Diarrhea, also spelled diarrhoea (see spelling differences), is a condition in which the sufferer has frequent watery, loose bowel movements (from the Greek word διάρροια; literally meaning "through-flowing"). Acute infectious diarrhea is a common cause of death in developing countries (particularly among infants), accounting for 5 to 8 million deaths annually. Much of the incidence of these deaths is due to the lack of adequate safe water and lack of sewage treatment capacity; the separation of drinking water from contaminated sewage is also a major issue.

Causes

This condition can occur as a symptom of infection, allergy, food intolerance, foodborne illness and/or extreme excesses of Vitamin C and/or magnesium and may be accompanied by abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting. Temporary diarrhea can also result from the ingestion of laxative medications or large quantities of certain foods like prunes with laxative properties. There are other conditions which involve some but not all of the symptoms of diarrhea, and so the formal medical definition of diarrhea involves defecation of more than 200 grams per day (though formal weighing of stools to determine a diagnosis is rarely actually carried out).

Diarrhea occurs when insufficient fluid is absorbed by the colon. As part of the digestion process, or due to fluid intake, food is mixed with large amounts of water. Thus, digested food is essentially liquid prior to reaching the colon. The colon absorbs water, leaving the remaining material as a semisolid stool. If the colon is damaged or inflamed, however, absorption is inhibited, and watery stools result.

Diarrhea is most commonly caused by viral infections or bacterial toxins. In sanitary living conditions and with ample food and water available, an otherwise healthy patient typically recovers from the common viral infections in a few days and at most a week. However, for ill or malnourished individuals diarrhea can lead to severe dehydration and can become life-threatening without treatment.

Diarrhea can also be a symptom of more serious diseases, such as dysentery, Montezuma's Revenge (illness), cholera, or botulism, and can also be indicative of a chronic syndrome such as Crohn's disease. Though appendicitis patients do not generally have diarrhea, it is a common symptom of a ruptured appendix. It is also an effect of severe radiation sickness.

Diarrhea can also be caused by dairy intake in those who are lactose intolerant.

Symptomatic treatment for diarrhea involves the patient consuming adequate amounts of water to replace that loss, preferably mixed with electrolytes to provide essential salts and some amount of nutrients. For many people, further treatment is unnecessary. The following types of diarrhea generally indicate medical supervision is desirable:

• Diarrhea in infants;
• Moderate or severe diarrhea in young children;
• Diarrhea associated with blood;
• Diarrhea that continues for more than 2 weeks;
• Diarrhea that is associated with more general illness such as non-cramping abdominal pain, fever, weight loss, etc;
• Diarrhea in travelers, since they are more likely to have exotic infections such as parasites;
• Diarrhea in food handlers, because of the potential to infect others;
• Diarrhea in institutions such as hospitals, child care centers, or geriatric and convalescent homes.

Are you dissatisfied with the quality of medical care you currently receive? Wiser Hall Clinic can help...

Get Help Now: To find out if you’re a potential candidate to receive treatment at Wiser Hall Private Medical Diagnostic and Health Recovery Clinic, please call 613.925.1921 to have someone call you back or fill out a contact form.