It is a symptom, as a result of another condition or problem.
Diarrhea causes loss of body minerals including sodium, potassium, magnesium and chloride.
In most acute cases, the illness is brief and at most an inconvenience and for the otherwise healthy adult it can be easily managed. Watery diarrhea caused by viruses usually lasts less than 3 days. Diarrhea lasting more than 2 weeks is chronic diarrhea. Blood or mucus in the stool may mean inflammatory bowel disease or bacterial infection. Half of patients referred to specialists for evaluation of diarrhea have no disease.