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Diarrea - Overview

Nombres alternativos

Heces acuosas; Deposiciones frecuentes; Heces o deposiciones sueltas

Definición:

Es la presencia de heces acuosas, sueltas y frecuentes. La diarrea se considera prolongada (crónica) cuando se ha presentado este tipo de heces sueltas o frecuentes durante más de 4 semanas.

Consideraciones:

La diarrea en bebés y niños (especialmente menores de 3 años) puede causar deshidratación peligrosa muy rápidamente.

La diarrea en adultos generalmente es leve y desaparece de manera rápida sin complicaciones.

Causas:

La causa más común de diarrea es una gastroenteritis viral o una gastroenteritis vírica epidémica. Se trata de una infección vírica leve que desaparece espontáneamente en cuestión de unos cuantos días.

Comer o beber alimentos o agua contaminados también puede llevar a que se presente diarrea. Dichas causas comunes de diarrea abarcan:

Ciertos medicamentos también pueden causar diarrea, entre ellos:

  • Ciertos antibióticos
  • Quimioterapia
  • Laxantes que contienen magnesio

La diarrea también puede ser causada por ciertas afecciones, entre ellas:

Otras causas menos comunes de diarrea abarcan:

  • Reviewed last on: 2/16/2011
  • David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

Referencias

Schiller RL, Sellin JH. Diarrhea. In: Feldman M, Friedman LS, Brandt LJ, eds. Sleisenger and Fordtran's Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease. 9th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2010:chap 15.

Semrad CE, Powell DW. Approach to the patient with diarrhea and malabsorption. In: Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders; 2007:chap 143.

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