Final answer:
The common symptom of diarrhea is frequent loose, watery stools. It occurs when not enough water is absorbed in the intestines, possibly due to foodborne pathogens or other factors affecting water reabsorption.
Step-by-step explanation:
The common symptom of diarrhea is frequent loose, watery stools. When the waste matter moves too quickly through the intestines, not enough water is absorbed by the body, which leads to diarrhea. This can happen due to foodborne pathogens, as well as disruptions to the normal balance of water reabsorption in the colon, often affected by certain bacteria. Symptoms associated with diarrhea include watery diarrhea, loss of appetite, weight loss, stomach cramps or pain, bloating, increased gas, nausea, and fatigue. In more severe cases, signs of dehydration may occur, such as excessive thirst, among others.