BACK TOTOP Browse A-ZSearchBrowse A-ZABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ0-9 E-mail FormEmail ResultsName:Email address:Recipients Name:Recipients address:Message: Print-FriendlyBookmarksbookmarks-menuDiarrheaStools - watery; Frequent bowel movements; Loose bowel movements; Unformed bowel movementsDiarrhea is when you pass loose or watery stool.Related video goes here for no-HTML5 browsers Considerations In some people, diarrhea is mild and goes away in a few days. In other people, it may last longer.Diarrhea can make you feel weak and dehydrated.Diarrhea in babies and children can be serious. It needs to be treated differently than you would treat diarrhea in adults.In babiesNormal baby stools are soft and loose. Newborns have stools often, sometimes with every feeding. For these reasons, you may have trouble knowing wh...Read Article Now Book Mark Article ChildrenDiarrhea is the passage of loose or watery stools. For some children, diarrhea is mild and will go away within a few days. For others, it may last ...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Talk with your health care provider if your child has diarrhea. Your provider can help you learn how to recognize and treat diarrhea in babies and in children.Talk with your health care providerDiarrhea is when your child has three or more very loose bowel movements in 1 day. For many children, diarrhea is mild and will pass within a few da...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Diarrhea in babiesNormal baby stools are soft and loose. Newborns have stools often, sometimes with every feeding. For these reasons, you may have trouble knowing wh...Read Article Now Book Mark Article In childrenDiarrhea is the passage of loose or watery stools. For some children, diarrhea is mild and will go away within a few days. For others, it may last ...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Causes The most common cause of diarrhea is the stomach flu (viral gastroenteritis). This mild viral infection most often goes away on its own within a few days.Viral gastroenteritisViral gastroenteritis is an infection of the stomach and intestine caused by a virus. The infection can lead to diarrhea and vomiting. It is someti...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Previous imagePlay SlideshowStop SlideshowNext image / Eating or drinking food or water that contains certain types of bacteria or parasites can also lead to diarrhea. This problem may be called food poisoning.Food poisoningFood poisoning occurs when you swallow food or water that contains bacteria, parasites, viruses, or the toxins made by these germs. Most cases are c...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Certain medicines may also cause diarrhea, including:Certain medicines may also cause diarrh...Drug-induced diarrhea is loose, watery stools that occur when you take certain medicines.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Some antibiotics Chemotherapy drugs for cancer Laxatives containing magnesium Diarrhea may also be caused by medical disorders, such as:Celiac disease Celiac diseaseCeliac disease is an autoimmune condition that damages the lining of the small intestine. This damage comes from a reaction to eating gluten. This ...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Inflammatory bowel diseases (Crohn disease and ulcerative colitis) Crohn diseaseCrohn disease is a disease where parts of the digestive tract become inflamed. It most often involves the lower end of the small intestine and the be...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Ulcerative colitisUlcerative colitis is a condition in which the lining of the large intestine (colon) and rectum become inflamed. It is a form of inflammatory bowel ...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) Irritable bowel syndromeIrritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a disorder that leads to pain in abdomen and changes in bowel movements. IBS is not the same as inflammatory bowel...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Lactose intolerance (which causes problems after drinking milk and eating other dairy products) Lactose intoleranceLactose is a type of sugar found in milk and other dairy products. An enzyme called lactase is needed by the body to digest lactose. Lactose intoler...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Malabsorption syndromes Malabsorption syndromesMalabsorption involves problems with the body's ability to take in (absorb) nutrients from food.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article C difficile infection (usually after using antibiotics)Less common causes of diarrhea include:Carcinoid syndrome Carcinoid syndromeCarcinoid syndrome is a group of symptoms associated with carcinoid tumors. These are tumors most often of the small intestine, colon, appendix, pan...