Check yourself
for a follow symptoms
and illnesses:
Diarrhea
Diarrhea is loose, watery stools. A person with diarrhea typically passes stool more than three times a day. People with diarrhea may pass more than a quart of stool a day. Acute diarrhea is a common problem that usually lasts 1 or 2 days and goes away on its own without special treatment. Prolonged diarrhea persisting for more than 2 days may be a sign of a more serious problem and poses the risk of dehydration. Chronic diarrhea may be a feature of a chronic disease.
Diarrhea can cause dehydration, which means the body lacks enough fluid to function properly. Dehydration is particularly dangerous in children and older people, and it must be treated promptly to avoid serious health problems.
People of all ages can get diarrhea and the average adult has a bout of acute diarrhea about four times a year. In the United States, each child will have had 7 to 15 episodes of diarrhea by age 5.
What causes diarrhea?
Acute diarrhea is usually related to a bacterial, viral, or parasitic infection. Chronic diarrhea is usually related to functional disorders such as irritable bowel syndrome or inflammatory bowel disease. A few of the more common causes of diarrhea include the following:
Bacterial infections. Several types of bacteria consumed through contaminated
food or water can cause diarrhea. Common culprits include Campylobacter,
Salmonella, Shigella, and Escherichia coli (E. 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 food components such as
artificial sweeteners and lactose—the sugar found in milk.
Acute diarrhea is usually related to a bacterial, viral, or parasitic infection. Chronic diarrhea is usually related to functional disorders such as irritable bowel syndrome or inflammatory bowel disease. A few of the more common causes of diarrhea include the following: