Diarrhea means frequent loose bowel movements.
Acute diarrhea starts suddenly and clears up within a few days, usually 1 or 2. It affects most people from time to time, usually after eating or drinking contaminated food or liquids. Diarrhea that doesn't go away or keeps coming back is called chronic and is usually caused by an underlying, chronic medical condition. Your health care provider will review your symptoms and examine you. Your provider will make sure that you are not getting dehydrated and that you do not have appendicitis.