Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsAcute DiarrheaChronic DiarrheaGeneticsLifestyle Risk FactorsWhen to See a Healthcare ProviderFrequently Asked QuestionsNext in Diarrhea GuideWhat to Eat After You’ve Had Diarrhea
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Acute Diarrhea
Chronic Diarrhea
Genetics
Lifestyle Risk Factors
When to See a Healthcare Provider
Frequently Asked Questions
Next in Diarrhea Guide
Diarrheais a common problem that can come on suddenly or be a chronic complaint. Some possible causes of diarrhea include food poisoning, infections, food allergies or intolerances, and medication. There are also some conditions that cause chronic diarrhea that run in families or, rarely, have a genetic basis.
Common Causes of Acute Diarrhea
The most common cause of diarrhea, especially that which starts suddenly (acute diarrhea), is an infection. This can be bacterial, viral, or parasitic and include:
Children are especially at risk for diarrhea as they tend to put objects in their mouths and may not have developed good handwashing habits.
Food Poisoning
Food poisoningoccurs when you eat food that is contaminated with bacteria. The bacteria build up toxins in the food that make you sick.
Causes of food poisoning are poor sanitation, improper food handling, and food being stored at the wrong temperature.
Food Poisoning Signs and Symptoms
Traveler’s Diarrhea
Traveler’s Diarrhea Overview
Stomach Flu
Overview of Stomach Flu
1:57Click Play to Learn the Causes and Risk Factors of Diarrhea
1:57
Click Play to Learn the Causes and Risk Factors of Diarrhea
Common Causes of Chronic Diarrhea
Celiac Disease
If you have untreatedceliac disease, you may have a hard time linking your symptoms with a specific food because your gut is damaged and you may experience symptoms all the time.
Food Allergy
Symptoms of classic Ig-E mediatedfood allergybegin within minutes to hours of eating a trigger food. It is possible to be allergic to any food, but a few foods cause themost common food allergies.
Food Intolerance
Infants usually show signs ofprotein intolerancewithin a few months of birth. Some infants may react to food proteins present in breastmilk while others may react to formulas based on either cow’s milk or soy.
Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Inflammatory bowel disease(IBD) includesCrohn’s diseaseandulcerative colitis, both of which have chronic diarrhea as a symptom.Both are incurable chronic diseases of the digestive tract that may be treated with surgery or managed with medication.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Irritable bowel syndrome(IBS) describes chronic diarrhea, constipation, and abdominal pain that does not have a known disease as a cause.
The American College of Gastroenterology recommends that anyone diagnosed with IBS and diarrhea be tested for celiac disease.
Why Do I Have Diarrhea on My Period?
Medication
Some medications, in particularantibioticsandchemotherapy, can cause diarrhea, as well as laxatives containing magnesium.You may have a reaction to the medication itself or an additive, such as a flavoring.
A medication may also alter the balance of bacteria in your gut, causing abdominal pain and diarrhea. Sometimes the cause of diarrhea is taking too many laxatives or longer-term abuse of laxatives.
Talk to your healthcare provider if you have diarrhea after starting a new medication.
There are congenital diarrheal disorders linked to specific genes. These disorders usually come on in the first few months of a child’s life. They are often most common in certain populations, although congenital chloride diarrhea is one that appears worldwide.
Some other conditions that may cause chronic diarrhea also tend to run in families, including celiac disease, some forms of lactose intolerance, and food allergies.
A change to your diet, such as going on a mostly liquid diet, eating too much fiber, or eating spicy foods may lead to diarrhea.
Beyond examining and, perhaps, adjusting what you eat and rink, other habits and exposures can put you at greater risk for diarrhea:
Personal Hygiene
When traveling to areas that have a higher risk of contaminated water and food, drink only bottled water and don’t use ice unless it is from bottled or purified water. Avoid uncooked vegetables and fruits (unless they can be peeled), raw shellfish, undercooked meat, and dairy products.
Improper Food Handling
Diarrhea in adults typically goes away on its own, but if it lingers it can lead todehydration(and related consequences like organ failure, seizures, or even death) or be a symptom of an underlying medical condition.
Seek medical care if you have any of the following:
Infants
Dehydration Symptoms in Adults and Children
A Word From Verywell
Diarrhea may be an inconvenience that is soon gone, or it can be a serious or long-lasting illness. When you have a bout, be sure you are drinking enough fluids and see your healthcare provider if it persists.
What Is Functional Diarrhea?
