Most people will have a bout of diarrhea at some point in their lives. Also called “the runs,” diarrhea occurs when multiple bowel movements are loose, watery, and more frequent than normal.
People of any age can get diarrhea, usually lasting one to a few days. Eating or drinking something contaminated with bacteria can often cause food poisoning or “travelers’ diarrhea.” Sometimes, diarrhea becomes chronic and can point to food intolerances, viral infections, or other health issues.
On this page:
What Is Diarrhea?
Doctors define diarrhea as passing loose, watery stools three or more times a day. It’s a widespread problem among adults and children—up to 5% of people in the U.S. deal with chronic diarrhea, and many more experience acute diarrhea at least once a year.
What are the types of diarrhea?
There are three types of diarrhea, based on how long the symptoms last:
- Acute diarrhea is the most common, with about 179 million U.S. cases each year. It lasts between one day and two weeks, and most often goes away on its own.
- Persistent diarrhea lasts between two and four weeks.
- Chronic diarrhea lasts longer than four weeks. The symptoms may be constant or may come and go.
What causes diarrhea?
There are different causes of diarrhea, depending on the type.
Acute and persistent diarrhea
Factors that can cause both acute and persistent diarrhea are:
- Infections -- Viral infections (like norovirus and rotavirus), bacterial infections (like E. coli), and parasites (like giardia).
- Running (also called “runner’s diarrhea).
- Side effects from medicines, including antibiotics, antacids that have magnesium, and cancer drugs.
Chronic diarrhea
Chronic diarrhea may come from an infection that doesn't clear up quickly.
Other causes are:
- Allergies to foods — like cow's milk, soy, cereal grains, eggs, and seafood.
- Digestive diseases such as celiac disease, Crohn's disease, IBS, or ulcerative colitis.
- Surgery. Some people get chronic diarrhea after abdominal surgery.
- Long-term use of medicine. Some drugs change the normal gut flora and increase your chance of infection with bacteria that cause diarrhea.
Traveler’s diarrhea
One of the most common ways people get acute diarrhea is through food or water that harbors viruses, bacteria, or parasites. This condition is sometimes known as “travelers’ diarrhea” or, often, food poisoning. This type of diarrhea typically lasts up to a week.
The areas that have highest risk for travelers’ diarrhea are:
- Africa.
- Asia.
- Central America.
- Mexico.
- The Middle East.
- South America.
Diarrhea risk factors
Most cases of diarrhea don’t cause any long-term harm and go away on their own. Still, it’s crucial to be aware of risk factors for diarrhea and issues that may arise if it doesn’t resolve.
Risk factors for diarrhea include:
- Age – Small children and older adults are at greater risk for diarrhea.
- Having a GI disease like celiac or Crohn’s disease.
- Recent diet changes — like consuming more coffee, tea, colas, diet foods, gums, or mints.
- Taking antibiotics or drugs that contain magnesium.
- Traveling – Food or water in developing countries may contain viruses, bacteria, or parasites your body isn’t used to. This can lead to sudden diarrhea or food poisoning.
Complications of diarrhea
Most cases of acute diarrhea clear up on their own with no treatment. But diarrhea can lead to dehydration, which can become severe.
Symptoms of dehydration include:
- Dark-colored urine.
- Decreased skin turgor (how quickly skin resumes its shape when pinched).
- Dry mouth.
- Fatigue.
- Feeling light-headed.
- Feeling thirsty.
- Sunken eyes or cheeks.
- Urinating less than usual.
Dehydration can be even more severe in children. Because they’re smaller, they get dehydrated faster than adults.
In children, signs of dehydration may include:
- A sunken soft spot in the skull.
- Lack of energy.
- No tears when crying.
- No wet diapers for more than three hours.
Chronic diarrhea can also cause malabsorption, which occurs when the body can’t absorb enough nutrients from the foods you eat. Malabsorption can eventually lead to malnourishment. Some conditions that cause chronic diarrhea, such as some food allergies and gut issues, can also cause malabsorption.
How can I prevent diarrhea?
