Unpleasant, inconvenient, and unfortunately very common, diarrhea is one of the second most common illnesses in the US and has happened to almost everyone at least once. While an adult gets diarrhea for any reason at least four times on an average in one year, American children typically display seven to fifteen cases of diarrhea from infancy up till the age of five.

Stress, medication, and even everyday food can cause diarrhea. It could also be a signal toward an underlying medical condition. There can be different triggers for diarrhea—it can happen to anyone, anytime.

What are the common diarrhea causes?
Bacterial causes
As a part of everyday life, bacteria co-exist with humans in various forms and places. There are different types of bacteria—some bacteria are good for the human body while others can be very bad for the digestive system. These microscopic organisms make a breeding ground in places like unpasteurized milk, raw meats, shellfish, and even eggs, apart from stale or rotting food.

Poultry, eggs, and meat should be cooked completely and thoroughly to reduce the risk of bacteria-related diarrhea and all surfaces, utensils, as well as hands, should be kept clean. Any food leftovers should be refrigerated quickly and should not be left out at room temperature for any longer than necessary. Before going out to dine in a new place, one should clarify the ratings of the health department online or the ones posted at the restaurant as these ratings offer insight into the cleanliness and hygiene conditions of the kitchen in the restaurant along with food safety practices. By following such safety tips, you would be able to curb the common diarrhea causes and lead a healthier life.

Viral causes
Viral infections are also one of the most common diarrhea causes. Moreover, these viral strains are very contagious and can easily travel from one unwashed hand to another. These viral strains also make an easy passage into the stomach through the sharing of utensils, contaminated food, drinks, etc. People who are not displaying any symptoms can also sometimes spread these viruses by acting as hosts.

One of the easiest ways to eradicate any risk of contamination through viruses is exercising caution when it comes to food and hygiene. One can curb the common diarrhea causes from affecting people by keeping the eating and cooking area clean and washing hands regularly. If someone in the vicinity has diarrhea, using the same utensils, containers, and appliances can pose a risk of contracting the illness. Since the incubation time and symptoms for both bacterial and viral diarrhea are the same, there is no way of knowing what pathogen actually caused the disease. The stomach problem as well as the pathogen causing diarrhea take between two to three days to fully exit the system.

Traveler’s diarrhea
Montezuma’s Revenge and Delhi Belly are two popular nicknames that have been given to the experience of a bad case of diarrhea which has been reported by many travelers who fell sick while on a trip. Due to local contaminations in the food and water, anywhere from 30 percent to 70 percent of travelers have experienced a serious bout of diarrhea along with vomiting. Unpeeled, raw produce in a developing nation should be avoided, as should untreated water from a regular faucet. Food that has been prepared in a clean kitchen should be consumed and only bottled water should be used, even when brushing teeth. In case a person has been afflicted with traveler’s diarrhea, it usually exits the system within 12 hours. Ensure to check the sanitation in places where you would go to eat while as it is also one of the common diarrhea causes.

Chronic diarrhea
Chronic diarrhea is a condition in which diarrhea occurs repeatedly and does not leave the system on its own. There are many causes of chronic diarrhea. Medications like antibiotics kill the good bacteria in the gut, thus giving rise to bad diarrhea-causing bacteria. Other common diarrhea causes include medicines such as cancer drugs, antacids, and blood pressure medicines.

Lack of tolerance to certain food types or food groups may also cause diarrhea. Repeated episodes of diarrhea and persistent stomach problems can also sometimes point toward a serious underlying medical condition.

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is another common disorder that is known to cause bloating, general abdominal discomfort, and cramping. Sometimes, a simple lifestyle and change in diet shift can fix the problem.

In case of celiac diseases, people who eat gluten develop an intolerance towards it, which manifests in the form of diarrhea because the body’s immune system attacks the lining of the intestines on detecting gluten.