Diarrhea is loose, watery, and frequent stool. Diarrhea is considered chronic (long-term) when you have had loose or frequent stools for more than 4 weeks.
Diarrhea in adults is usually mild and goes away quickly without complications. In infants and children (especially under age 3), diarrhea can cause dehydration fairly quickly.
Common Causes
The most common cause of diarrhea is viral gastroenteritis, a mild viral infection that goes away on its own within a few days. This condition is often called the stomach flu. Viral gastroenteritis often occurs in mini-epidemics in schools, neighborhoods, or families.
Food poisoning and traveler's diarrhea are two other common causes of diarrhea. They occur as a result of eating food or drinking water contaminated with bacteria or parasites.
Medications, especially antibiotics, laxatives containing magnesium, and chemotherapy for cancer treatment, can also cause diarrhea.
The following medical conditions can also lead to diarrhea:
Drink plenty of fluid to avoid becoming dehydrated. Start with sips of any fluid other than caffeinated beverages. Milk may prolong loose stools, but also provides needed fluids and nourishment. Drinking milk may be fine for mild diarrhea. For moderate and severe diarrhea, electrolyte solutions available in drugstores are usually best.
Viral gastroenteritis (2 images)(Doctor-Reviewed information)
Viral gastroenteritis is inflammation of the stomach and intestines caused by a virus. The infection can lead to¿diarrhea and vomiting. It is sometimes called the "stomach flu." Reviewer: Alan Greene, MD, FAAP, Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Lucile Packard Children's Hospital; Chief Medical Officer, A.D.A.M., Inc.Date: 02/14/2007
Drug-induced diarrhea (1 image)(Doctor-Reviewed information)
Diarrhea can have many causes, including medications. Diarrhea is a common side effect of medications. For example: Laxatives can produce diarrhea by drawing water into the gut, increasing the muscular contraction of the intestine, lubricating the lining of the gut, or a combination of these effects; Antibiotics can produce diarrhea by destroying the normal bacteria of the gut. These normal, good gut bacteria are called probiotics. Once these "friendly" bacteria are destroyed, a bad organism called Clostridium difficile may then enter the digestive tract. It can cause a severe, watery form of diarrhea called pseudomembranous colitis; Other drugs may be directly toxic to the digestive tract. Chemotherapy medicines are a frequent example. See the full article on diarrhea . Reviewer: Jenifer K. Lehrer, MD, Department of Gastroenterology, Frankford-Torresdale Hospital, Jefferson Health System, Philadelphia, PA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.Date: 10/13/2006
Food poisoning (2 images)(Doctor-Reviewed information)
Food poisoning is the result of eating organisms or toxins in contaminated food. Most cases of food poisoning are from common bacteria like Staphylococcus or E. coli. Reviewer: Eric Perez, MD, Department of Emergency Medicine, St. Luke's-Roosevelt Hospital Center, New York, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.Date: 05/11/2006
E. coli enteritis (2 images)(Doctor-Reviewed information)
E. coli enteritis is an inflammation of the small intestine caused by Escherichia coli (E. coli) bacteria. It is the most common cause of travelers' diarrhea. Reviewer: D. Scott Smith, MD., MSc., DTM., Prof. Medical Microbiology & Immunology, Dept. of Human Biology, Stanford Univ. School of Medicine, Stanford, CA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Date: 08/06/2007
Traveler’s diarrhea(Doctor-Reviewed information)
Traveler's diarrhea is loose, watery, and frequent stools that occur after visiting areas with contaminated water supplies, poor sewage systems, or inadequate food handling. High-risk destinations include third-world or developing countries, including Latin America, Africa, the Middle East, and Asia. This article discusses the appropriate foods and fluids to consume if you develop traveler's diarrhea. See also: Diarrhea Reviewer: Mark Levin, MD, Division of Infectious Disease, MacNeal Hospital, Berwyn,IL. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.Date: 07/01/2007
Dehydration (1 image)
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(Doctor-Reviewed information)
Dehydration means your body does not have as much water and fluids as it should. Dehydration can be caused by losing too much fluid, not drinking enough water or fluids, or both. Vomiting and diarrhea are common causes. Infants and children are more susceptible to dehydration than adults because of their smaller body weights and higher turnover of water and electrolytes. The elderly and those with illnesses are also at higher risk. Dehydration is classified as mild, moderate, or severe based on how much of the body's fluid is lost or not replenished. When severe, dehydration is a life-threatening emergency. Reviewer: Deirdre OReilly, MD, MPH, Neonatologist, Division of Newborn Medicine, Childrens Hospital Boston and Instructor in Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts. Review Provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.Date: 09/28/2007
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