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Author: Admin | 2025-04-28
Diarrhea occurs when a person has loose or watery stools. Many different conditions have diarrhea as a symptom.Most people experience this common illness at some point in their lives, with short-term cases of diarrhea being the second most commonly reported illness in the United States.A person with chronic diarrhea will typically experience runny stools for longer than 4 weeks, according to the American College of Gastroenterology.Acute diarrhea should not be a cause for medical concern. However, chronic diarrhea may cause other problems if a person does not receive treatment for it.In this article, we discuss chronic diarrhea, its causes, and the available treatment options.There are many potential causes of chronic diarrhea. Some of the most common include:Excessive alcohol or caffeine intakeDrinking large amounts of alcohol or beverages that contain caffeine, such as coffee or cola, can cause loose and watery stools.When a person stops consuming these substances or starts to consume them in more moderate amounts, the symptoms should resolve.Sugar and dairyCertain sugars and artificial sweeteners may cause diarrhea. Consuming these sweet substances every day can even lead to chronic diarrhea.Examples of such sugars and artificial sweeteners include:Sorbitol: Manufacturers use this calorie-free sugar substitute in candies, chewing gums, and sugar-free items.Mannitol: This sweetener can have a laxative effect similar to that of sorbitol.Fructose: This naturally occurring sugar is present in fruit and honey. Eating large amounts of fruit can cause diarrhea due to its high fructose content. Food producers may also add fructose to candies and sodas.Lactose: This is a natural sugar in dairy that can cause chronic diarrhea in people whose bodies cannot digest it. Around 65% of people around the world have problems digesting lactose.Herbs and herbal remediesHerbal remedies and herbal teas, such as senna, may contain natural laxatives.If a person is using several herbal products at once, it may be a good idea to stop using them all, then reintroduce them one at a time. This may help the person work out which product is the cause of the chronic diarrhea.MedicationChronic diarrhea can be an adverse effect of several prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) medications.Some common medications that can cause diarrhea include:most antibiotics, including cefpodoxime, amoxicillin, and ampicillinsome antidepressants, such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and serotonin-noradrenaline reuptake inhibitorsantacids that contain magnesium hydroxidelaxatives and stool softenersproton pump inhibitors, including omeprazole and lansoprazolechemotherapy drugs to treat cancerAlso, diarrhea may signal toxicity from some medications, such as lithium and digoxin.InfectionIn some cases, an intestinal parasite can give rise to chronic diarrhea. This is less common in the U.S. than in countries with less developed food and water sanitation.A stool test is usually necessary to diagnose a parasitic infection. A doctor may also carry out a biopsy.Inflammatory bowel diseaseSome symptoms of
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