15 Common Causes and How To Treat It

Written by WebMD Editorial Contributors

• What Is Diarrhea?
• Diarrhea Causes
• Diarrhea Symptoms
• Serious Symptoms of Diarrhea
• When to See a Doctor for Diarrhea
• Diarrhea Diagnosis
• Treatment for Diarrhea
• Relief From Diarrhea Symptoms
• When Diarrhea Won’t Go Away
• More

When you have diarrhea, your bowel movements (or stools) are loose and watery. It’s common and usually not serious.

Many people get diarrhea a few times a year. It normally lasts 2 to 3 days. Some people get it more often. That could be because they have irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) or other conditions.

Usually, diarrhea happens because of a virus that gets into your gut. Some people call it “intestinal flu” or “stomach flu.”

Other causes include:

• Allergies to certain foods
• Diseases of the intestines (such as Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis)
• Eating foods that upset the digestive system
• Infection by bacteria (the cause of most types of food poisoning) or other organisms
• Laxative abuse
• Running (Some people get “runner’s diarrhea” for reasons that aren’t clear. )
• Some cancers
• Surgery on your digestive system
• Trouble absorbing certain nutrients, also called “malabsorption”

Diarrhea may also follow constipation, especially for people who have irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

You may have:

• Bloating in your belly
• Thin or loose stools
• Watery stools
• An urgent feeling that you need to have a bowel movement
• Nausea and throwing up

Most cases of diarrhea are nothing more than a brief inconvenience. But sometimes, they warn of a serious condition. Talk with your doctor if your child has diarrhea for more than 24 hours. If you have it for more than 3 days, make an appointment.

Also, be sure to let your doctor know about your diarrhea if you have cancer, or have had recent treatment for it.

More serious symptoms of diarrhea include:

• Blood or mucus in your stool
• Weight loss

If you have watery stools more than three times a day and you’re not drinking enough fluids, you could become dehydrated. That can be a serious problem if it’s not treated.

Call your doctor right away if you have:

• Blood in your diarrhea or black, tarry stools
• A fever that is high (above 101 F) or that lasts more than 24 hours
• Diarrhea lasting longer than 2 days
• Nausea or throwing up that prevents you from drinking liquids to replace lost fluids
• Severe pain in your belly (especially the right lower quadrant) or rear end
• Diarrhea after coming back from a foreign country

These can be warning signs of things like:

• Infection
• Inflammatory bowel disease
• Pancreatitis
• Colon cancer

Also, call your doctor right away if you have diarrhea and any of these signs of dehydration:

• Dark urine
• Smaller than usual amounts of urine or, in a child, fewer wet diapers than usual
• Rapid heart rate
• Headaches
• Dry skin
• Crankiness
• Confusion

Your doctor will ask about your medical history and what medications you take, as well as what you’ve eaten or had to drink recently. They will give you a physical exam to look for signs of dehydration or belly pain.

Certain tests can help pinpoint the cause of your diarrhea, including:

• Blood tests to look for certain diseases or disorders
• Colonoscopy, in rare cases, in which your doctor looks inside your colon with a thin, flexible tube that holds a tiny camera and light. They can also use this device to take a small sample of tissue. Or your doctor might need to do only a sigmoidoscopy, which looks at just the lower colon.
• Stool tests to look for bacteria or parasites

If your case is mild, you may not need to take anything. Adults can take an over-the-counter medicine such as bismuth subsalicylate or loperamide, which you can get as liquids or tablets.

You also need to stay hydrated. You should drink at least six 8-ounce glasses of fluids each day. Choose electrolyte replacement drinks or soda without caffeine. Chicken broth (without the fat), tea with honey, and sports drinks are also good choices. Instead of drinking liquids with your meals, drink liquids between meals. Sip small amounts of fluids often. Liquid probiotics may also help.

Your rectal area may become sore because of all the bowel movements that diarrhea brings. You may have itching, burning, or pain when you go to the bathroom.

For relief, take a warm bath or sitz bath. Afterward, pat the area dry (don’t rub) with a clean, soft towel. You may also try using a hemorrhoid cream or petroleum jelly on the affected area. If this continues for several days, you should contact your doctor.

