Feces, Poop & Butt Issues / Question
Published: December 3, 2008
Dear TeenHealthFX,
I have a question. How come I get diarreah very often? Can you give some reasons so I can try to avoid it? Thanks for your help and respond soon please.
Signed: How Come I Often Have Diarrhea?
Dear How Come I Often Have Diarrhea?,
For our readers who may not know, diarrhea is loose, watery stools, and a person with diarrhea generally passes stool more than three times a day.
There are many things that could be causing your diarrhea. Acute diarrhea (usually lasts 1-2 days and goes away on its own) is usually caused by a bacterial, viral, or parasitic infection. Prolonged diarrhea (lasts for more than 2 days) may be a sign of a more serious problem and will pose the risk of dehydration. And chronic diarrhea may be caused by a chronic disease, such as irritable bowel syndrome or inflammatory bowel disease.
A few of the more common causes of diarrhea include:
- Bacterial infections caused by bacteria consumed through contaminated water or food.
- Viral infections
- Food intolerances, such as those with difficulties digesting lactose (the sugar found in milk)
- Parasites that enter the body through food or water and settle in the digestive system
- Reaction to medications such as antibiotics, blood pressure medications, cancer drugs, and antacids containing magnesium.
- Intestinal disease such as inflammatory bowel disease, colitis, Crohn’s disease, and celiac.
- Functional bowel disorders such as irritable bowel syndrome.
- Laxative abuse
- Alcohol abuse
- Hyperthyroidism
- Competitive running
- Malabsorption where the body is unable to adequately absorb certain nutrients from food that is ingested.
- A result of stomach surgery or removal of the gallbladder
With all the possible causing of persistent or chronic diarrhea, FX cannot give you any kind of accurate diagnosis or treatment suggestions over the web. Since you frequently have diarrhea, FX recommends that you meet with your primary care physician or an adolescent medicine specialist so that you can get a better understanding of what is causing your diarrhea and then learn the most effective type of treatment.
When it comes to diarrhea, a doctor should be contacted if:
- The diarrhea lasts for more than 3 days
- There is severe pain in the abdomen and/or rectum
- There is a fever of 102 degrees or higher
- There is blood in your stool or you are having black, tarry stools
- You are experiencing an signs of dehydration (symptoms include thirst, less frequent urination, dry skin, fatigue, light-headedness, dark-colored urine)
If you don't have a doctor and live in northern
Signed: TeenHealthFX
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