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Diarrhea - overview
Stools - watery; Frequent bowel movements; Loose bowel movements
Diarrhea is when you pass loose or watery stool.
Considerations
In some people, diarrhea is mild and goes away in a few days. In other people, it may last longer.
Diarrhea can make you feel weak and dehydrated.
Diarrhea in babies and children can be serious. It needs to be treated differently than you would treat diarrhea in adults.
Talk with your health care provider if your child has diarrhea. There can be a lot to know. Your provider can help you learn how to recognize and treat diarrhea in babies and in children .
Talk with your health care provider
What to ask your doctor about diarrhea - child; Loose stools - what to ask your doctor - child
Causes
The most common cause of diarrhea is the stomach flu ( viral gastroenteritis ). This mild viral infection goes away on its own within a few days.
Viral gastroenteritis
Viral gastroenteritis is present when a virus causes an infection of the stomach and intestine. The infection can lead to diarrhea and vomiting. It...
Eating or drinking food or water that contains certain types of bacteria or parasites can also lead to diarrhea. This problem may be called food poisoning .
Food poisoning
Food poisoning occurs when you swallow food or water that contains bacteria, parasites, viruses, or the toxins made by these germs. Most cases are c...
Certain medicines may also cause diarrhea , including:
Certain medicines may also cause diarrh...
Drug-induced diarrhea is loose, watery stools that occurs when you take certain medicines.
- Some antibiotics
- Chemotherapy drugs for cancer
- Laxatives containing magnesium
Diarrhea may also be caused by medical disorders, such as:
-
Celiac disease
Celiac disease
Celiac disease is a condition caused by damage to the lining of the small intestine. This damage comes from a reaction to eating gluten. This is a ...
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Inflammatory bowel diseases (
Crohn disease
and
ulcerative colitis
)
Crohn disease
Crohn disease is a disease where parts of the digestive tract become inflamed. It most often involves the lower end of the small intestine and the be...
ImageRead Article Now Book Mark ArticleUlcerative colitis
Ulcerative colitis is a condition in which the lining of the large intestine (colon) and rectum become inflamed. It is a form of inflammatory bowel ...
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Irritable bowel syndrome
(IBS)
Irritable bowel syndrome
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a disorder that leads to abdominal pain and bowel changes. IBS is not the same as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)...
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Lactose intolerance
(which causes problems after drinking milk and eating other dairy products)
Lactose intolerance
Lactose is a type of sugar found in milk and other dairy products. An enzyme called lactase is needed by the body to digest lactose. Lactose intoler...
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Malabsorption syndromes
Malabsorption syndromes
Malabsorption involves problems with the body's ability to take in nutrients from food.
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Less common causes of diarrhea include:
-
Carcinoid syndrome
Carcinoid syndrome
Carcinoid syndrome is a group of symptoms associated with carcinoid tumors. These are tumors of the small intestine, colon, appendix, and bronchial ...
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Disorders of the nerves that supply the intestines
Disorders of the nerves that supply the...
Autonomic neuropathy is a group of symptoms that occur when there is damage to the nerves that manage every day body functions. These functions incl...
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Removal of part of the stomach (
gastrectomy
) or small intestine
Gastrectomy
Gastrectomy is surgery to remove part or all of the stomach. If only part of the stomach is removed, it is called partial gastrectomyIf the whole sto...
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People who travel to third-world or developing countries can get diarrhea from unclean water or food that isn't handled safely. Plan ahead by learning the risks and treatment for traveler's diarrhea before your trip.
Treatment for traveler's diarrhea
Traveler's diarrhea is loose, watery stools. People can get traveler's diarrhea when they visit places where the water is not clean or the food is n...
Home Care
Most times, you can treat diarrhea at home. You will need to learn:
- To drink plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration (when your body does not have the proper amount of water and fluids)
- Which foods you should or should not eat
- What to do if you are breastfeeding
- What danger signs to watch out for
Avoid medicines for diarrhea that you can buy without a prescription, unless your doctor tells you to use them. These drugs can make some infections worse.
If you have a long-term form of diarrhea, such as diarrhea caused by irritable bowel syndrome, changes to your diet and lifestyle may help.
Changes to your diet and lifestyle
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) may be a lifelong condition. You may be suffering from cramping and loose stools, diarrhea, constipation, or some com...
When to Contact a Medical Professional
Call your health care provider right away if you or your child shows signs of dehydration:
- Decreased urine (fewer wet diapers in infants)
- Dizziness or light-headedness
- Dry mouth
- Sunken eyes
- Few tears when crying
Call for an appointment with your health care provider if you have:
- Blood or pus in your stools
- Black stools
- Stomach pain that does not go away after a bowel movement
- Diarrhea with a fever above 101°F (100.4°F in children)
- Recently traveled to a foreign country and developed diarrhea
Also call your doctor if:
- The diarrhea gets worse or does not get better in 2 days for an infant or child, or 5 days for adults
- A child over 3 months old has been vomiting for more than 12 hours; in younger babies, call as soon as vomiting or diarrhea begins
What to Expect at Your Office Visit
Your doctor will perform a physical exam and ask you questions about your medical history and symptoms.
