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Diarrhea or diarrhoea (from the Ancient Greek dia “through” and rheo “flow”) is the condition of having at least three loose or liquid bowel movements each day. It often lasts for a few days and can result in dehydration due to fluid loss. Signs of dehydration often begin with loss of the normal stretchiness of the skin and changes in personality. This can progress to decreased urination, loss of skin color, a fast heart rate, and a decrease in responsiveness as it becomes more severe. Loose but non watery stools in babies who are breastfed, however, may be normal. The most common cause is an infection of the intestines due to either a virus, bacteria, or parasite, a condition known as gastroenteritis. These infections are often acquired from food or water that has been contaminated by stool, or directly from another person who is infected. It may be divided into three types: short duration watery diarrhea, short duration bloody diarrhea, and if it lasts for more than two weeks, persistent diarrhea. The short duration watery diarrhea may be due to an infection by cholera. If blood is present it is also known as dysentery. A number of non-infectious causes may also result in diarrhea, including hyperthyroidism, lactose intolerance, inflammatory bowel disease, a number of medications, and irritable bowel syndrome. In most cases stool cultures are not required to confirm the exact cause. Prevention of infectious diarrhea is by improved sanitation, clean drinking water, and hand washing with soap.
Diarrhea and Dysentery are two distinct medical conditions
Diarrhea | Dysentery |
Diarrhea refers to a condition that involves the frequent passing of loose or watery stools (atleast 3 times a day). | Dysentery is an intestinal inflammation, especially in the colon, that can lead to severe diarrhea with mucus or blood in the feces. |
Watery stool with no blood and mucus. | Mucoid stool that may be accompanied by blood. |
The small bowel. | Affects the colon. |
Diarrheal infection targets only intestinal lumen and upper epithelial cells. | Dysentery not only targets upper epithelial cells but colon ulceration also results. |
There is no cell death in diarrhea and the infection is only caused due to the release of toxins by an infecting agent. | When a person gets dysentery, the upper epithelial cells are attacked and destroyed by the pathogen or disease causing agent. |
Diarrhea is mostly viral. | Dysentery is mostly bacterial. |
May be a condition in itself or a symptom of another condition.
· Alcohol abuse · Allergies to certain foods · Diabetes · Diseases of the intestines · Eating foods that upset the digestive system · Infection by bacteria or other organisms · Laxative abuse · Medications · Overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism) · Radiation therapy · Some cancers · Surgery on the digestive system · Trouble absorbing certain nutrients, also called “malabsorption” | Dysentery is a condition in itself or a symptom of another condition.
· Bacterial infection · Viral infection · Parasitic worms · Protozoa
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Watery motions, weakness, dehydration, abdominal pain and cramping (may or may not). | Motion with blood and mucous, abdominal pain, weakness, cramping, vomiting, dehydration. |
Fever is less common in diarrhea. | Fever is more common in dysentery. |
No significant mortality or morbidity is associated with diarrhea alone. However, deaths result from excessive dehydration. | Dysentery is an important cause of morbidity and mortality associated with diarrhea. About 15% of all diarrheal episodes in children under 5 years are dysenteric, but these cause up to 25% of all diarrheal deaths. |
If not treated, ultimately the patient recovers within 2 or 3 days as the immune system work against the infection. | Could be fatal. |