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| Definition: | The passage of an increased amount of stool. This is frequently considered to be 3 or more stools per day, or excessively watery and unformed stool. Chronic diarrhea occurs when loose or more frequent stools persist for longer than two weeks.
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| Alternative Names: | Stools - watery; Frequent bowel movements; Loose bowel movements
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| Considerations: | The majority of diarrheal diseases result from infection, and are generally short lived, self-limiting conditions. Common forms of diarrhea are grouped under terms such as "stomach flu" and gastroenteritis. These conditions may include vomiting, and often appear in mini-epidemics in schools, neighborhoods, or families. Quite often parents and local physicians are aware the stomach flu is "going around".
Most diarrhea will stop without treatment in a few days. Certain drugs, such as antibiotics, can cause or worsen diarrhea.
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| Common Causes: | Diarrheal diseases can be grouped into several general categories.
INFECTIOUS - viruses
- rotavirus
- Norwalk agent
- cytomegalovirus (CMV)
- adenovirus
- echovirus
- HIV virus (see HIV disease)
- bacteria
- shigella
- salmonella
- Escherichia coli (commonly called "E. coli")
- Campylobacter jejuni
- Yersinia enterocolitica
- Clostridium difficile (commonly called "C. diff")
- cholera (less of a problem in developed countries)
- Staphylococcus aureus
- parasites
- Giardia Lamblia
- Cryptosporidium parvum
- Entamoeba histolytica
- occasionally roundworm (ascariasis) or tapeworm infestation
TOXIC
Often referred to as "food poisoning" Toxins may be produced in foods as bacteria grow. These toxins are responsible for the associated vomiting and diarrhea. The most common toxin is an enterotoxin produced by staphylococcus species.
MALABSORPTIONThere are other less frequently encountered causes of malabsorption.
INFLAMMATORY DISEASES OF THE BOWEL IMMUNE DEFICIENCY MEDICATIONS - antibiotics
- laxatives (especially those containing Magnesium)
- chemotherapy
CERTAIN TREATMENTS OTHER
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Review Date: 2/28/2002
Reviewed By: A.D.A.M. editorial (2/28/2002). Previously reviewed by Jenifer K. Lehrer, M.D., Department of Gastroenterology, Graduate Hospital, Philadelphia, PA. and Jonathan Fanaroff, M.D., Department of Pediatrics, Rainbow Babies and Children's Hospital, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH. Reviews provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network (12/11/2001).
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