Diarrhea

Key takeaways

• Diarrhea is when you have loose, watery stools.
• Diarrhea could be caused by a viral or bacterial infection, a reaction to a food, or it could be a side-effect of a medication.
• Diarrhea is contagious if caused by an infectious disease.
• Acute (short-term) diarrhea does not typically need treatment. Some over-the-counter medicines or antibiotics can help depending on the cause of your diarrhea.

Overview

What is diarrhea?

Diarrhea is when your stools are loose or watery. Diarrhea can often occur multiple times a day. You can also have other symptoms such as cramping, abdominal pain, or nausea.

Diarrhea can be acute or chronic. Acute diarrhea usually lasts for a day or two. Chronic diarrhea can last up to 4 weeks. Some types of diarrheas are contagious and spread through infectious diseases. Other times, diarrhea can be a symptom of a disease or other health condition that is not infectious.

Other names for diarrhea:

Loose stool, watery stool

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Possible Causes

What can cause diarrhea?

There are several possible causes of diarrhea including but not exclusive to:

• Viral infection — Some common viruses that affect the digestive tract are rotavirus, Coronavirus, norovirus and flu (influenza).
• Bacterial infection or parasite — Some common bacteria that cause diarrhea include campylobacter, Salmonella, E. coli and Shigella. Giardia lamblia and Entamoeba histolytica are parasites that cause diarrhea.
• Food allergy — With a food allergy, your body treats certain foods as a threat and your immune system works to fight against them. Diarrhea can be a common allergic reaction.
• Lactose intolerance — Lactose intolerance is when you are not able to fully digest sugar (lactose) in dairy products. Eating dairy products with lactose intolerance can cause diarrhea.
• Digestive disorders — Digestive disorders such as irritable bowel syndrome and celiac disease can cause diarrhea.
• Medications — Diarrhea can be a side effect of some antibiotics and medications. Chemotherapy, proton pump inhibitors and antacids may also cause diarrhea.

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Treatment & management

How can diarrhea be treated?

Most cases of acute diarrhea clear on their own within a couple of days without treatment. Treatment options can vary depending on the cause of your diarrhea. Some of these options include:

• Taking over-the-counter medications
• Drinking sports drinks to replace lost electrolytes
• Taking antibiotics for bacterial infections
• Adjusting or changing your prescribed medication
• Working with a provider to manage a chronic digestive disorder

Working with a health care provider will help determine the cause of your diarrhea so that it can be treated appropriately. MinuteClinic offers a variety of services that can help with diagnosis and treatment.

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When to seek medical care

Go to the hospital or call 911 if:

• Your diarrhea has blood or pus in it.
• You have severe diarrhea that will not stop.
• You have signs of dehydration such as a headache, confusion, fatigue, dizziness and low blood pressure.
• You are experiencing severe stomach or abdominal pain.
• You have a fever of 102 degrees or higher.

Call your provider if:

• Your diarrhea doesn't resolve completely within a few days.
• You want to discuss adjusting or changing a medication.

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This material is for reference only and should not be used to determine treatment for specific medical conditions.

Please visit a healthcare provider for evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment of any symptoms you may be experiencing. If you're experiencing a medical emergency, please dial 911 or visit your local Emergency Department.

References used as sources for this page

1. Common Intestinal Parasites via American Family Physician. Available at: https://www.aafp.org/pubs/afp/issues/2004/0301/p1161.html. (Accessed February 2023)
2. Symptoms and Causes of Diarrhea via National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Disease. Available at: https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/digestive-diseases/diarrhea/symptoms-causes. (Accessed February 2023)
3. Dehydration via Cleveland Clinic. Available at: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/9013-dehydration. (Accessed February 2023)
4. Treatment for Diarrhea via National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Disease. Available at: https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/digestive-diseases/diarrhea/treatment. (Accessed February 2023)

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