The cause of about one third of all cases of diarrhea can not be determined. The greatest risk of diarrhea is dehydration. When you have diarrhea, you can lose up to a gallon of water each day. The most important electrolytes are sodium and potassium. Severe dehydration can cause the body to go into shock and is potentially fatal.
Dehydration is more serious for infants and children than for adults.
Anyone with diarrhea should drink plenty of clear liquids such as tea, chicken broth, ginger ale, or soda. These are better than plain water, which does not replace any electrolytes. Diarrhea that continues over a long period of time can cause poor absorption of nutrients. This can lead to wasting . Diarrhea can be dangerous.