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.
The most common cause of diarrhea is the stomach flu (viral gastroenteritis). This mild viral infection most often goes away on its own within a few days. Eating or drinking food or water that contains certain types of bacteria or parasites can also lead to diarrhea. This problem may be called food poisoning.
Drink plenty of liquids, including water, broths and juices. Avoid caffeine and alcohol. Add semisolid and low-fiber foods gradually as your bowel movements return to normal. Try soda crackers, toast, eggs, rice or chicken.
Diarrhea that lasts only a few hours or even days is often normal and nothing to be concerned about. But if your diarrhea persists to the point of being chronic, schedule an appointment with your doctor for a thorough evaluation.
The signs to see a doctor for acute diarrhea: Lasts longer than two days. You're dehydrated and cannot keep food or water down. Severe abdominal pain.
These things may help you feel better if you have diarrhea: Drink 8 to 10 glasses of clear fluids every day. Water is best. Drink at least 1 cup (240 milliliters) of liquid every time you have a loose bowel movement.
Causes of diarrhea that are not due to acute illness include eating certain foods, food allergies and intolerances, some medications, caffeine intake, laxative use, alcohol use, digestive problems and diseases (celiac disease, irritable bowel syndrome [IBS], Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, small intestinal ...
Unintended weight loss can sometimes result from persistent or chronic diarrhea—aka diarrhea that lasts for more than two weeks—but it's not something to aspire to. The weight loss you see after a couple of days of diarrhea is usually caused by losing lots of fluids (dehydration), and not by a reduction in fat tissue.
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.
These things may help you feel better if you have diarrhea: Drink 8 to 10 glasses of clear fluids every day. Water is best. Drink at least 1 cup (240 milliliters) of liquid every time you have a loose bowel movement.
The most common causes of a loose poop are things like viruses, food allergies and medication side effects. Some chronic conditions can, too: Crohn's disease. Ulcerative colitis.
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.
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.
Most of the time, diarrhea is simply your gut's way of getting rid of a harmful invader, like a bacteria or virus. However, in some cases, diarrhea is caused by a malfunction of the gut, as is the case with inflammatory bowel disease. Many viruses can cause diarrhea. One of the more common causes is norovirus.
Some people with diarrhoea may unintentionally lose 1 or 2 pounds if it extends up to 3 days. According to research, diarrhoea is a common digestive problem that leads to weight loss due to poor absorption of nutrients.
Having diarrhoea for more than a couple of days can be exhausting. You are bound to feel very weak and tired if you have lost a lot of fluid. So it's very important to let your body rest when you can.
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. Some cases of watery diarrhea are easy to treat or don't require treatment at all.
Since diarrhea is your body's way of getting rid of toxins, it is best to let it run its course. However, you may use over-the-counter antidiarrheal remedies for convenience, including: Attapulgite (Kaopectate) Loperamide (Imodium)
Most cases of diarrhea are nothing more than a brief inconvenience. But sometimes, they warn of a serious condition. Talk with your doctor if your child has diarrhea for more than 24 hours. If you have it for more than 3 days, make an appointment.
Sudden stomach cramps with diarrhoea
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.
You want the position to be as relaxed as possible. If you have diarrhea, sleep in whatever position allows you to get out of bed the fastest. There's not much a sleeping position can do to help diarrhea, so it's best to stick with what feels comfortable and lets you run to the bathroom when the time comes.
Schedule a doctor's visit for an adult with these symptoms:
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.