Diarrhea is a condition characterized by frequent and loose, watery stools. Generally, diarrhea will go away on its own in a few days, but prolonged diarrhea lasting longer can lead to more severe complications or indicate an underlying disease. There are many causes of prolonged diarrhea, from diseases of the digestive system to the use of certain medications.
Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) encompasses two disorders, Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, characterized by digestive inflammation. In Crohn's disease, ulcers form in the digestive tract anywhere from the anus up to the mouth. The colon, a part of the large intestines, becomes inflamed with ulcerative colitis. Symptoms are similar in each disease and include diarrhea, abdominal cramping and pain, and bloody stools. Chronic diarrhea can be a serious complication of inflammatory bowel disease leading to dehydration.
Lactose Intolerance
Individuals with lactose intolerance are unable to properly digest lactose, a type of sugar found in dairy products. This is due to a lack of an enzyme called lactase that breaks down lactose in the foods we eat. Symptoms, such as diarrhea, bloating and cramping begin approximately 30 minute to two hours after ingesting lactose-containing food or liquid, says MayoClinic.com. There is no cure for lactose intolerance, but avoiding lactose-containing foods can eliminate prolonged symptoms such as diarrhea.
Medications
Antibiotics are the most common medication that can lead to prolonged diarrhea. Antibiotics target both the healthy and the bad bacteria in the body, which can disrupt the delicate balance of bacteria in the digestive tract. This can open the door to an infection by a specific type of bacteria, called Clostridium difficile, leading to chronic diarrhea, says MayoClinic.com. Abuse of laxatives, a medication taken to induce a bowel movement, can also lead to chronic diarrhea.
Celiac Disease
Chronic diarrhea may be caused by celiac disease, a disease of the digestive system in which the body mounts an abnormal immune system response to gluten. Gluten is a protein found in wheat, rye and barley which can also be an ingredient in medications and vitamins. When ingested, the immune system damages and destroys the small intestines, leading to malabsorption and other symptoms. Chronic diarrhea and other digestive symptoms most often occur in infants and young children with celiac disease as compared to adults, states the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse.