If you still have diarrhea after 4 weeks, then you have chronic diarrhea.

To figure out the cause, your doctor will want to know your symptoms and medical history. You’ll get the most out of your appointment if you can tell them:

• How long you’ve had diarrhea
• Whether your diarrhea comes and goes, or is continuous
• If you think certain foods and situations make things better or worse
• If your stool looks bloody, oily, fatty, or watery
• Other symptoms you have and how long you’ve had them
• If you have a family history of chronic diarrhea
• Places you’ve traveled to recently
• Unusual foods you’ve tried in the last little while
• Any medication or supplements you’re taking
• If you’ve lost a lot of weight

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15 Common Causes and How To Treat It

Written by WebMD Editorial Contributors

• What Is Diarrhea?
• Diarrhea Causes
• Diarrhea Symptoms
• Serious Symptoms of Diarrhea
• When to See a Doctor for Diarrhea
• Diarrhea Diagnosis
• Treatment for Diarrhea
• Relief From Diarrhea Symptoms
• When Diarrhea Won’t Go Away
• More

When you have diarrhea, your bowel movements (or stools) are loose and watery. It’s common and usually not serious.

Many people get diarrhea a few times a year. It normally lasts 2 to 3 days. Some people get it more often. That could be because they have irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) or other conditions.

Usually, diarrhea happens because of a virus that gets into your gut. Some people call it “intestinal flu” or “stomach flu.”

Other causes include:

• Allergies to certain foods
• Diseases of the intestines (such as Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis)
• Eating foods that upset the digestive system
• Infection by bacteria (the cause of most types of food poisoning) or other organisms
• Laxative abuse
• Running (Some people get “runner’s diarrhea” for reasons that aren’t clear.)
• Some cancers
• Surgery on your digestive system
• Trouble absorbing certain nutrients, also called “malabsorption”

Diarrhea may also follow constipation, especially for people who have irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

You may have:

• Bloating in your belly
• Thin or loose stools
• Watery stools
• An urgent feeling that you need to have a bowel movement
• Nausea and throwing up

Most cases of diarrhea are nothing more than a brief inconvenience. But sometimes, they warn of a serious condition. Talk with your doctor if your child has diarrhea for more than 24 hours. If you have it for more than 3 days, make an appointment.

Also, be sure to let your doctor know about your diarrhea if you have cancer, or have had recent treatment for it.

More serious symptoms of diarrhea include:

• Blood or mucus in your stool
• Weight loss

If you have watery stools more than three times a day and you’re not drinking enough fluids, you could become dehydrated. That can be a serious problem if it’s not treated.

Call your doctor right away if you have:

• Blood in your diarrhea or black, tarry stools
• A fever that is high (above 101 F) or that lasts more than 24 hours
• Diarrhea lasting longer than 2 days
• Nausea or throwing up that prevents you from drinking liquids to replace lost fluids
• Severe pain in your belly (especially the right lower quadrant) or rear end
• Diarrhea after coming back from a foreign country

These can be warning signs of things like:

• Infection
• Inflammatory bowel disease
• Pancreatitis
• Colon cancer

Also, call your doctor right away if you have diarrhea and any of these signs of dehydration:

• Dark urine
• Smaller than usual amounts of urine or, in a child, fewer wet diapers than usual
• Rapid heart rate
• Headaches
• Dry skin
• Crankiness
• Confusion

Your doctor will ask about your medical history and what medications you take, as well as what you’ve eaten or had to drink recently. They will give you a physical exam to look for signs of dehydration or belly pain.

Certain tests can help pinpoint the cause of your diarrhea, including:

• Blood tests to look for certain diseases or disorders
• Colonoscopy, in rare cases, in which your doctor looks inside your colon with a thin, flexible tube that holds a tiny camera and light. They can also use this device to take a small sample of tissue. Or your doctor might need to do only a sigmoidoscopy, which looks at just the lower colon.
• Stool tests to look for bacteria or parasites

If your case is mild, you may not need to take anything. Adults can take an over-the-counter medicine such as bismuth subsalicylate or loperamide, which you can get as liquids or tablets.

