What are the main causes of watery diarrhea. How can you effectively treat watery diarrhea at home. When should you seek medical attention for persistent diarrhea. What are the potential complications of untreated watery diarrhea.

Understanding Watery Diarrhea: Causes and Symptoms

Watery diarrhea is a common condition characterized by loose, watery stools occurring more frequently than usual. While it’s typically not serious and resolves within a few days, understanding its causes and symptoms is crucial for proper management and knowing when to seek medical attention.

Common Causes of Watery Diarrhea

Watery diarrhea can be triggered by various factors, including:

• Viral infections (often referred to as “intestinal flu” or “stomach flu”)
• Bacterial infections (commonly causing food poisoning)
• Food allergies or intolerances
• Inflammatory bowel diseases (such as Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis)
• Parasitic infections
• Medication side effects, including laxative abuse
• Stress or anxiety
• Certain cancers or cancer treatments
• Malabsorption disorders
• Recent abdominal surgery

Recognizing Diarrhea Symptoms

The primary symptoms of watery diarrhea include:

• Loose, watery stools
• Increased frequency of bowel movements
• Abdominal cramping or pain
• Bloating
• Nausea and vomiting
• Urgent need to have a bowel movement

Do these symptoms always indicate a serious condition. While most cases of watery diarrhea are mild and self-limiting, persistent or severe symptoms may signify a more serious underlying issue. It’s essential to monitor your symptoms and seek medical attention if they worsen or persist for more than a few days.

Diagnosing the Root Cause of Watery Diarrhea

Proper diagnosis is crucial for effective treatment of watery diarrhea. Healthcare providers employ various methods to identify the underlying cause:

Medical History and Physical Examination

Your doctor will begin by asking about your symptoms, recent food and drink consumption, medications, and travel history. They will also perform a physical examination to check for signs of dehydration and abdominal tenderness.

Diagnostic Tests

Depending on your symptoms and medical history, your doctor may recommend one or more of the following tests:

• Stool sample analysis to check for bacteria, parasites, or other pathogens
• Blood tests to assess for signs of infection, inflammation, or other underlying conditions
• Colonoscopy or sigmoidoscopy to examine the lining of your colon (in rare cases)
• Imaging studies such as CT scans or ultrasounds to rule out structural abnormalities

How long does it typically take to receive a diagnosis for watery diarrhea. The time frame can vary depending on the suspected cause and the tests required. Simple cases may be diagnosed during the initial consultation, while more complex situations might require several days for test results to return.

Effective Treatment Strategies for Watery Diarrhea

Treatment for watery diarrhea depends on its underlying cause and severity. In many cases, home remedies and over-the-counter medications can provide relief. However, some situations may require prescription medications or other interventions.

Home Remedies and Self-Care

For mild cases of watery diarrhea, the following self-care measures can be effective:

• Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of clear fluids
• Consume electrolyte-rich beverages to replace lost minerals
• Eat bland, easily digestible foods (BRAT diet: bananas, rice, applesauce, toast)
• Avoid caffeine, alcohol, and fatty or spicy foods
• Rest and avoid strenuous activities

Over-the-Counter Medications

Several over-the-counter options can help alleviate symptoms:

• Bismuth subsalicylate (Pepto-Bismol, Kaopectate) for reducing stool frequency and relieving nausea
• Loperamide (Imodium) to slow down bowel movements
• Probiotics to restore beneficial gut bacteria

Can over-the-counter medications cure all cases of watery diarrhea. While these medications can provide symptom relief, they may not address the underlying cause. It’s important to use them as directed and consult a healthcare provider if symptoms persist or worsen.

When to Seek Medical Attention for Watery Diarrhea

While most cases of watery diarrhea resolve on their own, certain situations warrant immediate medical attention:

Red Flags for Serious Complications

Seek medical care if you experience any of the following:

• Persistent diarrhea lasting more than 3 days in adults or 24 hours in children
• Signs of severe dehydration (extreme thirst, dry mouth, little or no urine output, dizziness)
• High fever (above 101°F or 38.3°C)
• Severe abdominal or rectal pain
• Blood in the stool or black, tarry stools
• Recent travel to an area with known parasitic infections

Special Considerations for Vulnerable Groups

Certain individuals should seek medical attention sooner:

• Infants and young children
• Elderly individuals
• People with weakened immune systems
• Those with chronic health conditions
• Pregnant women

How quickly should you seek medical attention if you experience severe symptoms. In cases of severe dehydration, bloody stools, or intense abdominal pain, it’s crucial to seek immediate medical care, either through your healthcare provider or an emergency room.