22 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Hodges K, Gill R.Infectious diarrhea: Cellular and molecular mechanisms.Gut Microbes.2010;1(1):4-21. doi:10.4161/gmic.1.1.11036Connor B.Travelers' Diarrhea. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Chow CM, Leung AK, Hon KL.Acute gastroenteritis: From guidelines to real life.Clin Exp Gastroenterol. 2010;3:97-112.Parzanese I, Qehajaj D, Patrinicola F, et al.Celiac disease: From pathophysiology to treatment.World J Gastrointest Pathophysiol.2017;8(2):27-38. doi:10.4291/wjgp.v8.i2.27Celiac Disease Foundation.Symptoms of Celiac Disease.Patel BY, Volcheck GW.Food allergy: Common causes, diagnosis, and treatment.Mayo Clin Proc. 2015;90(10):1411-9. doi:10.1016/j.mayocp.2015.07.012Turnbull JL, Adams HN, Gorard DA.Review article: The diagnosis and management of food allergy and food intolerances.Aliment Pharmacol Ther.2015;41(1):3-25. doi:10.1111/apt.12984Misselwitz B, Pohl D, Frühauf H, Fried M, Vavricka SR, Fox M.Lactose malabsorption and intolerance: Pathogenesis, diagnosis and treatment.United European Gastroenterol J. 2013;1(3):151-9. doi:10.1177/2050640613484463Lazare FB, Brand DA, Marciano TA, Daum F.Rapid resolution of milk protein intolerance in infancy.J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr. 2014;59(2):215-7. doi:10.1097/MPG.0000000000000372Binder HJ.Mechanisms of diarrhea in inflammatory bowel diseases.Ann N Y Acad Sci.2009;1165:285-93. doi:10.1111/j.1749-6632.2009.04039.xPerler B, Ungaro R, Baird G, et al.Presenting symptoms in inflammatory bowel disease: Descriptive analysis of a community-based inception cohort.BMC Gastroenterol.2019;19(1):47. doi:10.1186/s12876-019-0963-7Panaccione R.Mechanisms of inflammatory bowel disease. Gastroenterol Hepatol (N Y). 2013;9(8):529-32.America College of Gastroenterology.Irritable bowel syndrome: IBS FAQs.Sweetser S.Evaluating the patient with diarrhea: A case-based approach.Mayo Clin Proc.2012;87(6):596-602. doi:10.1016/j.mayocp.2012.02.015Terrin G, Tomaiuolo R, Passariello A, et al.Congenital diarrheal disorders: An updated diagnostic approach.Int J Mol Sci.2012;13(4):4168-85. doi:10.3390/ijms13044168Esmaillzadeh A, Keshteli AH, Hajishafiee M, Feizi A, Feinle-Bisset C, Adibi P.Consumption of spicy foods and the prevalence of irritable bowel syndrome.World J Gastroenterol.2013;19(38):6465-71. doi:10.3748/wjg.v19.i38.6465United States Department of Agriculture.Cleanliness helps prevent foodborne illness.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Four steps to food safety: clean, separate, cook, chill.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Symptoms & causes of diarrhea.Boston Children’s Hospital.Hydration.Nationwide Children’s Hospital.Diarrhea.U.S. National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus.Diarrhea.Additional ReadingTerrin G, Tomaiuolo R, Passariello A, et al.Congenital diarrheal disorders: An updated diagnostic approach.Int J Mol Sci. 2012;13(4):4168–4185. doi:10.3390/ijms13044168
22 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Hodges K, Gill R.Infectious diarrhea: Cellular and molecular mechanisms.Gut Microbes.2010;1(1):4-21. doi:10.4161/gmic.1.1.11036Connor B.Travelers' Diarrhea. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Chow CM, Leung AK, Hon KL.Acute gastroenteritis: From guidelines to real life.Clin Exp Gastroenterol. 2010;3:97-112.Parzanese I, Qehajaj D, Patrinicola F, et al.Celiac disease: From pathophysiology to treatment.World J Gastrointest Pathophysiol.2017;8(2):27-38. doi:10.4291/wjgp.v8.i2.27Celiac Disease Foundation.Symptoms of Celiac Disease.Patel BY, Volcheck GW.Food allergy: Common causes, diagnosis, and treatment.Mayo Clin Proc. 2015;90(10):1411-9. doi:10.1016/j.mayocp.2015.07.012Turnbull JL, Adams HN, Gorard DA.Review article: The diagnosis and management of food allergy and food intolerances.Aliment Pharmacol Ther.2015;41(1):3-25. doi:10.1111/apt.12984Misselwitz B, Pohl D, Frühauf H, Fried M, Vavricka SR, Fox M.Lactose malabsorption and intolerance: Pathogenesis, diagnosis and treatment.United European Gastroenterol J. 2013;1(3):151-9. doi:10.1177/2050640613484463Lazare FB, Brand DA, Marciano TA, Daum F.Rapid resolution of milk protein intolerance in infancy.J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr. 2014;59(2):215-7. doi:10.1097/MPG.0000000000000372Binder HJ.Mechanisms of diarrhea in inflammatory bowel diseases.Ann N Y Acad Sci.2009;1165:285-93. doi:10.1111/j.1749-6632.2009.04039.xPerler B, Ungaro R, Baird G, et al.Presenting symptoms in inflammatory bowel disease: Descriptive analysis of a community-based inception cohort.BMC Gastroenterol.2019;19(1):47. doi:10.1186/s12876-019-0963-7Panaccione R.Mechanisms of inflammatory bowel disease. Gastroenterol Hepatol (N Y). 