Description Diarrhea is the sudden increase in the frequency and looseness of bowel movements. Mild diarrhea is the passage of a few loose or mushy bowel movements.
Severe diarrhea is the passage of many watery bowel movements.
The best indicator of the severity of the diarrhea is its frequency. The main complication of diarrhea is dehydration from excessive loss of body fluids. The main goal of diarrhea treatment is to prevent dehydration. Sometimes it is caused by bacteria or parasites. Bacterial diarrhea usually causes blood or lots of mucus in the stools.