Diarrhoea is the too frequent passage of a too liquid stool. It is the result of an increase in the excretion of water and usually electrolytes from the bowel and is perceived as excessive by the patient even though it might be only one stool per day. There are severe social consequences, especially when accompanied by abdominal pain, urgency and incontinence.  Should diarrhoea usually has an infectious basis and is short lived, lasting 24-48 hours. Persistent diarrhoea for weeks or months has a variety of causes that warrant investigation, common conditions include Irritable Bowel syndrome, Diverticular disease, adult coeliac disease and microscopic colitis. When occurring after the age of 40 it always requires exclusion of bowel cancer.