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Diarrhea
Definition:
Diarrhea is loose, watery, and frequent stools. Diarrhea is considered chronic (ongoing or prolonged) when you have had loose or frequent stools longer than 4 weeks. Alternative Names:
Stools - watery; Frequent bowel movements; Loose bowel movements Text Continues Below
Considerations:
Diarrhea in adults is usually mild and resolves quickly without complication. In infants and children (especially under age 3), diarrhea is more concerning. Children can become dehydrated fairly quickly. Common Causes:
The most common cause of diarrhea is a mild viral infection that resolves on its own within a few days. This is called viral gastroenteritis or "stomach flu." Viral gastroenteritis often appears in mini-epidemics in schools, neighborhoods, or families. Food poisoning and traveler's diarrhea are two other common causes. They occur from eating food or drinking water contaminated with bacteria or parasites.
Certain medical conditions can also lead to diarrhea, such as:
Medications can also cause diarrhea, especially antibiotics, laxatives containing magnesium, and chemotherapy for cancer treatment. Other less common causes of diarrhea include:
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