Definition
Diarrhea is more than three loose, liquid stools in a single day. It depletes the body of fluids and electrolytes. Diarrhea can be:
- Acute—Occurring suddenly and lasting briefly
- Chronic—Long-term
- Recurring—Coming and going
If the body loses too much fluid, it can become
dehydrated. Dehydration is especially dangerous for babies, young children, and elderly people.
Diagnosis
The doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history. A physical exam will be done. The doctor may insert a gloved finger into your rectum to examine it. This is called a digital rectal exam.
To determine the cause of your diarrhea, the doctor will ask questions, such as:
- Does anyone else in your family have diarrhea?
- What kinds of food have you eaten recently?
- Do you drink well water?
- Do your children attend daycare?
- Have you traveled recently?
- Do you use laxatives?
- What medicines do you take?
- Do you have any symptoms other than diarrhea, such as fever, rash, or aching joints?
- What is your sexual history?
- Have you ever had abdominal surgery?
Tests may include:
- Your bodily fluids, tissues, and waste products may be tested. This can be done with:
- Laboratory analysis of a stool sample
- Blood tests
- Biopsy
- You may need to have your rectum and colon examined. This can be done with:
- You may need to have images taken of your colon. This can be done with:
- You may need to have fasting or food elimination tests.
Barium Enema
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Treatment
Treating the underlying condition may help to relieve the diarrhea.
General recommendations for treating diarrhea include:
Drink Lots of Fluids
Plain water will not replace the electrolytes lost through diarrhea. For adults and children, look for age-specific oral rehydration solutions. Avoid fruit juices and soda. For young children, continue with breastfeeding or formula feeding.
Ask Your Doctor What You Should Eat
Doctors differ in their approach to treating diarrhea. For example, your doctor may recommend that you:
- Drink only clear fluids during severe phases of diarrhea.
- Avoid certain foods, such as: very spicy foods, fatty foods, greasy foods, high-fiber foods, dairy products in large amounts, and caffeinated drinks.
- Eat certain foods, such as: complex carbohydrates like pasta and rice, yogurt, fruits and vegetables, and lean meats
Ask your doctor which dietary guidelines you should follow. As your diarrhea subsides, your usual healthy foods can be reintroduced.
Treat Abdominal Pain With Heat
Use a hot water bottle or heating pad on your abdomen to relieve cramps and pain.
Medications
Your doctor may recommend medicines, such as:
-
Antidiarrheal medicine
- Antibiotics—May be needed if a bacterial infection is causing diarrhea
-
Probiotics, such as
Lactobacillus casei,
Enterococcus faecium, and
Saccharomyces boulardii—May be beneficial in some cases
-
Zinc
supplementation—May be advised in some cases
Children should not be given medicine unless specifically recommended by the doctor.
Hospitalization
Diarrhea can cause severe dehydration. You may need to be hospitalized. Fluids will be delivered through an IV.
Prevention
To reduce your chance of getting diarrhea:
- Practice good handwashing.
- Practice safe food preparation and food storage.
- If you have diarrhea, do not prepare food for others.
-
If you are traveling:
- Drink bottled water.
- Use bottled water when brushing your teeth.
- Avoid drinks that contain ice.
- Do not eat food purchased from street vendors.
- Do not eat raw vegetables or fruits. All produce should be peeled and/or cooked.
- Make sure meats are cooked thoroughly.
- Eat only pasteurized dairy products.
- If you eat seafood, make sure it is very hot.
Rotavirus is a common cause of diarrhea in children under five years of age. There is a
vaccine
to prevent rotavirus. The first dose is given at age two months. Make sure your infant has received this vaccine.