Diarrhea is one of the most common reasons patients visit a doctor's office, particularly in pediatrics. Diarrhea is defined as loose, watery stools occurring more than three times in one day. In most cases, diarrhea lasts a day or two and goes away on its own without any special treatment. However, prolonged diarrhea can be a sign of other problems, including a serious infection or serious medical condition. People with diarrhea may pass more than a liter of stool a day.

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Simple hand washing reduces diarrhea risk
People who wash their hands properly can reduce the rate of diarrhea transmission. In rich and poor countries alike, and in schools, hospitals and elsewhere, hand washing is a simple way to reduce infections that cause diarrhea.

Types of diarrhea
Diarrhea is very common and usually not serious. Many people will have diarrhea once or twice each year. Diarrhea can be classified as "osmotic," "secretory" or "exudative." Osmotic diarrhea occurs when something in the bowel is drawing water from the body into the bowel. One example is the sweetener sorbitol. It is not absorbed from the intestines but attracts water into the bowel, resulting in diarrhea. Secretory diarrhea occurs when the body is releasing water into the bowel when it's not supposed to due to infections, drugs and other conditions. Exudative diarrhea happens when there is blood and pus in the stool. Exudative diarrhea occurs with inflammatory bowel diseases, such as Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis, and several infections.

Cause of Diarrhea
There are a number of reasons why diarrhea could occur. The following are some common causes:

Viral infections. Many viruses cause diarrhea, including rotavirus, Norwalk virus, cytomegalovirus, and viral hepatitis. Viral infection is the most common cause of diarrhea. The diarrhea usually lasts about two days and is referred to as "intestinal flu."

Bacterial infections. Several types of bacteria, consumed through contaminated food or water, can cause diarrhea. Common germs include Campylobacter, Salmonella, Shigella, and Escherichia coli. Food poisoning often occurs from a bacterial infection.

Food intolerance. Some people are unable to digest some component of food, such as lactose, the sugar found in milk. Certain allergies to foods may also cause diarrhea.

Parasites. Parasites or protozoa can enter the body through food or water and settle in the digestive system. Parasites that cause diarrhea include Giardia lamblia, Entamoeba histolytica, and Cryptosporidium.

Untoward reaction to medicines, such as antibiotics, chemotherapy agents, and antacids containing magnesium.

Intestinal diseases, like inflammatory bowel disease or celiac disease.

Functional bowel disorders, such as irritable bowel syndrome, in which the intestines do not work normally. In some cases psyllium could be helpful for this. You can purchase Psyllium here.

Diarrhea associated with Antibiotic use
Antibiotic associated diarrhea is a common complication when antibiotics are used and is frequent in the elderly. It has an impact on the length of hospital stay. Mostly antibiotic associated diarrhea is benign, but an infection with Clostridium difficile should always be excluded. C. difficile-enterocolitis is frequent among residents in nursing homes and in hospitalised patients. The clinical presentation varies from asymptomatic colonisation tot severe debilitating disease. A rapid diagnosis can be performed by detection of C. difficile toxin by an enzyme-linked immunoassay. Oral metronidazole and oral vancomycine are equally effective in the therapy. In relapsing infection an extended tapering regimen is sometimes necessary.

Traveler's Diarrhea
Traveler's diarrhea is the most frequent health problem in travelers to developing countries. Traveler's diarrhea is caused by a wide range of infectious organisms, ETEC and EAEC bacteria strains being the main enteropathogens incriminated in traveler's diarrhea. Other causative bacteria are: Shigella spp., Campylobacter spp., Vibrio spp., Aeromonas spp., Salmonella spp., and Plesiomonas spp. Parasite species are also included: Cyclospora cayetanensis, Giardia lamblia, Cryptosporidium, Entamoeba histolytica, as well as viruses: rotavirus, adenovirus, Norwalk virus.
   Along with the well-known precaution of not drinking the water, traveling athletes should also avoid salads, unpasteurized dairy foods, meats and seafood that have not been well cooked, and unpeeled fruits. Food from street vendors can also be risky.

February 2007 - A single-dose of the antibiotic azithromycin, sold under the trade name Zithromax, is recommended as the first therapy to use against traveler's diarrhea, particularly if it's acquired in Thailand. According to surveys of U.S. military personnel stationed in Thailand, bacteria belonging to the Campylobacter family are responsible for up to 60 percent of cases of diarrhea. More than 85 percent of these pathogens are resistant to fluoroquinolone antibiotics, such as Levaquin (levofloxacin) or Cipro (ciprofloxacin), which are frequently prescribed for traveler's diarrhea.

Diarrhea and travel - Traveler's diarrhea treatment
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has classified world regions based on traveler's diarrhea risk, with visitors to certain parts of Eastern Europe, the Caribbean and South Africa facing intermediate risk. Most of Asia, the Middle East, Africa and Central and South America are considered high risk areas.

Fluid replacement is the standard treatment for  traveler's diarrhea. The World Health Organization recommends an oral rehydration solution of salts and sugar along with water. Azithromycin is a good choice if an antibiotic is needed. Quinolone antibiotics should be used with care in athletes since they can increase the risk of tendon rupture.

Preventing traveler's diarrhea
Probiotic supplements, which contain "good" bacteria such as Lactobacillus may prevent bad bugs from invading the intestines. Current Sports Medicine Reports, April 2007. You can buy Probiotic supplements here.

Cruise ship passengers and diarrhea disease
The expected incidence of gastroenteritis per seven-day cruise has increased from two cases between 1990 and 2000 to three cases in between 2001 and 200. The increase seen at sea is paralleled by an increase in the prevalence of norovirus -associated gastroenteritis on land. The illness is common in Scandinavia, the UK, Europe and North America. Norovirus is a frequent cause of gastroenteritis and its symptoms -- including diarrhea and vomiting -- are unpleasant but rarely dangerous. The virus is transmitted through person-to-person contact, contaminated food or water, or by touching a contaminated surface, such as elevator buttons and stair handrails.