Diarrhea (cont.)
Why does diarrhea develop?
With diarrhea, stools usually are looser whether or not the frequency of
bowel movements is increased. This looseness of stool--which can vary all the way from slightly
soft to watery--is caused by increased water in the stool. During normal digestion, food is
kept liquid by the secretion of large amounts of water by the stomach, upper small
intestine, pancreas, and gallbladder. Food that is not digested reaches the lower small intestine
and colon in liquid form. The lower small intestine and particularly the colon
absorb the water, turning the undigested food into a more-or-less solid stool
with form. Increased amounts of water in stool can occur if the stomach
and/or small intestine secretes too much fluid, the distal small intestine and colon
do not absorb enough water, or the undigested, liquid food passes too
quickly through the small intestine and colon for enough water to be removed. Of
course, more than one of these abnormal processes may occur at the same time.
For example, some viruses, bacteria and parasites cause increased secretion of
fluid, either by invading and inflaming the lining of the small intestine (inflammation
stimulates the lining to secrete fluid) or by producing toxins (chemicals)
that also stimulate the lining to secrete fluid but without causing
inflammation. Inflammation of the small intestine and/or colon from bacteria or
from ileitis/colitis can increase the rapidity with which food passes through
the intestines, reducing the time that is available for absorbing water.
Conditions of the colon such as collagenous colitis can block the ability of the
colon to absorb water.
Diarrhea generally is divided into two types, acute and chronic.
- Acute diarrhea lasts
from a few days up to a week.
- Chronic diarrhea can be defined in several
ways but almost always lasts more than three weeks.
It is important to
distinguish between acute and chronic diarrhea because they usually have
different causes, require different diagnostic tests, and require different
treatment.
Next: What are common causes of acute diarrhea? »
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