Diarrhea, or watery stools, is a common symptom of numerous underlying causes that can be treatable at home or with over-the-counter (OTC) medications. Diarrhea may resolve on its own after a couple of days. Common causes include viral infections like the stomach flu and food intolerances.
Additionally, diarrhea can be chronic, lasting for weeks at a time or longer, if it’s a symptom of other underlying chronic conditions that affect your gastrointestinal tract, such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) or inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
It can also be a symptom of more serious underlying causes, leading to dehydration, especially in young children, who are more likely to experience dehydration.
If you have the following symptoms, contact a medical professional promptly.
If you’re an adult experiencing diarrhea, contact a medical professional soon if you also experience:
- diarrhea lasting
longer than 2 days - fever
- blood in your stool
- frequent vomiting
- severe abdominal pain or cramps
- symptoms of dehydration, such as confusion, dizziness, extreme thirst, and urine that’s darker than usual
If you’re caring for a baby or young child with diarrhea, get immediate medical attention if they experience diarrhea for more than 24 hours alongside any of the following symptoms:
- a fever of 102°F (39°C) or higher
- blood in their stools
- stools containing pus
- tarry or black stools
- abdominal pain or cramps
- dry mouth or skin
- irritability
- a lack of tears when crying
- decreased urination or dark-colored urine
- a headache
- fatigue
- sunken cheeks, eyes, or fontanel
- sleepiness
Acute diarrhea occurs suddenly and lasts for
Causes of acute diarrhea include:
- viral infection (stomach flu)
- bacterial infection
- adverse reaction to medications like antibiotics or protein pump inhibitors (PPIs)
- food allergy or intolerance, such as to dairy
- certain foods and beverages, such as
spicy foods
- sugary foods and drinks
- sugar substitutes like sugar alcohols
- coffee or other drinks with caffeine, which stimulates your digestive system
greasy foods
- stomach surgery
Causes of chronic diarrhea include:
- parasitic infection
- inflammatory bowel disease, like ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease
- irritable bowel syndrome
- celiac disease
- exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI)
- recent abdominal surgery
- premenstrual syndrome (PMS)
- diverticulitis
- impacted bowel
- intestinal obstruction
- appendicitis
- West Nile virus
- cystic fibrosis
- stress and anxiety
- some forms of cancer
- endocrine disorders and their complications, such as:
- adrenal crisis, an emergency complication of Addison’s disease
- neuroendocrine tumor (formerly called carcinoid tumor), which is a
type of cancer
- Zollinger-Ellison syndrome, a
condition in which tumors cause too much acid to build up in your stomach
Diarrhea is often a symptom of a brief illness that you can treat at home with rest and replenishing your body’s liquids by drinking water, soup, or electrolyte beverages. You can also take OTC medications.
However, some symptoms warrant prompt medical attention by a doctor, especially if young children experience them.