Things to know about diarrhea

Diarrhea: Causes, Symptoms, Treatment & Prevention

Diarrhea refers to passing loose, watery stools more than three times in a day. It occurs when the digestive system fails to properly absorb water from the food waste in the intestine. Diarrhea can be acute (short-term), persistent, or chronic (long-term) depending on its duration and cause.

How Diarrhea Happens

When the intestine moves too quickly or cannot absorb nutrients and fluids properly, excess water remains in the stool, making it loose or watery.
This may happen due to:

Infections
Food intolerance
Medications
Digestive diseases

Common Causes

Diarrhea is most commonly caused by infections (viral, bacterial, or parasitic), contaminated food or water, and poor hygiene. Other causes include food intolerances (such as lactose intolerance), certain medications (especially antibiotics), digestive disorders like IBS or inflammatory bowel disease, and stress-related gut disturbances.

🔹 Infections

Viruses: Rotavirus, Norovirus
Bacteria: E. coli, Salmonella, Shigella, Campylobacter
Parasites: Giardia, Entamoeba (amoebiasis)

🔹 Diet & Lifestyle causes :

Contaminated food or water
Food allergy/intolerance (e.g., lactose intolerance)
Excess caffeine or alcohol
Artificial sweeteners like sorbitol or mannitol

🔹 Medical Conditions

1.IBS-D (IBS with diarrhea)

Irregular gut motility

2.IBD (Crohn’s, Ulcerative Colitis)

Inflammation damages absorption

3.Thyroid disorders

Increased bowel movement in hyperthyroidism

4.Pancreatic insufficiency

Poor digestion and nutrient absorption

🔹 Medications

Antibiotics (destroy gut flora)
Antacids with magnesium
Chemotherapy drugs

Symptoms :

The primary symptom is frequent passage of loose or watery stools. Other symptoms may include abdominal cramps, urgency, bloating, nausea, vomiting, and sometimes fever. In severe cases, signs of dehydration such as dry mouth, dizziness, reduced urine output, and weakness may occur.

Frequent loose/watery stools
Abdominal cramps
Bloating & gas
Nausea or vomiting
Urgent need to pass stools
Fever (sometimes)
Dehydration (major risk)

Signs of Dehydration

Dry mouth
Dizziness, weakness
Reduced urination
Dark yellow urine
Sunken eyes (in children)

Diagnosis

Acute diarrhea is usually diagnosed based on clinical history and does not require extensive testing. In persistent or severe cases, stool examination, blood tests, and sometimes imaging may be performed to identify the underlying cause and rule out serious conditions.

Most cases are diagnosed clinically and improve within a few days. Medical tests are required if diarrhea is severe or persistent.

Tests May Include:

Stool microscopy / culture
Routine blood tests (CBC, electrolytes)
Stool test for parasites
Food intolerance testing if suspected
Colonoscopy in chronic or unclear cases

Treatment & Management

Management focuses on rehydration and correcting electrolyte imbalance, primarily through oral rehydration solutions (ORS). Light, easily digestible foods are recommended. In certain cases, medications such as antidiarrheal agents, probiotics, or antibiotics (if bacterial infection is suspected) may be prescribed.

1️ Rehydration Is Key

The main treatment is fluid and electrolyte replacement.

ORS (Oral Rehydration Solution):

Sip small amounts frequently
Prevents dehydration
Especially important for children & elderly

Homemade ORS (1 liter boiled & cooled water)

6 teaspoons sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt

2️⃣ Dietary Management

Recommended

Avoid

ORS, coconut water

Raw salads during active diarrhea

Rice, curd, bananas, toast (BRAT diet)

Milk (if lactose sensitive)

Steamed veggies

Caffeine, alcohol

Light soups & khichdi

Spicy/fried foods

3️⃣ Medications