Everyone periodically experiences diarrhea, a condition characterized by loose watery stools. Bacterial infections introduced through contaminated food or water can cause acute, or sudden onset, of diarrhea. Viral infections can also cause diarrhea, but in both cases, the symptoms typically resolves within a few days. The National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse reports that long-term diarrhea can indicate a chronic disease that affects the functional capabilities of the small or large intestine.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Irritable bowel syndrome, a disease that affects 20 percent of the adults in the United States, causes abdominal pain, cramping and bloating, according to the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse. Patients with irritable bowel syndrome—IBS—also suffer from alternating periods of constipation and long term diarrhea. Although the exact cause remains unknown, irritable bowel syndrome occurs due to a sensitive large intestine that reacts to certain foods or stress.
The sensitivity causes the large intestine to spasm which interferes with its ability to absorb fluids from the contents moving through the digestive tract. This results in too much fluid remaining in the stool leading to chronic diarrhea. Patients can help control their symptoms through diet and stress management. Prescription medications, such as antispasmodics to reduce the intestinal spasms, can also help to relieve symptoms.
Crohn's Disease
Crohn’s disease, a chronic inflammatory bowel disease, causes inflammation of the lining of the digestive tract, according to MayoClinic.com. Although Crohn’s disease can affect any part of the digestive tract including the mouth, esophagus and large intestine, it most commonly affects the lower portion of the small intestine known as the ileum. The inflammation of Crohn’s disease causes abdominal pain, cramping and long term diarrhea that can lead to loss of appetite and weight loss.
The symptoms of Crohn’s disease often occur in cycles with periods of flare-ups followed by long periods of remission. Although there is no cure, treatment including anti-inflammatory drugs, immune system suppressors and antibiotics, aims to reduce the inflammation and decrease the number of recurrent episodes.
Ulcerative Colitis
Ulcerative colitis describes a chronic disease caused by inflammation of the large intestine. Ulcerative colitis differs from Crohn’s disease as the inflammation usually occurs only in the lower portion of the large intestine, or colon, and the rectum. In addition, ulcerative colitis causes continuous inflammation whereas Crohn’s disease allows areas of healthy tissue in between the inflamed areas.
The inflammation in the lining of the intestine damages the cells resulting in cell death. The death of the cells allows the formation of ulcers, open sores, in the intestinal lining. Patients with ulcerative colitis experience progressively worsening diarrhea that may appear bloody along with crampy abdominal pain and bowel urgency, according to the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America. The diarrhea causes a loss of appetite and fatigue. The ulcers can cause severe bleeding leading to anemia.
References
- National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse: Diarrhea
- National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse: Irritable Bowel Syndrome
- MayoClinic.com: Crohn’s Disease
- National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse: Crohn’s Disease
- Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America: About Ulcerative Colitis