You also need to stay hydrated. You should drink at least six 8-ounce glasses of fluids each day. Choose electrolyte replacement drinks or soda without caffeine. Chicken broth (without the fat), tea with honey, and sports drinks are also good choices. Instead of drinking liquids with your meals, drink liquids between meals. Sip small amounts of fluids often. Liquid probiotics may also help.

Your rectal area may become sore because of all the bowel movements that diarrhea brings. You may have itching, burning, or pain when you go to the bathroom.

For relief, take a warm bath or sitz bath. Afterward, pat the area dry (don’t rub) with a clean, soft towel. You may also try using a hemorrhoid cream or petroleum jelly on the affected area. If this continues for several days, you should contact your doctor.

If you still have diarrhea after 4 weeks, then you have chronic diarrhea.

To figure out the cause, your doctor will want to know your symptoms and medical history. You’ll get the most out of your appointment if you can tell them:

• How long you’ve had diarrhea
• Whether your diarrhea comes and goes, or is continuous
• If you think certain foods and situations make things better or worse
• If your stool looks bloody, oily, fatty, or watery
• Other symptoms you have and how long you’ve had them
• If you have a family history of chronic diarrhea
• Places you’ve traveled to recently
• Unusual foods you’ve tried in the last little while
• Any medication or supplements you’re taking
• If you’ve lost a lot of weight

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Causes and treatment of diarrhea in adults

Translated from the Greek “diarrheo” means “I expire”. Anyone who has ever encountered this unpleasant problem should not explain the meaning of the word “diarrhea”. This syndrome causes a lot of inconvenience and unpleasant minutes and can be a symptom of serious diseases.

What is diarrhea?

Diarrhea – frequent loose stools (more than 3 times a day). A distinctive feature is watery stools, which are more than 90% liquid.

Diarrhea is a syndrome, not a disease. It indicates that the body has experienced a malfunction in the gastrointestinal tract. With various diseases, diarrheal syndrome has its own distinctive features.

Causes of diarrhea

Diarrhea is a symptom of many diseases and pathological conditions of the gastrointestinal tract (GIT).

The most common causes of diarrhea are viral infections (rotaviruses, noroviruses, adenoviruses and others) or bacterial infections such as dysentery, salmonellosis and others.

But diarrhea can also develop under the influence of drugs, such as antibiotics, antiarrhythmic drugs. May be the result of an individual intolerance to a particular food product, the so-called food allergy. Diarrhea can be provoked by errors in the diet or the abuse of fatty, heavy foods. It accompanies a number of chronic diseases of the gastrointestinal tract (gastritis, pancreatitis, ulcers) or is a manifestation of irritable bowel syndrome.

But it is important to know that if we are talking about adults, then they most often have diarrhea as a result of poisoning with spoiled or low-quality products, the so-called food poisoning. Usually, food poisoning has a vivid clinical picture: in addition to frequent loose stools, vomiting, weakness, and fever with high body temperature are observed. Develops rapidly, lasts from 1 to 3 days.

Often diarrhea in adults occurs during travel, especially if it is a trip to exotic countries. There is even a special term – traveler’s diarrhea, it affects up to 30% of all tourists visiting exotic countries. Intestinal upset in this case is associated with changing climatic conditions, adaptation to new water, food, spices, stress due to the flight, or lower hygiene standards in a number of countries.

Why is diarrhea dangerous for adults?

Acute diarrhea in adults is dangerous because it can become chronic. In this case, loose stools haunt a person every day for a month or more. This significantly affects the general well-being of a person, his performance, immunity and, of course, the quality of life. In this case, it is necessary to consult a doctor and undergo a comprehensive examination and treatment. Find out the cause of diarrhea and eliminate it!

Diarrhea is also dangerous due to the development of such complications as:
– Dehydration.
– Cardiac arrhythmias, convulsions, muscle pain.
– Cachexia – a state of extreme exhaustion of the body.

Help with diarrhea in adults

It is better to start treating diarrhea as soon as you understand that loose stools are not an isolated case. Depending on the causes of diarrhea, the doctor will prescribe a complex treatment, but here are the general rules that should be followed by all patients with diarrhea.

