What is Diarrhea

It is defined by the World Health Organization as the passage of loose or liquid stool for three or more times per day (or more frequent than what is normal for the individual).

Usually a symptom of an infection of the intestinal tract and presents as the passage of three or more loose or watery stool at least three times per day or more frequently than normal for an individual. It is a very common disease and affect individuals in every country and from every socio-economic background. In healthy individuals there is usually little cause for concern as episodes tend to be self-limiting. However, for undernourished and disease weakened patients, especially children, persistently reoccurring episodes are typically life-threatening. The interaction between diarrhea and malnutrition is bidirectional and synergistic. During a diarrheal episode, the increased rate of the passage of food through the intestines reduces the digestion and absorption of macro and micro nutrients. In addition, patients with persistent diarrhea may have poor appetite and thus have a reduction in food intake. With limited nutrients, the immune system becomes impaired and is unable to respond to attacks from enteric pathogens. Therefore both diarrhea and malnutrition work in synergy to predispose affected individuals to reoccurring episodes, more severe symptoms and higher rates of mortality. Children are particularly susceptible because their immune systems are underdeveloped.

A functional bowel disorder that presents as a continuous or recurrent syndrome characterized by the passage of loose (i.e., mushy) or watery stools without abdominal pain or discomfort.