[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2015\/05\/causes-of-diarrhea\/#Article","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2015\/05\/causes-of-diarrhea\/","headline":"Diarrhea Causes, Treatment, and Symptoms","name":"Diarrhea Causes, Treatment, and Symptoms","description":"Diarrhea is a common health problem for all ages. Learn more about the symptoms and causes of diarrhea, including food poisoning, and how to treat it.","datePublished":"2015-05-19","dateModified":"2023-10-24","author":{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/www.upmc.com\/services\/digestive-disorders-regions","name":"Digestive Disorders","url":"https:\/\/www.upmc.com\/services\/digestive-disorders-regions","sameAs":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/digestive-disorders\/","parentOrganization":"UPMC"},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"UPMC HealthBeat","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/UPMC-HealthBeat-Logo.png","url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/UPMC-HealthBeat-Logo.png","width":600,"height":60}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/iStock-1189299527.jpg","url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/iStock-1189299527.jpg","height":325,"width":754},"url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2015\/05\/causes-of-diarrhea\/","about":["Family Health","Living and Wellness"],"wordCount":599,"keywords":["dehydration","diarrhea","Diarrhea Causes","food poisoning","inflammatory bowel disease","inflammatory bowel syndrome"],"articleBody":"Updated July 2021Almost everyone has an occasional\u00a0bout of diarrhea. It is inconvenient, and many times, the exact cause is difficult to determine. Diarrhea can often come out of nowhere and is frequently a\u00a0symptom of food poisoning, a virus, or even\u00a0stress.Diarrhea is one of the most commonly occurring health problems affecting all ages. Most adults will have at least four episodes of diarrhea each year. These episodes can occur suddenly and may last up to 14 days.Diarrhea is when you have an increased number of bowel movements or you have bowel movements that are watery or loose. It’s caused by attenuated water absorption or inappropriate water secretion by the intestines.It is your body’s way of quickly clearing viruses, bacteria, or toxins from the digestive tract. Since most cases of acute diarrhea are viral, the symptoms will clear up in a few days with good home treatment.However, diarrhea that lasts longer than a few days may be a sign of a more serious health condition.Diarrhea SymptomsThe most common symptom of diarrhea is an increase in bowel movements, but you also may experience several other symptoms:Abdominal crampsAbdominal painWatery, loose stoolsNauseaVomitingBloatingFeverChillsAn urgent need to go to the bathroomBlood in the stoolsMucus in the stoolsDehydrationWhat Causes Diarrhea?Diarrhea has many potential causes, ranging from infections to reactions to medications to stress. Some causes of diarrhea include:Viral or bacterial infections, including food poisoning and the stomach fluParasitesFood poisoningFood allergiesSome forms of\u00a0inflammatory bowel diseaseMalabsorptionFollowing a cholecystectomyIrritable bowel syndromeSome prescription and over-the-counter medications and antibioticsAlcohol abuseAnxiety\/emotional stressDiarrhea should resolve itself within a few days, although in some cases it can last longer. Chronic diarrhea can last four weeks or longer and may be a sign of another health condition.How Do You Treat Diarrhea?When experiencing diarrhea, try these coping strategies to manage your symptoms:Rehydrate: Drink water and electrolytes to replenish fluids lost through diarrhea.Use medications: Some over-the-counter medicines treat diarrhea. These include bismuth subsalicylate (Pepto Bismol, Kaopectate) or loperamide (Immodium). Do not use loperamide if you have a fever or your stools are bloody.Take\u00a0probiotics: These are living microorganisms that can help to promote good gut health. Probiotics are naturally present in some fermented foods, like yogurt or certain cheeses. There are also probiotic supplements.Eat bland, safe foods: Stick with soup, broth, and salty crackers. Slowly add in yogurt and complex carbohydrates like rice and bread.Avoid trigger foods: Steer clear of foods and drinks containing\u00a0caffeine, lots of sugar, fried and spicy foods, dairy products, and artificial sweetners.When should you call a doctor about diarrhea?Many things can cause diarrhea, from environmental factors to chronic conditions. Pay attention to your symptoms and be sure to keep yourself hydrated and nourished until it clears up. If the problem continues longer than two days, contact your doctor. If your child has diarrhea for longer than 24 hours, contact a doctor.You also should call your doctor if you experience any of the following:DehydrationSevere abdominal or rectal painA fever of 102 degrees Fahrenheit or higherBloody stools, or stools that have pus in themBlack, tarry stoolsIf you are experiencing diarrhea and other digestive symptoms, the experts the\u00a0UPMC Digestive Health Care\u00a0can help. To make an appointment, call 1-866-442-7876 or fill out our\u00a0appointment request form.Editor's Note: This article was originally published on May 19, 2015, and was last reviewed on October 24, 2023."},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"2015","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2015\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"05","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2015\/\/05\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"Diarrhea Causes, Treatment, and Symptoms","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2015\/05\/causes-of-diarrhea\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]