1. Start antidiarrheal drugs

Treatment should begin with drugs that have antidiarrheal activity, that is, they are ways to stop diarrhea. There are a huge number of antidiarrheals, but your choice should be on the one that is not only effective, but also safe. It is to such means that Adiarin belongs. This product is based on a fundamentally new active ingredient – tannat gelatin, which not only acts quickly and stops diarrhea, but also protects the intestines from the aggressive effects of the factors that provoked it (viruses, toxins, bacteria). It creates a special protective bio-barrier on the damaged mucous membrane of the small intestine, which stops inflammation, restores the integrity of the intestinal epithelium and normalizes its physiological functions, preventing the development of dehydration. In this case, the drug works only in the intestines and has no effect on the body as a whole.
After the condition improves and the frequency of liquid stools is reduced, it is the turn of enzyme preparations and probiotics. They help to restore the microflora and restore the ability of the stomach and intestines to function normally.

2. Drink more fluids

Diarrhea causes the body to lose a lot of water and electrolytes. You can make up for the lack of fluid with an enhanced water regime, but special rehydration solutions cope best with dehydration, because they contain the necessary salts and trace elements.

3. Keep a sparing diet

All “irritants” must be excluded from the diet: spicy, salty, sour, coarse fiber. Also limit everything that stimulates the production of bile (tomatoes, carrots, fatty, juices). Remove foods that cause gas formation: cabbage, milk, apples.

By following these guidelines, a typical episode of diarrhea will be over in a few days. But if diarrhea lasts longer than 5-7 days and you do not feel better, you should immediately consult a doctor.

What is diarrhea and when should I see a doctor?

We all have diarrhea from time to time, which can last for a couple of days. Sometimes it lasts for several weeks, which may indicate an infection or inflammatory bowel disease. In this article, we will look at where this violation comes from and for what symptoms you need to urgently see a doctor.

This disorder is characterized by frequent trips to the toilet (3 or more times a day) with loose stools. Doctors distinguish 3 types of diarrhea:

1. Acute – the most common variety, which usually bothers for 1-2 days and goes away on its own.
2. Continuous – lasts from 2 weeks, but less than a month.
3. Chronic diarrhea – lasts at least 4 weeks, while its symptoms can either persist throughout the entire time, or go away and then come back.

People suffering from this disorder, in addition to the main symptom, may have the following:

• Emergence of an urgent need to visit the toilet,
• Abdominal cramps or pain,
• Inability to stop defecation,
• Nausea.

If the causes of diarrhea are hidden in an infection, the patient has one or more additional symptoms:

• Diarrhea with blood,
• Fever and chills,
• Dizziness,
• Vomiting.

What are the causes of diarrhea?

The acute or continuous form of the disorder may have causes that are different from chronic diarrhea.

Acute and continuous

The most common causes of acute or continuous diarrhea are infections and drug side effects.

Infections

There are 3 types of infections that cause acute or continuous diarrhea:

• Viral infections, including norovirus and rotavirus. A common cause of acute diarrhea is viral gastroenteritis.
• Bacterial infections. Several types of bacteria are able to enter our body along with contaminated food or water. The most common ones that can cause diarrhea are Campylobacter, E. coli, Salmonella, and Shigella.
• Parasitic infections. Parasites enter the body with food or water, after which they settle in the digestive tract. Parasites that can cause diarrhea include cryptosporidium, dysenteric amoeba, and intestinal giardia.

Drug side effects

Many drugs can cause the disorder, including antibiotics, magnesium-containing antacids, and drugs given to cancer patients.

Chronic diarrhea

This form of disorder can be caused by:

• Certain infections,
• Food allergy or intolerance,

abdominal cavity,

• Long-term medication.

Infections

Some bacterial or parasitic infections that cause diarrhea do not go away without treatment. Also, after an infection, a person can get problems with the digestion of carbohydrates (lactose – milk sugar) or protein (dairy or soy products). Because of these problems, diarrhea can bother a person longer than usual.