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Disorders of the nerves that supply the intestines Disorders of the nerves that supply the...Autonomic neuropathy is a group of symptoms that occur when there is damage to the nerves that manage normally automatic body functions. These funct...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Removal of part of the stomach (gastrectomy) or small intestine GastrectomyGastrectomy is surgery to remove part or all of the stomach. If only part of the stomach is removed, it is called partial gastrectomyIf the whole sto...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Radiation therapy People who travel to developing countries can get diarrhea from unclean water or food that has not been handled safely. Plan ahead by learning the risks and treatment for traveler's diarrhea before your trip. Ask your provider if it is okay for you to take bismuth tablets or other medicines to prevent traveler’s diarrhea.Treatment for traveler's diarrheaTraveler's diarrhea causes loose, watery stools. People can get traveler's diarrhea when they visit places where the water is not clean or the food ...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Home Care Most times, you can treat diarrhea at home. You will need to learn:Treat diarrheaDiarrhea is the passage of loose or watery stool. For some, diarrhea is mild and will go away within a few days. For others, it may last longer. I...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article To drink plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration (when your body does not have the proper amount of water and fluids) Which foods you should or should not eat What to do if you are breastfeeding What danger signs to watch for You can use over-the-counter anti-diarrheal medicines unless you have a fever or bloody diarrhea.If you have a long-term form of diarrhea, such as diarrhea caused by irritable bowel syndrome, changes to your diet and lifestyle may help. Changes to your diet and lifestyleIrritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a disorder that leads to abdominal pain and bowel changes. Your health care provider will talk about things you ca...Read Article Now Book Mark Article When to Contact a Medical Professional Contact your provider right away if you or your child shows signs of dehydration:Decreased urine (fewer wet diapers in infants) Dizziness or lightheadedness Dry mouth Sunken eyes Few tears when crying Also contact your provider right away if you have:Blood or pus in your stools Black stools Stomach pain that does not go away after a bowel movement Diarrhea with a fever above 101°F or 38.33°C (100.4°F or 38°C in children) Recently traveled to a foreign country and developed diarrhea Also contact your provider if:The diarrhea gets worse or does not get better in 2 days for an infant or child, or 5 days for adults A child over 3 months old has been vomiting for more than 12 hours; in younger babies, call as soon as vomiting or diarrhea begins What to Expect at Your Office Visit Your provider will perform a physical exam and ask about your medical history and symptoms.Lab tests may be done on your stools to find the cause of your diarrhea. This is also a good time to ask your provider any questions you have about diarrhea.Questions you have about diarrheaDiarrhea is when you have more than 3 very loose, watery, or unformed bowel movements in 1 day. For many, diarrhea is mild and will pass within a fe...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Over-the-counter supplements that contain healthy bacteria may help prevent diarrhea caused by taking antibiotics. These are called probiotics. Yogurt with active or live cultures is also a good source of these healthy bacteria.The following healthy steps can help you prevent illnesses that cause diarrhea:Wash your hands often, particularly after using the toilet and before eating. Use alcohol-based hand gel frequently. Teach children to not put objects in their mouth. Take steps to avoid food poisoning.Take steps to avoid food poisoningFood safety refers to the conditions and practices that preserve the quality of food. These practices prevent contamination and foodborne illnesses....ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article When traveling to underdeveloped areas, follow the steps below to avoid diarrhea:Drink only bottled water and DO NOT use ice, unless it is made from bottled or purified water. DO NOT eat uncooked vegetables or fruits that do not have peels. DO NOT eat raw shellfish or undercooked meat. DO NOT consume dairy products. Open ReferencesReferencesSchiller LR, Sellin JH. Diarrhea. In: Feldman M, Friedman LS, Brandt LJ, eds. Sleisenger and Fordtran's Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease. 11th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 16.Semrad CE. Approach to the patient with diarrhea and malabsorption. In: Goldman L, Cooney KA, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 27th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2024:chap 126.AllVideoImagesTogCampylobacter jejuni