Yes, dehydration can cause diarrhea due to electrolyte imbalance which happens when you have fewer fluids in the body than is required for proper functioning.
Other factors contribute to dehydration, such as diarrhea and vomiting. When diarrhea occurs suddenly and severely, it leads to a rapid and substantial loss of water and electrolytes. The situation worsens when vomiting is added to the mix, as it results in an even greater loss of fluids and minerals.
Dehydration happens due to excessive fluid loss from the body. This means essential electrolytes like Potassium and sodium also leave the body, creating an imbalance.
What Is Diarrhea?
Diarrhea disrupts the normal movement of water and electrolytes in the gut. This results in loose and watery stools, more frequently than normal.
Diarrhea, characterized by frequent and loose bowel movements, is a widespread issue. It can be accompanied by other symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, or weight loss. Fortunately, diarrhea is generally a temporary issue that only lasts a few days.
Diarrhea And Dehydration: What’s The Connection?
Diarrhea is more like a symptom of dehydration than the cause. Electrolyte Imbalances and dehydration are two common problems associated with diarrhea. However, both can be side-effects of each other.
Severe, acute diarrhea suddenly leads to even more water and electrolyte loss. Diarrhea is caused by increased secretion of fluid into the intestine and reduced absorption of fluid from the intestine.
During diarrhea, there is an increased loss of water and important electrolytes like Sodium, chloride, Potassium, etc.
Simply put, if the body is persistently devoid of major fluids and electrolytes for a long time, it will ultimately lead to diarrhea.
Causes Of Diarrhea Other Than Dehydration
Diarrhea is not only limited to dehydration. There are numerous other causes associated with it. However, here one or the other linked implication would itself be dehydration.
The most common causes of diarrhea other than dehydration are-
- Bacterial infection in the gut
- Viral infections (mainly by rotavirus)
- Crohn’s disease
- Celiac disorders
- Food Intolerance
- Gut inflammation due to spicy foods
- Irritable bowel syndrome
Diagnosing diarrhea
In most cases, upon visiting a doctor, he or she asks you about your medical history and runs some physical and lab tests to determine the exact cause of your diarrhea.
These tests include-
- Blood test
- Stool test.
- Flexible sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy
Bottom line
Dehydration and diarrhea hold a strong connection. Either of these can cause the other resulting in malnutrition and even death, in severe cases.
Thus, it is important to maintain the right fluid intake practices and take charge of your body by choosing the right diet.
