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Contact your health care provider if you have prolonged diarrhea or a fever that lasts more than 24 hours. Also, see your health care provider promptly if vomiting prevents you from drinking liquids to replace lost fluids.
What causes diarrhea?
The most common cause of diarrhea is a virus that infects the bowel. The infection usually lasts for two days and is sometimes called "intestinal flu." Diarrhea also may be caused by: * Infection by bacteria (the cause of most types of food poisoning) * Infections by other organisms * Eating foods that upset the digestive system * Allergies to certain foods * Medications * Radiation therapy
Diarrhea also may follow constipation, especially for people who have irritable bowel syndrome.
How is diarrhea treated? If you have a mild case of diarrhea, you can treat it with an over-the-counter medicine. Common brand names include Pepto-Bismol®, Imodium A-D®, and Kaopectate®. These are available as liquids or tablets. Follow the instructions on the package. Tips for managing diarrhea with medication: * Take 2 tablespoons of Kaopectate after each loose stool. * If Kaopectate does not help in 12 hours, take two tablets of Imodium after each loose stool (do not take more than eight tablets in 24 hours). * If the Imodium does not help in 24 hours or if the diarrhea is still severe after 12 hours, call your doctor. Tips for managing diarrhea without medication: * Drink liquids frequently. Increase the amount to 2 to 3 liters or quarts daily as tolerated, or try sipping liquids in small amounts throughout the day. Choose pulpless fruit juices, broths, or sodas (without caffeine). Chicken broth (without the fat), tea with honey, and sports drinks also are good choices. Instead of drinking liquids with your meals, drink liquids between meals. * Avoid eating solid foods as long as the diarrhea continues. After the diarrhea improves, you can begin eating solid foods in small amounts. * Try these low-fiber foods: yogurt, rice, noodles, grape juice, ripe bananas, applesauce, smooth peanut butter, white bread, chicken or turkey without the skin, tender or ground beef, fish, cottage cheese, and cream cheese. * Avoid greasy, fatty, or fried foods; raw vegetables and fruits; strong spices, and whole-grain cereals and breads. * Limit food or beverages with caffeine, such as chocolate, coffee, strong tea, and some sodas. * If you have cramping with diarrhea, avoid gas-forming foods and beverages such as beans, cabbage, beer, and carbonated beverages. * If you are taking an antibiotic, add yogurt with active cultures to your diet. Call your health care provider if the diarrhea continues. You may need to try another antibiotic. What can be done to relieve discomfort in the rectal area? If your rectal area becomes sore because of frequent bowel movements, or if you experience itching, burning, or pain during bowel movements, try sitting in a few inches of warm water in a bathtub. Afterward, pat the area dry (do not rub) with a clean, soft towel. Also, apply petroleum jelly or a hemorrhoid cream to the anus. Can diarrhea harm your health? Ongoing diarrhea causes the body to lose large amounts of water and nutrients. If you have diarrhea more than three times a day and you are not drinking enough fluids, you could …show more content…
In most cases, diarrhea is just uncomfortable. However, it can become dangerous when the dangers are long-term and severe enough. In severe cases hospitalization may be required. Get to your doctor if you have a high fever (102° F or more) with diarrhea or if your stool is dark and tarry, severe abdominal or rectal pain, dehydration or if your symptoms last longer than 3 days.
What tests might the doctor do?
If you're experiencing severe symptoms, then your doctor will probably perform tests to determine the cause of your diarrhea. This will help them to decide your course of treatment. Some of the tests include the following:
Physical examination and medical history. The doctor needs to be aware of eating habits and medications.
Stool culture. This analysis will determine what harmful bacteria and other organisms or present in your stool, as well as any other signs of infection.
Blood tests will help to determine which diseases are not
What causes diarrhea?
The most common cause of diarrhea is a virus that infects the bowel. The infection usually lasts for two days and is sometimes called "intestinal flu." Diarrhea also may be caused by: * Infection by bacteria (the cause of most types of food poisoning) * Infections by other organisms * Eating foods that upset the digestive system * Allergies to certain foods * Medications * Radiation therapy
Diarrhea also may follow constipation, especially for people who have irritable bowel syndrome.
How is diarrhea treated? If you have a mild case of diarrhea, you can treat it with an over-the-counter medicine. Common brand names include Pepto-Bismol®, Imodium A-D®, and Kaopectate®. These are available as liquids or tablets. Follow the instructions on the package. Tips for managing diarrhea with medication: * Take 2 tablespoons of Kaopectate after each loose stool. * If Kaopectate does not help in 12 hours, take two tablets of Imodium after each loose stool (do not take more than eight tablets in 24 hours). * If the Imodium does not help in 24 hours or if the diarrhea is still severe after 12 hours, call your doctor. Tips for managing diarrhea without medication: * Drink liquids frequently. Increase the amount to 2 to 3 liters or quarts daily as tolerated, or try sipping liquids in small amounts throughout the day. Choose pulpless fruit juices, broths, or sodas (without caffeine). Chicken broth (without the fat), tea with honey, and sports drinks also are good choices. Instead of drinking liquids with your meals, drink liquids between meals. * Avoid eating solid foods as long as the diarrhea continues. After the diarrhea improves, you can begin eating solid foods in small amounts. * Try these low-fiber foods: yogurt, rice, noodles, grape juice, ripe bananas, applesauce, smooth peanut butter, white bread, chicken or turkey without the skin, tender or ground beef, fish, cottage cheese, and cream cheese. * Avoid greasy, fatty, or fried foods; raw vegetables and fruits; strong spices, and whole-grain cereals and breads. * Limit food or beverages with caffeine, such as chocolate, coffee, strong tea, and some sodas. * If you have cramping with diarrhea, avoid gas-forming foods and beverages such as beans, cabbage, beer, and carbonated beverages. * If you are taking an antibiotic, add yogurt with active cultures to your diet. Call your health care provider if the diarrhea continues. You may need to try another antibiotic. What can be done to relieve discomfort in the rectal area? If your rectal area becomes sore because of frequent bowel movements, or if you experience itching, burning, or pain during bowel movements, try sitting in a few inches of warm water in a bathtub. Afterward, pat the area dry (do not rub) with a clean, soft towel. Also, apply petroleum jelly or a hemorrhoid cream to the anus. Can diarrhea harm your health? Ongoing diarrhea causes the body to lose large amounts of water and nutrients. If you have diarrhea more than three times a day and you are not drinking enough fluids, you could …show more content…
In most cases, diarrhea is just uncomfortable. However, it can become dangerous when the dangers are long-term and severe enough. In severe cases hospitalization may be required. Get to your doctor if you have a high fever (102° F or more) with diarrhea or if your stool is dark and tarry, severe abdominal or rectal pain, dehydration or if your symptoms last longer than 3 days.
What tests might the doctor do?
If you're experiencing severe symptoms, then your doctor will probably perform tests to determine the cause of your diarrhea. This will help them to decide your course of treatment. Some of the tests include the following:
Physical examination and medical history. The doctor needs to be aware of eating habits and medications.
Stool culture. This analysis will determine what harmful bacteria and other organisms or present in your stool, as well as any other signs of infection.
Blood tests will help to determine which diseases are not