General Information
Diarrhea is the frequent passage of very fluid stools. It is not a disease itself, but rather the most common sign of small and large intestinal problems.
There are many causes of diarrhea, and various diagnostic tests are used to find the underlying cause. Causes can be parasites, bacteria, toxins, pancreatitis, malabsorption syndromes, intestinal disease, cancer – just to name a few. With severe diarrhea, hospitalization is usually necessary.
Important Points in Treatment
1. The usual aim in treating diarrhea is complete recovery. A few conditions, however, require lifetime therapy, and control rather than cure is the ultimate goal. The doctor will advise you if complete recovery is not expected.