DIARRHOEA
our therapeutic area

WHAT IS DIARRHOA ACTUALLY?

At least once a year, one in three Germans will experience acute gastrointestinal problems. Acute diarrhoea is generally a protective reaction of the body. It wants, as quickly as possible, to be rid of pathogens or toxins that have penetrated into the body. Those with diarrhoea generally complain of a range of other symptoms as well. Nausea, vomiting, fever and stomach ache generally accompany the intestinal complaints. However, just because you have one loose stool does not mean that you have diarrhoea. In medical parlance, the term 'diarrhoea’ is not used until someone produces unformed or watery stools more than three times a day (an exception are babies not yet on solids for whom several thin stools a day is normal, provided they are otherwise healthy). The causes of diarrhoea may be quite harmless, but can sometimes be very dangerous. 
Stress and other psychosomatic complaints such as fear trigger diarrhoea, as do alcohol and other toxins. Poor nutrition and allergic reactions due to food intolerance, especially lactose intolerance, can also be responsible for diarrhoea. Gastrointestinal complaints most frequently occur, however, as a result of bacterial, viral or protozoal infection. The bacteria are ingested with raw food, or food that has gone bad, and may be present in drinking water, ice cubes, or swimming pool water at holiday resorts. It often takes only a few hours after contact with the pathogen for the first symptoms to appear – stomach rumbling, unwell feeling, rising temperature, and sometimes also dizziness.Dangerous loss of fluid: The body loses large volumes of fluid during diarrhoea, which can rapidly put the individual at risk. Firstly, the body is at risk of drying out (dehydration) and secondly, with the fluid, the body also loses vital electrolytes such as sodium, potassium and magnesium. 

THE CAUSES


  • Rotaviruses
  • Salmonella
  • Lactose
  • Antibiotics

 

 
Baldurat® – Active ingredient: dry extract of valerian root (3 - 6 : 1) [extraction agent: 70% ethanol (V/V)]. Indicated for the treatment of restlessness and disturbances in going sleep of nervous origin. For information on risks and side effects, read the package leaflet and ask your doctor or pharmacist. G. Pohl-Boskamp GmbH & Co. KG, D-25551 Hohenlockstedt, Germany (July 2001).

Nitrolingual akut® Spray – Active ingredient: glyceryl trinitrate. Composition: 1 metered dose oromucusal spray contains 0.4 mg glyceryl trinitrate. Other ingredients: medium-chain triglycerides and partial glycerides, ethanol anhydrans, peppermint oil. Indications: prophylaxis and treatment of acute attacks of angina pectoris, acute myocardial infarction, acute left-ventricular heart failure, catheter-induced coronary spasms. Contraindications: hypersensitivity to any of the ingredients or other nitrate compounds, acute circulatory failure, cardiogenic shock, marked hypotension (syst BP < 90 mmHg), intake of phosphodiesterase inhibitors for the treatment of erectile dysfunction or pulmonary arterial hypertension. Caution in cases of hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy, constrictive pericarditis, pericardial tamponade, low filling pressures (e.g. in cases of acute MI; avoid syst BP < 90 mmHg), aortic and/or mitral stenosis, orthostatic circulatory disorders, increased intracranial pressure. During pregnancy and breast-feeding, only after careful consideration whether the benefits outweigh the risks. Side effects: headache very frequent at the start of treatment, frequent hypotension with reflex tachycardia, drowsiness, dizziness and weakness. Occasional nausea, vomiting, flush, allergic skin reactions, marked decreases in blood pressure with exacerbation of angina pectoris symptoms, bradycardia with fainting. Very rare, exfoliative dermatitis. Development of tolerance and cross tolerance possible, avoid continuous high dosing. Hypoxaemia and ischaemia may occur in CHD. The ability to drive vehicles or operate machines may be impaired, especially in combination with alcohol consumption. PO. G. Pohl-Boskamp GmbH & Co. KG, 25551 Hohenlockstedt, Germany (1).
GeloMyrtol® forte – Active ingredient: distillate of a mixture of rectified eucalyptus oil, rectified sweet orange oil, rectified myrtle oil and rectified lemon oil (66:32:1:1) (Myrtol® standardized). Indicated for acute and chronic bronchitis and inflammation of the maxillary sinuses (sinusitis). For information on risks and side effects, read the package leaflet and ask your doctor or pharmacist. G. Pohl-Boskamp GmbH & Co. KG, 25551 Hohenlockstedt, Germany (01/6).
Laxopol® 1.0 g – Active ingredient: refined castor oil. For the short-term treatment of constipation. Medical advice should sought for constipation that lasts for longer than 1 week. For information on risks and side effects, read the package leaflet and ask your doctor or pharmacist. G. Pohl-Boskamp GmbH & Co. KG, 25551 Hohenlockstedt, Germany (6).
GeloBronchial®-Saft – Active ingredient: liquid extract of thyme. Indications: common cold like disorders of the airways with catarrh, alleviation of symptoms of bronchitis. Warning: Ingredients include invert sugar syrup and 6.3 Vol.-% alcohol. Diabetics: sugar content of 0.75 BEU per 15 mL syrup. For information on risks and side effects, read the package leaflet and ask your doctor or pharmacist. G. Pohl-Boskamp GmbH & Co. KG, 25551 Hohenlockstedt, Germany (01/11).
GeloDurat®-Salbe – Active ingredient: eucalyptus oil and levomenthol. For external use to alleviate the symptoms of  respiratory tract infections (common cold, hoarseness and uncomplicated bronchial catarrh). For information on risks and side effects, read the package leaflet and ask your doctor or pharmacist. G. Pohl-Boskamp GmbH & Co. KG, 25551 Hohenlockstedt, Germany (01/5).

