# What, exactly, causes diarrhea? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [June 27, 2003, 4:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-exactly-causes-diarrhea/184777 "2003-06-27T16:00:52Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 19\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![NurseCarmen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/5daacb/32.png) [@NurseCarmen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NurseCarmen)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2003, 7:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-exactly-causes-diarrhea/184777/21 "2003-06-27T19:29:29Z")
Bacteria I can understand, but what gives me “the schlitz” after a night of beer drinkin? ---
**Author:** ![Isabelle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/b5a626/32.png) [@Isabelle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Isabelle)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2003, 7:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-exactly-causes-diarrhea/184777/22 "2003-06-27T19:43:39Z")
Defintly bacteria in the intestines. ---
**Author:** ![Apoptosis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ba9def/32.png) [@Apoptosis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Apoptosis)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2003, 7:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-exactly-causes-diarrhea/184777/23 "2003-06-27T19:49:37Z")
Hey **Smeghead** , > [@](#): > > Once inside, it mimics a normal cell signal protein involved in the uptake of liquids. The end result is that the whole liquid uptake process starts running in reverse. Water is pumped back out into your instestinal channel. I know we’re getting off topic, but this isn’t really what happens. The intestinal milieu is very dynamic- water is continually absorbed **and** secreted by the epithelium. The B subunit of cholera toxin constitutively activates adenylyl cyclase, resulting in the massive cAMP production that is responsible for large volumes of fluid to be secreted into the intestinal lumen. It is not a case of a liquid uptake mechanism running in reverse. -Apoptosis ---
**Author:** ![godzillatemple](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/49beb7/32.png) [@godzillatemple](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/godzillatemple)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2003, 10:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-exactly-causes-diarrhea/184777/24 "2003-06-27T22:07:57Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Apoptosis \* > Hey **Smeghead** Geez, there’s no need to start calling people names! **Oh wait, that’s his user name. Never mind…** 😉 Barry ---
**Author:** ![Cervaise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cervaise/32/16693_2.png) [@Cervaise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cervaise)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2003, 10:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-exactly-causes-diarrhea/184777/25 "2003-06-27T22:47:40Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by godzillatemple \* > **Diarrhea is the body’s way of expelling something unwanted in a hurry, sort of an anal sneeze if you will.** Any lurkers looking for a username? ---
**Author:** ![godzillatemple](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/49beb7/32.png) [@godzillatemple](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/godzillatemple)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2003, 1:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-exactly-causes-diarrhea/184777/26 "2003-06-28T01:57:29Z")
😃 ---
**Author:** ![Smeghead](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f1d935/32.png) [@Smeghead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smeghead)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2003, 2:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-exactly-causes-diarrhea/184777/27 "2003-06-28T02:09:03Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Apoptosis \* > \*\*Hey **Smeghead** , > I know we’re getting off topic, but this isn’t really what happens. The intestinal milieu is very dynamic- water is continually absorbed **and** secreted by the epithelium. The B subunit of cholera toxin constitutively activates adenylyl cyclase, resulting in the massive cAMP production that is responsible for large volumes of fluid to be secreted into the intestinal lumen. It is not a case of a liquid uptake mechanism running in reverse. > > -Apoptosis \*\* Eh. Close enough. 😃 It’s been a few years since my medical micro class, and I didn’t feel like looking it up. That’s how it got stuck in my head. ---
**Author:** ![elfkin477](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/a9a28c/32.png) [@elfkin477](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elfkin477)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2003, 2:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-exactly-causes-diarrhea/184777/28 "2003-06-28T02:48:41Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by godzillatemple \* > \*\ ***Philster** : I get the general drift. Diarrhea is the body’s way of expelling something unwanted in a hurry, sort of an anal sneeze if you will. The absorption process described by **Fear Itself** can be a slow process, so the body just bypasses the process and shoves _everything_ out the nearest available airlock. > > Fun, fun, fun… > > Barry \*\* Hey! I think you might have hit onto the question I had and no one could answer at that point: what it is _made_ of, what you just ate, or what’s been digesting already? The thought of it being both never occured to me for some reason…thanks! ---
**Author:** ![AHunter3](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ahunter3/32/368_2.png) [@AHunter3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AHunter3)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2003, 1:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-exactly-causes-diarrhea/184777/29 "2003-06-28T13:53:24Z")
Shit happens. ---
