Mild, Moderate, or Severe Diarrhea
Topic Overview
Diarrhea is described as an increase in the frequency of bowel movements or a decrease in the consistency of stools that causes the discharge of watery, loose stools. The severity of diarrhea is determined by the size and number of stools passed within a period of time.
- Severe diarrhea means having more than 10 loose, watery stools in a single day (24 hours).
- Moderate diarrhea means having more than a few but not more than 10 diarrhea stools in a day.
- Mild diarrhea means having a few diarrhea stools in a day.
Severe diarrhea has many causes. Stomach flu (Reference gastroenteritis Opens New Window) or Reference food poisoning Opens New Window may cause severe diarrhea. Drinking Reference untreated water Opens New Window that contains the Giardia lamblia parasite can cause diarrhea that develops 1 to 4 weeks later.
Severe diarrhea increases your risk of Reference dehydration Opens New Window by causing your body to lose large amounts of fluid quickly. Be sure to increase your intake of fluids, such as water or a Reference rehydration drink Opens New Window, and to watch for symptoms of dehydration.
Persistent diarrhea can have many causes, including dietary changes, stress, Reference irritable bowel syndrome Opens New Window, and certain Reference medicines. Occasionally, persistent diarrhea can be a symptom of a more serious condition, such as a chronic infection, Reference inflammatory bowel disease Opens New Window, a Reference malabsorption syndrome, or Reference colorectal cancer Opens New Window.
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