Diarrhoea
Causes
Source: NHS
In this topic (5)
Diarrhoea usually occurs when fluid can't be absorbed from the contents ofyour bowel, or when extra fluid is secreted into your bowel, causing watery poo.
Short-term diarrhoea
Diarrhoea is usually a symptom of a bowel infection (gastroenteritis) , whichcanbe caused by:
- a virus such as norovirus orrotavirus
- bacteria such as campylobacter, Clostridium difficile (C. difficile) , Escherichia coli (E. coli), salmonella or shigella; these can all cause food poisoning
- parasites such as the Giardia intestinalis parasite that causes giardiasis
Other possible causes ofshort-term diarrhoea include:
- feelings ofanxiety
- drinking too much alcohol
- a food allergy
- appendicitis
- damage to the lining of the intestines as a result of radiotherapy
Medicines
Diarrhoea can also sometimes be a side effect of a medication, including:
- antibiotics
- antacid medicines that contain magnesium
- some chemotherapy medicines
- non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
- selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)
- statins cholesterol-lowering medicines
- laxatives medicine used tohelp empty your bowels
The patient information leaflet that comes with your medicine should state whether diarrhoea is a possible side effect.
Long-term diarrhoea
Conditions that can cause persistent diarrhoea include:
- irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) a poorly understood condition that affects the normal functions of the bowel
- inflammatory bowel disease conditions that cause the gut to become inflamed, such as Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis
- coeliac disease a digestive condition where you have an adverse reaction to gluten
- bile acid malabsorption where bile produced by the liver builds up in the digestive system
- chronic pancreatitis inflammation of the pancreas
- diverticular disease where small bulges or pockets develop in the lining of the intestine
- bowel cancer this can cause diarrhoea and blood in your stools
Persistent diarrhoea can also sometimes occurafter surgery on the stomach, such as a gastrectomy .
Articles for Diarrhoea
'Hygiene wasn't always at the forefront of my mind'
TV producer Clare Gilbert arrived in Mumbai for a two-week backpacking trip and promptly came down with a nasty bout of diarrhoea.
Causes
Read about causes of diarrhoes. Diarrhoea usually occurs when fluid can't be absorbed from the contents of your bowel, or when extra fluid is secreted into your bowel.
Diagnosis
Read about diagnosing diarrhoea. Further investigation may be needed if you have persistent or severe diarrhoea.
Introduction
Diarrhoea is where you frequently pass watery or loose poo. Some people may also have other symptoms, depending on the cause.
Treatment
Read about treating diarrhoea. Diarrhoea usually clears up without treatment after a few days, particularly if it's caused by an infection.
