Introduction
Diarrhea (medical term: diarrhea) can occur due to a variety of different causes and is a very unspecific symptom. In general, diarrhoea can be said to occur when there are more than three bowel movements with liquid stool within one day. Common causes associated with diarrhea are infectious diseases as well as food intolerances, stress, or in rare cases serious illness. Especially if the diarrhea lasts for a long period of time or if the electrolyte balance of the ill person is strongly out of balance, a visit to a doctor is recommended.
The most common causes
Diarrhea is a very general symptom which can occur in many different diseases. Very often diarrhea is a sign of infectious diseases. Viruses as well as bacteria can be responsible for an infection in the intestine and thus cause diarrhoea.
Bacteria are especially suspected when it comes to so-called food poisoning. As a rule, so-called staphylococci and streptococci, which can multiply in food, are responsible for diarrhoea. However, these are usually self-limiting and therefore usually get better after some time even without therapy.
or diarrhoea after milk consumption – What is behind it? In diseases colloquially known as gastro-enteritis, both viruses and bacteria can be responsible for the typical symptoms. When the pathogens multiply in the intestine, an inflammation of the intestinal mucosa occurs.
The inflammation prevents the absorption of water and promotes a secretion of fluid into the intestine. These effects are responsible for the development of diarrhea. In general, diarrhea can occur if the diet is very one-sided or if it is suddenly changed.
An increased consumption of alcohol can also be associated with diarrhoea. Due to the increased intake of antibiotics, diarrhea, which is caused by medication, has also increased in recent years. Thus antibiotics frequently destroy certain groups of bacteria in the intestine and bring thereby the equilibrium of the Darmflora mixed up.
This can lead to severe diarrhea, which is sometimes difficult to treat. Diarrhea that lasts for more than two weeks is called chronic diarrhea. This can also be caused by various diseases. So food intolerances as well as chronic intestinal diseases or the so-called irritable bowel syndrome can be behind the diarrhea. In order to be able to exclude serious illnesses a physician should be visited particularly with longer existing diarrheas for clarifying.