Diarrhoea in Adults

We have selected the following expert medical opinion based on its clarity, reliability and accuracy. Credit: Sourced from the MSD Manual, Consumer Version; authored by Dr Norton J. Greenberger (see below). Please refer to your own medical practitioner for a final perspective, assessment or evaluation.

Overview

Diarrhoea is an increase in the volume, wateriness, or frequency of bowel movements. However, the frequency of bowel movements alone is not the defining feature of diarrhoea. Some people normally move their bowels 3 to 5 times a day. People who eat large amounts of vegetable fibre may produce more than a pound (1/2 kilogram) of stool a day, but the stool in such cases is well formed and not watery. Diarrhoea is often accompanied by gas, cramping, an urgency to defecate, and, if the diarrhoea is caused by an infectious organism or a toxic substance, nausea and vomiting.

Complications

Diarrhoea can lead to dehydration and a loss of electrolytes, such as sodium, potassium, magnesium, chloride, and bicarbonate, from the blood. If large amounts of fluid and electrolytes are lost, the person feels weak, and blood pressure can drop enough to cause fainting (syncope), heart rhythm abnormalities (arrhythmias), and other serious disorders. At particular risk are the very young, the very old, the debilitated, and people with very severe diarrhoea.

Causes

There are many different causes, depending on how long the diarrhoea has lasted.

The most common causes of acute diarrhoea (lasting less than a week) are:

• Infection with viruses, bacteria, or parasites (gastroenteritis)
• Food poisoning
• Drug side effects

The most common causes of chronic diarrhoea (lasting more than 4 weeks) are:

• Irritable bowel syndrome
• Inflammatory bowel disease
• Drug side effects
• Malabsorption

Diarrhoea that has been present for more than 4 weeks may be a lingering case of acute diarrhoea or the early stage of a disorder that causes chronic diarrhoea.

Classification

Normally, stool is 60 to 90% water. Diarrhoea occurs when not enough water is removed from the stool, making the stool loose and poorly formed.

Stool may contain too much water if it:

• Passes too quickly through the digestive tract
• Contains certain substances that prevent the large intestine from absorbing water
• Contains excess water secreted by the intestines

Rapid passage (transit) of stool is one of the most common general causes of diarrhoea. For stool to have normal consistency, it must remain in the large intestine for a certain amount of time. Stool that leaves the large intestine too quickly is watery. Many medical conditions and treatments can decrease the amount of time that stool stays in the large intestine. These conditions include an overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism); Zollinger-Ellison syndrome (a condition of over-production of acid by a tumour); surgical removal of part of the stomach, small intestine, or large intestine; surgical bypass of part of the intestine; inflammatory bowel disease (such as ulcerative colitis); and use of drugs such as antacids containing magnesium, laxatives, prostaglandins, serotonin, and even caffeine. Many foods, especially those that are acidic or have a very high amount of sugar (such as waffle or maple syrup), can increase the rate of transit. Some people are intolerant of specific foods and always develop diarrhoea after eating them. Stress and anxiety are also common causes.

Osmotic diarrhoea occurs when certain substances that cannot be absorbed through the colon wall remain in the intestine. These substances cause excessive amounts of water to remain in the stool, leading to diarrhoea. Certain foods (such as some fruits and beans) and sugar substitutes in dietetic foods, candy, and chewing gum (for example, hexitols, sorbitol, and mannitol) can cause osmotic diarrhoea. Also, lactase deficiency can lead to osmotic diarrhoea. Lactase is an enzyme normally found in the small intestine that converts lactose (milk sugar) to glucose and galactose, so that it can be absorbed into the bloodstream. When people with lactase deficiency drink milk or eat dairy products, lactose is not digested. As lactose accumulates in the intestine, it causes osmotic diarrhoea—a condition known as lactose intolerance. The severity of osmotic diarrhoea depends on how much of the osmotic substance is consumed. Diarrhoea stops soon after the person stops eating or drinking the substance. Blood in the digestive tract also acts as an osmotic agent and results in black, tarry stools (melena). Another cause of osmotic diarrhoea is an overgrowth of normal intestinal bacteria or the growth of bacteria normally not found in the intestines. Antibiotics can cause osmotic diarrhoea by destroying the normal intestinal bacteria.

Secretory diarrhoea occurs when the small and large intestines secrete salts (especially sodium chloride) and water into the stool. Certain toxins—such as the toxin produced by a cholera infection or during some viral infections—can cause these secretions. Infections by certain bacteria (for example, Campylobacter) and parasites (for example, Cryptosporidium) can also stimulate secretions. The diarrhoea can be massive—more than a quart (1 litre) of stool an hour in cholera. Other substances that cause salt and water secretion include certain laxatives, such as castor oil, and bile acids (which may build up after surgery to remove part of the small intestine). Certain rare tumours—such as carcinoid, gastrinoma, and vipoma—also can cause secretory diarrhoea, as can some polyps.

