Chronic diarrhea refers to persistent or recurrent episodes of loose, watery stools that last for more than four weeks. It’s a symptom rather than a specific disease and can be caused by a variety of underlying conditions.
Chronic diarrhea can be caused by persistent infections from bacteria (such as Campylobacter, Salmonella), viruses (such as norovirus, rotavirus), or parasites (such as Giardia, Cryptosporidium).
Conditions like Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis can cause chronic inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract, leading to diarrhea, abdominal pain, and other symptoms.
Conditions like celiac disease (gluten intolerance) or lactose intolerance can lead to chronic diarrhea due to the body’s inability to properly absorb certain nutrients.
Disorders such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) can cause chronic diarrhea along with abdominal pain, bloating, and changes in bowel habits.
Some medications, especially antibiotics and certain cancer treatments, can disrupt the balance of gut bacteria (microbiota) and lead to chronic diarrhea.
Conditions affecting the digestive system, such as pancreatic insufficiency (inadequate pancreatic enzyme production) or bile acid malabsorption, can cause chronic diarrhea.
Hormonal disorders such as hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid gland) or adrenal insufficiency (inadequate adrenal hormone production) can lead to chronic diarrhea as a symptom.
Conditions affecting nerves that control bowel function, such as diabetic neuropathy or autonomic neuropathy, can cause chronic diarrhea.
Diagnosis of chronic diarrhea involves a thorough medical history, physical examination, and often laboratory tests (such as stool studies), imaging studies, or endoscopic procedures (like colonoscopy) to identify the underlying cause.
Treatment depends on the specific cause but may include dietary changes, medications (such as antibiotics or anti-inflammatory drugs), probiotics, or management of the underlying condition (such as treating infections or adjusting medications).
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