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Why do I suddenly have watery diarrhea?

Watery diarrhea is commonly caused by a viral infection or food poisoning from eating undercooked meat or rotten foods. It can be serious if it causes dehydration. Keep an eye out for blood in the stool, and be sure to drink water and fluids with electrolytes.

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Viral (norovirus) infection

Norovirus infection is caused by the highly contagious Norwalk virus. It spreads when any trace of stool or vomit from an infected person contaminates food or drink, or gets onto any surface. Anyone who consumes the food or drink, or touches the surface and then their mouth, will become infected. Norovirus brings on severe gastrointestinal upset which is very unpleasant but rarely dangerous. Symptoms include diarrhea, vomiting, stomach pain, fever, and body aches for one to three days. The greatest risk is dehydration due to the severity of the symptoms. Because norovirus is, indeed, a virus, antibiotics will not help. The best treatment is good supportive care, which means providing plenty of fluids along with mild pain relievers until the patient recovers. Do not give aspirin to children. If the dehydration does not improve quickly, medical help should be sought. Doctors can provide IV fluids through recovery. The best prevention is frequent and thorough handwashing, as well as washing all fruits and vegetables. All foods must be properly cooked, especially shellfish.

Traveler's diarrhea

Traveler's diarrhea is a digestive tract disorder that commonly causes loose stools and abdominal cramps. It's caused by eating contaminated food or drinking contaminated water. You can safely treat this condition by drinking lots of fluids to avoid dehydration. Taking an antidiarrheal medication such as loperamide (Imodium) may help as well.

Rarity: Common

Top Symptoms: diarrhea, nausea, abdominal pain (stomach ache), fever, stomach bloating

Symptoms that always occur with traveler's diarrhea: diarrhea

Symptoms that never occur with traveler's diarrhea: anxiety

Urgency: Self-treatment

Shigella infection

Shigella infection, or shigellosis, is an intestinal infection caused by a strain of Shigella bacteria. Shigellosis is highly contagious through fecal matter. Anyone coming into contact with any trace of feces in food, drink, or surfaces can get the disease. Swimming in contaminated water, even in a chlorinated pool or hot tub, is another source of infection. Most susceptible are young children; travelers to less developed regions; and anyone with a weakened immune system. Symptoms include fever; abdominal pain and cramps; and severe diarrhea, which may contain blood. If not treated, there is the risk of dehydration due to the diarrhea and fever. Young children are especially susceptible. Diagnosis is made through patient history, physical examination, and testing of a stool sample. Treatment involves rest and fluids. Most cases clear up within a week. Sometimes antibiotics are used in more severe cases, though antibiotics are not effective against some forms of Shigella bacteria. The best prevention is frequent and thorough handwashing, and good hygiene when preparing food.

Rarity: Rare

Top Symptoms: diarrhea, general abdominal pain, severe diarrhea, watery diarrhea, fatigue

Symptoms that always occur with shigella infection: diarrhea

Urgency: Self-treatment

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Normal occurrence of diarrhea

Diarrhea can be an indication of serious illness – especially in young children – but in some cases it has a much simpler cause and can be easily cured. If there are simply frequent loose stools – three or more times per day – without other symptoms of illness, the most common cause is food or drink. Overuse of caffeine, beer, or wine has a laxative effect on some individuals. The artificial sweeteners sorbitol and mannitol are known laxatives, as are some herbal supplements and some over-the-counter vitamin and mineral preparations. Lactose intolerance, or the inability to digest the natural sugar in milk, causes digestive upset and diarrhea. Diarrhea can cause dehydration and mineral imbalance no matter what the cause, so it is still important to manage it. The best treatment is to remove some items or supplements from the diet and watch the results. This will show which items are causing the diarrhea. It's always wise to use any new supplements in moderation so that if the trouble recurs, the cause will be plain.

Rarity: Common

Top Symptoms: diarrhea, mild diarrhea

Symptoms that always occur with normal occurrence of diarrhea: diarrhea

Symptoms that never occur with normal occurrence of diarrhea: bloody diarrhea, severe diarrhea, worsening diarrhea, being severely ill, ill appearance

Urgency: Self-treatment

Microscopic colitis

Microscopic colitis is caused by inflammation of the large intestine than can only be seen with a microscope. It is believed that microscopic colitis is caused by an overly aggressive immune response to a certain trigger that can be related to medication, an infection, autoimmune diseases, genetics, or a malabsorption of bile. Symptoms primarily include watery diarrhea accompanied by abdominal pain, cramps or discomfort, and an urgency to use the restroom. Treatment depends on the cause, such as halting offensive drugs and taking anti-diarrheal medication or steroids. It is also important to make sure you stay hydrated throughout the recovery period.

Rarity: Rare

Top Symptoms: fatigue, nausea, diarrhea, abdominal pain (stomach ache), stomach bloating

Symptoms that always occur with microscopic colitis: diarrhea

Symptoms that never occur with microscopic colitis: bloody diarrhea

Urgency: Primary care doctor

Intestinal infection with ameba parasite

Visiting or living in places with poor sanitation can lead to parasite infections that can cause long-lasting diarrhea and stomach pain. You should go see a primary care physician (PCP) soon. Diagnosing parasite infections reuires stool samples at a PCP, and its treatment involves prescription anti-parasitic medications that a PCP would then prescribe.

Rarity: Rare

Top Symptoms: nausea, loss of appetite, diarrhea, constipation, general abdominal pain

Urgency: Primary care doctor

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