Diarrhea:
What is diarrhea?
Diarrhea is loose, watery stool that occurs more than three times in one day. Diarrhea is a common problem that usually lasts a day or two and goes away on its own without any special treatment. However, prolonged diarrhea can be a sign of other problems. People with diarrhea may pass more than a quart of stool a day. Diarrhea can cause dehydration, which means the body lacks enough fluid to function properly. Dehydration is particularly dangerous in children and the elderly, and it must be treated promptly to avoid serious health problems. People of all ages can get diarrhea. The average adult has a bout of diarrhea about four times a year.
Symptoms of diarrhea:
Diarrhea may be accompanied by cramping abdominal pain, bloating, nausea, or an urgent need to use the bathroom. Depending on the cause, a person may have a fever or bloody stools.
Diarrhea can be either acute (short-term) or chronic (long-term). The acute form, which lasts less than 4 weeks, is typically related to a bacterial, viral, or parasitic infection. Chronic diarrhea can last more than 4 weeks and is often related to functional disorders like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) or inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) like celiac disease.
Causes of diarrhea:
Diarrhea may be caused by a temporary problem, such as an infection, or it can be caused by a chronic problem, such as an intestinal disease. Common causes of diarrhea may include:
- Bacterial infections: Several types of bacteria, consumed through contaminated food or water, can cause diarrhea. These may include Campylobacter, Salmonella, Shigella, and Escherichia coli.
- Viral infections: Many viruses cause diarrhea, including rotavirus, Norwalk virus, cytomegalovirus, herpes simplex virus, and viral hepatitis.
- Food intolerances: Some people are unable to digest some certain foods, such as milk
- Parasites: Parasites can enter the body through food or water and settle in the digestive system. Parasites that cause diarrhea include Giardia lamblia, Entamoeba histolytica, and Cryptosporidium.
- Reaction to medicines: Reactions to medications such as antibiotics, blood pressure medications, and antacids containing magnesium can all cause diarrhea.
- Intestinal diseases: Diseases such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) or celiac disease may cause diarrhea.
- Functional bowel disorders: These disorders such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBD) can cause diarrhea the intestines do not work normally.
People who visit foreign countries are at risk for traveler's diarrhea, which is caused by eating food or drinking water contaminated with bacteria, viruses, or, sometimes, parasites. Traveler's diarrhea is a particular problem for people visiting developing countries. Visitors to the United States, Canada, most European countries, Japan, Australia, and New Zealand do not face much risk for traveler's diarrhea.
Diagnosis:
Diagnostic tests to find the cause of diarrhea include the following:
- A medical history and physical examination
- A stool culture
- Blood tests
- Fasting tests
- Sigmoidoscopy
- Colonoscopy
Treatment options:
In most cases, replacing lost fluid in order to prevent dehydration is the only treatment that is necessary. Medicines that stop diarrhea may be helpful in some cases, but they are not recommended for people whose diarrhea is caused by a bacterial infection or parasite. Stopping the diarrhea may only prolong the problem. Instead, doctors usually prescribe antibiotics. Viral causes are either treated with medication or left alone and allowed to run their course, depending on the severity and type of the virus.
Related information:
| University of Missouri Health Care | This information is not intended to replace the advice of a doctor. |