organism - illustration Campylobacter jejuni infection causes cramping, diarrhea, abdominal pain and fever within 2 to 5 days after a person has been exposed to the organism. Campylobacter jejuni is one of the most common bacterial causes of diarrhea. Most cases of Campylobacter jejuni come from handling or ingesting raw or undercooked poultry meat. Although poultry and other birds are not affected by the bacterium, other animals can be. Therefore it is possible for a person to acquire the infection from contact with infected stool of an ill cat or dog. This is what Campylobacter organisms look like through a microscope. (Image courtesy of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.)Campylobacter jejuni organismillustrationDigestive system - illustration The esophagus, stomach, large and small intestine, aided by the liver, gallbladder and pancreas convert the nutritive components of food into energy and break down the non-nutritive components into waste to be excreted.Digestive systemillustrationCryptosporidium - organism - illustration Cryptosporidium is a protozoan parasite found in contaminated water. It has been increasingly recognized as the cause of outbreaks of diarrhea when water supplies become contaminated. In normal individuals, it is a self-limited disease. Among immunocompromised individuals with AIDS, cryptosporidium can cause severe diarrheal disease, gallbladder disease (cholecystitis), and inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis).Cryptosporidium - organismillustrationDiarrhea - illustration The most common cause of diarrhea is a mild viral infection that resolves on its own with in a few days, usually known as the stomach flu. Two other common causes of diarrhea is from food poisoning and travelers diarrhea. They occur from eating food or drinking water contaminated with organisms like bacteria and parasites. Medications can also cause diarrhea, especially antibiotics, laxatives containing magnesium, and chemotherapy for cancer treatment.DiarrheaillustrationCampylobacter jejuni organism - illustration Campylobacter jejuni infection causes cramping, diarrhea, abdominal pain and fever within 2 to 5 days after a person has been exposed to the organism. Campylobacter jejuni is one of the most common bacterial causes of diarrhea. Most cases of Campylobacter jejuni come from handling or ingesting raw or undercooked poultry meat. Although poultry and other birds are not affected by the bacterium, other animals can be. Therefore it is possible for a person to acquire the infection from contact with infected stool of an ill cat or dog. This is what Campylobacter organisms look like through a microscope. (Image courtesy of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.)Campylobacter jejuni organismillustrationDigestive system - illustration The esophagus, stomach, large and small intestine, aided by the liver, gallbladder and pancreas convert the nutritive components of food into energy and break down the non-nutritive components into waste to be excreted.Digestive systemillustrationCryptosporidium - organism - illustration Cryptosporidium is a protozoan parasite found in contaminated water. It has been increasingly recognized as the cause of outbreaks of diarrhea when water supplies become contaminated. In normal individuals, it is a self-limited disease. Among immunocompromised individuals with AIDS, cryptosporidium can cause severe diarrheal disease, gallbladder disease (cholecystitis), and inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis).Cryptosporidium - organismillustrationDiarrhea - illustration The most common cause of diarrhea is a mild viral infection that resolves on its own with in a few days, usually known as the stomach flu. Two other common causes of diarrhea is from food poisoning and travelers diarrhea. They occur from eating food or drinking water contaminated with organisms like bacteria and parasites. Medications can also cause diarrhea, especially antibiotics, laxatives containing magnesium, and chemotherapy for cancer treatment.DiarrheaillustrationTalking to your MD Diarrhea - what to ask your health care provider - adultDiarrhea - what to ask your doctor - child Self Care When you have diarrheaWhen your child has diarrheaRelated Information Clear liquid diet(Self-Care)Full liquid diet(Self-Care)Diarrhea - what to ask your health care provider - adult(Doctor Questions)Diarrhea - what to ask your doctor - child (Doctor Questions)When you have nausea and vomiting(Self-Care) Review Date: 10/30/2024 Reviewed By: Jenifer K. Lehrer, MD, Gastroenterologist, Philadelphia, PA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team. The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. No warranty of any kind, either expressed or implied, is made as to the accuracy, reliability, timeliness, or correctness of any translations made by a third-party service of the information provided herein into any other language. © 1997- A.D.A.M., a business unit of Ebix, Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited. © 1997- All rights reserved. A.D.A.M. content is best viewed in IE9 or above, Firefox and Google Chrome browser.Content is best viewed in IE9 or above, Firefox and Google Chrome browser.
