Diarrhea is often cited as the most common health complaint and it may range from a mild temporary condition to a severe life-threatening one. Globally, around two billion people are affected by diarrhea each year. In developing countries, many children may get diarrhea and it is potentially life-threatening in some of the cases.

Diarrhea occurs when a person has a loose or watery stool. A distinction must be made between diarrhea and passing a stool frequently. If the stool is of regular consistency, then it is not diarrhea. Similarly, babies may have a pasty brown stool which is quite normal. The condition usually resolves itself on its own within a few days. However, if the condition persists, a doctor may ask you about your dietary intake, family history, and if you have any allergies or cannot consume certain foods as is in the case of lactose intolerance. If nothing appears to work, the doctor may order a colonoscopy or ask for a stool sample.

Some of the different types of diarrhea are as follows:

• Functional diarrhea which may be a chronic condition
• Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) wherein the cause cannot be identified and people experience constipation or diarrhea
• Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) which is a chronic condition linked to ulcerative colitis and other conditions like Crohn’s disease

Causes of diarrhea
Diarrhea occurs due to an infection in the gastrointestinal tract. There are several microbes that may be the likely culprits, but the most common are parasitic organisms, viruses, and bacteria. Doctors have found that the bacteria responsible are Salmonella, Shigella, Campylobacter, as well as E. Coli.

Some causes of sudden diarrhea include the following:

• Food poisoning due to the presence of bacteria in the food
• Traveler’s diarrhea that people get when on vacation and after sampling local food that may have some bacteria in it
• Stomach flu due to a virus infection

Remedies for diarrhea
Mild cases usually go away on their own, but there are some steps you must take in case the condition is severe.

• Rehydration
  The first step is to ensure that you drink as much water and fluids as possible to replenish the body. Doctors also recommend taking zinc supplements in more severe cases. Oral rehydration solutions are very effective and contain fluid with salt and glucose. This is absorbed by the lower intestine and helps replace the electrolytes lost during diarrhea .

• Medication
  There are several over-the-counter medications that you may take to counter the effects of diarrhea . These include Loperamide and Pepto-Bismol among others.

• Diet
  Doctors recommend eating a diet that is low in fiber and often suggest the BRAT diet. This consists of bananas, white rice, applesauce, as well as toast. This is easy on the stomach and will help you recover quickly. Other foods that are often suggested include potatoes and yogurt to help you get a filling meal without affecting the stomach.

Avoid foods which may aggravate the condition. These include gums, sweets, mints, cherries, and caffeine. Other culprits include prunes, dates, soft drinks, fruit juices, and magnesium-rich food items.