Preventing Watery Diarrhea: Practical Tips and Strategies

While not all cases of watery diarrhea can be prevented, there are several steps you can take to reduce your risk:

Hygiene and Food Safety

• Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water, especially before handling food and after using the bathroom
• Cook foods to proper temperatures and refrigerate perishables promptly
• Avoid consuming untreated water or unpasteurized dairy products
• Be cautious when eating raw fruits and vegetables, especially when traveling

Lifestyle Considerations

• Manage stress through relaxation techniques or exercise
• Maintain a balanced diet rich in fiber
• Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water throughout the day
• Consider taking probiotics to support gut health

Are there specific foods or beverages that can help prevent watery diarrhea. While no single food can guarantee prevention, a diet rich in probiotics (found in yogurt, kefir, and fermented foods) and prebiotics (found in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains) can support digestive health and potentially reduce the risk of diarrhea.

Understanding Chronic Diarrhea: Causes and Management

When watery diarrhea persists for more than four weeks, it’s classified as chronic diarrhea. This condition often indicates an underlying health issue that requires medical attention.

Common Causes of Chronic Diarrhea

• Inflammatory bowel diseases (Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis)
• Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
• Celiac disease
• Microscopic colitis
• Pancreatic insufficiency
• Bile acid malabsorption
• Endocrine disorders (e.g., hyperthyroidism)
• Certain medications

Diagnostic Approach for Chronic Diarrhea

Diagnosing chronic diarrhea often involves a comprehensive approach:

• Detailed medical history and symptom analysis
• Physical examination
• Blood tests to check for inflammatory markers, celiac disease, and other conditions
• Stool tests to rule out infections and assess for malabsorption
• Endoscopic procedures (colonoscopy, upper endoscopy) with biopsies
• Imaging studies (CT scans, MRI) to evaluate the digestive tract

How long does it typically take to diagnose the cause of chronic diarrhea. The diagnostic process for chronic diarrhea can be complex and may take several weeks or even months, depending on the underlying cause and the tests required. Patience and open communication with your healthcare provider are essential during this process.

Complications of Untreated Watery Diarrhea

While most cases of watery diarrhea resolve without complications, prolonged or severe cases can lead to serious health issues if left untreated:

Dehydration and Electrolyte Imbalances

Persistent watery diarrhea can lead to significant fluid and electrolyte losses, potentially causing:

• Severe dehydration
• Electrolyte imbalances (particularly sodium, potassium, and chloride)
• Kidney problems
• Weakness and fatigue
• In extreme cases, life-threatening complications

Malnutrition and Weight Loss

Chronic diarrhea can interfere with nutrient absorption, potentially leading to:

• Malnutrition
• Unintended weight loss
• Vitamin and mineral deficiencies
• Weakened immune system

Complications in Vulnerable Populations

Certain groups are at higher risk for serious complications from untreated watery diarrhea:

• Infants and young children: Rapid dehydration and developmental issues
• Elderly individuals: Increased risk of severe dehydration and electrolyte imbalances
• Immunocompromised individuals: Higher risk of severe infections and prolonged symptoms

How quickly can complications develop from untreated watery diarrhea. The timeline for complications can vary, but severe dehydration can occur within hours, especially in vulnerable populations. Malnutrition and other long-term effects may develop over weeks or months of chronic, untreated diarrhea.

Innovative Treatments and Future Directions in Managing Watery Diarrhea

As research in gastroenterology and infectious diseases progresses, new approaches to treating and preventing watery diarrhea are emerging:

Advances in Probiotic Therapy

Recent studies have shown promising results in using specific probiotic strains to prevent and treat various forms of diarrhea:

• Targeted probiotic formulations for specific causes of diarrhea
• Combination probiotic therapies for enhanced effectiveness
• Engineered probiotics designed to deliver therapeutic compounds directly to the gut

Novel Antidiarrheal Medications

Researchers are developing new medications that target specific pathways involved in diarrhea:

• Drugs that modulate intestinal ion channels to reduce fluid secretion
• Compounds that enhance intestinal barrier function
• Targeted therapies for specific pathogens or inflammatory conditions

Microbiome-Based Approaches

Understanding the role of the gut microbiome in diarrheal diseases is leading to innovative treatments:

• Fecal microbiota transplantation for recurrent C. difficile infections
• Microbiome modulation therapies for inflammatory bowel diseases
• Personalized dietary interventions based on individual microbiome profiles

How soon might these innovative treatments become widely available. While some of these approaches, such as certain probiotic therapies, are already in use, others are still in various stages of research and clinical trials. It may take several years before some of the more advanced treatments become widely available. However, ongoing research continues to improve our understanding and management of watery diarrhea.

