It can cause severe dehydration in an infant in just one day. Your doctor will complete a physical examination and consider your medical history when determining the cause of your diarrhea. They may also request laboratory tests to examine urine and blood samples.
Additional tests your doctor may order to determine the cause of diarrhea and other related conditions can include:. A colonoscopy or sigmoidoscopy is especially helpful for determining if you have an intestinal disease if you have severe or chronic diarrhea. The treatment for diarrhea usually requires replacing lost fluids. This simply means you need to drink more water or electrolyte replacement beverages, such as sports drinks. In more serious cases, you may get fluids through intravenous therapy.
If a bacterial infection is the cause of your diarrhea, your doctor may prescribe antibiotics. Although diarrhea can occur for various reasons, there are actions that you can take to prevent it:. When you wash your hands, use soap and wash for 20 seconds. Stomachaches are a common occurrence that can be treated at home. Here are seven home remedies for you to use to ease your stomach. These remedies…. We've all experienced unfortunate cases of diarrhea at some point in our lives.
Read on for some of the most effective ways to relieve a case of the…. Drinking can be a fun way to socialize, but few people talk about a very common aftereffect of sipping adult beverages: diarrhea. We'll tell you what…. Viral gastroenteritis, also known as the stomach flu, is an inflammation of the stomach and intestines. It can be caused by many different viruses…. Diarrhea can cause uncomfortable irritation around your anus, but you may be able to soothe the pain for yourself or your baby with home remedies.
Learn about the connection between diarrhea and the common cold, as well as how to treat them and when you should call a doctor. What causes diarrhea? The most common causes of diarrhea include Bacteria from contaminated food or water Viruses such as the flu , norovirus , or rotavirus.
Rotavirus is the most common cause of acute diarrhea in children. Parasites, which are tiny organisms found in contaminated food or water Medicines such as antibiotics, cancer drugs, and antacids that contain magnesium Food intolerances and sensitivities, which are problems digesting certain ingredients or foods.
An example is lactose intolerance. Diseases that affect the stomach, small intestine, or colon, such as Crohn's disease Problems with how the colon functions, such as irritable bowel syndrome Some people also get diarrhea after stomach surgery, because sometimes the surgeries can cause food to move through your digestive system more quickly.
Who is at risk for diarrhea? What other symptoms might I have with diarrhea? Other possible symptoms of diarrhea include Cramps or pain in the abdomen An urgent need to use the bathroom Loss of bowel control If a virus or bacteria is the cause of your diarrhea, you may also have a fever, chills, and bloody stools. When do I need to see a health care provider for diarrhea? Contact your health care provider if you have Signs of dehydration Diarrhea for more than 2 days, if you are an adult.
For children, contact the provider if it lasts more than 24 hours. Severe pain in your abdomen or rectum for adults A fever of degrees or higher Stools containing blood or pus Stools that are black and tarry If children have diarrhea, parents or caregivers should not hesitate to call a health care provider. How is the cause of diarrhea diagnosed? To find the cause of diarrhea, your health care provider may Do a physical exam Ask about any medicines you are taking Test your stool or blood to look for bacteria, parasites, or other signs of disease or infection Ask you to stop eating certain foods to see whether your diarrhea goes away If you have chronic diarrhea, your health care provider may perform other tests to look for signs of disease.
What are the treatments for diarrhea? Can diarrhea be prevented? You can help prevent traveler's diarrhea by being careful about what you eat and drink when you are in developing countries: Use only bottled or purified water for drinking, making ice cubes, and brushing your teeth If you do use tap water, boil it or use iodine tablets Make sure that the cooked food you eat is fully cooked and served hot Avoid unwashed or unpeeled raw fruits and vegetables NIH: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.
Start Here. Diagnosis and Tests. Prevention and Risk Factors. Treatments and Therapies. Related Issues. Read more about preventing diarrhoea. Diarrhoea is where you frequently pass watery or loose poo.
Some people may also have other symptoms, depending on the cause. The excessive loss of water in your poo can also sometimes lead to dehydration , which can be serious if it's not recognised and treated quickly. Read more about the symptoms of dehydration. Contact your GP or call NHS 24's service for advice if you are concerned about yourself or your child. You should also contact your GP in the situations outlined below, as they may mean that you or your child has, or is at risk of, a more serious problem.
