DIARRHEA

Diarrhea is a very common condition for people of all ages. A viral infection, such as the
stomach flu, or a bacterial infection most frequently causes diarrhea. Less commonly, diarrhea is
associated with an underlying medical condition. Symptoms include the passing of frequent
stools that are loose, watery, and soft. Diarrhea may also cause bloating, pain, cramps, and gas.
Most cases of diarrhea are treated at home and resolve in a few days. Maintaining hydration is
the goal of home care. Severe diarrhea can be associated with serious medical complications
and require hospitalization.

Whenever you eat and drink, food travels through your digestive system for processing. Your
body absorbs nutrients and removes waste products via your digestive system. When you eat,
your tongue moves chewed food to the back of your throat. When you swallow, the food moves
into the opening of the esophagus. Your esophagus is a tube that moves food from your throat
to your stomach.

Your stomach produces acids to break down food for digestion. Your stomach processes the
food you eat into a liquid form. The processed liquid travels from your stomach to your small
intestine. The liquid solidifies as it moves through the large intestine, forming a stool. The stool
is eliminated from your body when you have a bowel movement.

Diarrhea is a very common condition for people of all ages. Diarrhea is the passing of frequent
stools that are loose, watery, and soft. It may be associated with bloating, pain, cramps, and
gas.

Diarrhea is most frequently caused by a viral infection, such as the stomach flu. There are many
viruses that cause the stomach flu. Rotavirus and Norwalk virus are the most common ones.
The viruses are found in contaminated food or drinking water. Poor hand washing frequently
spreads the viruses. The viruses can spread among groups of people, such as schools,
employers, or families. Symptoms typically appear within 4 to 48 hours after exposure to the
virus.

Bacteria are another common cause of diarrhea and cause the most severe symptoms.
Bacterial causes include traveler’s diarrhea, food poisoning, handling undercooked meat or
poultry, and handling reptiles with the bacteria. Bacteria related conditions typically last from a
few days to a week or more, depending on the cause, and can be associated with bloody bowel
movements.

Parasites and chemical toxins can cause diarrhea. Parasites are found in contaminated drinking
water or swimming pools. Chemical toxins are most frequently contained in seafood, certain
medications, and metals including lead, mercury, and arsenic.

Diarrhea is associated with certain medical conditions. Malabsorption syndromes such as

lactose intolerance, gluten malabsorption (celiac disease), and other food intolerances can cause
diarrhea. Diarrhea is symptom of inflammatory bowel diseases, such as Crohn’s disease and
ulcerative colitis. Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a very common gastrointestinal disorder that
causes alternating periods of diarrhea and constipation. Immune deficiency, such as with HIV or
AIDS infection, can also result in diarrhea.

Certain medications can cause diarrhea, especially some antibiotics. Laxatives used to treat
constipation can sometimes result in diarrhea. Diarrhea is a common side effect of
chemotherapy used to treat cancer.
Less common causes of diarrhea include Zollinger-Ellison Syndrome, neuropathy, and carcinoid
syndrome. Diarrhea can be a symptom of colon cancer. It may also occur after gastrectomy, the
surgical removal of part or all of the stomach. Further, diarrhea can be a side effect of high dose
radiation therapy for cancer.
Symptoms of diarrhea include loose, watery soft or liquid stools. You may need to go to the
bathroom frequently. Gas and abdominal bloating, cramps, or pain may precede the diarrhea.

Your stools may be any color. Passing blood or red stools can be a sign of a severe infection or
other medical condition. Black tarry stools may indicate bleeding in the stomach and may not be
a sign of infection. Diarrhea is usually not accompanied by a fever. You should contact your
doctor if you experience diarrhea with a fever, bloody stools, or black tarry stools.

Diarrhea can cause dehydration from loss of fluids. Dehydration can be severe and life
threatening. It is especially concerning for infants, children, and older adults. Dehydration can
cause sleepiness, thirst, and dry mouth. Infants and children may appear to have sunken eyes.
An infant’s fontanels, the “soft spots” on the head, may also appear sunken. They may refuse to
eat or drink. Older adults with dehydration may experience behavior changes and confusion.
Their skin may appear to be loose. Consult your doctor if you or your loved one experiences
signs of dehydration.
Treatment depends on the cause and severity of your diarrhea. Most cases of diarrhea caused
by bacteria or viruses can be treated at home. You should drink plenty of fluids to avoid
dehydration. You should avoid drinks that contain caffeine and milk. Milk may make diarrhea
worse. Your doctor may recommend hydration drinks for your infant or child. People with severe
dehydration may need fluid replacement via an IV line and hospitalization.

Avoid eating greasy foods, fatty foods, and alcohol. Bananas, applesauce, rice, and toast are
helpful foods to eat. If you feel too sick to eat, try sucking on ice chips until you can tolerate food.

Your doctor may prescribe antibiotics to treat some types of bacterial infections. However,
antibiotics do not work on viruses. Stomach viruses usually go away on their own in a few days.
Generally, anti-diarrhea medications should not be given for the stomach flu as they only prolong
the infection. You should not take over-the-counter diarrhea medications unless your doctor
instructs you to.

Treatments vary for diarrhea caused by other medical conditions. Lifestyle and dietary changes
may help some conditions. Ask your doctor for suggestions specific to your condition.

If you have a serious medical condition including HIV, AIDS, diabetes, heart disease, kidney
disease, or liver disease, contact your doctor as soon as your diarrhea starts. You may need
prompt treatment. You may be at risk for developing complications from diarrhea.
The stomach flu can be prevented with good hand washing. Hands should be washed
thoroughly after going to the bathroom and before handling food. You should avoid
contaminated food or water. Enzyme supplements are available to help digest foods with
lactose. Additionally, there are many lactose-free products and some gluten-free products
available on the market.

If you travel to underdeveloped countries, drink only bottled water and do not use ice. Ice made
with contaminated water can contain bacteria. Eat only well-cooked foods including meats,
vegetables, and shellfish. Do not consume dairy products. Do not eat fruit that does not have a
peel.