DiarrheaStools - watery; Frequent bowel movements; Loose bowel movements; Unformed bowel movementsDiarrhea is when you pass loose or watery stool.Related video goes here for no-HTML5 browsers Considerations In some people, diarrhea is mild and goes away in a few days. In other people, it may last longer.Diarrhea can make you feel weak and dehydrated.Diarrhea in babies and children can be serious. It needs to be treated differently than you would treat diarrhea in adults.In babiesNormal baby stools are soft and loose. Newborns have stools often, sometimes with every feeding. For these reasons, you may have trouble knowing wh...Read Article Now Book Mark Article ChildrenDiarrhea is the passage of loose or watery stools. For some children, diarrhea is mild and will go away within a few days. For others, it may last ...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Talk with your health care provider if your child has diarrhea. Your provider can help you learn how to recognize and treat diarrhea in babies and in children.Talk with your health care providerDiarrhea is when your child has three or more very loose bowel movements in 1 day. For many children, diarrhea is mild and will pass within a few da...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Diarrhea in babiesNormal baby stools are soft and loose. Newborns have stools often, sometimes with every feeding. For these reasons, you may have trouble knowing wh...Read Article Now Book Mark Article In childrenDiarrhea is the passage of loose or watery stools. For some children, diarrhea is mild and will go away within a few days. For others, it may last ...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Causes The most common cause of diarrhea is the stomach flu (viral gastroenteritis). This mild viral infection most often goes away on its own within a few days.Viral gastroenteritisViral gastroenteritis is an infection of the stomach and intestine caused by a virus. The infection can lead to diarrhea and vomiting. It is someti...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Previous imagePlay SlideshowStop SlideshowNext image / Eating or drinking food or water that contains certain types of bacteria or parasites can also lead to diarrhea. This problem may be called food poisoning.Food poisoningFood poisoning occurs when you swallow food or water that contains bacteria, parasites, viruses, or the toxins made by these germs. Most cases are c...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Certain medicines may also cause diarrhea, including:Certain medicines may also cause diarrh...Drug-induced diarrhea is loose, watery stools that occur when you take certain medicines.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Some antibiotics Chemotherapy drugs for cancer Laxatives containing magnesium Diarrhea may also be caused by medical disorders, such as:Celiac disease Celiac diseaseCeliac disease is an autoimmune condition that damages the lining of the small intestine. This damage comes from a reaction to eating gluten. This ...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Inflammatory bowel diseases (Crohn disease and ulcerative colitis) Crohn diseaseCrohn disease is a disease where parts of the digestive tract become inflamed. It most often involves the lower end of the small intestine and the be...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Ulcerative colitisUlcerative colitis is a condition in which the lining of the large intestine (colon) and rectum become inflamed. It is a form of inflammatory bowel ...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) Irritable bowel syndromeIrritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a disorder that leads to pain in abdomen and changes in bowel movements. IBS is not the same as inflammatory bowel...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Lactose intolerance (which causes problems after drinking milk and eating other dairy products) Lactose intoleranceLactose is a type of sugar found in milk and other dairy products. An enzyme called lactase is needed by the body to digest lactose. Lactose intoler...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Malabsorption syndromes Malabsorption syndromesMalabsorption involves problems with the body's ability to take in (absorb) nutrients from food.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article C difficile infection (usually after using antibiotics)Less common causes of diarrhea include:Carcinoid syndrome Carcinoid syndromeCarcinoid syndrome is a group of symptoms associated with carcinoid tumors. These are tumors most often of the small intestine, colon, appendix, pan...