You may have these symptoms:
- Loose, watery stools (poop)
- Cramps or pain in your abdomen (belly)
- Fever
- Upset stomach or throwing up
Diarrhea is sometimes defined as having more than three bowel movements a day. But a more widely accepted definition of diarrhea is liquid or watery stools. When diarrhea occurs more than three-quarters of the time and lasts at least three months without an identifiable cause, the diarrhea is said to be functional.
Diarrhea is the body's response to something that upsets the intestines; it's the body's way of clearing out whatever is causing the upset. Sometimes you know exactly what caused the intestinal distress -- for example, bacterial contamination in food. Other times, it remains a mystery.
In most cases, the problem will clear on its own, and you may not need to call a doctor. Diarrhea usually isn't serious, but it can lead to dehydration and weight loss. And while everybody experiences diarrhea sometimes, for a significant percentage of the population, the condition is persistent. Cases that don't clear up in a few days require a doctor's care.
According to the Rome III criteria for a diagnosis of diarrhea, patients must have experienced the following for the past three months, with symptoms starting at least six months before diagnosis:
- loose (mushy) or watery stools without pain occurring in at least three-quarters of stools.
Diarrhea is a condition of having three or more liquid bowel movements in a day. It results in the loss of body fluids and can result in dehydration and electrolyte imbalance. There are a number of causes of diarrhea including viruses, bacteria, food intolerance or allergies, medications, malabsorption, intestinal diseases, laxative abuse and other factors. Some diarrhea may function as an expulsion defense mechanism to rid the body of the causative organism. Therefore the use of medications to stop the diarrhea needs to be evaluated in each situation. The primary treatment of diarrhea is replacing the lost fluids and electrolytes primarily by oral rehydration therapy. In severe cases intravenous rehydration is necessary. Good hand-washing after using the bathroom is essential to prevent re-contamination of self or others.
Diarrhea is the sudden increase in the looseness and number of bowel movements (BMs) or stools. It has many causes. The most common cause is a virus.
- Diarrhea can be mild (a few loose or mushy stools) to severe (constant watery stools).
- A green stool is from the very quick passage of contents through the stomach and intestines.
Diarrhea refers to frequent watery and loose feces. It results when your intestines do not absorb the moisture from your foods. Diarrhea can result from a variety of different causes.
Certain viruses like the Norwalk virus, viral hepatitis, cytomegalovirus, or the Rotavirus can cause diarrhea, especially in children. Bacteria and parasites found in contaminated food and water can lead to the development of this condition. If you have trouble digesting fructose, lactose, or artificial sweeteners you may experience diarrhea. Certain surgeries and medications may be responsible for your diarrhea. Finally, digestive disorders like Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, and celiac disease can lead to chronic diarrhea.
Diarrhea typically presents with loose or watery bowel movements that may be accompanied by undigested food or mucus. Urgency to defecate and lower abdominal pain can also occur with diarrhea. If an infection is present, there may also be a fever.
More About this Book
Encyclopedia of Healing Foods
Continue Learning about Diarrhea
Important: This content reflects information from various individuals and organizations and may offer alternative or opposing points of view. It should not be used for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. As always, you should consult with your healthcare provider about your specific health needs.