Definition of Diarrhea:

Diarrhea is loose, watery, and frequent stools. Diarrhea is considered long-term (chronic) when you have had loose or frequent stools for more than 4 weeks.

Considerations:

Diarrhea in in infants and children (especially under age 3) can caused dangerous dehydration very quickly.

Diarrhea in adults is usually mild and goes away quickly without complications.

Common Causes:

The most common cause of diarrhea is viral gastroenteritis, or the stomach flu. This is a mild viral infection that goes away on its own within a few days.

Eating or drinking contaminated food or water can also lead to diarrhea. Such common causes of diarrhea include:

• Food poisoning
• Traveler's diarrhea

Certain medications may also cause diarrhea, including:

• Certain antibiotics
• Chemotherapy
• Laxatives containing magnesium

Diarrhea may also be caused by certain medical conditions, including:

• Celiac disease
• Inflammatory bowel diseases (Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis)
• Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
• Lactose intolerance
• Malabsorption syndromes

Less common causes of diarrhea include:

• Carcinoid syndrome
• Nervous systems disorders, including autonomic neuropathy or diabetic neuropathy
• Partial removal of the stomach (gastrectomy)
• Radiation therapy
• Zollinger-Ellison syndrome