Diarrhea is a common problem that can come on suddenly or be a chronic complaint.
Some possible causes ofdiarrheainclude food poisoning, infections, food allergies or intolerances, and medication.
Food Poisoning
Food poisoningoccurs when you eat food that is contaminated with bacteria.
Illustration by Brianna Gilmartin, Verywell
The bacteria build up toxins in the food that make you sick.
Examples of viruses that can cause stomach flu arerotavirusandnorovirus.
Gastroenteritis also can be brought on by a bacterium or a parasite.
The American College of Gastroenterology recommends that anyone diagnosed with IBS and diarrhea be tested for celiac disease.
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.
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.
In the medical world, this is called the fecal-oral route.
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 asGiardia.
It’s important to see to it your infant is feeding frequently if they have diarrhea.
Consult a medical provider for guidelines on how to treat infant diarrhea.
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