Diarrhea Symptoms

Diarrhea: Introduction

When you pass frequent watery, loose stools it is called diarrhea. In all likelihood you will pass stools more than three times a day during this condition.

This problem usually lasts for a day or two before signs of diarrhea subside, often without treatment.  Small children and those aged can suffer complications in case of delayed diarrhea treatment and as such should get prompt medical attention.

What are the Diarrhea Symptoms?

Some experts view diarrhea as an expulsion mechanism of the body.  A diarrhea infection can also occur without an identifiable cause.

Moreover, factors such as food intolerance or poisoning, emotional stress, medications or menstruation can also cause diarrhea.

Symptoms of diarrhea may present themselves as abdominal pains, bloating, intestinal cramps, nausea or an increase in toilet visits. In addition you may experience mucus (in stool) that may or may not be accompanied by blood in stools.

Common Symptoms for Diarrhea:

• Frequent toilet visits (thrice or more per day)
• Frequent watery and loose stools
• Abdominal pain
• Vomiting
• Loss of appetite
• Fever and/or fatigue
• Blood and/or mucus in stool

Diarrhea signs can be less serious (acute) or severe (chronic, requiring immediate medical attention). A viral infection in your stomach and intestine can give you acute diarrhea.

In severe cases, diarrhea is known to cause dehydration. Losing excess body fluids through passage of stools can prove dangerous especially in children and old people.

If your diarrhea does not subside in a couple of days, existence of an underlying health problem is likely, requiring treatment.

Certain foods contain a substance called lactose that your body may not digest. The lactose ferments and may cause diarrhea symptoms. It is important to isolate such causing components and exclude them from your diet.

Being informed about diarrhea associated symptoms can help in deciding to go for timely medical treatment and thus avoid health complications.