Diarrhea and Its Causes

Diarrhea

• Defined by at least three loose, liquid, or watery bowel movements within a day.
• Classified into four types: acute watery, acute bloody (dysentery), persistent, and chronic.
• Causes include bacterial infections, viruses, food intolerance, food allergies (like celiac disease), parasites, medication reactions, and intestinal diseases like inflammatory bowel disease.
• Symptoms include abdominal cramps, stomach pain, bloating, nausea, urgency to defecate, fever, bloody stools, and dehydration.

Antibiotic-Associated Diarrhea

• Occurs due to the disruption of bacterial balance in the intestines by antibiotics.
• Certain antibiotics, like penicillins and cephalosporins, are more likely to cause it.
• Good bacteria normally control the growth of opportunistic bacteria like Clostridium difficile (C. diff).
• Antibiotics can kill off good bacteria, allowing C. diff to thrive and cause infections.

Dysentery

• A type of gastroenteritis characterized by bloody diarrhea.
• Two main types: amoebic (caused by Entamoeba histolytica) and bacillary (caused by Shigella).
• Symptoms include bloody or mucous diarrhea, high fever, nausea and vomiting, and painful abdominal cramps.

This quiz explores the definitions, types, and causes of diarrhea, including antibiotic-associated diarrhea and dysentery. It highlights symptoms and the impact of medications on intestinal health. Test your knowledge on this important health topic.