2013;9(8):529-32.America College of Gastroenterology.Irritable bowel syndrome: IBS FAQs.Sweetser S.Evaluating the patient with diarrhea: A case-based approach.Mayo Clin Proc.2012;87(6):596-602. doi:10.1016/j.mayocp.2012.02.015Terrin G, Tomaiuolo R, Passariello A, et al.Congenital diarrheal disorders: An updated diagnostic approach.Int J Mol Sci.2012;13(4):4168-85. doi:10.3390/ijms13044168Esmaillzadeh A, Keshteli AH, Hajishafiee M, Feizi A, Feinle-Bisset C, Adibi P.Consumption of spicy foods and the prevalence of irritable bowel syndrome.World J Gastroenterol.2013;19(38):6465-71. doi:10.3748/wjg.v19.i38.6465United States Department of Agriculture.Cleanliness helps prevent foodborne illness.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Four steps to food safety: clean, separate, cook, chill.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Symptoms & causes of diarrhea.Boston Children’s Hospital.Hydration.Nationwide Children’s Hospital.Diarrhea.U.S. National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus.Diarrhea.Additional ReadingTerrin G, Tomaiuolo R, Passariello A, et al.Congenital diarrheal disorders: An updated diagnostic approach.Int J Mol Sci. 2012;13(4):4168–4185. doi:10.3390/ijms13044168
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Hodges K, Gill R.Infectious diarrhea: Cellular and molecular mechanisms.Gut Microbes.2010;1(1):4-21. doi:10.4161/gmic.1.1.11036Connor B.Travelers' Diarrhea. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Chow CM, Leung AK, Hon KL.Acute gastroenteritis: From guidelines to real life.Clin Exp Gastroenterol. 2010;3:97-112.Parzanese I, Qehajaj D, Patrinicola F, et al.Celiac disease: From pathophysiology to treatment.World J Gastrointest Pathophysiol.2017;8(2):27-38. doi:10.4291/wjgp.v8.i2.27Celiac Disease Foundation.Symptoms of Celiac Disease.Patel BY, Volcheck GW.Food allergy: Common causes, diagnosis, and treatment.Mayo Clin Proc. 2015;90(10):1411-9. doi:10.1016/j.mayocp.2015.07.012Turnbull JL, Adams HN, Gorard DA.Review article: The diagnosis and management of food allergy and food intolerances.Aliment Pharmacol Ther.2015;41(1):3-25. doi:10.1111/apt.12984Misselwitz B, Pohl D, Frühauf H, Fried M, Vavricka SR, Fox M.Lactose malabsorption and intolerance: Pathogenesis, diagnosis and treatment.United European Gastroenterol J. 2013;1(3):151-9. doi:10.1177/2050640613484463Lazare FB, Brand DA, Marciano TA, Daum F.Rapid resolution of milk protein intolerance in infancy.J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr. 2014;59(2):215-7. doi:10.1097/MPG.0000000000000372Binder HJ.Mechanisms of diarrhea in inflammatory bowel diseases.Ann N Y Acad Sci.2009;1165:285-93. doi:10.1111/j.1749-6632.2009.04039.xPerler B, Ungaro R, Baird G, et al.Presenting symptoms in inflammatory bowel disease: Descriptive analysis of a community-based inception cohort.BMC Gastroenterol.2019;19(1):47. doi:10.1186/s12876-019-0963-7Panaccione R.Mechanisms of inflammatory bowel disease. Gastroenterol Hepatol (N Y). 2013;9(8):529-32.America College of Gastroenterology.Irritable bowel syndrome: IBS FAQs.Sweetser S.Evaluating the patient with diarrhea: A case-based approach.Mayo Clin Proc.2012;87(6):596-602. doi:10.1016/j.mayocp.2012.02.015Terrin G, Tomaiuolo R, Passariello A, et al.Congenital diarrheal disorders: An updated diagnostic approach.Int J Mol Sci.2012;13(4):4168-85. doi:10.3390/ijms13044168Esmaillzadeh A, Keshteli AH, Hajishafiee M, Feizi A, Feinle-Bisset C, Adibi P.Consumption of spicy foods and the prevalence of irritable bowel syndrome.World J Gastroenterol.2013;19(38):6465-71. doi:10.3748/wjg.v19.i38.6465United States Department of Agriculture.Cleanliness helps prevent foodborne illness.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Four steps to food safety: clean, separate, cook, chill.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Symptoms & causes of diarrhea.Boston Children’s Hospital.Hydration.Nationwide Children’s Hospital.Diarrhea.U.S. National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus.Diarrhea.
