Diarrhea or bowel movements that are loose and watery is a very common and usually mild medical condition. Medical studies show that many people will have diarrhea once or twice a year. Most cases of diarrhea clear on their own after two to three days and can be treated without treatment. However, using medication to aid in recovery may be done with a doctor's approval. It is important to first understand this condition to aid one in choosing the possible treatments.

Viral, bacterial, and parasitic infections are the primary causes of acute diarrhea. These couriers may be acquired from consuming contaminated food or water. Common viruses that cause diarrhea are the Norwalk virus, cytomegalovirus, viral hepatitis and the herpes simplex virus. Parasites such as Giardia lamblia and cryptosporidium may cause diarrhea. Common bacterial causes of diarrhea include campylobacter, salmonella, shigella and Escherichia coli. This type of diarrhea can be common for people traveling to developing countries.

Other causes of diarrhea may include the following:

Lactose

This kind of sugar may cause diarrhea to lactose-intolerant individuals.

Medications

Diarrhea can also be a side effect of many medications like prescription drugs and antibiotics. These drugs may also destroy the good bacteria in the intestines and cause imbalance which may lead to an infection of clostridium difficile, a bacteria which can cause diarrhea.

Artificial Sweeteners

Artificial sweeteners like sorbitol and mannitol, the ones that are found in chewing gum and other sugar-free products may cause diarrhea to certain individuals.

Surgery

Healthy individuals may develop after undergoing abdominal surgery or gallbladder removal surgery.

Signs and symptoms of diarrhea may include the following:

Frequent, loose, watery stools

Abdominal cramps

Abdominal pain

Fever

Blood in the stool

Bloating

Diarrhea caused by infection may also show other signs and symptoms like as nausea and vomiting. Bacterial or parasitic infections sometimes cause bloody stools, and fever may accompany these infections as well.

Mild diarrhea cases may be taken for granted and just let in run its course, or can be treated with over-the-counter medications. These drugs may be able to treat diarrhea but not the other symptoms like bloating and stomach ache. The doctor's approval should be sought to prevent the development of allergies, drug interactions, and other unwanted effects. In addition to these remedies, drinking at least six 8-ounce glasses of fluid per day may aid in recovery. However, coffee, tea, and other drinks with caffeine should be avoided because they may promote further dehydration.

Doctors may prescribe the use of antibiotics and other prescription drugs for diarrhea cases caused by parasitic infection. These antibiotics should be used properly to prevent antibiotic resistance, or the microorganism's ability to withstand the effects of certain antibiotics. Antibiotics should not be used with other cases of diarrhea aside from those that caused by bacterial or parasitic infection.

Proper hygiene and food handling techniques will prevent many cases. Traveler's diarrhea can be avoided by use of bismuth subsalicylate and/or antibiotics, if necessary. The most important action is to prevent the complications of dehydration.