What is diarrhea? How can it be diagnosed and treated? What causes diarrhea and who is likely to develop it? Get the answers in this comprehensive article.

Understanding Diarrhea: Definition and Symptoms

Diarrhea is a common and uncomfortable digestive disorder characterized by loose, watery stools that cause frequent need to defecate (usually at least three times a day). It can be acute or chronic. Acute diarrhea typically lasts a day or two and resolves on its own, while chronic diarrhea usually lasts longer than a month and may be a sign of underlying conditions.

The symptoms of diarrhea include abdominal pain, bloating, cramping, frequent loose and watery stools, nausea, and urgency. In adults, temporary diarrhea is usually not harmful, but it can sometimes signal more serious problems. Children, however, can suffer serious consequences from prolonged diarrhea due to their smaller body volume.

Causes of Diarrhea: Infectious vs. Osmotic

Diarrhea can be caused by either infectious or osmotic factors. Infectious diarrhea follows bacterial, viral, or parasitic illnesses that disrupt the normal process of gastrointestinal absorption or produce substances that draw water into the bowel. Osmotic diarrhea is caused by the inability of the gastrointestinal tract to break down and absorb something ingested, leading to the rapid passage of food and fluids through the digestive system.

Infectious diarrhea can be caused by bacteria like E. coli, Campylobacter, Salmonella, and Shigella, viruses like rotavirus, Norwalk virus, and viral hepatitis, as well as parasites like Giardia lamblia and Cryptosporidium. Osmotic causes of diarrhea can include food intolerances, certain medications, digestive disorders, chemotherapy, and high-dose radiation therapy.

Who Is at Risk for Developing Diarrhea?

Diarrhea is a very common illness that can affect people of all ages. However, it is more likely to occur in children, people with chronic digestive disorders, and those who have traveled to other countries where the local infectious agents may be unfamiliar to the digestive system. Antibiotic use can also commonly cause diarrhea by disrupting the “good” bacteria that help break down food in the gastrointestinal tract.

Diagnosing Diarrhea: Medical Evaluation and Testing

Diarrhea doesn’t usually require a formal diagnosis, but the physician may perform certain tests to determine the underlying cause. These include a medical history and physical examination, laboratory analysis of a stool sample, blood tests, fasting tests, sigmoidoscopy, colonoscopy, and imaging tests.

Conventional Treatment for Diarrhea

The conventional approach to treating diarrhea often involves anti-diarrheal medications like loperamide (Imodium) and bismuth subsalicylate (Pepto-Bismol), which can reduce the severity of symptoms but won’t speed recovery. In cases where a parasite or bacterial infection has caused the diarrhea, a course of antibiotics may be prescribed.

People with diarrhea should also avoid certain trigger foods, such as milk and dairy products, caffeine, greasy and fatty foods, spicy foods, and alcohol. On the other hand, foods like bananas, boiled potatoes, cooked carrots, cooked chicken, plain rice, and toast are generally better tolerated.

Alternative Therapies for Diarrhea

In addition to the dietary approaches, Dr. Weil recommends several safe and effective remedies for diarrhea, including the “BRAT” diet (bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast), probiotics, and herbal remedies like ginger, chamomile, and peppermint. These natural therapies can help restore the balance of gut flora and alleviate the symptoms of diarrhea.

Does drinking lots of water help diarrhea? Yes, staying hydrated by drinking plenty of water, broth, or electrolyte-rich fluids is crucial during a bout of diarrhea to prevent dehydration, especially in children.

Can probiotics help with diarrhea? Yes, probiotic supplements containing beneficial bacteria like Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium can help restore the balance of gut flora and reduce the duration and severity of diarrhea.

Is ginger effective for diarrhea? Yes, ginger has anti-inflammatory and soothing properties that can help alleviate the symptoms of diarrhea. It can be consumed as a tea or taken in supplement form.