What are the causes of diarrhea?
Diarrhea loose, watery stools occurring more than three times in one day is a common problem. There are many causes of diarrhea. Temporary diarrhea lasting three weeks or less could be a symptom of a foodborne illness and is usually related to bacterial, viral, or parasitic infection. Temporary diarrhea may also be caused by food intolerances, food allergies, or reactions to medicines. Chronic diarrhea lasts more than three weeks and is often related to disorders like irritable bowel syndrome or diseases such as inflammatory bowel disease or celiac disease. Some people develop diarrhea after stomach surgery or after removal of the gallbladder. In many cases, the cause of chronic diarrhea cannot be found.