Diarrhea: Common Causes, Treatment, Prevention, & More

What Causes Diarrhea?

There are a variety of factors that cause diarrhea & the severity of diarrhea varies from cause to cause as well. Here are some common causes of diarrhea:

• Viral Causes of Diarrhea: Diarrhea can result from a number of viral infections. Viruses that cause diarrhea include Rotavirus, Viral Hepatitis, & Norwalk virus. SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for the infamous coronavirus, has also been linked to diarrhea in some cases.

• Bacterial Causes of Diarrhea: Bacterial infections arising from bacteria such as Salmonella, E-Coli, & Shigella are often a cause of acute diarrhea whereas bacteria such as Clostridium Difficile can lead to chronic diarrhea.  

• Diarrhea as a side effect of Medications: Diarrhea is a common side effect of several medications, especially antibiotics. Yes, antibiotics can give you diarrhea. This is because they disrupt the gastrointestinal bacterial balance by destroying good bacteria alongside harmful bacteria. 

• Antacids with high magnesium content as well as drugs used for cancer treatment can result in Diarrhea as well. Excessive use of laxatives can also cause diarrhea. 

Can Lactose Intolerance cause Diarrhea?

If people who are lactose intolerant eat dairy products that are high in lactose, they can get diarrhea. 

Can IBS give you Diarrhea?

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common cause of ‘functional diarrhea’ which is a type of chronic diarrhea where there is no apparent issue with any digestive organ yet the digestive system is still not functioning properly. IBS primarily results in cramps, abdominal pain, & improper bowel movements which can include diarrheal bowel movements in many cases. 

Diarrhea from other Gut Diseases

Chronic diarrhea disease can be caused by several other gastrointestinal diseases & infections such as Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) which can result from Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, etc. Celiac disease also causes diarrhea in some instances.

Dietary Causes of Diarrhea

An imbalanced/improper diet can also lead to diarrheal infection. This includes a high use of artificial sweeteners sometimes causing diarrhea & a diet high in fructose content resulting in diarrhea for those unable to digest fructose efficiently. Fructose is a type of sugar naturally present in several fruits & is artificially added in beverages, etc. Apart from that, diets high in caffeine, magnesium, olestra (a substitute for fat), etc. can also increase your chances of contracting diarrhea.

Diarrhea Risk Factors

The following factors can make you more susceptible to contracting diarrhea:

• Having a high-fibre diet.
• Eating a diet high in spicy foods.
• Neglecting personal hygiene.
• Eating contaminated foods.
• Improper food preparation, storage, & handling.

Complications from Diarrhea

It is important to note that because diarrhea results in excessive fluid loss, it can lead to severe dehydration, which is characterized by:

• Fatigue
• Increased heart rate
• Headaches
• Decreased urination
• Concentrated, yellow urine 
• Dryness in the mouth
• Lightheadedness
• Dry skin

If you feel dehydrated from diarrhea despite rehydrating continuously, contact your doctor.