Is It Normal to Have Diarrhea Every Day?

Most people associate diarrhea with things like food poisoning, infections, or the “stomach flu,” which typically cause symptoms for just a few days. That’s called acute diarrhea, and it usually goes away on its own.

But for some people, diarrhea is — unfortunately — a regular part of their lives. “Chronic diarrhea is defined as having loose stools or very frequent stools for more than two weeks,” says Anthony Starpoli, MD, gastroenterologist in New York City. Although common, chronic diarrhea is definitely not normal and is a sign of a problem. In this video, learn the conditions that could cause chronic diarrhea.

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Written by:

Lauren Smith, MA

Lauren Smith, MA, has worked in health journalism since 2017. Before joining GoodRx, she was the senior health editor and writer for HealthiNation.

Reviewed by:

Sanjai Sinha, MD

Sanjai Sinha, MD, is a board-certified physician with over 20 years of experience. He specializes in internal medicine.

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