Diarrhea

Diarrhea (AmE) or diarrhoea (CwE) is a condition in which the sufferer has frequent and watery or loose bowel movements (from the ancient Greek word ??????? = leakage; lit. "to run through"). In the Third World, diarrhea is the most common cause of death among infants, killing more than 1.5 million per year.

Acute diarrhea

This may be defined as diarrhea that lasts less than 2 weeks, and is also called gastroenteritis.

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This can nearly always be presumed to be infective, although only in a minority of cases is this formally proven.

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It is often reasonable to reassure a patient, ensure adequate fluid intake, and wait and see.

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In more severe cases, or where it is important to find the cause of the illness, stool cultures are instituted.

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The most common organisms found are Campylobacter (an organism of animal origin), salmonella (also often of animal origin), Cryptosporidiosis (animal origin), Giardia Lamblia (lives in drinking water). Shigella (dysentery) is less common, and usually human in origin. Cholera is rare in Western countries. It is more common in travelers and is usually related to contaminated water (its ultimate source is probably sea water). Escherichia coli is probably a very common cause of diarrhea, especially in travelers, but it can be difficult to detect using current technology. The types of E. coli vary from area to area and country to country.

Related Topics:
Campylobacter - Salmonella - Cryptosporidiosis - Giardia Lamblia - Shigella - Cholera - Escherichia coli

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Viruses, particularly rotavirus, are common in children. (Viral diarrhea is probably over-diagnosed by non-doctors). The Norwalk virus is rare.

Related Topics:
Virus - Rotavirus - Norwalk virus

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Toxins and food poisoning can cause diarrhea. These include staphylococcal toxin (often milk products due to an infected wound in workers), and Bacillus cereus (eg rice in Chinese takeaways). Often "food poisoning" is really salmonella infection.

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Parasites and worms sometime cause diarrhea but often present with weight loss, irritability, rashes or anal itching. The commonest is pinworm (mostly of nuisance value rather than a severe medical illness). Other worms, such as hookworm, ascaria, and tapeworm are more medically significant and may cause weight loss, anemia, general unwellness and allergic problems. Amoebic dysentery due to Entamoeba histolytica is an important cause of bloody diarrhea in travelers and also sometimes in western countries which requires appropriate and complete medical treatment.

Related Topics:
Rash - Pinworm - Hookworm - Tapeworm - Amoebic dysentery - Entamoeba histolytica

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