Definition & Facts for Diarrhea

In this section:

• What is diarrhea?
• How common is diarrhea?
• Who is more likely to have diarrhea?
• What are the complications of diarrhea?

What is diarrhea?

Diarrhea is passing loose, watery stools three or more times a day, or more often than what is normal for you. Diarrhea may be acute, persistent, or chronic.

• Acute diarrhea is a common problem that typically lasts less than a week and goes away on its own.1
• Persistent diarrhea lasts longer than 2 weeks and less than 4 weeks.1
• Chronic diarrhea lasts at least 4 weeks.1 Chronic diarrhea symptoms may be ongoing or may come and go.

How common is diarrhea?

Diarrhea is a common problem. Acute diarrhea is more common than persistent or chronic diarrhea. Research suggests that people in the United States have acute diarrhea about once a year.1 However, the actual number may be higher since most people with diarrhea don’t seek medical care.

Research suggests that up to 5% of people in the United States have chronic diarrhea.2

Who is more likely to have diarrhea?

You’re more likely to have diarrhea if you

• have a viral or bacterial infection
• were exposed to untreated water, such as while camping or traveling to countries with limited sanitation
• work in a hospital, nursing home, or daycare facility
• have food allergies or digestive tract problems
• take certain medicines, such as antibiotics or medicines commonly used to treat cancer
• consume food or drinks with sugar alcohols, such as sorbitol, mannitol, or xylitol

What are the complications of diarrhea?

Diarrhea can lead to dehydration and malabsorption. These complications may cause serious symptoms and health problems. People who have diarrhea and are pregnant, are over age 65, are currently taking antibiotics, or have a weakened immune system are more likely to have complications from diarrhea and should keep in touch with their doctor.3

Dehydration

Dehydration means your body doesn’t have enough fluid and electrolytes. Diarrhea, especially acute diarrhea, may cause you to become dehydrated because loose stools remove more fluid and electrolytes from your body than solid stools. If you can’t drink enough liquids or oral rehydration solutions to rehydrate your body, becoming dehydrated can lead to serious health problems, such as organ damage, shock, coma, or even death. However, serious health problems from being dehydrated are rare.

Malabsorption

Malabsorption occurs when your body can’t absorb enough nutrients from the food you eat. Malabsorption may cause you to become malnourished. Chronic diarrhea can cause malabsorption. Certain conditions that cause chronic diarrhea—such as infections, food allergies and intolerances, and certain digestive tract problems—may also cause malabsorption.

References

[1] Hecht D, Trieu J. Chapter 35: Approach to the patient with diarrhea. In: Wang T, Camilleri M, Lebwohl B, et al, eds. Yamada’s Textbook of Gastroenterology. 7th ed. John Wiley & Sons, Ltd; 2022:629–652.

2] Burgers K, Lindberg B, Bevis ZJ. Chronic diarrhea in adults: evaluation and differential diagnosis. American Family Physician. 2020;101(8):472–480. Published April 15, 2020. Accessed March 3, 2024. [www.aafp.org/pubs/afp/issues/2020/0415/p472.html

3] LaRocque R, Harris J. Patient education: acute diarrhea in adults (beyond the basics). UpToDate. Updated May 24, 3033. Accessed August 29, 2023. [www.uptodate.com/contents/acute-diarrhea-in-adults-beyond-the-basics

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