HTV

Diarrhea

Overview

Diarrhea is the passage of loose and watery stools. It is a common symptom, and usually resolves within a few days. However, sometimes it may last for a longer period of time, indicating some serious underlying illness.

Causes

Since diarrhea is a very common symptom, it can be caused by a range of different reasons. Some of those reasons are listed below:

  • Bacterial infection
  • Viral infection
  • Parasitic infection
  • Medications
  • Lactose intolerance
  • Fructose intolerance
  • Artificial sweeteners
  • Celiac disease
  • Inflammatory bowel disease
  • Abdominal surgery

Symptoms

Diarrhea is a symptom in itself, but there are a few other symptoms that may be associated with this disease:

Diagnosis

For diagnosing the underlying cause of the this health condition, some of the following tests and procedures can be conducted:

  • Blood test
  • Stool test
  • Flexible sigmoidoscopy
  • Colonoscopy
  • Endoscopy

Treatment

Treatment of this disease is very simple since most cases resolve on their own in a few days without treatment. Fluid replacement and antibiotics are adequate treatment for when the diarrhea is more severe.