What diseases may be associated with chronic diarrhea?

Generally, chronic diarrhea may be related to diseases such as irritable bowel syndrome, intestinal flora imbalance, chronic pancreatitis, hyperthyroidism, and colorectal cancer. Detailed analysis is as follows:

1. Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS): This is a common functional bowel disorder associated with various factors, including abnormal gastrointestinal motility, visceral hypersensitivity, and intestinal flora imbalance. Patients often experience abdominal pain and bloating accompanied by diarrhea. The characteristics of diarrhea typically include increased frequency of defecation, with stools usually being mushy or watery, sometimes containing mucus but no pus or blood. Symptoms are often associated with psychological factors and diet, and can be triggered or exacerbated by stress or ingestion of certain foods.

2. Intestinal Flora Imbalance: Long-term antibiotic use, unbalanced diet, intestinal infections, and weakened immune function can all lead to intestinal flora imbalance. A reduction in beneficial bacteria and an increase in harmful bacteria disrupt the balance of the intestinal microecosystem, potentially causing diarrhea. Symptoms often include bloating, abdominal pain, and indigestion, with stools typically being loose, mushy, or watery and possibly having a foul odor.

3. Chronic Pancreatitis: Chronic inflammation of the pancreatic tissue leads to insufficient exocrine function of the pancreas, reducing the secretion of digestive fluids such as pancreatic juice, which affects the digestion and absorption of food, especially fats, thereby causing diarrhea. Patients often experience fatty stools, characterized by large volumes of pale, greasy-looking stool, and may also have symptoms such as abdominal pain and weight loss.

4. Hyperthyroidism: Excessive secretion of thyroid hormones leads to an overactive metabolism and accelerated gastrointestinal motility. Food remains in the intestines for a shorter duration, insufficient for proper digestion and absorption before being expelled from the body, thus causing diarrhea. Patients may also commonly experience symptoms such as excessive sweating, palpitations, hand tremors, increased appetite, and weight loss.

5. Colorectal Cancer: Tumor cells affect the normal physiological functions of the intestine, causing damage to the intestinal mucosa and impairing digestion and absorption, which can lead to chronic diarrhea. Symptoms often include rectal bleeding, abdominal pain, abdominal masses, anemia, and weight loss. As the tumor progresses, symptoms gradually worsen.

Patients with chronic diarrhea should seek timely medical attention for detailed examination and diagnosis to determine the underlying cause and implement appropriate treatment measures.