Rice water stool is a characteristic symptom of severe cholera. The stool becomes watery with flecks of mucus. It appears like the water in which rice has been washed.
Cholera is an infectious disease. It is caused by a bacteria known as Vibrio cholerae. Cholera occurs due to the consumption of contaminated water.
In most of the cases, there are mild symptoms, but some cases develop severe diarrhoea and dehydration.
In serious cases immediate medical attention is required otherwise the disease can become fatal within hours.
Modern sewage treatment and water treatment have successfully eliminated cholera in many countries.
Countries which are affected by wars, natural disasters and poverty are at a greater risk of cholera outbreaks.
People living in crowded areas without proper sanitation facilities are at a higher risk.
Let’s take a look at all the aspects of rice water stool in detail one by one.
Rice Water Stool Types
There are three stages of development in rice water stool or cholera.
Stage of evacuation:
There is an abrupt onset of profuse, painless and watery diarrhoea which is also known as rice water stool. This is followed by vomiting.
Stage of collapse:
The patient starts collapsing because of dehydration. The eyes are sunken, have hollow cheeks, absent pulse, unrecordable blood pressure, loss of skin elasticity, and quick respiration.
Urine output is decreased. There are cramps in the body with extreme thirst.
This stage can become fatal due to severe dehydration.
Stage of recovery:
If the patient comes out of the stage of collapse, then signs of improvement begin to show.
Blood pressure starts normalising, urine output becomes normal, and body temperature returns to normal.
Mild cases usually recover within 1-3 days. Only 5-10% of cases show symptoms of severe cholera and rice water stool.
Rice Water Stool Causes
Rice water stool is caused by a bacteria known as Vibrio cholerae. The severe symptoms are produced by toxins produced by the bacteria in the small intestine.
It affects the normal flow of sodium and chloride in the intestine.
When this bacterium binds with the walls of the intestine then the walls start secreting large amounts of fluids and salts resulting in rice water stool.
The bacteria can enter the body from different sources:
Consumption of contaminated food and water.
Eating undercooked seafood or raw seafood such as shellfish.
Consuming raw foods and vegetables.
Cholera is not transmitted from person to person via casual contact.
Rice Water Stool Symptoms
Most of the cases of rice water stools have mild to moderate symptoms.
In 10 per cent of cases, the symptoms become severe.
The symptoms include:
Sudden watery diarrhoea
Nausea and vomiting
Dehydration (mild to severe)
Severe symptoms of rice water stool may include:
Sunken eyes
Dryness in mouth
Weakness and tiredness
Loss of skin elasticity
Decreased urine output
Low blood pressure
Irregular heart rate
Loss of minerals occurs in the body resulting in electrolyte imbalances.
This leads to severe muscle cramps in the body.
Children may experience fever, convulsions, drowsiness or coma.
Risk Factors for Rice Water Stool
Certain risk factors make a patient more prone to get affected by rice water stool.
Unhygienic conditions:
People living in areas where there is poor sanitation and contaminated water are at a higher risk.
Consuming raw seafood:
Eating raw seafood such as shellfish can increase the risk of rice water stool.
O blood group:
People with the type O blood group may develop severe symptoms in comparison to people with other blood groups.
Low levels of acid in the stomach:
Vibrio Cholerae bacteria cannot live in highly acidic environments.
Diagnosis
The diagnosis of cholera involves a combination of clinical assessment, laboratory testing, and evaluating the patient’s symptoms and medical history.
Here’s an overview of the process:
- Clinical Assessment:
- The doctor evaluates the patient’s symptoms, which commonly include sudden onset of profuse watery diarrhoea, vomiting, and leg cramps.
- Dehydration, rapid heart rate, low blood pressure, and dry mucous membranes may also be observed.
- The characteristic “rice-water” stool, which is pale and watery with a flecked appearance, is a hallmark of cholera.
- Laboratory Testing:
- Stool Sample: A sample of the patient’s stool is collected and tested for the presence of Vibrio cholerae, the bacteria responsible for cholera.
- Rapid Diagnostic Tests (RDTs): These are simple tests that can provide quick results in the field or healthcare settings with limited resources. They detect cholera-specific antigens in the stool.
- Culture: A stool sample can be cultured in a laboratory to isolate and identify the Vibrio cholerae bacteria.
- Blood Tests:
- Blood tests might be performed to assess electrolyte levels, kidney function, and overall health status, especially to monitor for dehydration.
- Fluid and Electrolyte Assessment:
- Cholera can lead to severe dehydration and electrolyte imbalances. The patient’s blood pressure, heart rate, and electrolyte levels (such as sodium and potassium) are monitored.
- Travel History:
- If the patient has recently travelled to a region with cholera outbreaks, this information can help in diagnosing and managing the disease.
- Differential Diagnosis:
- Cholera symptoms can resemble those of other diarrheal diseases.
- The doctor considers other possible causes of acute diarrhoea, such as other bacterial infections, viral gastroenteritis, or food poisoning.
Prompt diagnosis and treatment are critical for managing cholera and preventing severe dehydration. Patients with suspected cholera are usually isolated to prevent the spread of the disease.
