Diarrhea is loose, watery stools that pass three or more times a day. Acute diarrhea lasts 1 or 2 days and goes away on its own, but diarrhea lasting more than 2 days may be a sign of a more serious problem.

What causes diarrhea?
Acute diarrhea is usually caused by a bacterial, viral, or parasitic infection. Chronic diarrhea is usually related to a functional disorder, such as irritable bowel syndrome, or an intestinal disease, such as Crohn’s disease.

The most common causes of diarrhea are:

• Bacterial infections-bacteria consumed through contaminated food or water.
• Viral infections, such as rotavirus, norovirus, or herpes simplex virus.
• Parasites entering the body through food or water.
• Functional bowel disorders-symptom of irritable bowel syndrome.
• Intestinal diseases, such as Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis.
• Food intolerances-difficulty digesting ingredients like sugar found in milk or milk products (lactose intolerant).
• Reaction to medicines, such as antibiotics or cancer drugs.

When should adults with diarrhea see a doctor?

• Signs of dehydration
• Diarrhea for more than 2 days
• Severe pain in the abdomen or rectum
• Afever of 102 degrees or higher
• Stools containing blood or pus
• Stools that are black and tarry

How is diarrhea diagnosed?

• Medical history and physical exam
• Stool culture
• Blood tests
• Fasting tests
• Sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy

How is diarrhea treated?
Typically diarrhea is caused by dehydration, by replacing the lost fluids should help treat the problem.  There are over-the-counter medicines that will help stop diarrhea like loperamide (Imodium) and bismuth subsalicylate (Pepto-Bismol and Kaopectate).