What causes Watery bowel movements?

* Infectious gastroenteritis, commonly known as the "stomach flu" or "food poisoning", is the most common cause of watery diarrhea It's caused by viruses, bacteria, or parasites that irritate the lining of the intestines, leading to increased fluid secretion and rapid movement of stool through the intestines.

Common infectious agents that cause watery diarrhea include:

- Norovirus

- Rotavirus

- Campylobacter jejuni

- Escherichia coli (E. coli)

- Salmonella

- Shigella

* Food intolerance or allergies: Some people may experience watery diarrhea after consuming certain foods due to intolerance or allergies. Common triggers include lactose intolerance (difficulty digesting the sugar found in milk and dairy products), gluten intolerance or celiac disease (sensitivity to gluten, a protein found in wheat and other grains), and nut or shellfish allergies.

* Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS): IBS is a common functional bowel disorder that affects the large intestine. It can cause a range of symptoms, including watery diarrhea, abdominal pain, bloating, and constipation. The exact cause of IBS is unknown, but it's thought to involve disturbances in the gut-brain interaction, changes in gut motility, and immune dysfunction.

* Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD): IBD refers to a group of chronic inflammatory conditions affecting the digestive tract. The two main types of IBD are Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. Both conditions can cause watery diarrhea, abdominal pain, weight loss, and fatigue.

* Malabsorption syndromes, in which the body is unable to properly absorb nutrients from food, can also lead to watery diarrhea. Malabsorption can be caused by various conditions, such as celiac disease, Crohn's disease, pancreatic insufficiency, and tropical sprue (a condition affecting nutrient absorption in tropical regions).

* Medications: Certain medications can cause watery diarrhea as a side effect. This includes antibiotics, anti-inflammatory drugs (such as ibuprofen or naproxen), chemotherapy drugs, and laxatives.

* Other medical conditions, including thyroid disorders, diabetes, Addison's disease, and Zollinger-Ellison syndrome, can also lead to watery diarrhea as a symptom.