Overview

Acute diarrhea refers to a sudden onset of loose or watery stools, typically lasting for a short time. Symptoms of acute diarrhea can include loose or watery stools, vomiting, bloating, nausea, abdominal cramps or abdominal pain, and fever. Acute diarrhea can be caused by various factors, including inflammation, infections (including those from contaminated food or water), medications like antibiotics, stress and anxiety, and dietary factors. Diarrhea can also be caused by a gastrointestinal condition like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), inflammatory bowel disease like Crohn’s and celiac disease. 

How is it diagnosed?

Your physician may order a combination of blood and stool samples, including tests to check for bacteria, viruses or parasites. Your physician may also order blood tests to check for signs of infection, imaging like abdominal X-rays or ultrasounds, or endoscopic procedures like colonoscopy or esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) where samples could be taken from your colon or small intestine.  

How is it treated?

Managing acute diarrhea involves a combination of medications and lifestyle modifications aimed at alleviating symptoms, practicing hand hygiene, preventing dehydration, and addressing the underlying cause. If you have diarrhea that lasts longer than two days with no improvement, or if you are dehydrated and have severe abdominal pain, you should call your physician right away. Also, if you plan to travel to areas with poor sanitation or lack access to clean water, it is important to watch what you eat and drink. Check the CDC website for travel warnings and advice for reducing risks. Over-the-counter medications such as Pepto-Bismol or Imodium can help reduce the amount of bowel movements and relieve symptoms of diarrhea. However, these medications are not suitable for everyone and should be used with caution, especially in cases of bacterial or parasitic infections.  

Chronic Diarrhea

Overview

Chronic diarrhea is characterized by frequent loose or watery stools persisting for more than four weeks. It can be caused by various factors, including infections, medications, digestive disorders, and other underlying health conditions.

• Infections: Bacterial, viral, or parasitic infections can lead to chronic diarrhea, especially if the infection doesn’t go away.
• Medications: Certain medications, like antibiotics, laxatives, and some drugs, can have diarrhea as a side effect and lead to chronic diarrhea.
• Digestive Disorders: Conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), celiac disease, and lactose intolerance can cause chronic diarrhea.
• Other Factors: Chronic diarrhea can also be caused by endocrine disorders, like hyperthyroidism, food allergies or sensitivity and chronic stress.

How is it diagnosed?

Blood, stool and urine tests can be used to check for signs of infection, inflammation, or malabsorption. Imaging tests such as ultrasound, CT scan, or MRI can be ordered if previous tests don’t find a cause. Procedures like colonoscopy or upper endoscopy can also help find the cause by taking tissue samples for further evaluation.

How is it treated?

Depending on the cause, your healthcare provider may prescribe medications to manage symptoms or treat underlying conditions. For example, antidiarrheal medications, anti-inflammatory drugs, or immunosuppressant may be used in certain cases.  Following a bland or low-fiber diet, avoiding trigger foods, and staying hydrated can also help ease symptoms of chronic diarrhea. Probiotic supplements or foods containing probiotics may be beneficial in restoring good gut bacteria and can help improve bowel function.

References

Mayo Clinic. (2023). Diarrhea. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/diarrhea/symptoms-causes/syc-20352241 
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. (2021). Diarrhea. https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/digestive-diseases/diarrhea 
Lamont, Thomas. 9/7/2022. Chronic diarrhea in adults. UpToDate. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/chronic-diarrhea-in-adults-beyond-the-basics#:~:text=Chronic%20diarrhea%20is%20defined%20as,with%20any%20complications%20of%20diarrhea. 
Mayo Clinic. (2022). Diarrhea. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/diarrhea/symptoms-causes/syc-20352241  
CDC. (2022). Traveler’s diarrhea. https://www.cdc.gov/healthywater/drinking/travel/index.html
WHO. (2024). Diarrhoeal disease. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/diarrhoeal-disease