Different Types of Diarrhea

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Home Remedies

Types of diarrhea

In simple terms diarrhea is an abnormal increase in the frequency and fluidity of stools.

Depending on the time frame a diarrhea can be called acute (Short Term) or chronic (Long terms).

Almost everyone gets acute diarrhea during the course of life and is normally caused by infections and as side effect of certain medicines. It is short lived. Just lasts for a few days! Chronic diarrhea lasts for many weeks and is indicative of a serious underlying problem that requires treatment.

Depending on the causes of diarrhea it can be categorized mainly into the following different types:

Types of Diarrhea 1- Osmotic

This is caused by the inability of the digestive system to absorb certain components of food such as sugars (lactose and fructose), sugar alcohols (sorbitol) and some minerals (magnesium, sulfate and phosphate). Water is drawn by these unabsorbed into the intestines, causing passing of watery stool. Normally osmotic diarrhea disappears after the foods containing these elements are removed from the diet.

Types of Diarrhea 2- Secretory

This is caused by secretion of water and salts by intestine into the stools. This happens during various kinds of infections. The infections release toxins that secrete water and salt by interfering with the intestines. Carcinoid tumors and medical conditions like celiac disease can also stimulate secretions.

Types of Diarrhea 3- Exudative

This occurs when inflammation of the lining of the colon causes the release of blood, mucus and/or other fluids. This type of diarrhea can be caused by a number of conditions such as tuberculosis some types of cancers and irrigational bowel disease (IBD).

Types of Diarrhea 4- Paradoxical

This is a false indication of diarrhea. The symptoms are diarrhea-like but actually the complication is constipation called a fecal impaction. In case of paradoxical diarrhea, liquid stool flows around hard, impacted stool which still inside the rectum. Paradoxical diarrhea is very common among children, senior citizens or adults with limited mobility or mental capacity.

Types of Diarrhea 5- Pseudodiarrhea)

This is an induced diarrhea such as caused by use of laxatives. Other causes include eating disorder bulimia nervosa which is caused by people trying to reduce body weight and Munchausen syndrome in which people fake illness to seek attention.

It is often noted that different types of diarrhea may occur simultaneously at the same time.