Diarrhea is also defined as the frequent discharge of semi-solid stool or fluids from the bowels.

Type
Diarrhea is divided into acute and chronic diarrhea.
1. Acute Diarrhea: Acute diarrhea lasts only a few days and goes and is usually not serious. However, acute diarrhea can be severe in children and the elderly because of their fragility.
2. Chronic Diarrhea: Chronic diarrhea may last for several weeks and usually indicates an underlying problem. The cause therefore must be investigated and treated accordingly.

Incidence
Diarrhea affects all ages but is most common among babies who are fed formula.

Transmission Mode
Diarrhea is spread through fecal-oral route. It can be spread through contaminated food and water contaminated with the stool of a person with diarrhea (especially if caused by bacteria or viruses). Infectious organisms can be deposited in foods by houseflies, where there is proper hygiene.

Causes
i. Infection: Infection with bacteria such as Salmonella typhimurium, E. coli, or viruses such as herpes simplex virus and hepatitis can cause diarrhea.
ii. Laxatives: Laxatives cause increased peristalsis thereby allowing diarrhea.
iii. Chemicals: The ingestion of certain chemicals can lead to lead by example, diarrhea (found in toys and paints)
iv. Antibiotics: The use of antibiotics to treat other diseases can cause diarrhea as a side effect.
Food for: Food that has too much fiber may also increase peristalsis and cause diarrhea. Vegetables and fruits when consumed in large quantities in particular can cause diarrhea.
vi. Anxiety: Anxiety or emotional stress increases the adrenaline in the bloodstream. This in turn accelerates metabolic processes and increases peristalsis. This leads to diarrhea.
vii. Other causes of diarrhea include excess alcohol, coffee, sweets and spicy foods.
viii. Worm infestation
ix. Irritable Bowel Syndrome
x. Bowel cancer.

Signs and symptoms
a. Frequent passage of stool, watery
b. Nausea or vomiting
c. Anorexia
d. Cramping / abdominal pain
e. Bloated belly
f. Headache
g. Fever
h. Sunken eyes / fontanelle in children
i. Thirst
j. Dryness of the tongue, lips and mucous membranes
k. The concentrated urine and low
l. Weakness / fatigue.