07/01/2022
CAUSES AND RISK FACTORS OF DIARRHEA
Diarrhea is 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.
You can reduce your risk of acute diarrhea by learning good food safety and cleanliness habits, whether at home or while traveling.
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:
Food poisoning
Traveler's diarrhea
Stomach flu
Food Poisoning
Food poisoning occurs 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.
How long diarrhea lasts: Usually less than two days
Triggered by: Toxins in food
When symptoms appear: Within two to six hours of ingesting the food
Appearance: Explosive, watery
Other symptoms: Abdominal cramps, fever, vomiting, weakness
Traveler’s Diarrhea
Traveler’s diarrhea is caused by eating food or drinking water that is contaminated with bacteria or parasites. If you have diarrhea and recently traveled or drank untreated water from a stream, river, or pond (in the U.S. or elsewhere), call your doctor.
How long diarrhea lasts: Usually less than one week
Triggered by: Food or water that is contaminated by bacteria, viruses, or parasites
When symptoms appear: Within 12 to 24 hours
Appearance: Explosive, watery, sometimes contains mucus or blood
Other symptoms: Possible vomiting and/or fever
Stomach Flu
Stomach flu, also known as gastroenteritis, is caused by a virus, but not the same that causes seasonal flu (influenza). Examples of viruses that can cause stomach flu are rotavirus and norovirus. Gastroenteritis also can be caused by a bacterium or a parasite.
How long diarrhea lasts: Usually three to eight days
Triggered by: A virus, bacterium, or parasite
When symptoms appear: Within two days of exposure
Appearance: Watery
Other symptoms: Vomiting, fever, achiness
Common Causes of Chronic Diarrhea
Diarrhea that goes on for weeks or months may be caused by an infection, or it may be caused by an underlying medical condition or one of many other potential causes, some of which include the following:
Celiac Disease
If you have untreated celiac 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.
How long diarrhea lasts: More than four weeks
Triggered by: Gluten
Appearance: Large, bad-smelling stools that float and may appear greasy
Other symptoms: Unintended weight loss, lack of energy, lack of growth in children, as well as many other possible symptoms
Food Allergy
Symptoms of classic Ig-E mediated food allergy begin within minutes to hours of eating a trigger food. It is possible to be allergic to any food, but a few foods cause the most common food allergies.
How long diarrhea lasts: Usually less than 24 hours
Triggered by: A specific food
When symptoms appear: Within two hours
Appearance: Watery, may contain blood
Other symptoms: Hives; vomiting; swelling of face, tongue or throat; eczema
Food Intolerance
Food intolerance is caused by a lack of the enzymes needed to digest a specific food. Lactose intolerance, the inability to digest the sugars in milk, is the most common, but it's possible to be intolerant of other foods as well.
How long diarrhea lasts: More than four weeks
Triggered by: A specific food
When symptoms appear: Two to 12 hours
Appearance: Watery, sometimes contains mucous
Other symptoms: Gassiness, abdominal cramps or pain
Infants usually show signs of protein intolerance within 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.
How long diarrhea lasts: More than two weeks
Triggered by: Dairy or soy products, sometimes by egg or other proteins
When symptoms appear: Two hours or more
Appearance: Streaks of mucous or blood
Other symptoms: Distended belly, crying, failure to thrive
Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) includes Crohn's disease and ulcerative 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.
How long diarrhea lasts: More than four weeks
Triggered by: Not related to a specific food
Appearance: Blood or mucous in stool
Other symptoms: Abdominal pain, fever, weight loss, delayed growth in children
Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) describes chronic diarrhea, constipation, and abdominal pain that does not have a known disease as a cause.
How long diarrhea lasts: At least six months
Triggered by: Not related to a specific food, though certain foods may aggravate symptoms
Appearance: Small, frequent stools
Other symptoms: Chronic abdominal bloating or distention; constipation; pain relieved by bowel movement
The American College of Gastroenterology recommends that anyone diagnosed with IBS and diarrhea be tested for celiac disease.
Medication
Some medications, in particular antibiotics and chemotherapy, 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 doctor if you have diarrhea after starting a new medication.
Genetics
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.
Lifestyle Risk Factors
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
The bacteria, viruses, and parasites that cause traveler's diarrhea and stomach flu are spread by contact with contaminated surfaces, food, and water. In the medical world, this is called the fecal-oral route. To reduce your risks, wash your hands well after using the bathroom, changing your child's diapers, and before eating.If you don't have access to soap and water, use an alcohol-based hand gel.
Never drink untreated water from a natural source, such as a stream. Even in developed countries, they can be contaminated with diarrhea-causing parasites spread by wildlife, such as Giardia.
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
Since food poisoning is often caused by improper food handling, it's wise to follow these tips outlined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:
Clean: Keep your kitchen clean; wash utensils and cutting boards with hot, soapy water.
Separate: Raw meat, seafood, poultry, and eggs should be kept separate from other food. Use a separate cutting board for these items.
Cook: Use a food thermometer to ensure meat is cooked to an internal temperature that will kill the bacteria that cause food poisoning.
Chill: Be sure your refrigerator is kept below 40 degrees. Thaw frozen foods in the refrigerator or microwave, not out on the counter.