Lab tests may be done on your stools to determine the cause of your diarrhea.
This is also a good time to ask your doctor any questions you have about diarrhea .
Questions you have about diarrhea
What to ask your health care provider about diarrhea - adult; Loose stools - what to ask your health care provider - adult
Over-the-counter supplements that contain healthy bacteria may help prevent diarrhea caused by taking antibiotics. These are called probiotics. Yogurt with active or live cultures is also a good source of these healthy bacteria.
The following healthy steps can help you prevent illnesses that cause diarrhea:
- Wash your hands often, especially after going to the bathroom and before eating.
- Use alcohol-based hand gel frequently.
- Teach children to not put objects in their mouth.
-
Take steps to avoid food poisoning
.
Take steps to avoid food poisoning
Food safety refers to the conditions and practices that preserve the quality of food. These practices prevent contamination and foodborne illnesses....
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When traveling to underdeveloped areas, follow the steps below to avoid diarrhea:
- Drink only bottled water and do not use ice, unless it is made from bottled or purified water.
- Do NOT eat uncooked vegetables or fruits that do not have peels.
- Do NOT eat raw shellfish or undercooked meat.
- Do NOT consume dairy products.
References
Schiller RL, Sellin JH. Diarrhea. In: Feldman M, Friedman LS, Brandt LJ, eds. Sleisenger and Fordtran's Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease . 9th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2010:chap 15.
Semrad CE. Approach to the patient with diarrhea and malabsorption. In: Goldman L, Schafer AI, eds. Goldman's Cecil Medicine . 24th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2011:chap 142.
-
Campylobacter jejuni organism - illustration
Campylobacter jejuni Campylobacter jejuni Campylobacter jejuni
Campylobacter jejuni organism
illustration
-
Digestive system - illustration
The esophagus, stomach, large and small intestine, aided by the liver, gallbladder and pancreas convert the nutritive components of food into energy and break down the non-nutritive components into waste to be excreted.
Digestive system
illustration
-
Cryptosporidium, organism - illustration
Cryptosporidium is a protozoan parasite found in contaminated water. It has been increasingly recognized as the cause of outbreaks of diarrhea when water supplies become contaminated. In normal individuals, it is a self-limited disease. Among immunocompromised individuals with AIDS, cryptosporidium can cause severe diarrheal disease, gallbladder disease (cholecystitis), and inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis).
Cryptosporidium, organism
illustration
-
Diarrhea - illustration
The most common cause of diarrhea is a mild viral infection that resolves on its own within a few days, usually known as the "stomach flu". Two other common causes of diarrhea is from food poisoning and traveler's diarrhea. They occur from eating food or drinking water contaminated with organisms like bacteria and parasites. Medications can also cause diarrhea, especially antibiotics, laxatives containing magnesium, and chemotherapy for cancer treatment.
Diarrhea
illustration
-
Campylobacter jejuni organism - illustration
Campylobacter jejuni Campylobacter jejuni Campylobacter jejuni
Campylobacter jejuni organism
illustration
-
Digestive system - illustration
The esophagus, stomach, large and small intestine, aided by the liver, gallbladder and pancreas convert the nutritive components of food into energy and break down the non-nutritive components into waste to be excreted.
Digestive system
illustration
-
Cryptosporidium, organism - illustration
Cryptosporidium is a protozoan parasite found in contaminated water. It has been increasingly recognized as the cause of outbreaks of diarrhea when water supplies become contaminated. In normal individuals, it is a self-limited disease. Among immunocompromised individuals with AIDS, cryptosporidium can cause severe diarrheal disease, gallbladder disease (cholecystitis), and inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis).
Cryptosporidium, organism
illustration
-
Diarrhea - illustration
The most common cause of diarrhea is a mild viral infection that resolves on its own within a few days, usually known as the "stomach flu". Two other common causes of diarrhea is from food poisoning and traveler's diarrhea. They occur from eating food or drinking water contaminated with organisms like bacteria and parasites. Medications can also cause diarrhea, especially antibiotics, laxatives containing magnesium, and chemotherapy for cancer treatment.
Diarrhea
illustration
Review Date: 12/19/2014
Reviewed By: Jennifer K. Lehrer, MD, Department of Gastroenterology, Frankford-Torresdale Hospital, Aria Health System, Philadelphia, PA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Isla Ogilvie, PhD, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
