DIARRHEA

People of all ages can get diarrhea. The average adult has a bout of diarrhea about four times a year.

What is Diarrhea?

Diarrhea is loose, watery stools occurring more than three times in one day - is a common problem that usually lasts a day or two and goes away on its own without any special treatment.

However, prolonged diarrhea can be a sign of other problems. Diarrhea can cause dehydration, which means the body lacks enough fluid to function properly. Dehydration is particularly dangerous in children and the elderly, and it must be treated promptly to avoid serious health problems.

What Causes Diarrhea?

Diarrhea may be caused by a temporary problem, like an infection, or a chronic problem, like an intestinal disease.

Diarrhea can be either acute or chronic. The acute form, which lasts less than 3 weeks, is usually related to a bacterial, viral, or parasitic infection. Chronic diarrhea lasts more than 3 weeks and is usually related to functional disorders like irritable bowel syndrome or diseases like celiac disease or inflammatory bowel disease.

What are the Symptoms of Diarrhea?

Diarrhea may be accompanied by:

• Cramping abdominal pain
• Bloating
  
• Nausea
  
• An urgent need to use the bathroom
  

Depending on the cause, a person may also have a fever or bloody stools.

Diarrhea in Children

Medications to treat diarrhea in adults can be dangerous to children and should be given only under a doctor's guidance.

Diarrhea can be dangerous in newborns and infants. In small children, severe diarrhea lasting just a day or two can lead to dehydration. Because a child can die from dehydration within a few days, the main treatment for diarrhea in children is rehydration.

Take your child to the doctor if any of the following symptoms appear:

What are the Symptoms of Dehydration?

Signs of dehydration in children include the following:

If you suspect that you or your child is dehydrated, call the doctor immediately. Severe dehydration may require hospitalization.

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