What is diarrhoea?

Diarrhoea corresponds to a larger volume and higher frequency of stools than usual. Typically, this means passing more than 300 grams of stools a day over more than three times a day. In extreme cases, a person with diarrhoea can lose more than 20 litres of fluid a day. It is therefore very important to drink water, as dehydration can have serious consequences, especially for children and elderly people.

What are the causes of diarrhoea?

Diarrhoea is generally related to three anomalies:

1. The colon does not absorb enough of the liquid in stools.
2. It receives too much liquid.
3. The intestinal transit time is too fast and prevents the stools from drying out.

Diarrhoea may be the result of food poisoning caused by the ingestion of bacteria, such as salmonella, present in some contaminated food. It may also occur in cases of viral infections, such as gastroenteritis, which damage the intestinal wall and prevent the intestines from absorbing enough liquid.

Food intolerances, such as lactose intolerance, intestinal diseases, such as colonopathy, or anxiety, stress and other intense emotions can also trigger diarrhoea. Finally, certain medications, such as antibiotics, can alter the intestinal flora and reduce absorption through the intestinal wall.