Diarrhea is generally not something people like to talk about – or have. You have diarrhea if you have loose and watery stool three or more times in one day. It’s unpleasant, but not uncommon: Adults in the United States average one case of diarrhea a year. Diarrhea can occur at any age.
This condition is not only uncomfortable but it can also be deadly, particularly for children in underdeveloped countries. The World Health Organization reports that it is the third leading cause of death worldwide in children 1-59 months old. It’s a serious disease.
When people first get diarrhea, they often just want to know how to stop it. In most cases, you have to let it run its course. But because it can be the sign of other more serious conditions – or lead to such if not cared for – being informed about this common personal nuisance is important.
Diarrhea can be from infection or other causes. It can be acute or chronic. I’m offering information here that can help you understand the causes, types, health risks, and tips on managing the condition and preventing it.
Facts about what causes diarrhea
Most of the time, diarrhea is transient. It resolves within hours or a few days. You might wonder what caused it, how long it will last and what can you do about it. All of those have multiple answers, covered in this blog.
Acute diarrhea
Acute diarrhea is the type that only lasts a few days. It usually goes away on its own. This is the most common type.
Chronic diarrhea
Chronic diarrhea lasts more than a month. It may also come and go over long periods of time. It can be caused by irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis or other intestinal diseases.
What causes diarrhea most often
Infections are the most common cause of this disease, though many other things can cause it, such as the following.
- Side effects from medications like antibiotics.
- Food intolerances or food allergies.
- Stomach or bowel disorders like IBS.
- Thyroid problems or other metabolic conditions.
- Food poisoning.
- Antacids with magnesium and overuse of laxatives.
- Some cancer treatments.
- Bowel surgery.
Dysentery
Predominantly an issue in developing countries, dysentery causes over 1 million deaths annually. Dysentery is a gastrointestinal disease that causes severe cases of diarrhea containing blood or mucus in the stool. Dysentery can be caused by bacteria or parasites.
Travelers diarrhea
Travelers diarrhea can be a particular problem for those traveling abroad in developing countries where water may be contaminated and hygiene and sanitation are not as effective as in other places. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention notes that this is more likely to occur in Africa, Asia (outside of Japan and South Korea), Mexico, Central and South America, and the Middle East.
Steps to avoid travelers diarrhea are to wash your hands well after using the bathroom and before eating, as well as to eat and drink wisely. This means eating cooked foods served hot, washing raw fruits and vegetables before eating, only drinking items in factory sealed containers and avoiding ice. Taking certain vaccines prior to the travel can also decrease your chance of getting the disease.
Related Reading: ID Care’s travel medicine services
Infectious diarrhea
This can be the cause of acute or chronic versions of the condition. It is a form we are very familiar with at ID Care. Digestive tract infections that spread through food or drinks are foodborne illnesses.
This form of the condition can be contagious. The most common reason to suspect that your diarrhea may be contagious is if it comes on quickly. Infectious diarrhea will arrive via bacteria, viruses or parasites.
Bacterial infections can enter your body through contaminated food or water. These bacteria can be contagious. Common causes of bacterial infections are E. coli, Salmonella, Campylobacter and shigella.
Viral infections are the most common cause of diarrhea. These include norovirus, the most common cause of acute diarrhea in adults, and rotavirus, the most common cause of acute diarrhea in children. These are also contagious and often spread where people are in close quarters like on a cruise ship. It can be passed by improper hand washing in the bathroom followed by touching a commonly-used surface.
Parasite infections can also be contagious, but they are not as common as viral infections. They include the parasites giardia lamblia, entamoeba histolytica and cryptosporidium enteritis.
Anamika Patel, Infectious Disease Doctor
- Infectious disease physician expertise
- Board certified in infectious disease by the American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM)
- Specializing in the treatment of all infectious diseases, with a special interest in HIV and joint infections
- Education
- Fellowship: Hahnemann Hospital (2024)
- Residency: Robert Packer Hospital/Guthrie Hospital (2022)
- Medical School: B. J. Medical College, India (1998)
- Hospital Affiliations
- Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital, Hamilton, NJ
- Capital Health System, Pennington, NJ
Diarrhea symptoms calling for medical attention
In addition to the watery stool three times a day, other symptoms can include bloating, cramps, nausea and frequent bowel movements. Those are to be expected and generally not something to be overly concerned about.
But the disease can cause serious problems. Following are signs and symptoms of the condition that warrant contacting a medical provider.
- Vomiting.
- Fever.
- Blood or mucus in stool.
- Weight loss.
- Severe pain.
Dehydration and electrolytes
Serious effects of diarrhea are often due to dehydration, in which the body loses electrolytes. Electrolytes are important for proper bodily functioning of vital organs.
Dehydration if not treated in a timely manner can cause kidney failure and death. That’s why dehydration is such a big concern with diarrhea.
See a medical provider if an adult or a child has these symptoms of dehydration:
- Severe vomiting and nausea.
- Headache.
- Confusion and lethargy.
- Fatigue that doesn’t improve with rest.
- Dizziness.
- Dark urine, no urine or very small amounts of it.
- For infants and toddlers: fewer than six wet diapers a day, no urinating for eight hours and no tears with crying.
Diarrhea treatment by ID Care infectious disease specialists
ID Care physicians may recommend the self-treatment in certain cases. We can prescribe antibiotics or antiparasitic medications in situations where it’s needed. We may also suggest probiotics to promote good gut bacteria. Sometimes we might refer you to a gastroenterologist to find the cause of many chronic diarrhea cases.
Related Reading: Diarrhea Treatment
How to stop diarrhea, deal with it & prevent it
Generally, you can live through a bout of diarrhea without much problem. But you can take some steps to stop diarrhea:
- Drink lots of water and replenish electrolytes (pulp-free fruit juices, sports drinks like Gatorade, broths).
- Avoid alcohol and caffeine.
- Stay away from foods that give you gas (beans, cabbage, carbonated beverages).
- Eat foods that help make stool firm like bananas, applesauce, potatoes, noodles, fish and lean meats.
- Over-the-counter Pepto-Bismol or Kaopectate can make you feel better.
Preventing diarrhea is also possible. Wash your hands with soap and water after preparing and eating food and using the bathroom. Store and cook food properly to prevent spoilage. Get vaccinated for rotavirus and COVID-19, which can cause diarrhea. Be careful what you eat and drink when traveling. Certain kind of vaccines may be recommended by us as well to prevent diarrhea prior to your travel.