Diarrhea is unpleasant enough, but chronic diarrhea can pose a health risk. J.Thomas LaMont, M.D., of UpToDate Online, defines chronic diarrhea as loose stools lasting a minimum of four weeks, with at least one episode per day. To properly treat this condition, the physician must first identify the underlying reason, which means distinguishing between several possible common causes.
Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is an umbrella term used to refer to a variety of conditions; the two most common are ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease. These conditions tend to develop as a result of the body's immune system attacking the digestive tract. In addition to the diarrhea, common symptoms of ulcerative colitis include abdominal pain and cramps, fever, blood in the stools and anemia. Additional symptoms of Crohn's disease include mouth sores, weight loss, abdominal pain and fever.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome
One of the most common causes of chronic diarrhea, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) can lead to both diarrhea and constipation. In some cases the patient alternates between the two. Pain, typically in the lower left abdomen, takes the form of cramps and can be mild or severe. Before the diarrhea occurs, the patient has an extreme sense of urgency and then usually is not able to void the bowels completely.
Infections
Intestinal infections, another common cause of chronic diarrhea, result from the presence of bacteria and parasites in contaminated food and water, says the Mayo Clinic. The bacteria E. coli and Salmonella in food sources are typically responsible for these infections. Intestinal infections often affect people who live in tropical areas or countries that are in the process of developing. People visiting these types of areas frequently experience what is known as traveler's diarrhea.
Medications
Medications are another possible cause of loose stools. The type of medication that appears to cause the most problems is antibiotics. Antibiotics upset the balance between "good" and "bad" bacteria in the body. In destroying the bacteria that caused infection they were prescribed for, they may also destroy the bacteria needed by the body. Herbs and dietary supplements are also sometimes the culprit, so it's wise for people to speak to their doctor before taking a new supplement or one they are unsure about.
