What Could Lead To Persistent Diarrhea?

3.5 rating based on 152 ratings

Chronic diarrhea can be caused by various diseases, including bacterial infections, viruses, digestive tract problems, abdominal surgery, and long-term use of medications. Common causes include loose, watery stools, belly cramps, nausea, vomiting, fever, blood in the stool, and mucus in the stool. Common causes include coffee, sweeteners, dairy products, and certain medications. Other diseases that can cause chronic diarrhea include IBS, Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, celiac disease, microscopic colitis, food allergies or sensitivity, alcoholism, bacterial enterotoxins, bile acid malabsorption, Crohn’s disease in early ileocolitis, hyperthyroidism, and certain medications.

Critical diarrhea may develop after taking a prescription medication such as an antibiotic. It is important to consult a doctor about alternative drugs if one is not effective. Some common causes include bacterial infections, food intolerances, digestive tract problems, abdominal surgery, and long-term use of medicines. Caffeine-containing drinks, such as more than two or three cups of coffee or tea daily, can also cause diarrhea. It is crucial to see a healthcare provider before seeking treatment for chronic diarrhea.

Useful Articles on the Topic
ArticleDescriptionSite
Diarrhea – Symptoms and causesThere are numerous additional etiologies for chronic diarrhea, including inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), such as Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, celiac disease, microscopic colitis, and others.www.mayoclinic.org
Chronic diarrhea in adults (Beyond the Basics) – UpToDateJT Lamont, “Outline,” cited by 3Irritable bowel syndromeInflammatory bowel diseaseInfectionsEndocrine disordersFood allergy or sensitivityMedicineswww.uptodate.com
Diarrhea CausesThe medical condition known as traveler’s diarrhea is characterized by the sudden onset of watery diarrhea, accompanied by abdominal discomfort and vomiting, in individuals who have recently traveled to an unfamiliar environment. The causes of chronic diarrhea are numerous and varied. Celiac disease, colon cancer, and Crohn’s disease, a condition characterized by inflammation and swelling of the bowels, are additional potential causes.www.mayoclinic.org

📹 CHRONIC Diarrhea? Here’s What To Do | Dr. Will Bulsiewicz

We’ve all had unpleasant toilet experiences in our time. It can be distressing to deal with and not something we like discussing.


What is the most common cause of chronic diarrhea?

Luckily, diarrhea is usually short-lived, lasting no more than a few days. But when diarrhea lasts beyond a few days, it is usually a clue to another problem — such as medicine side effects, changes in diet, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), or a more serious disorder, including ongoing infection, celiac disease or inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

Symptoms. Symptoms associated with loose, watery stools, also called diarrhea, may include:

  • Belly cramps or pain.
  • Bloating.
  • Nausea.
  • Vomiting.
  • Fever.
  • Blood in the stool.
  • Mucus in the stool.
  • Urgent need to pass stool.
What is the most common cause of chronic secretory diarrhea?
(Image Source: Pixabay.com)

What is the most common cause of chronic secretory diarrhea?

Abstract. Diarrhea, defined as loose stools, occurs when the intestine does not complete absorption of electrolytes and water from luminal contents. This can happen when a nonabsorbable, osmotically active substance is ingested (“osmotic diarrhea”) or when electrolyte absorption is impaired (“secretory diarrhea”). Most cases of acute and chronic diarrhea are due to the latter mechanism. Secretory diarrhea can result from bacterial toxins, reduced absorptive surface area caused by disease or resection, luminal secretagogues (such as bile acids or laxatives), circulating secretagogues (such as various hormones, drugs, and poisons), and medical problems that compromise regulation of intestinal function. Evaluation of patients with secretory diarrhea must be tailored to find the likely causes of this problem. Specific and nonspecific treatment can be valuable.

Secretory diarrhea in children: newly recognized toxins and hormone-secreting tumors.

Udall JN Jr. Udall JN Jr. Pediatr Clin North Am. 1996 Apr;43:333-53. doi: 10. 1016/s0031-395570409-0. Pediatr Clin North Am. 1996. PMID: 8614604 Review.

Why is my poop never solid anymore?
(Image Source: Pixabay.com)

Why is my poop never solid anymore?

“Loose stools” can be natural for some people or signal diarrhea for others. Common causes include from foods – especially if something was spoiled or tainted. GI viruses, chronic conditions, food allergies and medication side-effects can also cause them.

When the patterns in our stools change, it can mean something’s up. But common sense and a bit of expert advice can help us balance between overly fixating on what’s in the bowl – and perhaps missing a sign that we need medical attention.

“Avoiding the extremes can help you achieve better gut health. Don’t be preoccupied with every minor change,” said Christopher Hurley, MD, Avera Medical Group Gastroenterology. “On the other hand, don’t avoid looking altogether and miss a red-flag warning like blood in the stool.”

What Can Cause a Loose Stool. The most common causes of a loose poop are things like viruses, food allergies and medication side effects. Some chronic conditions can, too:

Why am I getting Diarrhoea all the time?
(Image Source: Pixabay.com)

Why am I getting Diarrhoea all the time?