Rice Water Stool Management
Rice water stool may need immediate medical attention and proper treatment otherwise it can be fatal.
However, certain management tips can help the patient to prevent complications.
Let’s take a look at them one by one in detail.
Intake of oral rehydration solutions mixed with water.
Intake of other electrolyte solutions.
To prevent rice water stools, practice hygienic measures.
In severe cases immediate medical intervention is necessary.
Best Homeopathic Medicines for Rice Water Stool
Homeopathy can help to manage the symptoms of rice water stool in its early stages.
In mild to moderate cases, homeopathy can provide relief and help in the recovery of the patient.
Homeopathic medicines are prepared from natural sources. These medicines have no known adverse effects or side effects.
These medicines can be given to patients of any age and sex including children, young adults and older age group people.
There are so many wonderful homeopathic remedies indicated for the treatment of rice water stool.
Let’s take a look at the topmost indicated homeopathic medicines for rice water stool one by one in detail.
1. ARSENIC ALBUM: For rice water stool with much prostration
Symptoms:
Arsenic Album is a great homeopathic medicine for the treatment of rice water stool.
The stool is offensive with much prostration. The symptoms are worse at night after eating and drinking.
Rice water stool after eating spoiled meat and contaminated food. In some cases, the stool becomes dark, bloody and very offensive.
Arsenic album is a very helpful medicine for the treatment of cholera patients with intense agony, prostration and burning thirst.
The body becomes icy cold. The skin about the anus is excoriated.
When these symptoms match, Arsenic Alb is the most suitable choice of remedy.
Potency and dosage:
Arsenic Album 1M can be taken as four pills or drops once a week till improvement occurs. Arsenic Album 200CH can be taken as four pills or drops once daily till improvement occurs.
Arsenic Album in 30CH can be taken as four pills twice daily till improvement occurs.
2. VERATRUM ALBUM: For copious and painful rice water stool
Symptoms:
Veratrum Album is an indicated medicine for the treatment of patients suffering from rice water stool.
It is a very helpful medicine for the treatment of painful and watery stools.
The stools are copious and forcibly evacuated. This is followed by great prostration.
This medicine can help to treat the symptoms of severe cholera.
There is vomiting accompanied by purging with cold sweats on the body.
The patient suffers from cramps in muscles due to severe dehydration and electrolyte imbalance in the body.
When these symptoms match, Veratrum Album can cure the case.
Potency and dosage:
Veratrum Album 1M can be taken as four pills or drops once a week till improvement occurs. Veratrum Album 200CH can be taken as four pills or drops once daily till improvement occurs.
Veratrum Album in 30CH can be taken as four pills twice daily till improvement occurs.
3. CROTON TIG: For rice water stools forcibly shot out
Symptoms:
Croton Tig is used for the treatment of rice watery stool when the patient complains of copious watery stools with much urging.
The stools are always forcibly shot out with gurgling in the intestines.
The symptoms become worse after drinking the least quantity of water or even while eating.
There is a constant urging for stool followed by sudden evacuation.
The patient experiences a swashing sensation in the intestines.
The symptoms are worse by eating and drinking and during night, morning and summer weather.
When these symptoms match, Croton Tig should be the choice of the remedy.
Potency and dosage:
Croton Tig 1M can be taken as four pills or drops once a week till improvement occurs. Croton Tig 200CH can be taken as four pills or drops once daily till improvement occurs.
Croton Tig in 30CH can be taken as four pills twice daily till improvement occurs.
4. CAMPHOR: For rice water stools with cramps in calves
Symptoms:
Camphor is one of the best homeopathic medicine for the treatment of rice water stool patients.
The stool is blackish and involuntary. It is a very helpful medicine for patients suffering from cholera.
The patient experiences cramps in the calves. There is the coldness of the body.
The patient becomes anguish with great weakness. This remedy can be given to patients who experience collapse with a cold mouth and tongue.
The stool is watery and appears like water in which rice has been washed.
When these symptoms match, Camphor can cure the case.
Potency and dosage:
Camphor 1M can be taken as four pills or drops once a week till improvement occurs. Camphor 200CH can be taken as four pills or drops once daily till improvement occurs.
Camphor in 30CH can be taken as four pills twice daily till improvement occurs.
5. ALOE SOCOTRINA: For rice water stool with a lot of mucus
Symptoms:
Aloe Socotrina is a very helpful medicine for patients with rice water stool.
There is a constant bearing down sensation in the rectum. The patient complains of a feeling of weakness and loss of power in the anus.
The stool is lumpy and watery in consistency. The patient experiences jelly-like stools with soreness in the rectum after passing stool.
A lot of mucus comes with watery stools. The patient complains of burning in the anus and the rectum.
When these symptoms match, Aloe Socotrina can cure the case.
Potency and dosage:
Aloe Socotrina 1M can be taken as four pills or drops once a week till improvement occurs. Aloe Socotrina 200CH can be taken as four pills or drops once daily till improvement occurs.
Aloe Socotrina in 30CH can be taken as four pills twice daily till improvement occurs.
