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 loose or watery stool, or having a stool at least 3 times in 24 hours. Common causes include viral gastroenteritis, bacterial infection, C. Diff colitis, medications, irritable bowel syndrome, and celiac disease.
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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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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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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Having a bowel movement can be painful if you’re constipated or have other relatively common problems like hemorrhoids. But it can also be a sign of anal cancer, so shouldn’t be ignored.
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.
Bloody diarrhea is not normal. It may be a symptom of an intestinal infection or parasite. You should seek medical treatment if you have bloody diarrhea, especially when accompanied by nausea, vomiting, dizziness, or fever.
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.
Hard stool is usually a sign of constipation or 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.