The severity of diarrhea is determined by the size and number of stools passed within a period of time. Severe diarrhea has many causes. Stomach flu gastroenteritis or food poisoning may cause severe diarrhea. Drinking untreated water that contains the Giardia lamblia parasite can cause diarrhea that develops 1 to 4 weeks later.
Severe diarrhea increases your risk of dehydration by causing your body to lose large amounts of fluid quickly. Be sure to increase your intake of fluids, such as water or a rehydration drink , and to watch for symptoms of dehydration.
Persistent diarrhea can have many causes, including dietary changes, stress, irritable bowel syndrome , and certain medicines. Salty foods help the most. You don't need to eat if you've lost your appetite, but you should continue to drink fluids and eat as soon as you feel able to. If your child is dehydrated, do not give them any solid food until they have drunk enough fluids.
Once they have stopped showing signs of dehydration, they can start eating their normal diet. If your child is not dehydrated, offer them their normal diet. If they refuse to eat, continue to give them fluids and wait until their appetite returns. Antidiarrhoeal medicines may help reduce your diarrhoea and slightly shorten how long it lasts. However, they're not usually necessary. Loperamide is the main antidiarrhoeal medicine used, as it has been shown to be effective and causes few side effects.
Loperamide slows down the muscle movements in your gut so more water is absorbed from your stools. This makes your stools firmer and they're passed less frequently. An alternative to loperamide is a different type of antidiarrhoeal medicine called racecadotril, which works by reducing the amount of water produced by the small intestine.
Evidence suggests this medication may be as effective as loperamide for treating diarrhoea. Some antidiarrhoeal medicines can be bought from a pharmacy without a prescription. Check the patient information leaflet that comes with the medicine to find out whether it's suitable for you and what dose you should take.
Ask your pharmacist for advice if you're unsure. Do not take antidiarrhoeal medicines if there is blood or mucus in your stools or you have a high temperature fever.
Instead, you should contact your GP for advice. Most antidiarrhoeal medicines should not be given to children. Racecadotril can be used in children over 3 months old if it's combined with oral rehydration and the other measures mentioned above, although not all doctors recommend it. Painkillers will not treat diarrhoea, but paracetamol or ibuprofen can help relieve a fever and a headache. If necessary, you can give your child liquid paracetamol or ibuprofen.
Always read the patient information leaflet that comes with the medication to check if it's suitable for you or your child and find out the correct dose. Children under 16 years of age should not be given aspirin. Treatment with antibiotics is not recommended for diarrhoea if the cause is unknown. This is because antibiotics:. Antibiotics may be recommended if you have severe diarrhoea and a specific type of bacteria has been identified as the cause.
They may also be used if you have an underlying health problem, such as a weakened immune system. Occasionally, hospital treatment may be needed if you or your child are seriously dehydrated. Treatment will involve administering fluids and nutrients directly into a vein intravenously. If you've been diagnosed with a specific condition that's causing your diarrhoea, treating this may help improve your symptoms. Read more about common causes of diarrhoea. To prevent the spread of infections that cause diarrhoea, you should always maintain high standards of hygiene.
You or your child should also avoid swimming pools for 2 weeks after the last episode of diarrhoea. Practising good food hygiene will help avoid getting diarrhoea as a result of food poisoning. You can do this by:. Read more about preventing food poisoning. Rotavirus is a virus that commonly causes diarrhoea in children.
A vaccine that helps protect children against rotavirus is now part of the routine childhood vaccination schedule. This vaccine is given as a liquid that's dropped into a baby's mouth. It's given in 2 doses, with the first given at 2 months and another at 3 months.
There is no vaccination that can protect you from all possible causes of travellers' diarrhoea. The best way to avoid it is to practise good food and water hygiene while abroad. If you're planning a trip abroad, check health advice for the countries you will be travelling to.
Home Illnesses and conditions Stomach, liver and gastrointestinal tract Diarrhoea. Diarrhoea See all parts of this guide Hide guide parts 1. Diarrhea can cause uncomfortable irritation around your anus, but you may be able to soothe the pain for yourself or your baby with home remedies. Learn about the connection between diarrhea and the common cold, as well as how to treat them and when you should call a doctor. Learn how to use Pepto-Bismol to relieve diarrhea, heartburn, and other not-so-fun….
Many common foods can cause diarrhea. Some foods irritate the gut, and others trigger food intolerance symptoms. Learn about foods that cause diarrhea…. Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect. Medically reviewed by Saurabh Sethi, M. How long does diarrhea last? What causes diarrhea?
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