Inflammatory diarrhoea occurs when the lining of the large intestine becomes inflamed, ulcerated, or engorged and releases proteins, blood, mucus, and other fluids, which increase the bulk and fluid content of the stool. This type of diarrhoea can be caused by many diseases, including ulcerative colitis, Crohn disease, tuberculosis, and cancers such as lymphoma and adenocarcinoma. When the lining of the rectum is affected, people often feel an urgent need to move their bowels and have frequent bowel movements because the inflamed rectum is more sensitive to expansion (distention) by stool.

Diarrhoea caused by malabsorption is characterized by oil or grease in the stool and an oily rim around the toilet bowl after stool is flushed. Malabsorption of bile salts, which can result from certain disorders, can cause diarrhoea by stimulating water and electrolyte secretion; the stools have a green or orange colour.

Ingredients in Foods and Beverages That Can Cause Diarrhoea:

Sugar-free gum, mints, sweet cherries, or prunes

• Hexitols, sorbitol, or mannitol

Apple juice, pear juice, grapes, honey, dates, nuts, figs, soft drinks (especially fruit flavours), prunes, or waffle or maple syrup

• Fructose

Milk, ice cream, yogurt, or soft cheese

• Lactose

Coffee, tea, cola drinks, or some over-the-counter headache remedies

• Caffeine

Certain fat-free potato chips or fat-free ice cream

• Olestra

Evaluation

Not every episode of diarrhoea requires immediate evaluation by a doctor. The following information can help people decide whether a doctor’s evaluation is needed and help them know what to expect during the evaluation.

Warning signs

Certain findings raise suspicion of a more serious cause of diarrhoea:

• Blood or pus in the stool
• Fever
• Signs of dehydration (such as decreased urination, lethargy or listlessness, extreme thirst, and a dry mouth)
• Chronic diarrhoea
• Diarrhoea at night
• Weight loss

When to see a doctor

People who have warning signs of blood or pus in the stool, fever, or signs of dehydration should see a doctor right away, as should those with significant abdominal pain. Such people may need immediate testing, treatment, and sometimes admission to a hospital. If the only warning signs are chronic or night-time diarrhoea or weight loss, people should see a doctor within a week or so. People without warning signs should consult a doctor if diarrhoea lasts for more than 72 hours. Depending on the person's other symptoms, age, and medical history, the doctor may recommend the person have an examination or try at-home or over-the-counter treatments.

What the doctor does

Doctors first ask questions about the person's symptoms and medical history. Doctors then do a physical examination. What they find during the history and physical examination often suggests a cause of the diarrhoea and the tests that may need to be done.

A doctor begins by asking how long the diarrhoea has been going on and how severe it has been. Simultaneous occurrence of diarrhoea in friends, family members, or other personal contacts is sought.

Other important questions focus on:

• Circumstances around when it started (including recent travel, food ingested, and source of water)
• Drug use (including any antibiotics within the previous 3 months)
• Abdominal pain or vomiting
• Frequency and timing of bowel movements
• Changes in stool characteristics (for example, presence of blood, pus, oil or grease, or mucus and changes in colour or consistency)
• Changes in weight or appetite
• Feeling an urgent need to defecate or to defecate constantly

The physical examination begins with the doctor's evaluation of the person's fluid and hydration status. A full examination of the abdomen is done, and a digital rectal examination may be done to check for the presence of blood.

Some Causes and Features of Diarrhoea

Please note: Features include symptoms and the results of the doctor's examination. Features mentioned are typical but not always present.

Acute (less than 1 week)

Gastroenteritis due to viruses, bacteria, or parasites

• Often vomiting
• Rarely fever or blood in stool
• Little or no abdominal pain (except during vomiting)
• Sometimes recent contact with infected people (such as those at a day care centre, at a camp, or on a cruise), with animals at a petting zoo (where Escherichia [E.] coli may be acquired), or with reptiles (where Salmonella bacteria may be acquired)
• Sometimes recent consumption of undercooked, contaminated food or contaminated water

Food poisoning

• Diarrhoea that started suddenly, often with vomiting, within 4 to 8 hours of eating contaminated food
• Often present in other people
• Typically lasting 12 to 24 hours

Side effects of drugs (including antibiotics, many cancer chemotherapy drugs, colchicine, and quinine/quinidine)

• Recent use of a drug that causes diarrhoea
• Often no other symptoms

Dietary factors such as:

• Intolerance of cow’s milk

Overeating of certain fruits or juices (such as pear, apple, or prune)

• Diarrhoea only after consuming a substance that could cause diarrhoea
• Abdominal bloating and passing of gas (flatulence)
• Explosive diarrhoea

Chronic (more than 4 weeks)

Irritable bowel syndrome

• Intermittent diarrhoea usually preceded by abdominal discomfort, bloating, or pain
• Often diarrhoea alternating with constipation
• No bleeding, weight loss, or fever
• Usually begins during the teens or 20s
• Symptoms usually present for more than 12 weeks
• Changes in the frequency of bowel movements or consistency of stool