**Author:** ![Dogface](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/9d8465/32.png) [@Dogface](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dogface)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2003, 4:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-exactly-causes-diarrhea/184777/30 "2003-06-28T16:22:47Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Smeghead \* > \*\*When it’s caused by bacteria, like, let’s say, cholera, often the bacteria will secrete a protein known as an AB toxin. This consists of two parts, the A subunit and the B subunit. The B subunit binds to the surface of your cells, and basically opens up a channel, through which the A subunit enters your cell. Once inside, it mimics a normal cell signal protein involved in the uptake of liquids. The end result is that the whole liquid uptake process starts running in reverse. Water is pumped back out into your instestinal channel. \*\* Darn. You got ahead of me on Cholera. (I used to work on E. Coli diarrhea vaccines and the E. Coli diarrhea toxin is identical to the Cholera toxin–even down to the DNA sequence coding for the subunits.) As far as can be guessed, the toxin began in one species and was transferred by means of a bacteriophage to the other. ---
**Author:** ![AHunter3](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ahunter3/32/368_2.png) [@AHunter3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AHunter3)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2003, 5:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-exactly-causes-diarrhea/184777/31 "2003-06-28T17:05:30Z")
> [@](#): > > Diarrhea is an immune response…to get the bacteria flushed out of your digestive track asap. I wonder if Irritable Bowel Syndrome (aka the Perpetual Trots) is a bit of an autoimmune disorder, then? ---
**Author:** ![LouisB](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/dfb087/32.png) [@LouisB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LouisB)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2003, 5:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-exactly-causes-diarrhea/184777/32 "2003-06-28T17:32:31Z")
> [@](#): > > For instance, when I get stressed out, I get diarrhea. Almost instantaniously, actually - this can be…interesting. It can also be unbelievably humiliating and can lead to being completely unwilling to appear in public. When my ex and I separated, I was consumed by guilt and the stress manifested itself as diarrhea. Copious amounts of Paragoric didn’t put a dent in it. My overall health went to hell in a handbasket and for quite a long time. But I’m feeling much better now. ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2003, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-exactly-causes-diarrhea/184777/33 "2003-06-28T18:02:48Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by AHunter3 \* > \*\*I wonder if Irritable Bowel Syndrome (aka the Perpetual Trots) is a bit of an autoimmune disorder, then? \*\* Latest research indicates its more of an abnormal motility disorder. Some studies have indicated the the proximal small bowel (jejunum) which the stomach empties into can start pushing contents backwards, or at least fail to move them forward. Result: cramps, pain, nausea, and usually constipation punctuated by diarrhea. Pro-motility drugs like Reglan and Zelnorm _may_ be helpful to _some_ IBS sufferers. But more research needs to be done. QtM, MD ---
**Author:** ![bubbrrr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/df788c/32.png) [@bubbrrr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bubbrrr)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2003, 2:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-exactly-causes-diarrhea/184777/34 "2003-06-30T14:53:20Z")
Chugging twenty four ounces of prune juce did it for me one time and I emphasize one time. Cautions: 1 It comes in a rush. 2 When you think you’re done you’re not. 3 Do, do this at home. The voice of An Interesting Experience ---
**Author:** ![ArrMatey](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/arrmatey/32/3522_2.png) [@ArrMatey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ArrMatey)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2003, 3:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-exactly-causes-diarrhea/184777/35 "2003-06-30T15:24:37Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by godzillatemple \* > \*\*an anal sneeze \*\* band name. ---
**Author:** ![godzillatemple](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/49beb7/32.png) [@godzillatemple](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/godzillatemple)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2003, 3:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-exactly-causes-diarrhea/184777/36 "2003-06-30T15:26:00Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by ArrrMatey \* > \*\*band name. \*\* Thank you, Dave Barry! ---
**Author:** ![cedric45](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/d07c76/32.png) [@cedric45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cedric45)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2003, 6:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-exactly-causes-diarrhea/184777/37 "2003-06-30T18:06:30Z")
There are only three REAL causes of diarrhea, any one of which can cause the symptoms we all know too well. In combination, they can be overwhelming. The three causes are… 1. My work 2. My in-laws 3. My family > [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by AHunter3 \* > \*\*I wonder if Irritable Bowel Syndrome (aka the Perpetual Trots) is a bit of an autoimmune disorder, then? \*\* It’s a curse from hell, that’s what it is!:eek: ---
**Author:** ![Quantum\_Butterfly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/e79b87/32.png) [@Quantum\_Butterfly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quantum_Butterfly)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2003, 4:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-exactly-causes-diarrhea/184777/38 "2003-07-01T04:40:52Z")
> [@](#): > > _Posted by bubbrrr_ > Chugging twenty four ounces of prune juce did it for me one time and I emphasize one time. One word, **bubbrrr**. Why? ---
**Author:** ![bubbrrr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/df788c/32.png) [@bubbrrr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bubbrrr)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2003, 12:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-exactly-causes-diarrhea/184777/39 "2003-07-01T12:26:28Z")
Two words, peer pressure. I wasn’t the only one and we all suff paid the price.:smack: [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-exactly-causes-diarrhea/184777.md?page=1)