Know the Symptoms of Diarrhea and When to See a Doctor

Diarrhea is a common, unpleasant ailment that affects most people at least occasionally. Although it lasts a few days in most cases, diarrhea that sticks around for weeks or longer and accompanies other symptoms can indicate a serious health problem.

It’s important to know when you can treat diarrhea on its own and when its symptoms require medical help to avoid further complications.

• Bloating
• Blood or mucus in stool
• Cramps and stomach pain
• Fever
• Nausea
• Urgency to bowel movements

• Vomiting
• Fever and chills
• Lightheadedness and dizziness

• Dark-colored urine
• Decreased skin turgor (when skin does not immediately flatten back to normal when pinched and released)
• Dry mouth
• Extreme thirst
• Fatigue
• Reduced urination frequency
• Sunken eyes or cheeks

• Absence of tears when crying
• Lack of energy
• No wet diapers for three or more hours
• Sunken soft spot in skull

• Abdominal pain
• Appetite changes
• Bloating
• Fatty stool, or steatorrhea
• Gas
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Weight loss

Occasional bouts of diarrhea are common and not always cause for concern, and they may resolve on their own. But diarrhea can become dangerous if it leads to severe dehydration, and it could be the result of a more serious condition.

• Diarrhea that does not improve after two days
• Diarrhea accompanied by a fever of 102 degrees F or higher
• Severe pain in the abdomen or rectum
• Stools that are bloody, black, or tarry or contain pus
• Diarrhea accompanied by frequent vomiting
• Signs of dehydration

If infants, toddlers, or young children have any of these symptoms or diarrhea lasting more than 24 hours, call the doctor. They can develop dehydration in just 24 hours.

• Age 65 or older
• Immunocompromised
• Pregnant
• Taking antibiotics

Most diarrhea goes away on its own in a few days. When diarrhea lasts longer, your doctor may order tests to determine its cause and treatment.

Your doctor will likely conduct a physical examination, including feeling your abdomen and potentially performing a rectal exam, and ask for a full medical history, including a review of your medication.

• Stool Test The doctor will test a sample of your stool to determine if you have a bacteria or viral infection. You’ll receive containers for catching and storing your stool samples, as well as instructions on where to send or take the containers for analysis.
• Blood Test A complete blood count can show signs of infection, anemia, inflammation, or electrolyte imbalances to help determine the cause of your diarrhea.
• Colonoscopy or Sigmoidoscopy These tests use a lighted tube with a camera to examine parts of your colon. A colonoscopy allows the doctor to view the inside of your large intestine to check for abnormalities. It requires an empty colon, so you will be asked to follow a special diet the day before the exam, typically with no solid foods and usually not eating or drinking anything after midnight the night before the exam, in addition to a laxative.

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   A sigmoidoscopy is a similar procedure but looks at the rectum and lower portion of the colon only.
• Hydrogen Breath Test This test is used to diagnose lactose intolerance, a potential cause of diarrhea, by measuring the amount of hydrogen in your breath. If you are lactose intolerant, undigested lactose produces high levels of hydrogen in your breath. The test involves drinking a beverage with a known amount of lactose and then breathing into a container to measure hydrogen levels. A high level of hydrogen may lead to a diagnosis of lactose intolerance. This test also may help determine if you have a bacterial overgrowth.

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• Fasting Test This will help determine if a food intolerance or allergy is the cause of your diarrhea. Your physician may ask you to avoid certain foods to see if your diarrhea symptoms respond to diet changes.

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Tests may vary depending on if your diarrhea is acute, meaning that it occurred with a sudden onset, or is chronic and has persisted for a longer time or returned.

• While occasional diarrhea is common and may resolve on its own, persistent cases lasting more than two days or that accompany symptoms such as high fever, dehydration, or bloody stool require medical attention.
• Dehydration and malabsorption are risks of diarrhea, especially in children, and their symptoms include dry mouth, dark urine, and fatigue.
• Your doctor may order tests to determine if your diarrhea is the result of an infection, intestinal issues, lactose intolerance, or an allergy.
• Children and adults ages 65 and older, as well as those who are pregnant or immunocompromised, should see a doctor if they have diarrhea symptoms for more than 24 hours.