Types of Diarrhea

Types list: The list of types of Diarrhea mentioned in various sources includes:

• Acute diarrhea - any type of sudden severe diarrhea
• Chronic diarrhea - ongoing problems with diarrhea
• Infectious Diarrhea - various contagious infections causing diarrhea.
• Traveler's diarrhea
• Diabetic Diarrhea
• Common Diarrhea
• Overflow diarrhea - such as caused by constipation or other blockages.

Types discussion: Diarrhea can be either acute or chronic. The acute form, which lasts less than 3 weeks, is usually related to a bacterial, viral, or parasitic infection. Chronic diarrhea lasts more than 3 weeks and is usually related to functional disorders like irritable bowel syndrome or diseases like celiac disease or inflammatory bowel disease. ¹

Footnotes:
1. excerpt from Diarrhea: NIDDK

Last revision: Nov 11, 2003