Some infections from bacteria and parasites that cause diarrhea do not go away quickly without treatment. Also, after an infection, people may have problems digesting carbohydrates such as lactose or proteins in foods such as cow’s milk, milk products, or soy. Problems digesting carbohydrates or proteins can prolong diarrhea.

Allergies to foods such as cow’s milk, soy, cereal grains, eggs, and seafood may cause chronic diarrhea.

Lactose intolerance is a common condition that may cause diarrhea after eating foods or drinking liquids that contain milk or milk products.

What should I do if I have constant diarrhea?

To manage diarrhea, avoid certain foods like dairy, fatty, high-fiber, or highly seasoned foods for a few days. Consider nonprescription antidiarrheal medicines like loperamide and bismuth subsalicylate to reduce watery stool frequency and control severe symptoms. A healthcare professional may order blood tests, stool tests, hydrogen breath tests, flexible sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy, and upper endoscopy to determine the cause of diarrhea. Blood tests, stool tests, and hydrogen breath tests can help determine the severity of the diarrhea. Hydrogen breath tests measure breath for hydrogen levels after drinking a liquid with high lactose levels, while flexible sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy allows doctors to see the inside of the colon and take a biopsy from the colon. Upper endoscopy examines the stomach and upper small intestine using a long tube with a camera. Treatment usually resolves on its own within a couple of days, but if lifestyle changes and home remedies have not been successful, a healthcare professional may recommend medicines or other treatments.

What is chronic diarrhea a feature of?

Common causes include irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), celiac disease, and microscopic colitis. The differential diagnosis for chronic diarrhea is broad; however, a thorough history and physical examination can narrow the diagnostic evaluation.

How long is too long for diarrhea?

The duration of diarrhea symptoms can provide a clue to the underlying cause. Acute diarrhea lasts from 2 days to 2 weeks. Persistent diarrhea lasts 2 to 4 weeks. Acute and persistent diarrhea are typically caused by a bacterial, viral or parasitic infection of some sort.

Is it unhealthy to always have diarrhea?

You should seek medical attention if you have loose or watery stools that last more than three or four weeks. You may need to be seen sooner than this if you have any of these “alarm symptoms”: bloody diarrhea, fever, dehydration, weight loss or abdominal pain that interferes with your activities or prevents eating.

Why do I have diarrhea but not sick?

Diarrhea not related to an infection can occur as a side effect of antibiotics or other drugs, food allergies, gastrointestinal diseases such as inflammatory bowel disease, and other diseases. In addition, there are many less common causes of diarrhea.

What does IBS poop look like?
(Image Source: Pixabay.com)

What does IBS poop look like?

What are the types of IBS?. Researchers categorize IBS based on how your stools (poop) look on the days when you’re having symptom flare-ups. Most people with IBS have normal bowel movements on some days and abnormal ones on others. The abnormal days define the kind of IBS you have.

  • IBS with constipation (IBS-C): Most of your poop is hard and lumpy.
  • IBS with diarrhea (IBS-D): Most of your poop is loose and watery.
  • IBS with mixed bowel habits (IBS-M): You have both hard and lumpy bowel movements and loose and watery movements.

The differences are important. Certain treatments only work for specific types of IBS.

How common is IBS?. It’s very common. Experts estimate that about 10% to 15% of adults in the United States have IBS. Only about 5% to 7% see a provider and receive a diagnosis.

What is type 7 diarrhea?
(Image Source: Pixabay.com)

What is type 7 diarrhea?

Diarrhea: Type 7. Type 7 describes very loose stools or fully liquid diarrhea. With this type, you may feel an urgent need to have a bowel movement and may not be able to hold it. If the diarrhea persists, you may also become dehydrated or malnourished.

This type of diarrhea is most often caused by a viral or bacterial infection such as norovirus. Parasitic infections such as Giardia lamblia can cause watery diarrhea. Certain medical conditions can cause type 7 stools as well, including celiac disease, Crohn’s disease, or ulcerative colitis.

How the Bristol Stool Chart Is Used. Your healthcare provider may use the Bristol Stool Chart if you have unusual bowel symptoms or notice a change in your bowel habits or the way your stools look.


📹 Chronic Diarrhea: Approach to Cause, Secretory vs Osmotic vs Inflammatory, Watery vs Bloody Diarrhea

Chronic Diarrhea | Approach to Causes, Secretory vs Osmotic vs Inflammatory, Watery vs Bloody Diarrhea Chronic diarrhea is …


What Could Lead To Persistent Diarrhea?
(Image Source: Pixabay.com)

Elle Pierson

Hi, I’m Elle Pierson, RN, MBA—a passionate Healthcare Consultant dedicated to empowering individuals and organizations to achieve better health outcomes. As a TEDx Speaker, Author, and Mentor, I bring my expertise in medicine and healthcare management to help others navigate complex systems with confidence. My mission is to inspire change and create meaningful solutions in the world of healthcare. Thank you for joining me on this journey!

Education: Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) and Executive MBA from Texas Woman’s University.
Email: [email protected]

About me

Add comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Dehydration Level Calculator

Select dehydration symptoms
Choose the symptoms you are experiencing to assess your dehydration level.

Tip of the day!

Pin It on Pinterest

We use cookies in order to give you the best possible experience on our website. By continuing to use this site, you agree to our use of cookies.
Accept
Privacy Policy