Diarrhea Causes & Treatment

According to MedicineNet, diarrhea is present when a person experiences frequent bowel movements or a looseness of stool. Individuals differ on what is "normal" for both of these variables, so the important criteria are that the frequency or looseness is more than usual. Either symptom may indicate diarrhea, but they often occur together.

Viral Infection

• Along with diarrhea, accompanying symptoms include stomach cramps, vomiting and nausea. Viral infections that cause diarrhea are contagious and can result in epidemics as the infections pass from one person to another. This type of diarrhea typically lasts from two to three days and, although uncomfortable for the victim, is generally not life threatening.

Food Poisoning

• WebMD points out that contaminated food or water can cause diarrhea. "Food poisoning" is a common term for this condition. It generally lasts for around twenty-four hours. The onset can be rather immediate after eating the food if the toxins are in the food before consumption. Sometimes, the body produces the toxins after food consumption. In that case, the symptoms may not be evident until 7 to 15 hours have passed. Food encountered when traveling to warm countries and countries with poor sanitation can carry E. coli that results in diarrhea, the infamous "Montezuma's Revenge."

Drug Side Effects

• Diarrhea is a side effect of many drugs, so if diarrhea begins shortly after starting use of a new drug, that drug is most likely the cause. Antacids and drugs with magnesium are the worst culprits, but they are the two at the top of a long list of potentially diarrhea-causing drugs. If diarrhea develops from a new drug, it is wise to consult a physician immediately.

Food Intolerance

• The National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse (NDDIC) notes that some people have food intolerances that result in diarrhea. Artificial sweeteners and lactose are a problem in this regard for many people.

Treatment Of Diarrhea

• Most diarrhea cases take care of themselves in a few days. Various over-the-counter medications can treat the symptoms of diarrhea. WebMD recommends drinking plenty of liquids--the equivalent of at least six full glasses per day. The recommendation is to drink small amounts of liquids frequently rather than large quantities at widely spaced intervals. NDDIC recommends avoiding caffeine, dairy products and greasy foods. These foods tend to aggravate diarrhea. NDDIC recommends consuming broth, as it contains electrolytes. If diarrhea lingers it can be serious and life threatening. The real danger, especially to the very young and very old is dehydration. Lingering diarrhea warrants a visit to the doctor.