In Canada alone, up to 5% of the population suffers from chronic diarrhea at any given time. A normal stool is 60 to 90% water. When that percentage is greater than 90%, however, it is considered diarrhea. Typically, the digestive system converts food into a liquid state. The digested particles then remain in that form throughout the digestive process until the fluids are absorbed back into the body from the colon, leaving semi-solid waste to be expelled. Diarrhea usually occurs when the food passes through the digestive system too quickly or when the colon is inflamed or diseased and unable to sufficiently absorb the liquid.

Diarrhea is an indication that something is wrong with the digestive system or possibly even the hormone system, as it is in the case of diabetes and thyroid problems. Discovering the cause of diarrhea is very important for the digestive system to be able to heal and do its job of converting food into a form that can be used by the circulatory system.