You should contact your GP or health visitor urgently if your baby has had 6 or more episodes of diarrhoea in the past 24 hours, or if they have vomited 3 times or more in the past 24 hours. You should also contact your GP if your child has persistent diarrhoea.
Most cases will pass in 5 to 7 days. You should also contact your GP if you have persistent diarrhoea. Most cases in adults will pass in 2 to 4 days. Diarrhoea usually occurs when fluid cannot be absorbed from the contents of your bowel, or when extra fluid is secreted into your bowel, causing watery poo.
Diarrhoea is usually a symptom of a bowel infection gastroenteritis , which can be caused by:. The patient information leaflet that comes with your medicine should state whether diarrhoea is a possible side effect. Persistent diarrhoea can also sometimes occur after surgery on the stomach, such as a gastrectomy.
This is an operation to remove part of the stomach — for example, as a treatment for stomach cancer. Read more about when to visit your GP if you have diarrhoea. Your GP may ask you for a stool sample so it can be analysed for signs of an infection if you have:.
Your GP may suggest you have some blood tests if they suspect your diarrhoea is being caused by an underlying health condition. For example, your blood can be tested for signs of inflammation, which may suggest inflammatory bowel disease.
Read more about the possible causes of diarrhoea. Your GP may recommend a digital rectal examination DRE if you have unexplained persistent diarrhoea, particularly if you're over It can be useful for diagnosing conditions that affect your rectum and bowel. If you have persistent diarrhoea and your GP is unable to find the cause, they may refer you to your local hospital for further investigation. Diarrhoea will usually clear up without treatment after a few days, particularly if it's caused by an infection.
In children, diarrhoea will usually pass within 5 to 7 days and will rarely last longer than 2 weeks. In adults, diarrhoea usually improves within 2 to 4 days, although some infections can last a week or more. While waiting for your diarrhoea to pass, you can ease your symptoms by following the advice outlined below.
It's important to drink plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration , particularly if you're also vomiting. Take small, frequent sips of water. Ideally, adults should drink a lot of liquids that contain water, salt, and sugar. Examples are water mixed with juice and soup broth.
If you're drinking enough fluid, your urine will be light yellow or almost clear. It's also very important for babies and small children not to become dehydrated.
Give your child frequent sips of water, even if they are vomiting. A small amount is better than none. If you're breastfeeding or bottle feeding your baby and they have diarrhoea, you should continue to feed them as normal. Contact your GP immediately if you or your child develop any symptoms of dehydration. Your GP or pharmacist may suggest using an oral rehydration solution ORS to prevent dehydration if you're at risk — for example, if you're frail or elderly.
ORS can also be used to treat dehydration that has already occurred. Rehydration solutions usually come in sachets available from your local pharmacist without a prescription. They are dissolved in water and replace salt, glucose, and other important minerals that are lost if you are dehydrated. Your GP or pharmacist may recommend giving your child an ORS if they are dehydrated or at risk of becoming dehydrated.
The usual recommendation is for your child to drink an ORS each time they have an episode of diarrhoea. The amount they should drink will depend on their size and weight. Your pharmacist can advise you about this. The manufacturer's instructions should also give information about the recommended dose. You may be able to give your baby an ORS if they become dehydrated, but check with your GP, pharmacist, or health visitor first.
Opinion is divided over when and what you should eat if you have diarrhoea. However, most experts agree you should eat solid food as soon as you feel able to. Eat small, light meals and avoid fatty or spicy foods. Good examples are potatoes, rice, bananas, soup, and boiled vegetables. Salty foods help the most. You don't need to eat if you've lost your appetite, but you should continue to drink fluids and eat as soon as you feel able to. If your child is dehydrated, do not give them any solid food until they have drunk enough fluids.
Once they have stopped showing signs of dehydration, they can start eating their normal diet. If your child is not dehydrated, offer them their normal diet.
If they refuse to eat, continue to give them fluids and wait until their appetite returns. Antidiarrhoeal medicines may help reduce your diarrhoea and slightly shorten how long it lasts. However, they're not usually necessary. Loperamide is the main antidiarrhoeal medicine used, as it has been shown to be effective and causes few side effects.
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