Food allergy or food intolerance

• Allergies to foods such as cow’s milk, soy, grains, eggs, and seafood can cause chronic diarrhea.
• Lactose intolerance (milk sugar) is another common disorder. It can cause diarrhea after eating a meal that contains milk or dairy products.
• Fructose intolerance, found in honey, juices, fruits or soft drinks, can also cause chronic diarrhea. Fructose is one of the simple sugars, or monosaccharides.
• Sugar alcohols such as sorbitol, mannitol and xylitol can cause distress in some people. These substances are often added to chewing gums and sugar-free hard candies. Read more about sugar alcohols in the article on the FODMAP diet.

Diseases or disorders of the gastrointestinal tract

Problems with the gastrointestinal tract that can cause chronic diarrhea include:

• Celiac disease (gluten intolerance),
• Disease Crown,
• Irritable bowel syndrome and other functional disorders of the gastrointestinal tract,
• Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth syndrome,
• Ulcerative colitis.

Surgery on organs that are located in the abdomen

Some people develop chronic diarrhea after surgery on the gallbladder, colon, liver, pancreas, small intestine, stomach, spleen, or appendicitis.

Long term medication

Medicines taken for a long time can also cause chronic diarrhea. Some of these medications, such as antibiotics, can change the intestinal flora and increase the chances of encountering the bacterium Clostridium difficile. This bacterium is capable of causing a chronic disorder.

How do doctors find the cause of diarrhea?

In addition to a physical examination and review of the patient’s medical history, the gastroenterologist will order one or more of the following tests to find the exact cause of diarrhea:

• Comprehensive blood count,
• Fecal test – this test helps to determine , if diarrhea is due to a bacterial or parasitic infection,
• Endoscopy – This procedure allows you to examine the mucous membrane of the upper or lower gastrointestinal tract. Endoscopic procedures may include gastroduodenoscopy, colonoscopy, or rectosigmoidoscopy.

What to do if you have diarrhea?

Treatment depends on the cause and whether the disorder is acute, continuous, or chronic. Let’s consider each of them.

How to treat acute diarrhea?

Most acute disorders are treated with loperamide and bismuth subsalicylate. If the patient has a fever or blood is found in the stool, doctors do not recommend taking pills for diarrhea. In this case, the cause of the disorder may be hiding in a bacterial or parasitic infection.

How is acute diarrhea in children treated? Over-the-counter medicines taken by adults can pose a health risk to babies. In this case, it is better to consult a pediatric gastroenterologist.

What to do if chronic diarrhea?

Treatment of the continuous or chronic form of the disorder depends on the cause. A doctor may prescribe antibiotics and drugs to kill a bacterial or parasitic infection. If necessary, the gastroenterologist prescribes medications to treat diseases that cause chronic diarrhea. These include ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease, or irritable bowel syndrome.

Doctors sometimes recommend taking a course of probiotics. Probiotics are live microorganisms that live in our intestines.

What can not be eaten with diarrhea?

With this disorder, many patients temporarily lose their appetite. In most cases, when appetite returns, you can gradually return to your usual diet.

If the cause of diarrhea is a food allergy or intolerance, some dietary adjustments are recommended. In this case, you should avoid foods that can provoke a disorder. These include:

• Alcohol,
• Beverages and foods containing caffeine – coffee, dark chocolate, cola, chocolate ice cream
• Dairy products – milk, cheese, ice cream
• Fatty and fried foods large amounts of fructose – honey, apples, peaches, pears, juices, grapes, peas, watermelons, asparagus, zucchini,
• Spicy foods,
• Diet sodas and sugar-free chewing gums.

When do I need to see a doctor urgently?

Seek immediate medical attention if any of the following symptoms occur:

• Diarrhea lasting more than 2 days
• Temperature rises to 38.8°C
• going to the toilet within 24 hours,
• Severe pain in the abdomen or rectum,
• Black or tarry stools,
• Diarrhea with blood or pus,
• Appearance of signs of dehydration.

Elderly, immunosuppressed or co-morbid people should seek medical attention at the first sign of diarrhea.

If an infant or child is suffering from a disorder, the following reasons for urgent medical attention are:

• Diarrhea in a child that lasts more than 24 hours
• Temperature rise up to 38.8 °C .
• Severe pain in the abdomen or rectum,
• Diarrhea with blood or pus,
• Black or tarry stools,
• Signs of dehydration.