Acute diarrhea.

Acute diarrhea can be life-threatening in the very young, the elderly and the malnourished. Osmotic diarrhea is produced by unabsorbed solutes in the intestinal lumen, while exudative diarrhea is caused by infection and inflammation. Secretory diarrhea results from enterotoxins, oversecretion of gastrointestinal hormones and the action of bile acids. Rapid intestinal transit also may cause diarrhea.