Healthcare Providers in Mexico City

Diarrhea involves loose, watery stools occurring more than three times daily, often accompanied by abdominal cramps, urgency, nausea, or vomiting. Common causes include viral infections (norovirus, rotavirus), bacterial infections (E. coli, Salmonella, Campylobacter), parasitic infections (Giardia), medication side effects, food intolerances, or underlying digestive disorders. Travelers' diarrhea affects 30-70% of visitors to developing regions, typically from consuming contaminated food or water. Prompt treatment is essential to prevent dehydration, which can occur rapidly in hot climates and cause serious complications including electrolyte imbalances, kidney problems, or in severe cases, hypovolemic shock. Medical attention is recommended for severe symptoms (high fever, bloody diarrhea), signs of dehydration (decreased urination, dizziness, extreme thirst), or symptoms persisting beyond 3-5 days. Treatment includes oral rehydration with electrolyte solutions, antimotility agents like loperamide for symptomatic relief, antibiotics for bacterial causes, antiparasitic medications when indicated, and probiotics to restore gut flora. Mexican physicians familiar with local pathogens can provide targeted treatment, sometimes prescribing combination medications specifically formulated for regional gastrointestinal infections that effectively address multiple potential causes simultaneously.