Abnormally increased frequency (usually defined as three or more) loose or watery bowel movements a day.

An increased liquidity or decreased consistency of FECES, such as running stool. Fecal consistency is related to the ratio of water-holding capacity of insoluble solids to total water, rather than the amount of water present. Diarrhea is not hyperdefecation or increased fecal weight.

Frequent and watery bowel movements.

Frequent, watery bowel movements.

Increased liquidity or decreased consistency of feces, such as running stool; fecal consistency is related to the ratio of water-holding capacity of insoluble solids to total water, rather than the amount of water present; diarrhea is not hyperdefecation or increased fecal weight.

Diarrhea is loose, watery stools (bowel movements). You have diarrhea if you have loose stools three or more times in one day. Acute diarrhea is diarrhea that lasts a short time. It is a common problem. It usually lasts about one or two days, but it may last longer. Then it goes away on its own. Diarrhea lasting more than a few days may be a sign of a more serious problem. Chronic diarrhea -- diarrhea that lasts at least four weeks -- can be a symptom of a chronic disease. Chronic diarrhea symptoms may be continual, or they may come and go. The most common causes of diarrhea include: Bacteria from contaminated food or water; Viruses such as the flu, norovirus, or rotavirus. Rotavirus is the most common cause of acute diarrhea in children.; Parasites, which are tiny organisms found in contaminated food or water; Medicines such as antibiotics, cancer drugs, and antacids that contain magnesium; Food intolerances and sensitivities, which are problems digesting certain ingredients or foods. An example is lactose intolerance.; Diseases that affect the stomach, small intestine, or colon, such as Crohn's disease; Problems with how the colon functions, such as irritable bowel syndrome. Some people also get diarrhea after stomach surgery, because sometimes the surgeries can cause food to move through your digestive system more quickly. Sometimes no cause can be found. If your diarrhea goes away within a few days, finding the cause is usually not necessary. People of all ages can get diarrhea. On average, adults In the United States have acute diarrhea once a year. Young children have it an average of twice a year. People who visit developing countries are at risk for traveler's diarrhea. It is caused by consuming contaminated food or water. Other possible symptoms of diarrhea include: Cramps or pain in the abdomen; An urgent need to use the bathroom; Loss of bowel control. If a virus or bacteria is the cause of your diarrhea, you may also have a fever, chills, and bloody stools. Diarrhea can cause dehydration, which means that your body does not have enough fluid to work properly. Dehydration can be serious, especially for children, older adults, and people with weakened immune systems. Although it is usually not harmful, diarrhea can become dangerous or signal a more serious problem. Contact your health care provider if you have: Signs of dehydration; Diarrhea for more than 2 days, if you are an adult. For children, contact the provider if it lasts more than 24 hours.; Severe pain in your abdomen or rectum (for adults); A fever of 102 degrees or higher; Stools containing blood or pus; Stools that are black and tarry. If children have diarrhea, parents or caregivers should not hesitate to call a health care provider. Diarrhea can be especially dangerous in newborns and infants. To find the cause of diarrhea, your health care provider may: Do a physical exam; Ask about any medicines you are taking; Test your stool or blood to look for bacteria, parasites, or other signs of disease or infection; Ask you to stop eating certain foods to see whether your diarrhea goes away. If you have chronic diarrhea, your health care provider may perform other tests to look for signs of disease. Diarrhea is treated by replacing lost fluids and electrolytes to prevent dehydration. Depending on the cause of the problem, you may need medicines to stop the diarrhea or treat an infection. Adults with diarrhea should drink water, fruit juices, sports drinks, sodas without caffeine, and salty broths. As your symptoms improve, you can eat soft, bland food. Children with diarrhea should be given oral rehydration solutions to replace lost fluids and electrolytes. Two types of diarrhea can be prevented - rotavirus diarrhea and traveler's diarrhea....

A disorder characterized by an increase in frequency and/or loose or watery bowel movements.

Stool is 60 to 90% water. In Western society, stool amount is 100 to 200 g/day in healthy adults and 10 g/kg/day in infants, depending on the amount of unabsorbable dietary material (mainly carbohydrates). Diarrhea is defined as stool weight > 200 g/day. However, many people consider any increased stool fluidity to be diarrhea....

Acute diarrhea is defined as the abrupt onset of 3 or more loose stools per day. The augmented water content in the stools (above the normal value of approximately 10 mL/kg/d in the infant and young child, or 200 g/d in the teenager and adult) is due to an imbalance in the physiology of the small and large intestinal processes involved...

Diarrhea, abnormally swift passage of waste material through the large intestine, with consequent discharge of loose feces from the anus. Diarrhea may be accompanied by cramping. The disorder has a wide range of causes. It may, for example, result from bacterial or viral infection; from dysentery...