What is diarrhea?
Diarrhea is frequent, loose, and watery bowel movements. Stool contains that material that is left after the digestive system absorbs nutrients and fluids from the diet. If the body does not absorb the fluids, or if the digestive system produces extra fluids, the stool will be loose and watery. Loose stools contain more water, salts, and minerals and weigh more than solid stools.
Diarrhea that lasts a short time is called acute diarrhea. Acute diarrhea is a common problem and usually lasts only a few days, but it may last longer. Diarrhea that lasts for at least 4 weeks is called chronic diarrhea. Chronic diarrhea symptoms may be continual or they may come and go.
What causes diarrhea?
Causes of diarrhea include
- Bacteria from contaminated food or water
- Viruses that cause illnesses such as the flu
- Parasites, which are tiny organisms found in contaminated food or water
- Medicine such as antibiotics
- Problems digesting certain foods such as dairy products (lactose intolerance)
- Diseases that affect the stomach, small intestine, or colon, such as inflammatory bowel disease
- Problems with how the colon functions, caused by disorders such as irritable bowel syndrome
- Sometimes no cause can be found despite testing. In a self-limited short term episode of diarrhea that lasts days, finding the cause is not usually necessary
How is diarrhea treated?
Diarrhea is treated by replacing lost fluids, salts, and minerals to prevent dehydration.
Taking medicine to stop diarrhea can be helpful in some cases. Medicines that can be bought over the counter without a prescription include loperamide (Imodium) and bismuth subsalicylate (Pepto-Bismol, Kaopectate). It is important to stop taking these medicines if symptoms get worse or if the diarrhea lasts more than 2 days. If there is bloody diarrhea, over-the-counter diarrhea medicines should be avoided as they may make diarrhea last longer.
To prevent dehydration during diarrhea, it is important to drink plenty of water, but it is also important to drink fluids that contain sodium, chloride, and potassium. Some examples include fruit juices, sports drinks, sodas without caffeine, and salty broths.
Dietary suggestions include eating soft, bland foods including:
- Bananas
- Plain rice
- Apple Sauce
- Boiled potatoes
- Toast
- Crackers
- Baked chicken without the skin or fat
Foods that can make diarrhea worse include:
- Drinks with caffeine, such as coffee and cola
- High-fat or greasy foods, such as fried foods
- Foods with a lot of fiber, such as citrus fruits
- Sweet foods, such as cakes and cookies
During or after an episode of diarrhea, some people have trouble digesting lactose, the sugar in milk and milk products. However, they may be able to digest yogurt. Eating yogurt with active, live bacterial cultures may even help some people feel better faster.
Once the diarrhea stops, it is usually ok to go back to eating a normal diet.
Can diarrhea be prevented?
People may develop traveler’s diarrhea while visiting developing areas of the world such as Latin America, Africa, and southern Asia. Traveler’s diarrhea is caused by eating food or drinking water that contains harmful bacteria, viruses, or parasites.
Traveler’s diarrhea can be prevented by taking the following precautions:
- Avoid drinking tap water, using ice cubes made from tap water, or using tap water to brush teeth
- Avoid unpasteurized milk or milk products
- Avoid eating raw fruits and vegetables unless they can be personally peeled
- Avoid raw or rare meat and fish
- Avoid food sold by street vendors
- Drink only bottled water, carbonated soft drinks, and hot drinks such as coffee and tea
- Before traveling outside the United States, taking antibiotics before traveling can help prevent traveler’s diarrhea or shorten an episode