Diarrhea can be caused by a variety of factors including infections, food intolerances, medications, and chronic health conditions.
Common Causes of Diarrhea
- Infections: Viral infections (such as norovirus, rotavirus, adenovirus), bacterial infections (like E. coli, Salmonella, Shigella), and parasitic infections (such as Giardia, Cryptosporidium) are common causes of diarrhea. These infections irritate the intestines, leading to fluid secretion and loose stools.
- Food-related causes: Food poisoning, food intolerances such as lactose intolerance or fructose intolerance, and food allergies can cause diarrhea by provoking intestinal irritation or improper digestion.
- Medications: Antibiotics disrupting gut bacteria balance, antacids containing magnesium, cancer treatments, and other medicines can cause diarrhea as a side effect.
- Chronic conditions: Diseases such as irritable bowel syndrome, Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, celiac disease, small intestinal bacterial overgrowth, and other inflammatory bowel diseases can cause ongoing diarrhea.
- Other factors: Stress, change in diet, excessive alcohol intake, and recent stomach surgery can also lead to diarrhea.
If diarrhea is persistent, severe, or accompanied by other symptoms like blood in stool, dehydration, or weight loss, it is important to seek medical advice for accurate diagnosis and treatment. This overview addresses why diarrhea occurs, but a specific cause can depend on individual circumstances and requires medical evaluation for precise determination.