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Disorders of the nerves that supply the intestines Disorders of the nerves that supply the...Autonomic neuropathy is a group of symptoms that occur when there is damage to the nerves that manage normally automatic body functions. These funct...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Removal of part of the stomach (gastrectomy) or small intestine GastrectomyGastrectomy is surgery to remove part or all of the stomach. If only part of the stomach is removed, it is called partial gastrectomyIf the whole sto...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Radiation therapy People who travel to developing countries can get diarrhea from unclean water or food that has not been handled safely. Plan ahead by learning the risks and treatment for traveler's diarrhea before your trip. Ask your provider if it is okay for you to take bismuth tablets or other medicines to prevent traveler’s diarrhea.Treatment for traveler's diarrheaTraveler's diarrhea causes loose, watery stools. People can get traveler's diarrhea when they visit places where the water is not clean or the food ...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Home Care Most times, you can treat diarrhea at home. You will need to learn:Treat diarrheaDiarrhea is the passage of loose or watery stool. For some, diarrhea is mild and will go away within a few days. For others, it may last longer. I...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article To drink plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration (when your body does not have the proper amount of water and fluids) Which foods you should or should not eat What to do if you are breastfeeding What danger signs to watch for You can use over-the-counter anti-diarrheal medicines unless you have a fever or bloody diarrhea.If you have a long-term form of diarrhea, such as diarrhea caused by irritable bowel syndrome, changes to your diet and lifestyle may help. Changes to your diet and lifestyleIrritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a disorder that leads to abdominal pain and bowel changes. Your health care provider will talk about things you ca...Read Article Now Book Mark Article When to Contact a Medical Professional Contact your provider right away if you or your child shows signs of dehydration:Decreased urine (fewer wet diapers in infants) Dizziness or lightheadedness Dry mouth Sunken eyes Few tears when crying Also contact your provider right away if you have:Blood or pus in your stools Black stools Stomach pain that does not go away after a bowel movement Diarrhea with a fever above 101°F or 38.33°C (100.4°F or 38°C in children) Recently traveled to a foreign country and developed diarrhea Also contact your provider if:The diarrhea gets worse or does not get better in 2 days for an infant or child, or 5 days for adults A child over 3 months old has been vomiting for more than 12 hours; in younger babies, call as soon as vomiting or diarrhea begins What to Expect at Your Office Visit Your provider will perform a physical exam and ask about your medical history and symptoms.Lab tests may be done on your stools to find the cause of your diarrhea. This is also a good time to ask your provider any questions you have about diarrhea.Questions you have about diarrheaDiarrhea is when you have more than 3 very loose, watery, or unformed bowel movements in 1 day. For many, diarrhea is mild and will pass within a fe...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Over-the-counter supplements that contain healthy bacteria may help prevent diarrhea caused by taking antibiotics. These are called probiotics. Yogurt with active or live cultures is also a good source of these healthy bacteria.The following healthy steps can help you prevent illnesses that cause diarrhea:Wash your hands often, particularly after using the toilet and before eating. Use alcohol-based hand gel frequently. Teach children to not put objects in their mouth. Take steps to avoid food poisoning.Take steps to avoid food poisoningFood safety refers to the conditions and practices that preserve the quality of food. These practices prevent contamination and foodborne illnesses....ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article When traveling to underdeveloped areas, follow the steps below to avoid diarrhea:Drink only bottled water and DO NOT use ice, unless it is made from bottled or purified water. DO NOT eat uncooked vegetables or fruits that do not have peels. DO NOT eat raw shellfish or undercooked meat. DO NOT consume dairy products. Open ReferencesReferencesSchiller LR, Sellin JH. Diarrhea. In: Feldman M, Friedman LS, Brandt LJ, eds. Sleisenger and Fordtran's Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease. 11th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 16.Semrad CE. Approach to the patient with diarrhea and malabsorption. In: Goldman L, Cooney KA, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 27th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2024:chap 126.
