Diarrhea And Weight Loss (Unintentional) - MedicineNet

Diarrhea that lasts for a while will likely make you lose weight. It can be caused by food poisoning or traveler's diarrhea if you were recently in an area where that is a risk. The weight loss may mean you are dehydrated. Some inflammatory bowel conditions such as Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis can also cause weight loss and diarrhea. Any change in bowel habits, especially with a loss in weight, has to be checked out.

While the list below can be considered as a guide to educate yourself about these conditions, this is not a substitute for a diagnosis from a health care provider. There are many other medical conditions that also can be associated with your symptoms and signs. Here are a number of those from MedicineNet:

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  Food Poisoning

  Food poisoning is common but can also be life-threatening. Food poisoning symptoms include stomach cramps, diarrhea, and vomiting. Read about different types of food poisoning, treatment, and tips for prevention.

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  Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)

  Irritable bowel syndrome or IBS is a GI disorder with symptoms of constipation, abdominal pain, bloating, and gas. IBS treatment includes medications, dietary changes, and lifestyle changes.

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  Traveler's Diarrhea

  Traveler's diarrhea is generally contracted by eating contaminated food or drinking contaminated water. Food is the primary source of traveler's diarrhea. Enterotoxigenic E. coli is the cause of up to 70% of all cases of traveler's diarrhea. Five unique classes of E. coli cause gastroenteritis. Other bacteria responsible for traveler's diarrhea include Campylobacter, jejuni, shigella, and salmonella. Viruses, such as rotavirus and Norwalk virus (norovirus), and giardia lamblia, a parasite, may cause traveler's diarrhea. Prevention is careful eating and drinking of water.

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  Gastroenteritis (Stomach Flu)

  Stomach flu (gastroenteritis) is a term referred used to describe a variety of gastrointestinal problems. The most common signs and symptoms of gastroenteritis are nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain. The most common cause of gastroenteritis in the United States is Norovirus. Other causes of gastroenteritis include Rotavirus, Astrovirus, Adenovirus, and Sapovirus. There are bacterial causes of gastroenteritis such as Salmonella, Shigella, Campylobacter Aeromonas, E. coli, Clostridium, Vibrio, Campylobacter, and Yersinia spp. Parasites that cause gastroenteritis include Giardia, Cryptosporidium, Cyclospora, and Entamoeba. Treatment for gastroenteritis is generally home remedies such as keeping hydrated to prevent dehydration. At times, hospitalization may be necessary if dehydration occurs.

At MedicineNet, we believe it is important to take charge of your health through measures such as a living healthy lifestyle, practicing preventative medicine, following a nutrition plan, and getting regular exercise. Understanding your symptoms and signs and educating yourself about health conditions are also a part of living your healthiest life. The links above will provide you with more detailed information on these medical conditions to help you inform yourself about the causes and available treatments for these conditions.