Diarrhea is a condition that causes a person’s stool to be looser and more liquid than normal. While diarrhea affects almost everyone at some point in their lives, its origins are not always identical. Here is a look at ten of the most common causes of diarrhea.
- Medications that contain magnesium (such as over-the-counter antacids) can affect the balance of microorganisms in the digestive tract, which can lead to diarrhea.
- Food poisoning introduces harmful bacteria into the digestive tract, and this can also cause diarrhea.
- Certain food allergies have the potential to cause diarrhea. These include allergies to fructose, artificial sweeteners, dairy, and gluten.
- Viral gastroenteritis (known informally as “the stomach bug”) is a common cause of diarrhea, especially among young children.
- When traveling to different countries, exposure to new infectious agents may cause diarrhea. Most native residents are unaffected by these agents, since their bodies have had time to build up an immunity to them.
- Diarrhea is a common symptom for digestive disorders such as irritable bowel syndrome and Crohn’s disease.
- Taking too many laxatives at once or using them on a regular basis may lead to severe bouts of diarrhea.
- High-fat and high-sugar foods can cause diarrhea. Limiting your intake should prevent this from happening, though.
- Diarrhea is a symptom of colon cancer, and some patients experience severe bouts when going through cancer treatment as well.
- After abdominal surgery, it may take your digestive tract a few days to recover. During this period, diarrhea is a common occurrence.
