Chronic diarrhea is a condition characterized by systematic abundant stool, mass of which exceeds 300g per day, which lasts for more then 3 weeks.

According to the etiology and the pathogenesis of the disease, chronic diarrhea may be divided into the following groups:

• Exudative diarrhea bacterial and inflammatory disease of the large intestines, which is accompanied by damage to the epithelium, formation of ulcers and abscess. The condition may be caused by the following disease non-specific ulcerous colitis, Crohn's disease, ischemic colitis, radioactive colitis, diverticulitis, microscopic colitis, ischemic intestinal disorders, intestinal malignant neoplasia, different strains of bacteria. The stool is liquid, with possible blood and puss.
• Osmotic diarrhea accumulation in the intestinal opening of non-absorbable osmotic active soluble carbohydrates, which during bacterial fermentation releases volatile fatty and lactic acids. The condition is induced by the following pathologies primary or secondary intestinal enzyme disorders, immune disorders, anatomical disorder of the intestines, drug induced malabsorption, liver and gall bladder dysfunctions. Abundant stool, with remnants of non-digested food.
• Secretory diarrhea pathological secretion of fluid into the intestines, due to increased secretion of Cl, and malabsorption of Na+, K+. Painfull abundant, watery diarrhea.
• Motoric diarrhea diarrhea caused by spastic contractions of the intestines, is characteristic to stool normalization in food abstinence, use of medicine that affect the peristalsis and etc. Moderate ammounts of stool, with remnants of non-digested food.

The clinical picture in chronic diarrhea is common frequent, liquid stool, abdominal pain, abdominal bloating, tenesmus, meteorism, fever, weight loss.