Diarrhea

Easy Questions & Answers for Patients

❓ What is diarrhea?

💩 Diarrhea means having loose, watery stools more often than usual.
It may happen suddenly or for a long time.

❓ What are common symptoms?

· 💧 Loose or watery stools

· 🤰 Belly cramps or pain

· 😣 Feeling bloated

· 💨 Gas or urgency

· ⚡ Feeling tired or weak if diarrhea is frequent

🌿 Diarrhea and IBS-D

❓ What is IBS-D?

🧠 IBS-D is Irritable Bowel Syndrome with diarrhea.

Symptoms include:

· 💩 Frequent watery stools

· 🤰 Belly pain or cramps

· 😖 Bloating

❓ What triggers IBS-D diarrhea?

· Certain foods (spicy, greasy, dairy) 🌶️🧈🥛

· Stress 😟

· Hormones

🏥 Diarrhea and Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)

❓ What is IBD?

🧠 IBD includes Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.
It causes inflammation in the intestines.

❓ How does IBD cause diarrhea?

💩 Inflammation can make the gut move stool too fast, causing:

· Water loss

· Cramping and urgency

· Blood in stool ⚠️

🥛 Diarrhea and Food Intolerance

❓ What is food intolerance?

❌ Food intolerance means your body cannot digest certain foods well.

Common examples:

· Lactose (milk) 🥛

· Gluten 🌾

· Certain fruits or sweeteners 🍎🍬

❓ How does it cause diarrhea?

💩 Undigested foods pull water into the intestines, causing:

· Loose stools

· Gas and bloating

🏃 Diarrhea and Short Gut Syndrome

❓ What is short gut syndrome?

⚠️ Short gut syndrome happens when part of the small intestine is missing or removed.

❓ How does it cause diarrhea?

💩 Less intestine = less water absorption → watery stools

· May need special diet or medication

❓ How can diarrhea be managed?

✅ Tips:

· 💧 Drink plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration

· 🥗 Eat small meals and easy-to-digest foods

· ❌ Avoid foods that trigger symptoms (dairy, high-fat, caffeine)

· 🧘 Reduce stress

· 🚶 Stay active but rest when needed

❓ When should I see a doctor?

📞 Call your doctor if diarrhea:

· Lasts more than 2 weeks

· Comes with blood or black stools

· Causes severe belly pain

· Leads to dehydration (dry mouth, dizziness)

· Is associated with weight loss

🩺 Key Messages

✅ Diarrhea can have many causes: IBS-D, IBD, food intolerance, or short gut syndrome
✅ Drinking fluids, healthy diet, and avoiding triggers help
⚠️ Ongoing diarrhea should always be checked by a doctor