When should I go to the doctor for diarrhea?

Diarrhea lasts more than two days without improvement. Excessive thirst, dry mouth or skin, little or no urination, severe weakness, dizziness or lightheadedness, or dark-colored urine, which could indicate dehydration. Severe abdominal or rectal pain. Bloody or black stools.

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How do I know if my diarrhea is serious?

When should you see a doctor for diarrhea?
  1. Lasts longer than two days.
  2. You're dehydrated and cannot keep food or water down.
  3. Severe abdominal pain.
  4. Blood in your stool.
  5. A fever of 102 °F or higher.

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How long is too long for diarrhea?

Diarrhea is a common problem. It may last 1 or 2 days and goes away on its own. If diarrhea lasts more than 2 days it may mean you have a more serious problem.

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What helps diarrhea go away?

One tried-and-true diet for diarrhea is the BRAT diet: bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast. Low in fiber, bland, and starchy, these foods can help replace lost nutrients and firm up your stools.

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Why is diarrhea not stopping?

Diarrhea is sometimes a symptom of digestive disorders. You might have frequent bouts of loose stools if you're diagnosed with Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis. Also, irritable bowel syndrome can cause alternating bouts of diarrhea and constipation.

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When Should You See a Doctor about Diarrhea?

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Should I eat if I have diarrhea?

Water is best. Drink at least 1 cup (240 milliliters) of liquid every time you have a loose bowel movement. Eat small meals throughout the day, instead of 3 big meals. Eat some salty foods, such as pretzels, soup, and sports drinks.

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Should I go to the ER for watery diarrhea?

When to Visit the ER for Diarrhea. You should seek medical attention as soon as possible for diarrhea with these symptoms: Diarrhea lasting more than two days. Blood or pus in the stool.

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What are the 4 types of diarrhea?

Diarrhea can be classified into four types:
  • Osmotic diarrhea. Water absorption in the intestines depends on the proper absorption of solutes, which is hindered if there are too many solutes in the intestinal lumen, which leads to diarrhea. ...
  • Secretory diarrhea. ...
  • Inflammatory or infectious diarrhea. ...
  • Motility-related diarrhea.

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What type of diarrhea is concerning?

Most cases of acute diarrhea resolve without treatment. However, severe diarrhea (greater than 10 bowel movements a day or diarrhea where fluid losses are significantly greater than oral intake) can cause dehydration, which can be life-threatening if untreated.

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Why do I have diarrhea but not sick?

A wide range of problems can cause chronic diarrhea; some of the most common causes include irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn disease and ulcerative colitis), malabsorption syndromes, like celiac disease, in which food cannot be digested and absorbed, and chronic infections as well as ...

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What color is liquid diarrhea?

Yellow liquid poop could indicate an underlying disorder in the liver or gallbladder. Bright yellow liquid stool can also be a sign of giardiasis, an infection caused by an intestinal parasite that you can get from drinking unclean water.

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Is liquid diarrhea serious?

Watery diarrhea is a common sign of an intestinal infection, but can also be caused by chronic conditions like inflammatory bowel disease or irritable bowel syndrome. For most people, watery diarrhea is only dangerous if it causes severe dehydration.

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Why am I having explosive watery diarrhea?

Bacteria that cause diarrhea-producing infections include salmonella and E. coli. Contaminated food and fluids are common sources of bacterial infections. Rotavirus, norovirus, and other kinds of viral gastroenteritis, commonly referred to as “stomach flu,” are among the viruses that can cause explosive diarrhea.

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Why is my diarrhea extremely watery?

Watery diarrhea means that you have liquid stools. Common causes include viral infections, such as norovirus, and bacterial infections, such as Clostridioides difficile (C. diff). Medical conditions like celiac disease and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) also may cause it.

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Should I take Imodium for diarrhea or let it run its course?

It's best to treat it early. Although acute diarrhea usually resolves on its own within a few days, you can get relief faster with IMODIUM products. IMODIUM products contain an active ingredient called Loperamide which works to help restore your body's natural rhythm so you can start to feel like yourself again.

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Why is toast better than bread for diarrhea?

Toast adds bulk to your stool, making it more likely you will have a normal bowel movement. It is the 'T' in the anti-diarrhoea diet BRAT, which comprises bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast. These plain foods supply energy and nutrition without upsetting the stomach because they are easier to break down.

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What foods worsen diarrhea?

Fatty Foods These include foods that are fried, greasy, or covered in gravy, which can make diarrhea worse. Milk, Butter, Ice Cream, and Cheese Even if the diarrhea isn't caused by lactose intolerance — a difficulty processing lactose, a sugar found in dairy products — stay away from these foods when you have diarrhea.

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What viruses cause watery diarrhea?

Key points
  • Viral gastroenteritis is an inflammation of the inside lining of your gastrointestinal tract.
  • It can be caused by rotavirus, norovirus, and adenovirus.
  • Babies can be vaccinated against rotavirus.
  • Symptoms of viral gastroenteritis are nausea, vomiting, and watery diarrhea.

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What should I do if my diarrhea is like water?

Home remedies
  1. Getting plenty of rest: Resting helps the body to fight any infection that may be present.
  2. Keeping hydrated: To prevent dehydration, drink plenty of water and other clear fluids. ...
  3. Eating easily digestible foods: People should stick to eating easily digestible foods, such as bananas, boiled rice, and toast.

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Why is my poop watery and my stomach hurts?

If your stomach cramps have started recently and you also have diarrhoea, the cause may be a tummy bug (gastroenteritis). This means you have a viral or bacterial infection of the stomach and bowel. It should get better without treatment after a few days.

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What does yellow diarrhea indicate?

Yellow diarrhea can mean several things. It could be caused by a problem with one of your digestive organs, including your liver, gallbladder, or pancreas. It could also be caused by a germ, like a bacteria or virus, or a parasite.

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What color is IBS diarrhea?

IBS is a bowel disorder that causes diarrhea, pain, and discomfort during times of stress. IBS is also known to cause yellow stool.

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Is yellow diarrhea serious?

If your stool turns yellow, it's most often due to changes in your diet. If the color persists for several days or is accompanied by other symptoms, you may want to contact your doctor. You should see your doctor if your yellow stool is accompanied by any of the following symptoms: passing out.

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How much diarrhea is too much?

Severe diarrhea means having more than 10 loose, watery stools in a single day (24 hours). Moderate diarrhea means having more than a few but not more than 10 diarrhea stools in a day. Mild diarrhea means having a few diarrhea stools in a day.

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Can you have diarrhea with no infection?

Some causes of diarrhoea are infectious; others are not infectious. Viral gastroenteritis is a common cause of short-term diarrhoea and can clear up without treatment. Diarrhoea caused by long-term conditions may be continuous, or it can come and go, or it may alternate with constipation.

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