Diarrhea & Stool
If you’re spending too much time in the bathroom—from diarrhea or constipation—you know how important it is to keep your gut healthy. Before you need to go again, find the answer to your stomach woes.
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Diarrhea is characterized by loose or watery stools. It can be caused by eating spicy foods, food that is spoiled or contaminated with bacteria, or from a condition in your gut.
Rotavirus causes severe, watery diarrhea and vomiting, most commonly in infants and young children. It’s a gastrointestinal virus, and is highly contagious, though milder in older children and adults.
Colitis is an inflammation of the lining of the colon. There are a number of causes, including infection and an overactive immune system. Often, you have stomach pain and diarrhea. Getting the right diagnosis is critical to managing your symptoms.
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common, chronic disorder of the gut (primarily the intestines) that causes abdominal pain and constipation, diarrhea, or both. There is no cure for IBS, but there are many treatments to reduce symptoms.
Chronic constipation affects almost 15% of all adults and 30% of those over age 60. Fortunately, there are many effective treatments for long-term constipation.
Try these tactics to get rid of diarrhea and keep from getting dehydrated. Drink water, take over-the-counter and natural remedies, and eat bland foods until you feel better.
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Greasy Stool: Causes & Common Questions
Are you experiencing fatty stools that are hard to flush? Many of us suffer from greasy or fatty stools from time to time. However, persistent oily stool can point to a disorder in the gut, such as pancreatitis, IBS, or gallstones.
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Top 8 Causes of Mucousy Stools
While mucus in the stool is natural for the digestive process, conditions like irritable bowel syndrome and Crohn’s disease can cause unusual amounts to show up in your stool. Here’s how to tell when it’s worrisome—and how to treat it.
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6 Causes of Foul-Smelling Stool
If your stool smells worse than usual, it may simply be due to something you ate. But it may be a sign of something more serious, such as irritable bowel disease.
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10 Causes of Bloody Diarrhea & Treatments
When noticing bloody stool, the most common causes derive from hemorrhoids or anal fissures. Bloody diarrhea, however is generally not normal and can be caused by an intestinal infections such as E. Coli, food poisoning, or an intestinal parasite.
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Incomplete evacuation of stool, or even just the sensation of not emptying your bowel, can be frustrating. It may be caused by irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), constipation, or an autoimmune disorder like ulcerative colitis. If you feel like you're not passing all the stool, talk to your doctor.
Passing hard stools can be painful and have visible characteristics of small compact pellets. If you notice that your bowel movements contain hard stools, it may be caused by dehydration, not eating enough fiber, lack of exercise, or sign of Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS).
The constant urge to pass a stool is also known as tenesmus and may be associated with stomach pain. It is commonly caused by obstruction or contraction within the intestines, a bacterial infection, or a nerve abnormality in the digestive system.