Diarrhea is a common problem caused by infections, food allergies, and food poisoning. It can be caused by a virus infecting the gut, medications, or dietary issues. Diarrhea can cause loose or watery stool and can last from a day to several weeks. Chronic diarrhea, which lasts for four weeks or longer, can be caused by diet, medications, or diseases. The most common cause is the stomach flu (viral gastroenteritis), which usually goes away on its own within a few days. Watery diarrhea can result from infections, medications, or chronic conditions. Treatments may include drinking plenty of water and avoiding foods that make it difficult to urinate. Acute and persistent diarrhea are common, with diarrhea lasting 1 or 2 days and going away on its own. Loose stools can be caused by infections, eating certain foods, and underlying health conditions. Diarrhea can be a sign of an infection, food poisoning, lactose intolerance, or gastroenteritis. Chronic diarrhea can last much longer and can be a serious health issue.
| Article | Description | Site |
|---|---|---|
| Chronic Diarrhea: What It Is, Causes & Treatment Options | Chronic diarrhea is defined as persistent diarrhea that persists for a minimum of four weeks. The etiology of chronic diarrhea is multifactorial, with dietary habits, pharmacological interventions, and underlying medical conditions representing potential etiological factors. | my.clevelandclinic.org |
| Diarrhea – Symptoms and causes | However, when diarrhea persists for more than a few days, it is typically indicative of an underlying issue, such as adverse effects of medication, dietary changes, or irritable bowel syndrome. | www.mayoclinic.org |
| Diarrhea – Symptoms and Causes | The most prevalent cause of diarrhea is viral gastroenteritis, which is colloquially referred to as the “stomach flu.” This mild viral infection typically resolves spontaneously within a few days. | www.pennmedicine.org |
📹 Causes of Sudden Diarrhea
Chapters 0:00 Introduction 0:04 Causes of Sudden Diarrhea 0:17 Traveller’s Diarrhea 0:48 Viral Gastroenteritis 1:19 Medications …
How much diarrhea is too much?
Most cases of acute diarrhea go away without treatment. However, severe diarrhea (greater than 10 bowel movements a day or diarrhea where fluid losses are significantly greater than oral intake) can cause dehydration, which can be life-threatening if untreated.
Why do I have diarrhea and poop more frequently?
Diseases and other conditions that may cause frequent bowel movements and other symptoms include: Salmonella infection or other infections that may be caused by bacteria. Rotavirus or infections caused by other viruses. Giardia infection (giardiasis) or other infections caused by parasites.
Does diarrhea detox your body?
Over-the-Counter. Since diarrhea is your body’s way of getting rid of toxins, it is best to let it run its course. However, you may use over-the-counter antidiarrheal remedies for convenience, including:
- Attapulgite (Kaopectate)
- Loperamide (Imodium)
- Bismuth sub-salicylate (Pepto-Bismol)
DO NOT take bismuth sub-salicylate with the herbs meadowsweet ( Spirea ulmaria ), white willow ( Salix alba ), or wintergreen ( Gaultheria procumbens ).
Complementary and Alternative Therapies. Work with your doctor to find remedies that are right for you. If you are pregnant, or thinking of becoming pregnant, DO NOT use any complementary and alternative therapies (CAM) therapies unless directed to do so by your doctor.
What does it mean if you keep pooping diarrhea?
- Short-term (acute). Diarrhea that lasts 1 or 2 days and goes away. This may be caused by having food or water that was made unsafe by a bacterial infection. Or it may happen if you get sick from a virus.
- Long-term (chronic). Diarrhea that lasts several weeks. This may be caused by another health problem such as irritable bowel syndrome. It can also be caused by an intestinal disease such as Crohn’s disease or celiac disease. Some infections such as parasites can cause chronic diarrhea.
What causes diarrhea?. Diarrhea may be caused by many things, including:
- A bacterial infection
- A virus
- Trouble digesting certain things (food intolerance)
- Food allergy (such as celiac disease, gluten allergy)
- Parasites that enter the body through food or water
- A reaction to medicines
- An intestinal disease, such as inflammatory bowel disease
- A problem with how your stomach and bowels work (functional bowel disorder), such as irritable bowel syndrome
- A result of surgery on the stomach or gall bladder
- Recent antibiotic use
- Metabolic conditions such as thyroid problems
- Other less common reasons such as damage from radiation treatments or tumors that make too many hormones
What does stress poop look like?
