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You Are Here » Diarrhea » Causes of Diarrhea
Diarrhea
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Causes of Diarrhea
* Acute diarrhea is usually related to a * bacterial, * viral, or * parasitic infection. * Chronic diarrhea is usually related to functional disorders such as * irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) or * inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
A few of the more common causes of diarrhea include the following:
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Bacterial Infections. Several types of bacteria consumed through contaminated food or water can cause diarrhea. Common culprits include Campylobacter, Salmonella, Shigella, and Escherichia coli (E. coli).
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Viral Infections. Many viruses cause diarrhea, including rotavirus, Norwalk virus, cytomegalovirus, herpes simplex virus, and viral hepatitis.
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Food Intolerances. Some people are unable to digest food components such as artificial sweeteners and lactose - the sugar found in milk.
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Parasites. Parasites can enter the body through food or water and settle in the digestive system. Parasites that cause diarrhea include Giardia lamblia, Entamoeba histolytica, and Cryptosporidium.
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Reaction to Medicines. Antibiotics, blood pressure medications, cancer drugs, and antacids containing magnesium can all cause diarrhea.
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Intestinal Diseases. Inflammatory bowel disease, colitis (irritation of the colon), Crohn's Disease, and Celiac Disease often lead to diarrhea.
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Functional Bowel Disorders. Diarrhea can be a symptom of irritable bowel syndrome.
Some people develop diarrhea after stomach surgery or removal of the gallbladder. The reason may be a change in how quickly food moves through the digestive system after stomach surgery or an increase in bile in the colon after gallbladder surgery.
People who visit foreign countries are at risk for traveler's diarrhea, which is caused by eating food or drinking water contaminated with bacteria, viruses, or parasites. Traveler's diarrhea can be a problem for people visiting developing countries. Visitors to the United States, Canada, most European countries, Japan, Australia, and New Zealand do not face much risk for traveler's diarrhea.
In many cases, the cause of diarrhea cannot be found. As long as diarrhea goes away on its own, an extensive search for the cause is not usually necessary.
Definitions For This Page - In Alphabetical Order
* Acute
Symptoms or signs that begin and worsen quickly. Abrupt, sharp and brief.
* Bacterial
Bacterial is an adjective of bacterium. Bacteria is plural (consisiting of more than one) for bacterium. Bacteria is tiny microorganisms that reproduce by cell division and usually have a cell wall. Bacteria can be shaped like a sphere, rod, or spiral and can be found in virtually any environment and range from the harmless and beneficial bacteria to the bacteria that can casue infections and disease in animals and humans.
* Chronic
Pronounced - KRAW-nik
Chronic is a term that refers to disorders that last a long time, often years or a lifetime. A chronic condition is one lasting 3 months or more, by the definition of the U.S. National Center for Health Statistics.
* Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)
Pronounced - in-FLAM-uh-toh-ree BAH-wul duh-zeez
Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) is long lasting problems that cause irritation and ulcers in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. The most common disorders are ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease.
* Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
Pronounced - EER-uh-tuh-bul BAH-wul sin-drohm
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a disorder that comes and goes. Nerves that control the muscles in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract are too active. The gastrointestinal (GI) tract becomes sensitive to food, stool, gas, and stress. IBS causes abdominal pain, bloating, and constipation or diarrhea. Also called spastic colon or mucous colitis.
* Parasitic
Pronounced - PAYR-uh-SIH-tik
Parasitic is having to do with or being a parasite. A parasite is an animal or plant that gets nutrients by living on or in an organism of another species (host). A complete parasite gets all of its nutrients from the host organism, but a semi-parasite gets only some of its nutrients from the host.
* Viral
Pronounced - VY-rul
Having to do with a virus. A virus is an extremely small microscopic organism that often cause disease.
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References:
NIH Publication No. 07-2749
March 2007
digestive.niddk.nih.gov/
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