D

diarrhea Watery or frequent bowel movements.
Diarrhea can have serious health consequences for
the very young, the very old, and those who have
debilitating illnesses. It is important to increase
fluid consumption when diarrhea is present as
DEHYDRATIONcan occur very quickly. Diarrhea in an
infant under six months old requires immediate
medical attention. For older children and adults,
medical attention becomes necessary when diar-
rhea exists with:

• ABDOMINAL PAINfor longer than two hours


• FEVERabove 101ºF for longer than 24 hours


• profuse VOMITING


• reduced or lack of URINATION


• suspected ingestion of toxic or obstructive sub-
  stance

Bloody diarrhea may signal a serious

health condition and requires immedi-

ate medical evaluation.

Numerous causes exist for diarrhea. Foods con-
taining table sugar (sucrose), sugars that occur in
milk (lactose), fruits (fructose), and sweeteners in
juices and soft drinks (sorbitol and mannitol) can
cause or worsen diarrhea because they draw addi-
tional fluid into the large intestine. Viral, bacterial,
and parasitic infections, often food-borne, are com-
mon causes of diarrhea. Diarrhea is also a common
symptom with gastrointestinal disorders such as
IRRITABLE BOWEL SYNDROME(IBS) and INFLAMMATORY
BOWEL DISEASE(IBD). Extended periods (weeks to
months) of loose or frequent bowel movements
may suggest dysfunction of the SMALL INTESTINEor
MALABSORPTION disorders. Frequent, small bowel
movements that are a change from usual bowel

patterns may indicate conditions of the large intes-

tine such as intestinal polyps or COLORECTAL CANCER.

Women may have mild diarrhea with their men-

strual periods. Diarrhea may occur with changes in

eating habits, such as when traveling.

COMMON CAUSES OF DIARRHEA

antibiotic therapy CELIAC DISEASE

changes in EATING HABITS COLORECTAL CANCER

DIVERTICULAR DISEASE excessive ALCOHOL

excessive CAFFEINE consumption

consumption FOOD-BORNE ILLNESSES

foods and beverages GALLBLADDER DISEASE

ILEUS INFLAMMATORY BOWEL DISEASE(IBD)

ingested toxins INTESTINAL POLYP

IRRITABLE BOWEL SYNDROME MALABSORPTION

(IBS) viral, bacterial, and

medication SIDE EFFECTS parasitic INFECTION

Bland foods such as cooked rice, oatmeal, soda

crackers, graham crackers, and bananas can help

calm the gastrointestinal tract and restore normal

bowel function. Doctors often recommend an oral

rehydration solution (ORS) such as Pedialyte or

Rehydralyte when diarrhea persists beyond a few

days in children, and for adults who show indica-

tions of dehydration or have extensive diarrhea.

Doctors may recommend ANTIDIARRHEAL MEDICA-

TIONSsuch as loperamide (Imodium) that slow

PERISTALSIS(intestinal movement) to help control

symptoms. Most diarrhea, though disruptive, rep-

resents minor and temporary gastrointestinal dis-

turbance that fully resolves within one to three

weeks.

See also COLITIS; GASTROENTERITIS; FOOD SAFETY.

digestive enzymes Specialized protein structures

that help break down (hydrolyze) foods in the

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