIUM®.
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