Diarrhea

Diarrhea is common and it is also called loose motion which makes your bowel movements watery. It is usually not serious. Most of the people get diarrhea a few times a year. It lasts normally for 2 to 3 days.
What Causes Diarrhea?
Usually, it occurs because of a virus that gets into your gut. It is also called as “intestinal flu” or “stomach flu”.
Other causes include:
- Allergies to certain foods
- Diabetes
- Alcohol abuse
- Diseases of the intestines
- Eating foods which are not good for the digestive system
- Laxative abuse
- Medications
- Infection by bacteria or other organisms
- Overactive thyroid
- Surgery on your digestive system
- Radiation therapy
- Some cancers
- Trouble absorbing certain nutrients
Symptoms
- Bloating in your belly
- Thin or loose stools
- Watery stools
- Cramps
- Nausea and throwing up
- An urgent need to have a bowel movement
- More serious symptoms include:
- Fever
- Blood or mucus in your stool
- Weight loss
When Should you Call your Doctor?
If you have:
- A fever that is high or that lasts more than 24 hours
- Blood in your feces or black, tarry stools
- Nausea
- Diarrhea lasting longer than 2 days
- Diarrhea after coming back from a foreign country
- Severe pain in your belly or rear end.
Some symptoms of dehydration are mentioned below. If you have them with diarrhea, see your doctor.
- Dark urine
- Headaches
- Smaller than usual amounts of urine
- Rapid heart rate
- Dry skin
- Confusion
- Crankiness
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