Diarrhea

Diarrhea is when you have loose, watery poop more often than normal. Almost everyone gets it from time to time. Most cases are mild. It usually passes within a few days.

Even though diarrhea is common, it can sometimes become serious. Frequent watery diarrhea causes your body to lose water and electrolytes, which can lead to dehydration. This is especially dangerous for certain groups, including:

• Babies and young children
• Adults age 65 and up
• People who have a weakened immune system

Most people can manage mild diarrhea at home. You need to stay hydrated and get plenty of rest. But you may need medical treatment if it lasts longer than expected or keeps coming back. It’s also important to see a healthcare provider if you have diarrhea along with symptoms like severe pain, fever or bloody poop.

Types of diarrhea

Healthcare providers describe diarrhea based on how long it lasts:

• Acute diarrhea: Lasts a few days or less and usually goes away on its own
• Persistent diarrhea: Lasts two to four weeks
• Chronic diarrhea: Lasts longer than four weeks or keeps coming back

Diarrhea symptoms

The main symptom of diarrhea is loose or watery poop. You may also have:

• Stomach cramps
• Stomachache or bloating
• An urgent need to poop
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Fever

Most diarrhea symptoms improve within a few days. But severe pain, bloody poop or signs of dehydration can mean you need medical care.

What causes diarrhea?

Many things can cause diarrhea. The most common cause is viral gastroenteritis (more commonly known as a stomach bug). Other diarrhea causes include:

• Viral, bacterial or parasitic infections
• Food poisoning
• Medicines, especially antibiotics
• Food intolerances, including lactose intolerance
• Digestive conditions, like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis
• Surgery involving your digestive tract

If diarrhea starts after taking antibiotics, talk with your healthcare provider before stopping your medication.

If your symptoms begin while traveling, you may have traveler’s diarrhea.

Is diarrhea contagious?

Sometimes. Diarrhea caused by viruses, bacteria or parasites can spread from person to person through contaminated food, water or surfaces. Washing your hands often and handling food safely can help reduce the spread.

Diarrhea caused by medications, food intolerances or chronic digestive conditions isn’t contagious.

Risk factors

Anyone can get diarrhea, but your risk is higher if you:

• Have close contact with someone who’s sick
• Eat or drink contaminated food or water
• Travel to areas with poor sanitation
• Take antibiotics or certain other medicines
• Have a digestive condition like IBS or inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)

How to lower your risk

You may be able to lower your risk by:

• Washing your hands often with soap and water
• Preparing and storing food safely
• Drinking safe water, especially while traveling
• Staying up-to-date on recommended vaccines, including the rotavirus vaccine for infants

Complications of this condition

The biggest potential complication is dehydration. Your body loses water and electrolytes with every loose bowel movement. This makes it harder to replace what you’ve lost.

Without treatment, severe dehydration can become life-threatening.

How doctors diagnose this condition

Most cases of diarrhea don’t require testing. If it’s severe, lasts longer than expected or keeps coming back, see a healthcare provider. They’ll ask you about your symptoms, medications, recent travel and medical history. This information often helps them figure out the cause.

Depending on your symptoms, your provider may do:

• Blood tests
• Poop tests to check for blood, bacteria or parasites
• A hydrogen breath test to check for lactose intolerance or bacterial overgrowth
• Endoscopy or colonoscopy if they think you might have an underlying digestive condition

What to do if you have diarrhea

The most important diarrhea treatment is replacing the fluids your body is losing. Drink plenty of water and fluids that contain electrolytes, like oral rehydration solutions or broth. If plain water upsets your stomach, try taking small sips throughout the day.

Eat small, frequent meals if you feel hungry. Foods to eat when you have diarrhea include bananas, rice, applesauce and toast. These bland foods are easier to tolerate while your digestive system recovers. It also helps to avoid foods and drinks that make symptoms worse. These can include caffeine, alcohol and greasy foods.

If your symptoms don’t improve, your provider may recommend medication.

What to take for diarrhea

Diarrhea treatment depends on what’s causing it. Medications may include:

• Over-the-counter medicines, like loperamide (Imodium^®) or bismuth subsalicylate (Pepto-Bismol^®)
• Antibiotics or antiparasitic medicines for certain infections
• Medicines to treat conditions like IBD
• Sometimes probiotics, if your provider recommends them

Don’t take over-the-counter diarrhea medicine if you have bloody diarrhea or a high fever unless your provider tells you it’s safe.

How long does diarrhea last?

Most cases of acute diarrhea gets better within a few days. Persistent diarrhea lasts between two and four weeks. Chronic diarrhea lasts longer than four weeks.

When should I see my healthcare provider?

Most cases improve without medical treatment. But there are times when you should seek care for diarrhea. Don’t ignore it if it lasts longer than a few days.

It’s also important to see your provider if diarrhea happens along with symptoms like:

• Dehydration
• Severe pain
• Fever
• Bloody poop

What can I expect if I have this condition?

Most people recover completely from acute diarrhea within a few days.

If diarrhea lasts for weeks, keeps coming back or is caused by an underlying condition, your outlook depends on the cause. Treating the underlying condition can often help improve or prevent diarrhea.

Is there anything I can do to feel better?

While you’re recovering:

• Drink plenty of fluids.
• Replace lost electrolytes.
• Eat small meals as you’re able.
• Get plenty of rest.
• Avoid foods and drinks that make symptoms worse.

What does it mean if I have yellow diarrhea?

Poop comes in all different colors. If you have yellow diarrhea, you may have eaten something with a yellowish hue to it. But if it lasts more than a few days, talk to a healthcare provider. It could be a sign of a more serious condition.

What if my baby has diarrhea?

Babies and young children can become dehydrated much faster than adults. Contact your child’s pediatrician if your baby has severe diarrhea or signs of dehydration.