A brief overview on the causes, signs and symptoms and treatment options of diarrhea.
Diarrhea is a serious health problem especially in children and elder people because this may lead to dehydration, although this can affect people of all ages. Dehydration occurs when there is lack of enough fluid and electrolytes in the body to function properly.
A person having diarrhea often have loose, watery stools and typically have bowel movements more than three times a day. Diarrhea may be acute or chronic (prolonged). Acute diarrhea, which is more common, usually lasts 1 or 2 days and goes away even without special treatment. Chronic diarrhea, on the other hand, lasts more than 2 days and may be a sign of a more serious problem.
Cause
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. [National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse (NDDIC)]
Signs and Symptoms
The most common sign of diarrhea is having loose, watery stools often more than three times a day. For some people, diarrhea may be accompanied by cramping; abdominal pain; bloating; nausea; and in some cases, depending on the cause, a person may have fever or bloody stools.
Treatment
Replacing lost fluid and electrolytes to prevent dehydration may be the only treatment necessary in most cases of diarrhea. Medications that stop diarrhea may be helpful.
For people whose diarrhea is caused by bacteria or parasites, anti-diarrheal medications may not be helpful to you. If you stop the diarrhea before having removed or rid of the bacteria or parasite, the organism will remain in the intestines and prolong the problem. Doctors usually would prescribe antibiotics as a first-line treatment.
Viral infections are either treated with medication or left to run their course, depending on the severity and type of virus.
For a more comprehensive discussion about the causes, signs and symptoms, and treatment options for diarrhea, please visit our Diarrhea Information Page
Related Readings
Topic Reference:
National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse (March 2007). Digestive Diseases A-Z: Diarrhea (Publication No. 07–2749)(http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/diarrhea/): Bethesda, MD: NIDDK, NIH, DHHS. Retrieved May 2008
Page Last Revised: August 2, 2012
Diarrhea is a serious health problem especially in children and elder people because this may lead to dehydration, although this can affect people of all ages. Dehydration occurs when there is lack of enough fluid and electrolytes in the body to function properly.
A person having diarrhea often have loose, watery stools and typically have bowel movements more than three times a day. Diarrhea may be acute or chronic (prolonged). Acute diarrhea, which is more common, usually lasts 1 or 2 days and goes away even without special treatment. Chronic diarrhea, on the other hand, lasts more than 2 days and may be a sign of a more serious problem.
Cause
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. [National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse (NDDIC)]
Signs and Symptoms
The most common sign of diarrhea is having loose, watery stools often more than three times a day. For some people, diarrhea may be accompanied by cramping; abdominal pain; bloating; nausea; and in some cases, depending on the cause, a person may have fever or bloody stools.
Treatment
Replacing lost fluid and electrolytes to prevent dehydration may be the only treatment necessary in most cases of diarrhea. Medications that stop diarrhea may be helpful.
For people whose diarrhea is caused by bacteria or parasites, anti-diarrheal medications may not be helpful to you. If you stop the diarrhea before having removed or rid of the bacteria or parasite, the organism will remain in the intestines and prolong the problem. Doctors usually would prescribe antibiotics as a first-line treatment.
Viral infections are either treated with medication or left to run their course, depending on the severity and type of virus.
For a more comprehensive discussion about the causes, signs and symptoms, and treatment options for diarrhea, please visit our Diarrhea Information Page
Related Readings
Topic Reference:
National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse (March 2007). Digestive Diseases A-Z: Diarrhea (Publication No. 07–2749)(http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/diarrhea/): Bethesda, MD: NIDDK, NIH, DHHS. Retrieved May 2008
Page Last Revised: August 2, 2012
