What causes diarrhea like water?

Watery diarrhea is commonly caused by a viral infection or food poisoning from eating undercooked meat or rotten foods. It can be serious if it causes dehydration. Keep an eye out for blood in the stool, and be sure to drink water and fluids with electrolytes.
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When should I be worried about watery diarrhea?

Schedule a doctor's visit for an adult with these symptoms:

Diarrhea lasts more than two days without improvement. Excessive thirst, dry mouth or skin, little or no urination, severe weakness, dizziness or lightheadedness, or dark-colored urine, which could indicate dehydration. Severe abdominal or rectal pain.
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Is watery diarrhea an infection?

Most cases of acute, watery diarrhea are caused by viruses (viral gastroenteritis). The most common ones in children are rotavirus and in adults are norovirus (this is sometimes called “cruise ship diarrhea” due to well publicized epidemics). Bacteria are a common cause of traveler's diarrhea.
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Should I drink water after watery diarrhea?

These things may help you feel better if you have diarrhea: Drink 8 to 10 glasses of clear fluids every day. Water is best. Drink at least 1 cup (240 milliliters) of liquid every time you have a loose bowel movement.
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What does liquid poop mean?

Diarrhea Causes

Usually, diarrhea happens because of a virus that gets into your gut. Some people call it "intestinal flu" or "stomach flu." Other causes include: Allergies to certain foods. Diseases of the intestines (such as Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis)
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What is Diarrhea? Causes, Signs and Symptoms, Diagnosis and Treatment.



What are the 4 types of diarrhea?

Diarrhea can be classified into four types:
  • Osmotic diarrhea. Water absorption in the intestines depends on the proper absorption of solutes, which is hindered if there are too many solutes in the intestinal lumen, which leads to diarrhea. ...
  • Secretory diarrhea. ...
  • Inflammatory or infectious diarrhea. ...
  • Motility-related diarrhea.
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Does drinking lots of water make diarrhea worse?

If you have IBD but a normal or near normal bowel length, increasing the amount of water you drink should not worsen your diarrhea.
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What viruses cause watery diarrhea?

Key points
  • Viral gastroenteritis is an inflammation of the inside lining of your gastrointestinal tract.
  • It can be caused by rotavirus, norovirus, and adenovirus.
  • Babies can be vaccinated against rotavirus.
  • Symptoms of viral gastroenteritis are nausea, vomiting, and watery diarrhea.
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What bacteria causes profuse watery diarrhea?

Several types of bacteria can enter your body through contaminated food or water and cause diarrhea. Common bacteria that cause diarrhea include Campylobacter link, Escherichia coli link (E. coli), Salmonella link, and Shigella link.
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Why do I have diarrhea but not sick?

Why Do I Have Diarrhea When I'm Not Sick?: Causes of diarrhea that are not due to acute illness include eating certain foods, food allergies and intolerances, some medications, caffeine intake, laxative use, alcohol use, digestive problems and diseases (celiac disease, irritable bowel syndrome [IBS], Crohn's disease, ...
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Does diarrhea mean your body is fighting an infection?

It is your body's way of quickly clearing viruses, bacteria, or toxins from the digestive tract. Since most cases of acute diarrhea are viral, the symptoms will clear up in a few days with good home treatment. However, diarrhea that lasts longer than a few days may be a sign of a more serious health condition.
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How do I know if my diarrhea is caused by a bacterial infection?

Bacterial gastroenteritis is a digestive problem caused by bacteria. Symptoms include nausea, vomiting, fever, diarrhea, abdominal cramping, and pain. In severe cases, you may become dehydrated and have an electrolyte imbalance.
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How can you tell if diarrhea is viral or bacterial?

The type of gastrointestinal symptoms is a clue to the type of infection. Viral infection generally produces diarrhea without blood or mucus and watery diarrhea is a prominent symptom. Conversely, a person is more likely to have diarrhea with mucus and blood in bacterial diarrhea.
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How do you know if diarrhea is bacterial?

What are the symptoms of bacterial gastroenteritis?
  1. Nausea.
  2. Vomiting.
  3. Fever (sometimes very high)
  4. Belly (abdominal) cramping and pain.
  5. Diarrhea, possibly bloody.
  6. Dehydration.
  7. Electrolyte imbalance.
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