Overview
Diarrhea is a symptom, not a disease by itself. It usually means loose or watery bowel movements happening more often than is normal for you. Many cases improve on their own, but some can become serious if the body loses too much water and salts.
Key Symptoms
The main symptom is loose, watery stool. Some people also have stomach cramps, an urgent need to use the toilet, bloating, nausea, or vomiting. Diarrhea may happen with fever or tiredness, depending on the cause.
Causes and Risk Factors
Common causes include viral, bacterial, or parasitic infections, especially from contaminated food or water. It can also be linked to food intolerance, side effects of medicines such as antibiotics, or long-term bowel conditions. Travel, poor access to clean water, recent illness, and close contact with someone who is sick can raise the risk.
Who Is Affected
Diarrhea can affect people of any age. Babies, young children, older adults, and people with weakened immune systems are more likely to become dehydrated quickly. People living in or traveling to places with unsafe food or water may also be at higher risk.
Prevention
Wash hands with soap and water after using the toilet, changing diapers, and before eating or preparing food. Drink clean water and be careful with raw or undercooked foods. Keep food preparation areas clean, and follow local advice on sanitation, vaccination, and travel health.
Diagnosis and Tests
A healthcare professional may ask how long the diarrhea has lasted, how often it happens, what the stool looks like, and whether there is fever, pain, blood, travel, or medicine use. Sometimes stool tests or blood tests are used to look for infection or other causes. Ongoing or severe diarrhea may need further evaluation.
Treatment Categories
Treatment depends on the cause and the level of fluid loss. Replacing lost fluids is very important, and some people may need medical treatment for dehydration or for an infection. If diarrhea is linked to a medicine or long-term condition, a clinician may review the treatment plan.
Diet and Lifestyle
When diarrhea is present, focus on drinking fluids and eating simple foods if you can tolerate them. Avoid foods or drinks that seem to make symptoms worse, such as very greasy, spicy, or sugary items. Rest can help while your body recovers.
When to Seek Medical Care
Seek medical care if diarrhea lasts more than a few days, keeps coming back, or happens with fever, severe belly pain, or vomiting that prevents drinking fluids. Get checked if there is blood or black stool, if you recently traveled, or if symptoms started after taking antibiotics. Babies, older adults, pregnant people, and people with chronic illness may need care sooner.
When It May Be an Emergency
Emergency care may be needed if there are signs of severe dehydration, such as very little urine, extreme sleepiness, confusion, fainting, sunken eyes, or inability to drink. It is also urgent if there is severe weakness, trouble waking the person, or ongoing bloody diarrhea with serious pain. Young children can become dangerously dehydrated very quickly.