Diarrhea is a common condition characterized by loose or frequent (more than three times in one day) bowel movements, usually occurring due to a disturbance in the digestive process. It can be acute (lasting a few days and less than 2 weeks) or chronic (lasting more than four weeks) and can affect people of all ages.
Diarrhea is common and often harmless, but severe or prolonged diarrhea can lead to dehydration, especially in young children and older adults. Chronic diarrhea may indicate underlying health conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), infections, or inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), all of which can significantly impact your daily functioning and overall quality of life.
The cause of diarrhea must be differentiated based on whether the patient is experiencing acute or chronic symptoms, although the distinction is not always clear-cut, as some underlying causes can present in both forms.
For chronic diarrhea, it may additionally include:
It might be more than bad takeout.
