Diarrhea: Causes, Management, and When to Seek Treatment

A condition characterized by the frequent passage of loose or liquid stools, often a symptom of infection or food intolerance.

Diarrhea FAQ

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How do you know if you have diarrhea?

Symptoms associated with diarrhea (loose, watery stools) may include: Belly cramps or pain. Bloating. Nausea. Vomiting. Fever. Blood in the stool. Mucus in the stool. Urgent need to have a bowel movement. Your diarrhea persists beyond two days with no improvement. You become dehydrated. You have severe abdominal or rectal pain.

What does it mean if you have diarrhea?

Diarrhea means having a loose or watery stool (poop). It’s so common that most people flinch when they hear the word. The thought of thin, sickly-looking poop in the toilet bowl never stops feeling unpleasant. If you have diarrhea, not knowing what’s causing it or how long it’ll last only adds stress to the unpleasant feelings.

How long does diarrhea last?

Diarrhoea is passing looser, watery or more frequent poo (stools) than is normal for you. It affects most people from time to time and is usually nothing to worry about. It can be distressing and unpleasant. It normally clears up in a few days to a week. Complete our self-help guide to check your symptoms and find out what to do next.

What causes diarrhoea?

There are many reasons why diarrhoea can occur. Common causes include: Intestinal infection (gastroenteritis): this is the most common cause of acute diarrhoea with infants and young children particularly susceptible. Bouts of norovirus diarrhoea often make the news since they can occur in local epidemics.

How do I know if I have diarrhoea?

Use this self-help guide to find out more about your diarrhoea symptoms, when you can use self-care, and what to do if your condition worsens and you need medical help. Diarrhoea is passing looser or more frequent stools than is normal for you.

What causes chronic diarrhoea?

Other causes that are uncommon include drinking lots of beer, side-effects from some medicines and anxiety. Gut disorders that cause persistent (chronic) diarrhoea may be mistaken for acute diarrhoea when they first begin - for example, diarrhoea caused by ulcerative colitis.