Diarrhea is caused by a disruption in the normal movement of water and electrolytes in the digestive system which results in loose, watery stools and high volumes of fluid loss. Causes of diarrhea include: - Bacterial infection in the gut, such as Escherichia coli (E. coli), causes disease in 75,000 people in the US every year - Viral infections, such as  rotavirus or the cold virus, can have a similar effect of disrupting the balance of ions and water in the digestive system, causing diarrhea - Medical conditions of the gut, such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), food intolerance, Celiac disease, and Crohn’s disease - Spicy food that contains capsaicin (often found in peppers) can irritate the gut and may cause inflammation, which can lead to loose stools and diarrhea