In conclusion, watery diarrhea is a common condition with various causes, ranging from mild viral infections to serious underlying health issues. While most cases resolve on their own with proper self-care, it’s crucial to recognize when medical attention is necessary. By understanding the causes, symptoms, and treatment options for watery diarrhea, individuals can better manage their health and prevent potential complications. As research progresses, new and innovative treatments offer hope for more effective management of this condition in the future.

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

Top Picks

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.

Watery diarrhea – causes, diagnosis and treatment

Watery diarrhea is repeated (up to 15-20 times a day) defecation, which is accompanied by the release of loose loose stools. Usually the symptom is combined with other dyspeptic disorders: vomiting, cramps, abdominal pain. Diarrhea with water is most often associated with intestinal infections, but can be observed with non-infectious intestinal pathologies, enzyme deficiency. To establish the causes of diarrhea, ultrasound, x-rays, endoscopy, and laboratory tests are used. To stop diarrhea, adsorbents, enveloping and astringent preparations are used.

Causes of watery diarrhea

Water bowel movements often indicate infectious or non-infectious intestinal diseases. Sometimes pregnant women complain about the appearance of liquid unformed feces, which is caused by gestational changes in the digestive and endocrine systems. In children, watery stools can be a sign of a toxic form of dyspepsia or the initial stage of colitis. Diarrhea with water with dyspeptic disorders, weakness, hemorrhages is characteristic of alimentary-toxic aleukia. Profuse diarrhea occurs in 90% of patients with toxic shock.

Bacterial infections

Ingestion of pathogenic intestinal microflora, as a rule, is accompanied by secretory watery diarrhea. Bacteria are able to secrete a specific enterotoxin that affects the epithelial cells of the mucosa and causes the accumulation of adenylate cyclase and cAMP in them. This contributes to an increased release of ions into the intestinal lumen with subsequent entry into the intestine along the concentration gradient of a large amount of liquid. The condition is exacerbated by concomitant inflammatory lesions of the gastrointestinal tract. The following intestinal infections lead to diarrhea with water:

• Cholera . This infectious disease manifests as diarrhea, which quickly loses its fecal character and odor, becoming watery. A few hours later, repeated vomiting joins, which aggravates the condition, provoking severe dehydration. A distinctive feature is the complete absence of abdominal pain or moderate discomfort, detected in no more than 30% of patients.
• Escherichiosis . Watery diarrhea often develops when infected with enterotoxigenic strains of the microbe, when the disease proceeds as a mild variant of cholera. In young children, waterborne diarrhea is usually caused by enteropathogenic strains. Diarrhea is combined with vomiting, pain in the epigastrium, along the intestines. An increase in body temperature to subfebrile numbers is possible. General condition of patients of moderate severity.
• Salmonellosis . Dyspeptic disorders are the main manifestations of the gastrointestinal form of infection. The first symptoms of salmonellosis are general intoxication and headache, after a few hours there are severe cramping pains in the intestines, profuse bowel movements, first with the release of unformed feces, and then water with food particles, mucus. A greenish frothy stool (“swamp mud”) is characteristic.
• Botulism . With the gastroenterological variant of the infection, dyspeptic symptoms come to the fore: watery diarrhea, repeated vomiting, spastic abdominal pain. Patients complain of dry mouth, sensation of a lump in the throat. Botulism is characterized by eye manifestations: double vision, flickering of “flies” before the eyes, blurred vision. In severe cases, paresis, paralysis of mimic muscles with asymmetry of the face are observed.
• Campylobacteriosis . The disease begins acutely with a rise in temperature to 38 ° C or more, pain in the muscles and joints. Multiple diarrhea immediately joins with the release of liquid, fetid feces, in which streaks of mucus and blood are detected. Patients often complain of abdominal cramps, while nausea and vomiting occur in only a quarter of patients with campylobacteriosis.