6. PODOPHYLLUM: For profuse, gushing rice water stools
Symptoms:
Podophyllum is used for the treatment of profuse and gushing rice water stools.
It is helpful for cases of long-standing diarrhoea early in the morning or the hot weather.
There is morning painless diarrhoea. The patient experiences green, watery, fetid, gushing and profuse stools.
There is prolapse of the rectum before or with stool. It is a very helpful medicine for patients with rice water stools who suffer from internal or external piles.
When these symptoms match, Podophyllum is the most suitable choice of medicine.
Potency and dosage:
Podophyllum 1M can be taken as four pills or drops once a week till improvement occurs. Podophyllum 200CH can be taken as four pills or drops once daily till improvement occurs.
Podophyllum in 30CH can be taken as four pills twice daily till improvement occurs.
7. IPECAC: For frothy rice water stools
Symptoms:
Ipecac is indicated when the patient suffers from loose watery stools with tenesmus and pain in the abdomen.
The straining pain is so intense that it produces nausea. There is cutting and clutching pain worse around the navel.
Sometimes the stool becomes pitch green as grass. The stool appears like frothy molasses with griping pain around the navel.
The patient suffers from nausea and vomiting along with watery diarrhoea.
The symptoms are worse from lying down and by a warm wind.
When these symptoms match, Ipecac should be the choice of medicine.
Potency and dosage:
Ipecac 1M can be taken as four pills or drops once a week till improvement occurs. Ipecac 200CH can be taken as four pills or drops once daily till improvement occurs.
Ipecac in 30CH can be taken as four pills twice daily till improvement occurs.
8. CUPRUM MET: For rice water stools with cramps in the abdomen
Symptoms:
Cuprum Met is indicated when the patient experiences black stool, which are painful and bloody with pain and tenesmus.
Cuprum Met is considered an effective medicine for the treatment of cholera patients.
The patient complains of cramps in the abdomen and calves along with rice water stools.
There is nausea and vomiting along with profuse watery diarrhoea.
The symptoms are better by drinking cold water.
When these symptoms match, Cuprum Met should be the choice of the remedy.
Potency and dosage:
Cuprum Met 1M can be taken as four pills or drops once a week till improvement occurs. Cuprum Met 200CH can be taken as four pills or drops once daily till improvement occurs.
Cuprum Met in 30CH can be taken as four pills twice daily till improvement occurs.
9. COLCHICUM: For rice water stools with shreddy particles in large quantity
Symptoms:
Colchicum is indicated for painful, scanty, transparent, jelly-like mucus. There is a pain in the anus as if it is torn open with prolapse of anus.
The stools are extremely watery containing shreddy particles in large quantities.
Sometimes the patient experiences ineffectual pressing and feels faeces in the rectum.
The symptoms are worse by motion, loss of sleep and mental exertion. The symptoms are better by stooping.
When these symptoms match, Colchicum can provide relief and help in the recovery of the patient.
Potency and dosage:
Colchicum 1M can be taken as four pills or drops once a week till improvement occurs. Colchicum 200CH can be taken as four pills or drops once daily till improvement occurs.
Colchicum in 30CH can be taken as four pills twice daily till improvement occurs.
10. NUX VOMICA: For rice water stools worse morning
Symptoms:
Nux Vomica patients suffers from alternate diarrhoea and constipation due to the abuse of purgatives.
The urging for stool is felt throughout the abdomen. The diarrhoea is worse in the morning.
There are frequent watery stools. The symptoms are better for some time by passing stool.
The patient complains of constant uneasiness in the rectum. The patient becomes weak and dehydrated due to rice water stools.
When these symptoms match, Nux Vomica should be the choice of remedy.
Potency and dosage:
Nux Vomica 1M can be taken as four pills or drops once a week till improvement occurs. Nux Vomica 200CH can be taken as four pills or drops once daily till improvement occurs.
Nux Vomica in 30CH can be taken as four pills twice daily till improvement occurs.
11. RHUS TOX: For rice water stools with tearing pains down the thighs
Symptoms:
Rhus Tox is indicated in complaints of diarrhoea of blood, slime and reddish mucus. Stool occurs with tearing pain down the thighs.
The stool is highly offensive and has a cadaverous odour. The stools are frothy and painless.
The patient experiences fever with restlessness and dry, brown tongue.
The symptoms are worse during sleep, cold, wet and rainy weather. The symptoms are better by warm and dry weather, motion and warm applications.
When these symptoms match, Rhus tox can cure the case.
Potency and dosage:
Rhus Tox 1M can be taken as four pills or drops once a week till improvement occurs. Rhus Tox 200CH can be taken as four pills or drops once daily till improvement occurs.
Rhus Tox in 30CH can be taken as four pills twice daily till improvement occurs.
Remember that homeopathic remedies are prescribed based on individual symptoms and characteristics. It’s crucial to consult with a qualified homeopath for proper evaluation and personalized treatment. Homeopathy focuses on treating the whole person, so a detailed case study is necessary to select the most appropriate remedy.
Homeopathic medicines should be taken only when prescribed by a homeopathic physician. Self-medication may aggravate the original conditions.