Diarrhea

Diarrhea means having a loose, watery stool during a bowel movement. It’s common in both children and adults and usually goes away on its own within a few days. If it doesn’t improve or if you’re experiencing other symptoms like a fever or bloody stool, reach out to a provider to get the treatment (and relief) you need.

Types of diarrhea

1. Acute diarrhea: Acute diarrhea is loose, watery diarrhea that lasts one to two days. It’s the most common type and usually goes away without treatment. 
2. Persistent diarrhea: Persistent diarrhea lasts about two to four weeks. 
3. Chronic diarrhea: Chronic diarrhea lasts more than four weeks or comes and goes regularly over a long period. 

Diarrhea that lasts this long may indicate a more serious condition that warrants a visit with your healthcare provider.

What causes diarrhea?

• Infections. Pathogens (viruses, bacteria and parasites) can all cause infections that lead to diarrhea. The most common cause of diarrhea in adults is the norovirus that causes gastroenteritis. Rotavirus is the most common cause of acute diarrhea in children. 
• Food poisoning. You can ingest harmful toxins and pathogens from contaminated foods or drinks. Once they’re in your gut, the toxins or germs can cause diarrhea. “Traveler’s diarrhea” is when you get diarrhea while traveling in a new environment with poor hygiene or sanitation. Usually, it’s exposure to bacteria that gives you diarrhea.
• Medications. Diarrhea is a common medication side effect. For example, antibiotics kill harmful bacteria that make you sick, but they can destroy helpful bacteria in the process. Not having enough good bacteria can lead to diarrhea. Diarrhea is also a side effect of antacids with magnesium and some cancer drugs and treatments. Overusing laxatives can also cause diarrhea. 
• Foods that upset your digestive system. If you’re lactose intolerant, you get diarrhea because your body struggles to digest lactose, the sugar in dairy. Some people have trouble digesting fructose, a sugar in honey and fruits that’s added as a sweetener to some foods. With celiac disease, you get diarrhea because your body has trouble breaking down gluten, a protein in wheat.
• Diseases affecting your bowels. Diarrhea is a common symptom of conditions that cause irritation and inflammation in your bowels (intestines). Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) can all cause diarrhea. Stress and anxiety can worsen symptoms if you have a condition like IBS. 
• Procedures on your bowels. Many people have diarrhea after surgery on their bowels. It may take a while for your digestive tract to absorb nutrients from the foods you’re eating and create firm stools from the waste.

What are the symptoms of diarrhea?

The main sign of diarrhea is loose or watery stool. Other common symptoms include: Bloating or cramps in your belly. A strong and urgent need to poop. Nausea (upset stomach).

Signs and symptoms of severe diarrhea

• Fever. 
• Severe pain. 
• Vomiting. 
• Blood or mucus in your stool. 
• Weight loss (this can be a sign that your body’s not absorbing enough nutrients)

What are the complications of diarrhea?

Dehydration is one of the biggest concerns with diarrhea. This is especially true among vulnerable populations (infants, people 65 and older and people with compromised immune systems). Without treatment, dehydration can lead to kidney failure, stroke, heart attack or even death.

How the cause of diarrhea is diagnosed?

Blood tests to rule out certain conditions that cause diarrhea. A stool test to check for blood, bacterial infections and parasites. A hydrogen breath test to check for lactose or fructose intolerance and bacterial overgrowth. An endoscopy of your upper and lower digestive tract to rule out growths or other structural issues that can cause diarrhea, like ulcers or tumors.

How is diarrhea treated?

• Antibiotics or antiparasitics. These drugs kill infection-causing germs. 
• Medications that treat chronic conditions. 
• Treating underlying conditions that cause diarrhea, like inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and IBS, can help. 
• Probiotics. Probiotics introduce good bacteria into your gut to combat diarrhea. Your healthcare provider may suggest you try them. Always talk to your provider before starting a probiotic or any supplement.

Can I stop diarrhea without taking anti-diarrhea medicine?

• Drink plenty of water and other electrolyte-balanced fluids. 
• Choose foods that can firm your stools. Certain low-fiber foods make stools more solid. 
• Avoid caffeine and alcohol. Caffeinated foods and drinks can have a mild laxative effect that worsens diarrhea. Steer clear of coffee, sodas, strong tea/green tea and chocolate. 
• Avoid foods and drinks that give you gas. 
• Sometimes, diarrhea can make you temporarily lactose intolerant. Avoiding dairy until your diarrhea clears is a good idea.

Prevention

• Practice good hygiene: Wash your hands with soap and water after using the bathroom or preparing and eating food. Another option is to use hand sanitizer. 
• Get vaccinated: The rotavirus vaccine prevents rotavirus, a common cause of diarrhea. The vaccine for COVID-19 can reduce your risk of getting COVID and experiencing COVID symptoms, including diarrhea. 
• Store food properly: Store food at the correct temperatures, and cook all foods until they reach the recommended temperatures. Don’t take chances by consuming foods or drinks past their expiration dates.
• Watch what you drink when you travel: Don’t drink untreated water when you travel. Avoid tap water, ice cubes or brushing your teeth with tap water. 
• Steer clear of unpasteurized milk or juice products. Pasteurization is a process that kills germs in certain drinks. When in doubt, drink bottled water or something that’s been boiled first (coffee or tea). 
• Watch what you eat when you travel. 
• Avoid raw or undercooked meats (and shellfish), as well as raw fruits and vegetables. Fruits and veggies are usually healthy options, but the skin may contain contaminants that can make you sick.