Diarrhea is diagnosed in millions of people per year in both developed and developing countries and is the second leading cause of death in children under five years of age. This common and impactful symptom is characterized by an alteration in bowel movement and an imbalance between secretory and absorptive activities in the intestine, which results in an increase in the frequency, fluidity and/or volume of stools, and may be accompanied with tenesmus, fever and abdominal pain. Diarrhea is usually a symptom of an infection, which can be caused by various types of bacteria, viruses, and parasites, but can have a multitude of other origins such as gastro-intestinal disorders and certain medications like antibiotics.
Treatment of diarrhea is generally nonspecific and aimed at reducing dehydration and the discomfort and inconvenience of frequent bowel movements. Major drugs currently available for the treatment of acute diarrhea, such as loperamide and diphenoxylate, are not completely free from adverse events.
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