Anxiety poop is a common response to high stress situations. The good news is it can be managed through mindfulness techniques and changes to your diet.
Do you ever get the feeling of suddenly needing to go to the bathroom when you hear bad news? Or maybe before an exam or a big presentation at work?
If the answer is yes, you might be experiencing anxiety poop. Anxiety poop affects more of us than you might think.
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.
Is it better to stop diarrhea or let it go?
Over-the-Counter. Since diarrhea is your body’s way of getting rid of toxins, it is best to let it run its course. However, you may use over-the-counter antidiarrheal remedies for convenience, including:
- Attapulgite (Kaopectate)
- Loperamide (Imodium)
- Bismuth sub-salicylate (Pepto-Bismol)
DO NOT take bismuth sub-salicylate with the herbs meadowsweet ( Spirea ulmaria ), white willow ( Salix alba ), or wintergreen ( Gaultheria procumbens ).
Complementary and Alternative Therapies. Work with your doctor to find remedies that are right for you. If you are pregnant, or thinking of becoming pregnant, DO NOT use any complementary and alternative therapies (CAM) therapies unless directed to do so by your doctor.
Why am I getting so much Diarrhoea?
- Exposure to viruses, bacteria or parasites. This is a major risk factor for sudden onset of diarrhea.
- Diet. Certain foods or drinks, including coffee, tea, dairy products, or foods containing artificial sweeteners can cause diarrhea in some people.
- Medicines. Some medicines, such as antibiotics, laxatives, magnesium supplements, antidepressants, NSAIDs, chemotherapy and immunotherapy, can cause diarrhea.
Complications. Diarrhea can cause dehydration, which can be life-threatening if not treated. Dehydration is particularly dangerous in children, older adults and those with weakened immune systems.
If you have symptoms of serious dehydration, seek medical help.
What does unhealthy stool look like?
“Healthy stool is usually brownish in color,” Dr. Cheng says. “There is cause for concern when stool is black or reddish, which may be indicative of gastrointestinal bleeding. Stools that are gray may also be concerning for liver problems.”
Yellow, greasy, foul-smelling stool indicates that the intestines didn’t properly digest and absorb fat. This could be caused by a disease of the intestinal lining, such as celiac disease or chronic pancreatitis.
Tips for maintaining healthy bowels. It’s important to maintain good bowel health, as 70% of the body’s immune system is contained within the digestive tract. To keep your bowel movements frequent and healthy, Dr. Cheng suggests the following tips:
Eat a balanced, high-fiber diet. Fiber can help prevent or relieve constipation. Try fiber-rich foods like apples, carrots, beans, and whole wheat cereals.
Should I eat more if I have diarrhea?
- Drink 8 to 10 glasses of clear fluids every day. Water is best.
- Drink at least 1 cup (240 milliliters) of liquid every time you have a loose bowel movement.
- Eat small meals throughout the day, instead of 3 larger meals.
- Eat some salty foods, such as pretzels, soup, and sports drinks.
- Eat some high potassium foods, such as bananas, potatoes, and fruit juices.
Ask your health care provider if you should take a multivitamin or drink sports drinks to boost your nutrition. Also ask about taking a fiber supplement, such as Metamucil, to add bulk to your stools.
Your provider may also recommend a medicine to slow down your diarrhea. Take this medicine as you have been told to take it.
Does diarrhea clear your gut?
The Reason For Diarrhea. Studies at Brigham and Women’s Hospital have determined that diarrhea plays a crucial role in clearing the bacteria that is found in the intestines at the beginning of an infection. When a virus like E. coli strikes, two molecules in the intestine work together to enable pathogen clearance before the infection causes too much damage. While you may be inconvenienced by diarrhea, it may actually be the best thing for your body. Diarrhea could limit the severity and longevity of the infection.
The Danger Of Diarrhea. The biggest danger of diarrhea is dehydration, which can be a serious issue if not addressed- especially in young children or seniors. Signs to watch for in dehydration include:
- Constant and excessive thirst
- Your mouth or skin feels dry
- Dark urine and/or very little occurrence of urination
- Weakness, dizziness, lightheadedness or fatigue.
📹 The one thing that you are eating that could be causing diarrhea|| Main Cause of Diarrhea
Who Am I: I’m Sameer Islam – your poop guru! I am functional gastroenterologist and I provide options of lifestyle and diet …
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