Synonyms; the squits, the shits, the runs, the Delhi two-step, Montezuma's revenge.....add your own.

Your bowels can be affected by viruses, bacteria or parasites. The YEHS Tummy Kit contains Loperamide, Rehydration salts and a proven antibiotic (adults only). Do NOT use it if you have blood in the poo as this requires immediate medical attention.

What do we mean by Diarrhea in the first place?

Not that you would, but if you asked all your friends you find that you all have a different habit of when you do a poo (their bowel habit). For some people it is normal to go 2-3 times a day, some people need to go after meals, some in the morning, some in the afternoon and some only go once every 2-3 days. For each person there is what is called their NORMAL bowel habit.

The best way to describe diarrhea is a CHANGE in your normal bowel habit in terms of frequency, consistency or both. So if you start going more often than usual and/or it's runnier than usual then that for you is diarrhea.

Things other than bugs that can cause Diarrhea in adults:

Your head

The autonomic nervous system is connected with emotions. We talk about our 'gut instinct' and there is even a whole book about the bowels with that name. Change of environment and stress can both lead to a change of bowel habit.

Some aspects of Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) are linked to emotion and stress. Many travelers develop a post-travel version of IBS. My guts have never been the same since...

Change of foods and habits

A new diet or schedule of eating can change how the bowel works. You may then develop a new bowel habit but the change could be called a temporary period of diarrhea.

Failure to absorb food or fluids properly

Malabsorption could be due to a genetic condition that manifests itself later in life - the classic example is coeliac disease, which affects 1 in 200 Caucasians. If caught early in life, people are advised to have a gluten-free diet and avoid or reduce barley, rice, oats and wheat but it may not appear until adult life. The same restrictions could be advised and it can be tested for in the blood.

Lactose deficiency. Inherited after a gut infection

Your body no longer absorbs dairy products or some beers.

The kids

Infants poo all the time until they develop a pattern but even that changes as they grow.

Other causes of diarrhea in children are the same as adults but children are more prone to develop diarrhea as a general symptom of almost ANY illness.

Instant Kharma may not get you but the squits will.