Diarrhea is a term that is used to describe the presence of watery and loose stools. It can be either an increased frequency of stools or passage of loose stools or both. Diarrhea results when either the secretion of fluid in the intestines is increased or the fluid absorption from the intestine or reduced or the stools passes rapidly through the intestine. There are multiple causes of diarrhea including infection with a virus or a bacterium or with other microorganisms; as part of allergic symptoms to certain foods; digestive upset due to eating certain foods; medicines, chronic diseases of the intestines (Ulcerative colitis and Crohn?s disease); malabsorption syndrome; abuse of laxatives; cancers of the digestive tract, abuse of alcohol etc. Diarrhea, if not treated promptly may lead to complications of dehydration, electrolyte imbalances and anal irritation. Diarrhea may be accompanied by other symptoms of nausea and vomiting, urgency to pass a stool, bloating of the abdomen, presence of blood, and mucus in the stool, fever and weight loss.