Causes Of Diarrhea

Many times, diarrhea is of short duration and clears up quickly on its own. Other times, it can be a chronic situation that needs treatment. There are many causes of diarrhea, and determining the exact one is necessary for successful treatment.

Diarrhea is defined as frequent, loose, watery stools. It may last a day or two when the cause is an acute illness or bad food. Other medical conditions may cause it to last for several weeks or longer. It requires more frequent trips to the bathroom which could in itself pose hazards and increase the risk of falls in the elderly.

Causes of diarrhea include viruses such as the Norwalk virus or rotavirus and bacteria such as E. coli. Bacteria and parasites are sometimes ingested with contaminated food. This includes organisms such as salmonella, campylobacter, and shigella. One of the causes of diarrhea that is often overlooked is medications, most commonly antibiotics. This occurs because antibiotics disrupt the natural bacteria in the body and allow an overgrowth of harmful microorganisms such as Clostridium difficile. Other medications that may cause loose and frequent stools include chemotherapy drugs and laxatives with magnesium.

Other causes of diarrhea are linked to foods such as lactose, fructose, artificial sweeteners, and gluten. Elderly people with gluten sensitivity or lactose intolerance may develop chronic diarrhea if the offending foods are not removed from the diet. Certain medical conditions can also cause diarrhea such as irritable bowel syndrome, gallbladder disease, Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, and celiac disease.

Diarrhea can lead to dehydration and electrolyte balance so it should always be taken seriously, especially in the elderly who may be frail or have other medical conditions. In addition, when it is combined with bowel incontinence, it can cause skin infections and irritation. While younger people may rebound quickly after a bout of stomach flu with diarrhea, senior citizens can be affected more severely, even with diarrhea that lasts only a few days.

A medical professional should be consulted if diarrhea is accompanied by a fever of 101°F, stools are black or bloody, abdominal pain is not relieved after moving the bowels, stools are oily looking, diarrhea lasts longer than three days or is accompanied by vomiting that lasts longer than 12 hours. Causes of chronic diarrhea may be difficult to determine without medical tests. An elimination diet may be needed to identify offending foods so they can be removed from the diet.

It is advised to use over the counter diarrhea medications cautiously in the elderly. In certain causes of diarrhea, these medications could make the underlying condition worse. Plenty of bed rest, adequate hydration, and a bland diet are the usual treatments for acute cases. Keeping adult diapers changed frequently and the area clean will help prevent skin irritation and breakdown.

Care should be taken to avoid diarrhea episodes from occurring. Steps to take include frequent hand washing and proper food handling. Don't leave food sitting out for prolonged periods because bacteria can grow more quickly when food isn't refrigerated. Keep food preparation areas clean and wash work surfaces often. The elderly may sometimes have problems with proper hygiene when it comes to their person and home, and this could be a contributing factor to frequent bouts of diarrhea.