Viral infections

Dyspeptic disorders, in particular watery diarrhea, are considered the main manifestations of most viral intestinal lesions. Viruses, when they enter the gastrointestinal tract, multiply inside the epithelial cells, causing their death and desquamation from the surface of the mucosa, which leads to impaired parietal digestion, diarrhea. Pathogens also slow down the processes of reabsorption of water from the intestinal lumen, which causes profuse diarrhea. The most common viral diseases that occur with intestinal damage:

• Rotavirus gastroenteritis . Watery stools are the main manifestation of rotavirus infection. With a mild variant, the frequency of defecation is up to 10 times per day, the stools are fecal in nature, in severe cases, the leading one is profuse diarrhea with the discharge of a cloudy, fetid, yellow-green liquid. Diarrhea is combined with cramping pains in the umbilical region, subfebrile fever.
• Norovirus infection . Norovirus is characterized by simultaneous damage to the respiratory and digestive systems. The disease begins with a sore throat, nasal congestion, then dyspepsia joins – watery stools, vomiting, abdominal pain. Multiple defecation with the release of a large volume of fluid becomes a prerequisite for severe dehydration, which is manifested by dry skin, mucous membranes, decreased blood pressure, oliguria.
• Hong Kong flu . With this type of influenza infection, gastrointestinal symptoms are combined with signs of damage to the respiratory system, general intoxication of the body. Along with headache, high fever, repeated diarrhea with water, moderate pain in the abdomen, nausea, and lack of appetite are noted. Respiratory manifestations (dry cough, sore throat, nasal congestion) occur on the 2nd-3rd day of illness.
• Marburg hemorrhagic fever. The disease manifests itself acutely with the onset of headache, myalgia, conjunctivitis, erosions on the oral mucosa. Dyspeptic disorders in the form of watery diarrhea, vomiting, severe pain in the abdominal cavity develop on the 3rd-4th day of hemorrhagic fever. Pathognomonic signs are maculopapular rash, uterine, nasal and gastrointestinal bleeding that appear on days 5-6 of illness.
• HIV infection . AIDS is characterized by abundant watery stools without pathological inclusions, due to digestive disorders and the addition of a secondary infection against the background of severe immunodeficiency. In addition to loose stools, other nonspecific symptoms are determined – prolonged subfebrile fever, increased sweating at night. Most patients lose more than 10% of body weight.

Protozoal and helminthic invasions

Helminths and protozoa have a direct pathogenic effect on mucosal enterocytes, causing severe disorders of digestion and absorption of food components. Severe malabsorption syndrome, combined with increased secretion of water and electrolytes into the intestinal cavity, provokes profuse diarrhea. With insufficient replenishment of fluid losses, a dehydration syndrome of varying severity develops. Watery diarrhea is noted with such invasions as:

• Cryptosporidiosis . The protozoa parasitize in the lumen of the small intestine, potentiating malabsorption and inhibition of the activity of digestive enzymes, resulting in a watery stool with a fetid odor. Diarrhea is accompanied by severe abdominal cramps, nausea, and vomiting. The disease often affects people with immunodeficiencies. In such cases, there is a long course (up to 4 months) with severe dehydration.
• Strongyloidiasis . Intestinal manifestations are observed in the second phase of the disease, 2-3 weeks after the onset of the first symptoms – urticaria, rashes and arthralgia. The development of diarrhea is associated with an inflammatory lesion of the small intestine mucosa, the formation of hemorrhages, erosions. In addition to diarrhea, pain in the epigastric region, nausea, and vomiting are typical. Sometimes there is yellowness of the skin, pain in the right hypochondrium.

Noncommunicable bowel diseases

Watery diarrhea often complicates the course of organic diseases of the digestive tract, especially in the early stages. The increase in the volume of feces is due to both violations of the processes of parietal and abdominal digestion, and the impact of various inflammatory mediators. Diarrhea is associated with disorders of intestinal motility of the hyperkinetic or hypokinetic type. With a change in the frequency and consistency of the stool, the following non-infectious pathologies of the gastrointestinal tract occur:

