More Information on Diarrhea

Diarrhea is frequent, loose, and watery bowel movements. Bowel movements, also called stools, are body wastes passed through the rectum and anus. Stools contain what is left after your digestive system absorbs nutrients and fluids from what you eat and drink. If your body does not absorb the fluids, or if your digestive system produces extra fluids, stools will be loose and watery. Loose stools contain more water, salts, and minerals and weigh more than solid stools.

Although usually not harmful, diarrhea can become dangerous or signal a more serious problem. You should talk to your doctor if you have a strong pain in your abdomen or rectum, a fever, blood in your stools, severe diarrhea for more than 3-days or symptoms of dehydration. If your child has diarrhea, do not hesitate to call the doctor for advice. Diarrhea can be dangerous in children.

Diarrhea that lasts a short time is called acute diarrhea. Acute diarrhea is a common problem and usually lasts only 1 or 2 days, but it may last longer. Diarrhea that lasts for at least 4 weeks is called chronic diarrhea. Chronic diarrhea symptoms may be continual or they may come and go.

What causes Diarrhea?

Causes of Diarrhea include the following:

• bacteria from contaminated food or water
• viruses that cause illnesses such as the flu
• parasites, which are tiny organisms found in contaminated food or water
• medicines such as antibiotics
• problems digesting certain foods
• diseases that affect the stomach, small intestine, or colon, such as Crohn’s disease
• problems with how the colon functions, caused by disorders such as irritable bowel syndrome

Sometimes no cause can be found. As long as diarrhea goes away within 1 to 2 days, finding the cause is not usually necessary.

What other Symptoms can you have with Diarrhea?

In addition to passing frequent, loose stools, other possible symptoms include:

• cramps or pain in the abdomen — the area between the chest and hips
• an urgent need to use the bathroom
• loss of bowel control

You may feel sick to your stomach or become dehydrated. If a virus or bacteria is the cause of your diarrhea, you may have fever and chills and bloody stools.

Dehydration

Being dehydrated means your body does not have enough fluid to work properly. Every time you have a bowel movement, you lose fluids. Diarrhea causes you to lose even more fluids. You also lose salts and minerals such as sodium, chloride, and potassium. These salts and minerals affect the amount of water that stays in your body.

Dehydration can be serious, especially for children, older adults, and people with weakened immune systems.

Signs of dehydration in adults are:

• being thirsty
• urinating less often than usual
• having dark-colored urine
• having dry skin
• feeling tired
• feeling dizzy or fainting

Signs of dehydration in babies and young children are:

• having a dry mouth and tongue
• crying without tears
• having no wet diapers for 3 hours or more
• having sunken eyes, cheeks, or soft spot in the skull
• having a high fever
• being more cranky or drowsy than usual

Also, when people are dehydrated, their skin does not flatten back to normal right away after being gently pinched and released.

When should you see a Health Care Provider for Diarrhea?

You should see a health care provider if you have any of the following symptoms:

• signs of dehydration
• diarrhea for more than 2 days
• severe pain in your abdomen or rectum
• a fever of 102 degrees or higher
• stools containing blood or pus
• stools that are black and tarry

Diarrhea often goes away by itself, but it may be a sign of a more serious problem.

When to take a Child to a Health Care Provider for Diarrhea?

Take your child to a health care provider right away if your child has any of the following symptoms:

• signs of dehydration
• diarrhea for more than 24 hours
• a fever of 102 degrees or higher
• stools containing blood or pus
• stools that are black and tarry

Children with diarrhea become dehydrated much more easily than adults. Getting treatment quickly is most important if your baby is 6 months old or younger.

How is Diarrhea Diagnosed?

To find the cause of diarrhea, the health care provider may

• perform 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.