Inflammatory bowel disease such as Crohn disease and Ulcerative colitis

• Blood in stool, crampy abdominal pain, weight loss, and loss of appetite
• Sometimes arthritis, rashes, sores in the mouth, and tears in the rectum

Malabsorption disorders such as Celiac disease, Tropical sprue, Pancreatic insufficiency and Bacterial overgrowth syndrome

• Light-coloured, soft, bulky, and unusually foul-smelling stool that may appear oily
• Abdominal bloating and flatulence
• Weight loss
• For tropical sprue, long-term (over 1 month) residence in a tropical country
• For pancreatic insufficiency, usually in a person known to have a disorder of the pancreas (such as chronic pancreatitis or cystic fibrosis)

Certain tumours (Colon cancer or villous adenoma)

• Endocrine tumours (such as vipoma, gastrinoma, carcinoid, Mastocytosis, or medullary carcinoma of the thyroid)
• Lymphoma
• For colon cancer, sometimes blood in stool, decreased stool diameter, and weight loss
• For endocrine tumours, various symptoms, including abdominal pain or cramping, flushing, and massive watery diarrhoea

Hyperthyroidism

• Often nervousness, trouble tolerating a hot environment, fatigue, palpitations, weight loss, and rapid heart rate

Surgery on the stomach or intestines (such as gastric bypass for weight loss or removal of a significant length of intestine)

• Obvious recent surgery

Tests and special investigations

The need for testing depends on what the doctor finds during the history and physical examination. Acute watery diarrhoea (lasting less than about 4 days) without warning signs is usually caused by a viral infection, and people who otherwise appear well do not require testing. People with warning signs of dehydration, bloody stool, fever, or severe abdominal pain typically need testing—particularly those who are very young or very old. In these people, doctors do blood tests to detect blood and electrolyte abnormalities and stool tests to detect blood, white blood cells, and the presence of infectious organisms (such as Campylobacter, Yersinia, amoebas, Giardia, and Cryptosporidium). Some causes of infection are detected by looking under the microscope, whereas others require a culture (growing the organism in the laboratory) or special enzyme tests (for example, Shigella or Giardia). If the person has taken antibiotics within the past 2 to 3 months, the doctor may test the stool for Clostridium difficile toxin. A colonoscopy is usually not necessary.

For diarrhoea lasting more than 4 weeks (more than 1 to 3 weeks for people who have a weakened immune system or who appear seriously ill), similar tests are done. In addition, the doctor may test the stool for fat (indicating malabsorption) and do a colonoscopy to examine the lining of the rectum and colon and to gather samples to test for infection. People whose symptoms seem related to diet may have a breath test to look for hydrogen, which suggests they are not absorbing carbohydrates. Sometimes a biopsy (removal of a tissue specimen for examination under a microscope) of the rectal lining is done to look for inflammatory bowel disease. Sometimes the volume of stool over a 24-hour period is determined. Imaging tests, such as computed tomography (CT) enterography, may be needed if the doctor suspects certain tumours. If doctors are still uncertain about the diagnosis, they may need to assess the function of the pancreas. Depending on the person's symptoms, doctors may also conduct tests for thyroid or adrenal disease.

Treatment

Treatment is directed at the cause of diarrhoea, when possible. For example, dietary and drug causes are avoided, tumours are removed, and drugs are given to eradicate a parasitic infection. However, in many cases, the body heals itself. A viral cause usually resolves by itself in 24 to 48 hours.
 

Dehydration

Extra fluids containing a balance of water, sugars, and salts are needed for people who are dehydrated. As long as the person is not vomiting excessively, these fluids can be given by mouth (see Dehydration: Treatment). Seriously ill people and those with significant electrolyte abnormalities require intravenous fluid and sometimes hospitalization.

Drugs

Drugs that relax intestinal muscles and slow intestinal transit (antidiarrheal drugs) can help slow diarrhoea. Loperamide is available over-the-counter. Opioid drugs, such as codeine, diphenoxylate, and paregoric (tincture of opium), are available by prescription and can also help. However, certain bacterial causes of gastroenteritis, particularly Salmonella, Shigella, and Clostridium difficile, can be worsened by antidiarrheal drugs. Doctors typically recommend antidiarrheal drugs only for people with watery diarrhoea and no warning signs because such people are unlikely to have such bacterial infections.

Over-the-counter drugs include adsorbents (for example, kaolin-pectin), which adhere to chemicals, toxins, and infectious organisms. Some adsorbents also help firm up the stool. Bismuth helps many people with diarrhoea. It has a normal side effect of turning the stool black. Bulking agents used for chronic constipation, such as psyllium or methylcellulose, can sometimes help relieve chronic diarrhoea as well.

KEY POINTS

• In people with acute diarrhoea, doctors examine the stool only if they suspect people have certain acute infections or if people have prolonged symptoms (that is, more than 1 week) or warning signs.
• Doctors avoid using antidiarrheal drugs if there is a possibility that the person has Clostridium difficile, Salmonella, or Shigella.

About the author

Dr Norton J. Greenberger

MD

Clinical Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School; Senior Physician, Brigham and Women's Hospital.

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