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Causes
By Mayo Clinic staffAcute diarrhea causes may include:
- Antacids containing magnesium
- Antibiotic-associated diarrhea
- Blood pressure medications
- C. difficile
- Campylobacter infection
- Cancer medications
- Clostridium perfringens infection
- Cryptosporidium infection
- Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection
- E. coli
- Entamoeba histolytica infection
- Food intolerances
- Food poisoning
- Fructose intolerance
- Giardia infection (giardiasis)
- Lactose intolerance
- Norovirus infection
- Rotavirus
- Salmonella infection
- Shigella infection
- Staph infections
- Stomach surgery
- Traveler's diarrhea
Chronic diarrhea causes may include:
- Blood pressure medications
- Caffeine
- Cancer medications
- Celiac disease
- Cholecystectomy (gallbladder removal)
- Colon cancer
- Crohn's disease
- Gastric bypass surgery
- Hepatitis A
- Hepatitis B
- Hepatitis C
- Hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid)
- Irritable bowel syndrome
- Ischemic colitis
- Pancreatic insufficiency
- Ulcerative colitis
- Whipple's disease
Causes shown here are commonly associated with this symptom. Work with your doctor or other health care professional for an accurate diagnosis.
References
- Feldman M, et al. Sleisenger & Fordtran's Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease: Pathophysiology, Diagnosis, Management. 9th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2010. http://www.mdconsult.com/books/about.do?eid=4-u1.0-B978-1-4160-6189-2..X0001-7--TOP&isbn=978-1-4160-6189-2&about=true&uniqId=229935664-2192. Accessed April 5, 2013.
- Diarrhea. National Institute for Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/diarrhea/index.htm. Accessed April 5, 2013.
- Ferri FF. Practical Guide to the Care of the Medical Patient. 8th ed. Philadelphia, Pa. Mosby Elsevier; 2010. http://www.mdconsult.com/books/page.do?eid=4-u1.0-B978-0-323-07158-1..00003-1--s8700&isbn=978-0-323-07158-1&sid=1411661283&uniqId=403732597-3#4-u1.0-B978-0-323-07158-1..00003-1--s8715. Accessed April 5, 2013.
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