What causes chronic diarrhea?
Chronic diarrhea is frequently due to many of the same things that cause the shorter episodes (infections, medications, etc.); symptoms just last longer. Some infections can become chronic. This occurs mainly with parasitic infections (such as
Giardia), or when patients have altered immunity (AIDS).
Inflammatory bowel diseases, such as ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease, which involve the chronic inflammation of the colon, small intestine and/or other parts of the digestive tract. Crohn's Disease and ulcerative colitis, diseases causing inflammation of the small intestine and/or colon, commonly cause chronic diarrhea.
Irritable bowel syndrome, a condition whose cause is not entirely understood, and which creates abdominal pain, gassiness, bloating and changes in bowel habits, including diarrhea and/or constipation. The Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a functional cause of diarrhea or Constipation . There is no inflammation. It may be caused by several different underlying problems, but it is believed that the most common cause is rapid passage of the intestinal contents through the colon.
Malabsorption syndromes that inhibit the intestines from absorbing various nutrients. Carbohydrate or sugar malabsorption is an inability to digest and absorb sugars. The most well-recognized malabsorption of sugar occurs with lactase deficiency (also known as lactose or milk intolerance) in which milk products containing the milk sugar, lactose, lead to diarrhea. The lactose is not broken up in the intestine because of the absence of an intestinal enzyme, lactase, that normally breaks up lactose. Malabsorption of fat is the inability to digest or absorb fat. Fat malabsorption may occur because of reduced pancreatic secretions that are necessary for normal digestion of fat or by diseases of the lining of the small intestine that prevent the absorption of digested fat.
Endocrine disorders such as hyperthyroidism, diabetes mellitus and Addison's disease. Several endocrine diseases (imbalances of hormones) may cause diarrhea, for example, an over-active thyroid gland ( Hyperthyroidism ) and an under-active pituitary or adrenal gland (Addison's disease).
Colon cancer. Colon Cancer can cause either diarrhea or constipation. If the Cancer blocks the passage of stool, it usually causes constipation. Sometimes, however, a blockage causes the secretion of water behind the blockage, and liquid stool from behind the blockage leaks around the Cancer and results in diarrhea.
Other causes include immune deficiency diseases such as acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS), endocrine diseases, severe constipation, and abuse of laxatives by individuals who want attention or to lose weight is an occasional cause of diarrhea. |
More information on diarrhea
What is diarrhea? - Diarrhea is a condition characterized by frequent bowel movements and feces that are soft or watery, and that may contain blood, pus, or mucus. Severe diarrhea in children can lead to dehydration and death.
What causes diarrhea? - Diarrhea may be caused by infections of the digestive system, medicines such as antibiotics, malabsorption, irritable bowel syndrome, or other factors.
What're the symptoms of diarrhea? - Diarrhea is characterized by frequent loose stools. Patients with diarrhea present with various clinical features depending on the underlying cause.
How is diarrhea diagnosed? - Most cases of acute diarrhea never need diagnosis or treatment. The most useful are stool culture and examination for parasites.
What're the treatments for diarrhea? - Treatment is ideally directed toward correcting the cause; however, the first aim should be to prevent or treat dehydration and nutritional deficiencies.
What's acute diarrhea? - Acute diarrhea is a disorder in which people develop loose stools and increased frequency of stools. Acute diarrhea lasts for a day or two and often stops as suddenly as it started.
Infant diarrhea prevention and treatment - Most acute diarrhea in infants and young children is due to viral gastroenteritis and is usually short-lived. Antibiotics are not routinely prescribed for viral gastroenteritis.
What are the causes of acute diarrhea? - The most common causes of acute diarrhea are infectious agents. Other important causes include food poisoning, medications, inflammatory or ischemic bowel disease.
What is chronic diarrhea? - Chronic diarrhea is defined as loose stool that persists for greater than 1 month. Chronic diarrhea is usually caused by a parasite.
What are the causes of chronic diarrhea? - Chronic diarrhea is frequently due to many of the same things that cause the shorter episodes (infections, medications, etc.).
What is traveler's diarrhea? - Traveler's diarrhea is a term used to describe the diarrhea caused by infection with bacteria, protozoa, or viruses ingested by consuming food or water that has been contaminated.
What are the causes of traveler's diarrhea? - Traveler's diarrhea may be caused by any of several bacteria, viruses, or parasites. Cooks and food handlers may have the germs that cause traveler's diarrhea.
What are the symptoms of traveler's diarrhea? - Nausea, vomiting, borborygmi, abdominal cramps, and diarrhea begin 12 to 72 h after ingesting contaminated food or water.
How is traveler's diarrhea diagnosed? - In some cases, a doctor might be able to identify the infecting organism, which could lead to a specific treatment.
What's the treatment for traveler's diarrhea? - Dehydration is the biggest danger of traveler's diarrhea. In most cases, diarrhea ends within three to five days without antibiotic treatment.
How to prevent traveler's diarrhea? - Many cases of traveler's diarrhea can be prevented. Travelers should dine at restaurants with a reputation for safety and avoid foods and beverages from street vendors. |
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