Diarrhea is defined as frequent bowel movements that are either soft or watery. Acute diarrhea is the medical term for diarrhea that lasts less than 14 days. It usually is not serious; it is typically caused by an infection and will go away on its own. Persistent or chronic diarrhea lasts longer than two to three weeks, and several disorders can cause it.
Lactase Deficiency
Lactose is the sugar in milk and other dairy products. Lactase is an enzyme that breaks down lactose into galactose and glucose in the small intestines. Enzymes are proteins that cells use to speed up reaction times. Approximately 50 million Americans have a partial or complete lactose intolerance, according to Dr. Kenneth McQuaid, chief of the gastroenterology section at the San Francisco V.A. Medical Center, writing in "Current Medical Diagnosis & Treatment." They do not have enough of the lactase enzyme, which results in the lactose sugar accumulating if they drink or eat dairy products. The small intestine then tries to dilute the accumulated lactose with water, which can lead to diarrhea. Those with a lactase enzyme deficiency are also called lactose intolerant because they cannot tolerate a lot of lactose.
Hyperthyroidism
Hyperthyroidism is a disorder in which the thyroid gland makes and secretes too much thyroid hormone. Several medical conditions can cause this disorder, but the number one cause is Graves' disease. This is an autoimmune disease in which the immune system attacks its own tissues and organs. Antibodies are part of the immune system. In Graves' disease, antibodies stimulate the thyroid gland so it continually makes and releases thyroid hormone, as explained by Dr. Jerome Hershman, associate chief at the West Los Angeles V.A. Medical Center, writing in the "The Merck Manual for Healthcare Professionals." The high levels of thyroid hormone increase the metabolic rate of the body. This produces weight loss, a rapid heartbeat, palpitations, sweating and diarrhea.
Celiac Sprue
Approximately one in every 113 Americans may have celiac sprue, writes Dr. Henry Binder, professor of medicine at Yale University in "Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine." This is a hereditary disease in which people are sensitive to the gluten protein in wheat, rye and barley. Their immune systems respond to gluten by forming three types of antibodies, which results in inflammation in the small intestines. Infants with celiac sprue may have their first symptoms after they start to eat cereals. People with a milder sensitivity to gluten do not show any symptoms until they are children or adults. The symptoms can range from a mild weight loss and weakness, to anemia, osteoporosis and a severe fatty diarrhea.
Zollinger-Ellison Syndrome
People with Zollinger-Ellison syndrome have a gastrinoma. This is a tumor, usually located in the pancreas or small intestines, which secretes the gastrin hormone. This hormone normally stimulates the stomach to secrete acid, but because tumors do not follow any regulations, the stomach releases large amounts of acid. From 0.5 to 4 people out of every 1 million have this syndrome, and 25 to 30 percent of them have it as part of a hereditary disorder, according to Dr. Edward Lew, gastroenterologist at the V.A. Boston Healthcare System writing in "Current Diagnosis & Treatment: Gastroenterology, Hepatology, & Endoscopy." The symptoms include abdominal pain and diarrhea. People have diarrhea because the large amount of stomach acid interferes with the enzymes that break down food.
References
- "Current Diagnosis & Treatment: Gastroenterology, Hepatology, & Endoscopy"; Dr. Norton Greenberger; 2009
- "Current Medical Diagnosis & Treatment 2010"; Stephen McPhee, M.D., Dr. Maxine Papadakis; 2010
- "Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine"; Anthony Fauci, M.D., Dennis Kasper, M.D., Dr. Dan Longo, et al.; 2008
- The Merck Manual for Healthcare Professionals: Hyperthyroidism