Hodges K, Gill R.Infectious diarrhea: Cellular and molecular mechanisms.Gut Microbes.2010;1(1):4-21. doi:10.4161/gmic.1.1.11036
Connor B.Travelers' Diarrhea. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Chow CM, Leung AK, Hon KL.Acute gastroenteritis: From guidelines to real life.Clin Exp Gastroenterol. 2010;3:97-112.
Parzanese I, Qehajaj D, Patrinicola F, et al.Celiac disease: From pathophysiology to treatment.World J Gastrointest Pathophysiol.2017;8(2):27-38. doi:10.4291/wjgp.v8.i2.27
Celiac Disease Foundation.Symptoms of Celiac Disease.
Patel BY, Volcheck GW.Food allergy: Common causes, diagnosis, and treatment.Mayo Clin Proc. 2015;90(10):1411-9. doi:10.1016/j.mayocp.2015.07.012
Turnbull JL, Adams HN, Gorard DA.Review article: The diagnosis and management of food allergy and food intolerances.Aliment Pharmacol Ther.2015;41(1):3-25. doi:10.1111/apt.12984
Misselwitz B, Pohl D, Frühauf H, Fried M, Vavricka SR, Fox M.Lactose malabsorption and intolerance: Pathogenesis, diagnosis and treatment.United European Gastroenterol J. 2013;1(3):151-9. doi:10.1177/2050640613484463
Lazare FB, Brand DA, Marciano TA, Daum F.Rapid resolution of milk protein intolerance in infancy.J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr. 2014;59(2):215-7. doi:10.1097/MPG.0000000000000372
Binder HJ.Mechanisms of diarrhea in inflammatory bowel diseases.Ann N Y Acad Sci.2009;1165:285-93. doi:10.1111/j.1749-6632.2009.04039.x
Perler B, Ungaro R, Baird G, et al.Presenting symptoms in inflammatory bowel disease: Descriptive analysis of a community-based inception cohort.BMC Gastroenterol.2019;19(1):47. doi:10.1186/s12876-019-0963-7
Panaccione R.Mechanisms of inflammatory bowel disease. Gastroenterol Hepatol (N Y). 2013;9(8):529-32.
America College of Gastroenterology.Irritable bowel syndrome: IBS FAQs.
Sweetser S.Evaluating the patient with diarrhea: A case-based approach.Mayo Clin Proc.2012;87(6):596-602. doi:10.1016/j.mayocp.2012.02.015
Terrin G, Tomaiuolo R, Passariello A, et al.Congenital diarrheal disorders: An updated diagnostic approach.Int J Mol Sci.2012;13(4):4168-85. doi:10.3390/ijms13044168
Esmaillzadeh A, Keshteli AH, Hajishafiee M, Feizi A, Feinle-Bisset C, Adibi P.Consumption of spicy foods and the prevalence of irritable bowel syndrome.World J Gastroenterol.2013;19(38):6465-71. doi:10.3748/wjg.v19.i38.6465
United States Department of Agriculture.Cleanliness helps prevent foodborne illness.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Four steps to food safety: clean, separate, cook, chill.
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Symptoms & causes of diarrhea.
Boston Children’s Hospital.Hydration.
Nationwide Children’s Hospital.Diarrhea.
U.S. National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus.Diarrhea.
Terrin G, Tomaiuolo R, Passariello A, et al.Congenital diarrheal disorders: An updated diagnostic approach.Int J Mol Sci. 2012;13(4):4168–4185. doi:10.3390/ijms13044168
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