Diarrhea is a condition in which a person has loose, watery stools that occur more than three times in one day. The most common problem is acute diarrhea which usually lasts for 1 or 2 days and goes away on its own without special treatment. Diarrhea which persists for more than 2 days could be a sign of a more serious problem and it also poses high risk of dehydration. If diarrhea becomes chronic it can also be related to many more chronic diseases.

Causes:
There are many things that can be the cause of diarrhea such as food intolerance which is one of the most common cause, medicine reaction, intestinal diseases, and functional bowel disorders.

Acute diarrhea is usually caused due to infectious agents like bacteria, virus, or parasites. Other important causes for the acute diarrhea are food poisoning, inflammatory or ischemic disease, medications, and pelvic inflammation. However the chronic diarrhea is related to the functional disorders such as irritable bowel syndrome or inflammatory bowel disease.

Bacteria which can cause diarrhea entered our body from the contaminated food, and water. Most common type bacteria which causes diarrhea are Campylobacter, Salmonella, Shigella, and Escherichia coli (E. coli).

Some of the most common viruses which causes diarrhea are rotavirus, norwalk virus, cytomegalovirus, herpes simplex virus, and viral hepatitis.

Artificial sugar and lactose are the food intolerances which causes diarrhea. It happens because some people are unable to digest it.

Commonly found parasites in the human body which causes diarrhea are Giardia, Entamoeba histolytica,  lamblia, and Cryptosporidium. These parasites enter into the body through food or water and settle in the digestive system.

There are many drugs such as antibiotics, blood pressure medications, cancer drugs, and antacids which contain magnesium and can cause diarrhea. These medications are good for something but its side effects can lead to chronic diarrhea. Even there are many intestinal diseases such as inflammatory bowel disease, Crohn’s disease, colitis, and celiac disease which often lead to diarrhea.

Diarrhea also sometimes cause to people who has stomach surgery or removal of gall bladder. It happens due to the reason that surgery affects the movement of food through the digestive system. It can also happen due to an increase in bile in the colon after gallbladder surgery. Many may develop short-bowel syndromes, if some part of the intestine has been removed.

Many people develop the risk of diarrhea while travelling, which is also commonly known as traveler’s diarrhea. It is mainly caused by eating food or drinking water which has been contaminated by bacteria, viruses, or parasites. E.coli bacteria are the main culprit here. One should take care of their food and water on their visits to developing countries because it mostly happens in those countries compared to that of developed nations. Uncooked food and fruits should be avoided, and bottled water is only recommended. It is better to consult the primary care physician before travelling.

Treatment:
Different types of treatment are available for different type of diarrhea. Even keeping a good hygiene like washing hands and sanitation can also help to prevent the spread of diarrhea. Due to diarrhea body lacks enough fluid to function properly which causes dehydration. It is extremely important to maintain the fluid balance in the body by taking adequate amount of fluids. Dehydration is very dangerous particularly in children and older people so it must be treated immediately to avoid other serious health problems. Drink lots of fluids mostly regular soda and soft drinks. Fruit juice with a pinch of black salt and honey is also very effective. Milk should not be taken in any case as it will make the condition worse. In case you are seriously ill with diarrhea and could not able to eat or drink then your primary care provider will give you salt solutions flow through the intravenous line. It will replace the lost fluids and often brings quick relief.

Oily and spicy food should be avoided. Eat bananas, rice, and anything which is light. You should also avoid the alcoholic beverages and spicy foods up to 2-3 days after the diarrhea fully stops.

Antibiotics can be prescribed to some adults with diarrhea. It will help to reduce the severity of illness and also shorten the duration of symptoms.

There are many over-the-counter drugs available in the market that your provider may recommend such as Pepto bismol, Imodium.

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