Yes, dehydration can cause diarrhea due to electrolyte imbalance which happens when you have fewer fluids in the body than is required for proper functioning. 

There are other factors that contribute to dehydration, such as diarrhea and vomiting. When diarrhea occurs suddenly and severely, it leads to a rapid and substantial loss of water and electrolytes. The situation worsens when vomiting is added to the mix, as it results in an even greater loss of fluids and minerals.

Dehydration happens due to excessive fluid loss from the body. This means essential electrolytes like potassium and sodium also leave the body, creating an imbalance.

Potassium, for example, helps the intestine to absorb the water that comes into the system. Due to a lack of potassium, water doesn’t get absorbed and leaves the intestine as a watery stool. Thus causing diarrhea. 

Diarrhea and Dehydration: What’s the connection?

Diarrhea is more like a symptom of dehydration than the cause. Electrolyte imbalances and dehydration are two common problems associated with diarrhea. However, both can be side-effects of each other.  

Severe, acute diarrhea suddenly leads to even more water and electrolyte loss. Diarrhea is caused by increased secretion of fluid into the intestine and reduced absorption of fluid from the intestine.

Simply put, if the body is persistently devoid of major fluids and electrolytes for a long time, it will ultimately lead to diarrhea. 

Causes of Diarrhea other than dehydration

Diarrhea is not only limited to dehydration. There are numerous other causes associated with it. However, here one or the other linked implication would itself be dehydration.

 The most common causes of diarrhea other than dehydration are-

• Bacterial infection in the gut 
• Viral infections (mainly by rotavirus)
• Crohn’s disease
• Celiac disorders
• Food Intolerance
• Gut inflammation due to spicy foods
• Irritable bowel syndrome

How Is Diarrhea Transmitted?

Diarrhea gets transmitted through contact with the virus or bacteria in the stool or vomit of the person infected. The contact may be indirect if you happen to touch the patient’s affected clothes or objects.

In a study done in 2015, the stools of 412 patients were collected to check this idea. The tests detected about 19 pathogens, including five viruses and 11 bacteria. 

Dehydration and diarrhea hold a strong connection. Either of these can cause the other resulting in malnutrition and even death, in severe cases. 

Thus, it is important to maintain the right fluid intake practices and take charge of your body by choosing the right diet