what is difference in diahrrea and loose stool
people routinely use the word 'diarrhea' to refer to any type of loose bowel movement and that's not exactly accurate. diarrhea refers to a bowel movement that is almost purely liquid. it contains some small pieces of stool but it's mostly water (fluid to be precise). loose stool is a soft bowel movement that ranges in consistency from somewhat formed to very runny. whereas the particles of stool material in diarrhea are small and few in a loose stool the particles of stool material may be good-sized. in a sample of diarrhea the main component is very water-like; in a sample of loose stool (no matter how runny) the main component is stool material. i hope that clears things up! wishing you well.