Digestive Disorders

Diarrhea

What is diarrhea?
Diarrhea is defined either as watery stool, or increased frequency, or both, when compared to a normal amount. It is a common problem that may last a few days and disappear on its own.

Diarrhea may be acute (short-term), which is usually related to bacterial or viral infections, or chronic (long-term), which is usually related to a functional disorder or intestinal disease.

What causes diarrhea?
Diarrhea may be caused by a number of conditions, including:

a bacterial infection
a viral infection
food intolerances or allergies
parasites
a reaction to medications
an intestinal disease, such as inflammatory bowel disease
a functional bowel disorder, such as irritable bowel syndrome
a result of surgery on the stomach or gall bladder

Many people suffer "traveler's diarrhea" caused by a bacterial infection or a parasite, or even food poisoning.

Severe diarrhea may indicate a serious disease, and it is important to consult a physician if the symptoms persist or affect daily activities. Identifying the cause of the problem may be difficult.

What are the symptoms of diarrhea?
The following are the most common symptoms for diarrhea, however, each individual may experience symptoms differently. Symptoms may include:

cramping
abdominal pain
bloating
nausea
urgent need to use the restroom
fever
bloody stools

The symptoms of diarrhea may resemble other conditions or medical problems. Consult your physician for a diagnosis.

How is diarrhea diagnosed?
In addition to a complete physical examination and laboratory tests for blood and urine, the physician may request:

laboratory examination of stool sample
additional blood tests
fasting tests
sigmoidoscopy
colonoscopy

Treatment for diarrhea:
Specific treatment will be determined by your physician(s) based on:

your age, overall health, and medical history
extent of the disorder
your tolerance for specific medications, procedures, or therapies
expectations for the course of the disorder
your opinion or preference

Treatment usually involves replacing lost fluids, and may include antibiotics when bacterial infections are the cause.

Dehydration
Dehydration can be a serious side effect of diarrhea. Symptoms of dehydration include:

thirst
less-frequent urination
dry skin
fatigue
light-headedness

In children, additional symptoms may include:

dry mouth and tongue
no tears when crying
no wet diapers for more than 3 hours
sunken abdomen, eyes, or cheeks
high fever
listlessness
irritability
skin that does not flatten when pinched and released

This page was last updated on: January 24, 2008.

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