Nitrolingual® infus. – Active ingredient: glycerol trinitrate. Composition: 1 ml infusion solution contains 1 mg glycerol trinitrate. Other ingredients: glucose monohydrate (Ph.Eur.), 10% hydrochloric acid solution (for pH adjustment), water for injections. Indications: severe angina pectoris, acute myocardial infarction, acute left-ventricular heart failure, hypertensive crisis with acute heart failure, controlled hypotension. Contraindications: hypersensitivity to any of the ingredients or other nitrate compounds, acute circulatory failure, cardiogenic shock, toxic pulmonary oedema, marked hypotension (syst BP < 90 mmHg), disorders with increased intracranial pressure, intake of phosphodiesterase inhibitors for the treatment of erectile dysfunction or pulmonary arterial hypertension. Caution in cases of hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy, constrictive pericarditis, pericardial tamponade, low filling pressures (e.g. in cases of acute MI; avoid syst BP < 90 mmHg), aortic and/or mitral valve stenosis, tendency to orthostatic circulatory disorders, severe liver or kidney disturbances. During pregnancy and breast-feeding, only if prescribed by a physician. Side effects: headache very frequent at the start of treatment; hypotension with reflex tachycardia may occur. Occasional nausea, vomiting, flush, allergic skin reactions, marked decreases in blood pressure with exacerbation of angina pectoris symptoms, bradycardia with fainting and synopses. Very rare, exfoliative dermatitis. Development of tolerance and cross tolerance possible, avoid continuous high dosing. Hypoxaemia and ischaemia may occur in CHD. The ability to drive vehicles or operate machines may be impaired, especially in combination with alcohol consumption. PO. G. Pohl-Boskamp GmbH & Co. KG, 25551 Hohenlockstedt, Germany (July 2008).
GeloVital® Lebertrankapseln – 0.5 g/1.0 g – Active ingredient: Codliveroil for general strengthening and invigoration. For information on risks and side effects, read the package leaflet and ask your doctor or pharmacist. G. Pohl-Boskamp GmbH & Co. KG, 25551 Hohenlockstedt, Germany (01/5/2).

GeloNasal®- 0.05%/-Spray 0.10% – Active ingredient: xylometazoline hydrochloride. Indications: for local application in  the nose. Contains the alpha-sympathomimetic xylometazoline. This substance narrows the blood vessels thereby reducing swelling of the mucous membrane. GeloNasal®-Tropfen 0.05%: for children between 2 and 6 years; GeloNasal®-Spray 0.10%: for schoolchildren older than 6 years and adults. For information on risks and side effects, read the package leaflet and ask your doctor or pharmacist. G. Pohl-Boskamp GmbH & Co. KG, 25551 Hohenlockstedt, Germany (01/13/13).
Gelo®-Bronchialtee 400 – Active ingredients: dry extract of thyme (6.0 – 10.0:1) [70% (V/V) ethanol] and ivy leaves (4.0 – 7.5:1) [30% (V/V) ethanol]. Indications: common cold and upper respiratory tract infections (catarrh), alleviation of symptoms of bronchitis. For information on risks and side effects, read the package leaflet and ask your doctor or pharmacist. G. Pohl-Boskamp GmbH & Co. KG, 25551 Hohenlockstedt (01/01).