Health from A to Z

Common Causes of Diarrhea

Diarrhea is a condition characterized by increased volume and frequency (more than twice a day) of stool. It can be acute or chronic. Acute diarrhea usually lasts a few days and is accompanied by liquid stool, as well as pain and gas in the stomach.

Chronic diarrhea lasts a longer period and can be a sign of a serious illness.

Common causes of diarrhea include:

Gastrointestinal tract infections—bacterial (Salmonella, Campylobacter, Escherichia coli), viral (Cytomegalovirus, viral hepatitis, rotavirus), parasitic infections (Giardia lamblia and cryptosporidium), water content in the colon, impaired peristalsis and secretory activity of the intestines, presence of substances not absorbed through the intestines, intolerance to certain types of food and food poisoning, antibiotics that disrupt the intestinal flora, stress and nervousness, alcohol, etc.

There are several types of diarrhea depending on the causes that induce it: osmotic diarrhea, secretory diarrhea, inflammatory diarrhea, diarrhea after surgical intervention on the ileum or parts of the colon, motor diarrhea, diarrhea due to impaired absorption in the intestines. Symptoms of Diarrhea

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Diarrhea can range from mild to very severe.

Mild symptoms are cramps and bloating, accompanied by very soft to liquid stool, several bowel movements throughout the day.

More severe symptoms include nausea and vomiting that occur alongside diarrhea, and the diarrhea itself is distinctly liquid and lasts several days.

In severe and dangerous diarrheas, in addition to other symptoms, fever, increased body temperature, and the presence of mucus, blood, and undigested food in the stool may occur.

Clinical manifestations of diarrhea: loss of electrolytes and water (dehydration), malabsorption or steatorrhea, feeling of thirst, hypotension and shock, hyperosmolar hypoglycemic acidosis (loss of potassium, bicarbonates). When to contact your doctor:

Although usually not a serious health problem, diarrhea can become dangerous or signal a serious illness.

Medical help is necessary if you have:

signs of dehydration, diarrhea for more than 2 days if you are an adult, for children, if it lasts more than 24 hours, severe pain in the stomach or rectum (for adults), temperature of 38 degrees or higher, stool containing blood or pus, black stools.”

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