Diarrhoea is the passing of frequent, watery stools.

Diarrhoea is a symptom and can either be acute or chronic.

Acute diarrhoea is usually caused by a viral or bacterial infection and affects almost everyone from time to time. It usually clears up in a couple of days and is not serious. However, it can be serious in babies and the frail and elderly because of the risk of dehydration.

Chronic diarrhoea may be a sign of a more serious condition and should always be investigated by your doctor.

Symptoms can range from slightly watery stools and a brief upset tummy, to longer-term extremely watery stools and cramp.

Common symptoms include:

• cramping tummy pains
• nausea or vomiting
• fever
• headache
• loss of appetite

If the diarrhoea lasts more than two weeks (in an adult), it is considered chronic. If your child has diarrhoea for more than five days you should take them to see your GP.

Diarrhoea occurs when the lining of the small or large intestine is irritated. This leads to increased water being passed in the stools. The irritation also causes tummy pains as it contracts strongly and irregularly.

The most frequent cause is an infection with a virus or bacteria. The infection may come from infected food (food poisoning). Water is a common cause when travelling in some countries. Often the infection is spread between people by physical contact. You should therefore always wash your hands with soap and water before preparing food and after using the toilet.

Other, usually short-term causes include:

• emotional upset or anxiety
• drinking too much alcohol
• coffee or sweets
• the side effect from some medicines

There are many long- term conditions that cause chronic diarrhoea, such as ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), lactose intolerance, and pancreatitis. These conditions should be investigated by your doctor.

 

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