• Enteritis . Watery diarrhea is a symptom of non-infectious inflammation of the small intestine, which is allergic, drug-induced, or autoimmune in nature. The appearance of liquid, fetid feces is mainly caused by malabsorption and maldigestion syndromes. The chair is observed up to 10-15 times during the day, accompanied by flatulence, rumbling in the abdomen, decreased appetite, nausea, significant weight loss.
• Enteropathy . Chronic watery diarrhea is manifested in non-inflammatory intestinal pathologies. A change in the consistency of stool masses can be caused by both fermentopathy and a violation of the motility of the gastrointestinal tract (for example, a hypomotor variant of diabetic enteropathy). The pain syndrome is weakly expressed, digestive disorders that contribute to weight loss and protein-energy malnutrition predominate.
• Acute colitis . For colitis, spasms in the left iliac region, painful urge to defecate, the presence of pathological impurities of mucus, blood in the feces are typical. The stool at first has a fecal character, a fetid odor, as the disease progresses it becomes watery. The frequency of bowel movements reaches 25 times a day. Similar changes are noted in pseudomembranous colitis with exudative enteropathy.

Enzyme deficiency

In the absence of enzymes in the initial sections of the small intestine, the appearance of profuse diarrhea with water is associated with an osmotic mechanism. The presence of a large number of undigested large molecules, especially disaccharides and peptones, is a prerequisite for an increase in pressure in the intestinal lumen, the release of fluid and sodium ions. Diarrhea occurs with fibrosis of the pancreas and a decrease in its exocrine function by 80-90%, as a result of which the digestion of all types of food is disturbed. The condition is aggravated by the addition of the secretory mechanism of diarrhea associated with cAMP activation.

Watery stools are possible with gastrinoma, Zollinger-Ellison syndrome. Increased secretion of gastrin and hydrochloric acid leads to the destruction of digestive enzymes, an increase in the osmolarity of the chyme. Diarrhea is combined with intense pain in the epigastrium, sour belching. In children, defecation with water becomes a consequence of galactosemia – intolerance to milk due to a congenital lack of an enzyme. The symptom appears immediately after the start of breastfeeding, accompanied by malnutrition, jaundice, inhibition of reflexes.

Examination

Watery diarrhea always indicates problems with the digestive system. Examination of patients with complaints of watery diarrhea is carried out by a gastroenterologist or infectious disease specialist. To verify the clinical diagnosis, a comprehensive examination of the gastrointestinal tract using laboratory and instrumental methods is necessary to detect morphological changes and determine the cause of diarrhea. The most valuable in terms of diagnostics are:

• Radiography . With the help of a survey radiography of the abdominal cavity, the condition of the gastrointestinal tract of the patient is quickly assessed. For a detailed study of the internal surface of the digestive tract, oral contrasting with barium sulfate is used. The method is quite informative in detecting non-infectious processes that cause watery stools.
• Ultrasound A non-invasive examination method is used as a screening diagnosis to exclude severe organic diseases of the digestive system, neoplasms. Ultrasound of the abdominal cavity allows you to identify signs of the inflammatory process. Sonography is also performed to assess the condition of the pancreas.
• Fecal analysis . To study the processes of digestion, absorption of food, a microscopic examination of feces with pH measurement is carried out. Watery diarrhea is often caused by infectious processes, so all patients undergo bacteriological culture of feces, analysis for helminth eggs. To exclude ulcerative-destructive processes, the Gregersen reaction is shown.
• Serological tests . The search for antimicrobial antibodies or specific antigens in the blood is the most accurate way to identify various infectious diseases, especially those of a viral nature. The study is not sufficiently informative in the first few days from the onset of the disease, when the concentration of antibodies in the blood has not yet increased.

As an additional general clinical method, a biochemical blood test is used to help determine the degree of malabsorption and protein deficiency. If specific lesions of the gastrointestinal wall are suspected, endoscopic examination with biopsy is recommended. To assess the exocrine function of the pancreas, a blood test for amylase, lipase is sometimes prescribed.

Adsorbents are used to reduce the frequency of watery diarrhea

Symptomatic therapy

Diet modification required. With an acute disorder, a starvation diet is indicated with the gradual introduction of rice dishes, foods containing pectins, salted soups, broths, dietary protein foods (veal, turkey, chicken, hard-boiled eggs). With watery diarrhea, a significant amount of fluid is lost, therefore, when the patient is in a satisfactory condition, it is important to provide plenty of fluids to prevent severe dehydration.

Adsorbents, astringents, and coating agents are used to reduce the frequency of watery diarrhea until the exact cause of stool problems is determined. In no case should you take medications that inhibit intestinal motility, as this can increase intoxication and lead to a deterioration in the patient’s condition.