Diarrhoea, Chronic

A chronic diarrhoea disease usually begins insidiously and lasts longer than two weeks. The near-recurrence of diarrhoea after an initial diarrhoea is also referred to as chronic.

Chronic diarrhoea is in many cases based on a basic organic disease, in which small intestine diseases play an important role.

Chronic diarrhoea is often caused by a disturbance of regulatory processes. These processes regulate the reabsorption and secretion of water and electrolytes from the intestine. The disturbance causes a liquefaction and an increase in volume of the stool. This causes an increased urge to bowel movements.