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Diarrhea Causes

Diarrhea: Causes


Top Causes

1. Stress

Diarrhea is triggered by various causes such as bacteria, viruses, medications, travel, food intolerance etc. At the same time, stress is also responsible for diarrhea. It puts a lot of strain on the body. If stress is not managed, it can cause watery stools leading to loss of water and nourishment in the body. If the condition becomes chronic, it is better to see your health care provider immediately.

2. Chronic conditions

Certain medical conditions can also be responsible for diarrhea and other symptoms. If the condition persists for more than three days, then consult your doctor immediately because it could be any of the diseases such as celiac disease, inflammatory bowel syndrome or irritable bowel syndrome.

Celiac disease is caused due to consumption of gluten. This causes the immunity system to attack the lining of the intestines. If this situation is not managed properly, the intestines may lose the capacity to absorb nutrients later.

Inflammatory bowel disease is a condition where the digestive tract is inflamed and damaged. It cannot absorb or deliver the nutrients to the body parts.

Irritable bowel syndrome causes bloating, cramping, diarrhea and abdominal discomfort. You have to follow certain diet changes and simple lifestyle to control this disease.

3. Stress

Diarrhea is triggered by various causes such as bacteria, viruses, medications, travel, food intolerance etc. At the same time, stress is also responsible for diarrhea. It puts a lot of strain on the body. If stress is not managed, it can cause watery stools leading to loss of water and nourishment in the body. If the condition becomes chronic, it is better to see your health care provider immediately.

4. Chronic conditions

Certain medical conditions can also be responsible for diarrhea and other symptoms. If the condition persists for more than three days, then consult your doctor immediately because it could be any of the diseases such as celiac disease, inflammatory bowel syndrome or irritable bowel syndrome.

Celiac disease is caused due to consumption of gluten. This causes the immunity system to attack the lining of the intestines. If this situation is not managed properly, the intestines may lose the capacity to absorb nutrients later.

Inflammatory bowel disease is a condition where the digestive tract is inflamed and damaged. It cannot absorb or deliver the nutrients to the body parts.

Irritable bowel syndrome causes bloating, cramping, diarrhea and abdominal discomfort. You have to follow certain diet changes and simple lifestyle to control this disease.

5. Food intolerance

If your body is unable to digest some foods, then it can result in diarrhea. Some of the products that induce diarrhea are artificial sweeteners and some dairy products. Undigested food can cause various conditions such as diarrhea, cramping, gas etc within 30 minutes to two hours of entering your body. Lactose intolerance is also a condition that affects a lot of people. However, the impact of the intolerance varies in different people. Some people can eat small amounts of yogurt while some can drink only small amounts of milk in the form of tea or coffee. Dietary supplements can be used for improving your digestion of the dairy products.

6. Medication

Diarrhea is not only caused by bacteria and viruses, but also by certain medications. Certain types of medications can cause diarrhea. According to Alexander Rapisarda, โ€œThe number of cases of Clostridium difficile colitis is more when more number of people are treated with antibiotics. Antibiotics are used for destroying the harmful bacteria. However, the medication can destroy some good bacteria also during the process.โ€ So the medication makes you more vulnerable to the disease instead of protecting. Cancer drugs, blood pressure medicines and antacids can trigger diarrhea. If you experience the symptoms of diarrhea while taking these medicines, contact your doctor and seek his help.

7. Travel

People who travel to various places often may suffer from this condition if proper measures of protection are not followed. Many of the unhappy travelers experience travelerโ€™s diarrhea. At least 30 to 70 percent of the people who travel to other countries suffer from vomiting and diarrhea due to the local contaminated foods and water. When traveling to developing countries, it is always better to use only bottled water even for brushing your teeth. Avoid using raw foods and taking water from open faucets. Eat foods that are well cooked in neat and clean kitchen. Drinking boiled water is also recommended. If you contact this disease, you can witness the symptoms within 12 hours.

8. Virus

Viral infections can cause vomiting and diarrhea. Viral strains are contagious and travel quickly from unwashed sources, shared drinks and utensils. Contaminated foods are also responsible for carrying these viral strains into your stomach. The best way to control these infections is to wash your hands well, and keep all the utensils and areas in the kitchens neat and clean. Avoid using the containers or other things used by the person who is suffering from diarrhea.

9. Bacteria

Bacteria and humans live peacefully together. However, there are some varieties that cause serious conditions in the digestive system. Harmful bacteria breed and multiply on raw meats, shell fish, eggs and unpasteurized milk. According to Alexander Rapisarda, MD, specialist in hepatology and gastroenterology at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital, East Brunswick, โ€˜โ€™Diarrhea due to food contamination is rare in the United States. However, most of the food related cases are due to not refrigerating the foods properly.โ€

To reduce such risks, foods like eggs, meat, poultry etc have to be well cooked. Use clean utensils and hands while cooking. The leftovers have to be refrigerated quickly. Dine out only in clean and safe restaurants with good health department ratings.

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