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· 26 Nov 2021

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Why do you have diarrhea?

Diarrhea is a common ailment characterized by loose, watery, and possibly more frequent bowel motions. It can occur on its own or in conjunction with other symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, stomach discomfort, or weight loss.

Fortunately, diarrhea is usually just temporary, lasting only a few days. When diarrhea lasts for more than a few days or weeks, it's usually a sign of something else, like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) or even a more serious condition like celiac disease, persistent infection, or inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

Symptoms
The following are some of the signs and symptoms of diarrhea (loose, watery stools):

•    Cramps or pain in the abdomen
•    Bloating
•    Nausea
•    Vomiting
•    Fever
•    Stool with blood
•    The presence of mucus in the stool
•    Urgent need to get a bowel movement

When should you see a doctor?

If you are an adult, visit your doctor if you have any of the following symptoms:

•    Your diarrhea lasts longer than two days with no signs of improvement
•    You become dehydrated
•    You're suffering from significant abdominal or rectal pain.
•    Your stools are bloody or black.
•    You have a temperature of more than 102 degrees Fahrenheit (39 C)

Diarrhea in children, especially small infants, can quickly dehydrate them. If your child's diarrhea persists for more than 24 hours or if the child:

•    Suffers from dehydration
•    Has a temperature of more than 102 degrees Fahrenheit (39 C)
•    Stools that are bloody or black

Causes

Diarrhea can be caused by a variety of diseases and disorders, including:

Viruses. Norwalk virus (also referred to as norovirus), astrovirus, enteric adenoviruses, cytomegalovirus, and viral hepatitis are all viruses which can cause diarrhea. Rotavirus infection is a common trigger of acute diarrhea in children. The COVID-19 virus has also been linked to gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.

Bacteria and parasites are two types of bacteria. Diarrhea is caused by exposure to the pathogenic bacteria like E. coli or parasites via contaminated food or water. Traveler's diarrhea is a term used to describe diarrhea caused by parasites and bacteria when visiting underdeveloped countries.

Another kind of bacterium which causes diarrhea is Clostridioides difficile (commonly known as C. diff), which can develop after taking antibiotics or even during a hospital stay.

Medications. Antibiotics, for example, are known to cause diarrhea. Antibiotics treat infections by killing the germs that cause them, but they also kill the bacteria that cause them.

This upsets the bacteria's natural balance in your intestines, resulting in diarrhea or a secondary illness like C. diff. Anti-cancer medications and magnesium-containing antacids are two more drugs that cause diarrhea.

Lactose intolerance. In dairy products such as milk and other products, lactose is a sugar that is naturally occurring. After eating dairy products, people who have trouble digesting lactose get diarrhea. Lactose intolerance might worsen as you get older because the enzyme that aids in lactose digestion decreases.

Fructose. Fructose is a natural sugar present in honey and fruits. It's used as a sweetener in a variety of beverages. In persons who have problems digesting fructose, it can cause diarrhea.

Artificial sweeteners are sugar substitutes. Artificial sweeteners such as erythritol, sorbitol, and mannitol, which are nonabsorbable sugars used in chewing gum as well as other sugar-free goods, can cause diarrhea in otherwise healthy people.

Surgery. Diarrhea can occur after partial intestine or even gallbladder removal procedures.

Other digestive disorders. Ulcerative colitis, microscopic colitis, celiac disease, IBS, Crohn's disease, and small intestinal bacterial overgrowth are some of the additional reasons for chronic diarrhea (SIBO).