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What Causes Diarrhea

What Causes Diarrhea? Types & Causes of Diarrhea

Diarrhea is incredibly common; most adults experience it at least once a year. Causes and treatments can vary by type.

Acute diarrhea occurs suddenly and usually lasts one to two days. Persistent diarrhea lasts a couple of weeks or up to a month and is often caused by an infection or something you ate or drank. Chronic diarrhea lasts more than four weeks and can be linked to an underlying health condition.

Person experiencing stomach discomfort

Acute, Persistent & Chronic Diarrhea Causes

  • **Common causes of acute or persistent diarrhea include:**
  • Bacterial, viral, or parasitic infections
  • Antibiotics or reactions to medications
  • Food intolerances
  • Food poisoning
  • **Common causes of chronic diarrhea include:**
  • Celiac disease
  • Crohn's disease
  • Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
  • Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
  • Certain prescription medications
  • Radiation therapy
  • Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO)
  • Ulcerative colitis
  • Whipple's disease

Other Common Diarrhea Triggers

Outside of the broad types of diarrhea, there are also specific types based on their triggers.

  • Person taking medication

    Antibiotic-associated diarrhea

    Antibiotics can cause diarrhea, affecting approximately 25% of people taking them. Symptoms often resolve after stopping antibiotics; speak with a Rexall Pharmacist if they are severe or persist.

  • Stressed person

    Stress-induced diarrhea

    Stress and anxiety can affect the gut and speed up movement in the large intestine. Talk to a Rexall Pharmacist for advice on managing anxiety, stress, and diarrhea symptoms.

  • Travel suitcase

    Traveller's diarrhea

    A common travel illness caused by contaminated food, water, or person-to-person contact. Consider booking a travel health consultation before your next trip.

  • Supplements

    Supplements & other triggers

    New supplements or medication can cause short-term side effects. Probiotics, magnesium, and other products can cause diarrhea when first introduced or taken in excess.

Tip

When diarrhea strikes, drink lots of fluids such as water with electrolytes, juice, and broth to prevent dehydration and replace lost fluids and salt.

Finding Relief from Diarrhea

Rexall offers over-the-counter diarrhea medications including loperamide and bismuth subsalicylate, along with prescription medications and antibiotics.

If you are not sure which medication you need, talk to your Rexall Pharmacist. They can suggest the right product based on your symptoms and help you avoid risks such as dehydration.

Shop Diarrhea Medicine

More on Digestive Health

Sources

  1. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/diarrhea/symptoms-causes/syc-20352241

  2. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/4108-diarrhea

  3. https://www.webmd.com/digestive-disorders/digestive-diseases-diarrhea

  4. https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/diarrhea

  5. https://cdhf.ca/en/digestive-conditions/diarrhea/

  6. https://cdhf.ca/en/travellers-diarrhea/

  7. https://www.healthline.com/health/diarrhea

  8. https://www.mayoclinic.org/symptoms/diarrhea/basics/causes/sym-20050926

  9. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/diarrhea/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20352246

  10. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/antibiotic-associated-diarrhea/symptoms-causes/syc-20352231

  11. https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/diarrhea.html

  12. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/14598-probiotics

  13. https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Magnesium-HealthProfessional/#en1

Common Diarrhea Causes | Rexall | Rexall