The best way to prevent diarrhea is to follow good hygiene practices. Doing so will help stop germs from entering your body.
You should:
- Avoid unwashed or unpeeled raw fruits or vegetables.
- Make sure hot food is fully cooked before eating.
- Wash your hands with soap and warm water after using the bathroom, changing a diaper, and before and after handling food.
- When traveling, only drink bottled, boiled, or purified water.
What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Diarrhea?
The main symptom of diarrhea is passing loose, watery stools at least three times a day.
Loose stools may be accompanied by:
- An urgent need to use the bathroom.
- Cramps and belly pain or bloating.
- Loss of bowel control or leaking stool.
- Nausea and vomiting.
When should I see a doctor about my diarrhea symptoms?
Depending on the cause of diarrhea, it may go away on its own or become more severe.
Call your doctor immediately if you experience:
- Blood or mucus in stool.
- Black, tar-like stool.
- Diarrhea after visiting a foreign country.
- Fever that last more than 24 hours.
- Nausea and vomiting that persists when drinking liquid.
- Severe abdominal or rectal pains.
- Severe weight loss.
If your child’s diarrhea has lasted more than 24 hours or you are experiencing symptoms for more than three days, it’s important to make an appointment with your primary care doctor to rule out other more severe infections or illnesses.
How Do You Diagnose Diarrhea?
To find out what's causing your diarrhea, your doctor will:
- Do a physical exam – You can expect this to include your medical history, current medications, and the recent food and beverages you have consumed. They may touch your stomach to look for signs of dehydration or other conditions.
- Order a blood or stool sample – This is an easy way to rule out infections or diseases.
- Order testing – such as a colonoscopy, endoscopy, or a hydrogen breath test.
How Do You Treat Diarrhea?
Usually, diarrhea will go away on its own and doesn't need treatment. But some home treatments can make you feel better.
Treatment options for acute diarrhea include:
Drinking lots of fluids to prevent dehydration
Adults should drink water, fruit juices, electrolyte drinks, soda without caffeine, or salty broths. They could also benefit from a probiotic drink. Children should drink oral rehydration solutions that replace lost electrolytes and fluids.
Following the BRAT diet
Bananas, (white) rice, applesauce, and toast are your friends when diarrhea hits because of their low-fiber, binding properties to help firm up your stool. Foods to avoid include beans, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, dairy, and any alcoholic or caffeinated beverages.
Taking over-the-counter medicines
Antidiarrheal medicines slow food moving through your intestines, so more fluids get absorbed into your body.
There are two options for antidiarrheal medicines:
- The drug loperamide, sold as Imodium.
- The drug bismuth subsalicylate, sold under the brand names Kaopectate® and Pepto-Bismol®.
If your infant or child is suffering from diarrhea, be sure to keep them hydrated with water, broths, electrolyte drinks, or oral rehydration solutions. Infants should continue consuming formula or breast milk normally. It’s best to consult your doctor before giving your infant an oral rehydration solution.
You won’t find many doctors who recommend treating diarrhea in young children and infants with over-the-counter medications. Be sure to talk with your pediatrician first when the diarrhea begins.
For cases of chronic diarrhea, treatment depends on the cause.
Your doctor may prescribe or suggest:
- Antibiotics or anti-parasitics to target germs.
- Medicine to treat chronic conditions like Crohn's disease or irritable bowel syndrome.
- Probiotics to repopulate the "good" bacteria that live in your digestive tract. Talk with your doctor about whether probiotics are right for you.
Lifestyle changes
If your chronic diarrhea is caused by a food intolerance or allergy, it’s best to avoid those foods altogether. If you aren’t quite sure what ingredient is causing the diarrhea, track your food and beverages over several days and indicate when diarrhea occurs.
Why Choose UPMC for Diarrhea Care?
At UPMC Digestive Health Care, our doctors, nurses, and researchers work together to treat all types of digestive disorders.
We can treat severe or chronic cases of diarrhea. Our experts will make you feel better and help prevent complications from diarrhea.
