Diarrhea

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Diarrhea is an uncomfortable condition that can have many causes. Most cases of diarrhea
will go away on their own. However, in some cases, diarrhea can lead to dehydration or be a
sign of a more serious problem. Follow this chart to see if the cause of your diarrhea needs
immediate medical attention.

SYMPTOMS DIAGNOSIS SELF-CARE

1. Are you also

nauseated or Go to Question 10.*
vomiting?

If you think you have

lactose intolerance, talk
Your symptoms may be
2. Did your to your doctor. He or
caused by LACTOSE
symptoms begin 30 she may recommend
INTOLERANCE. People
minutes to 2 hours taking lactase enzyme
who have this condition
after eating or tablets or drops to help
have trouble digesting the
drinking dairy prevent problems. Also,
sugar in milk and other
products? avoid eating or drinking
dairy products.
foods and beverages
that make you sick.

3. Have you eaten
food that might be
spoiled, or did
someone else eat
the same food and
become ill too?
You may have FOOD
POISONING. Other
symptoms of food poisoning
may include headache, fever
and chills, and weakness.
Most problems caused
by food poisoning will
clear up within 12 to 48
hours. In the meantime,
drink plenty of fluids to
avoid dehydration.
Children should be
given an oral
rehydration solution
(ORS). Avoid solid
foods until the diarrhea
goes away.

If your symptoms last

longer than 48 hours, or
you're very
 uncomfortable, call your
doctor.

Over-the-counter
medicines may help
You may have relieve your symptoms.
4. Have you TRAVELER'S Drink plenty of fluids
traveled recently to DIARRHEA, which is but avoid alcohol,
another country? caused by contaminated caffeine and dairy
food or drink. products. If your
symptoms persist, call
your doctor.

5. Do you have
pain in the lower
You may have a condition
left side of your See your doctor. A diet
that affects the intestines,
abdomen, high in FIBER may help
such as DIVERTICULOSIS
especially after you relieve your symptoms.
or DIVERTICULITIS.
eat foods that are
difficult to digest?

Get plenty of rest.

Children who have
gastroenteritis should be
given an oral
rehydration solution
6. Is your diarrhea
(ORS) to prevent
watery, and do you You may have viral
dehydration. Ease back
have a headache or GASTROENTERITIS, also
into eating with bland
muscle aches and a called the stomach flu.
foods and clear liquids.
low fever?
Contact your doctor if
you have a high fever or
your symptoms last for
more than 10 days.

7. Do you have
Call your doctor
persistent severe
You may have a form of promptly. Be sure to
abdominal cramps,
BACTERIAL DIARRHEA drink plenty of fluids to
gas and watery
or a parasite (GIARDIA). prevent dehydration.
diarrhea followed
Avoid caffeine.
by greasy stools?
8. Do you have a
fever, and are you
These may be symptoms of
experiencing pain
GALLBLADDER Call your doctor
in the middle or
DISEASE or promptly.
upper abdomen
PANCREATITIS.
that radiates to
your back?

9. Are you bloated,

These could be symptoms of SEE YOUR DOCTOR
and are you
a problem such as an RIGHT AWAY, OR
experiencing
INTESTINAL GO TO THE
severe lower
OBSTRUCTION or NEAREST
abdominal pain or
blockage. EMERGENCY ROOM.
cramping?

Talk to your doctor

about the antibiotic or
medicine you're taking.
*10. Are you He or she may be able
currently taking an Your diarrhea may be to prescribe a medicine
antibiotic or other caused by the MEDICINE. that won't cause
new medicine? diarrhea. However,
don't stop taking your
current medicine unless
your doctor tells you to.

11. Do you have

diarrhea along with MALABSORPTION Avoid the foods that
gas, bloating and problems, such as CELIAC make you sick, and
stomach pains DISEASE, can cause food- discuss the problem
every time you eat related diarrhea. with your doctor.
certain foods?

12. Do you have See your doctor. He or

frequent bowel she will determine what
You may have
movements mixed treatment is right for
INFLAMMATORY
with blood or you. Drink plenty of
BOWEL DISEASE or
mucus, and fluids, and avoid foods
CROHN'S DISEASE.
abdominal pain and that make your
cramping? symptoms worse.
13. Do your bowel
movements
Gradually increase the
alternate between
IRRITABLE BOWEL amount of FIBER in
constipation and
SYNDROME or SPASTIC your diet, and drink
diarrhea, and does
COLON may be the cause plenty of fluids. If you
your condition
of your diarrhea. see blood in your stools,
seem to get worse
call your doctor.
when you're under
stress?

14. Have you had

chronic
You may have a FECAL
constipation but
IMPACTION, a large mass
suddenly See your doctor.
of dry, hard stool that is
experienced watery
trapped in the rectum.
diarrhea that leaks
out?

For more
information, please
talk to your doctor.
If you think your
problem is serious,
call your doctor
right away.

This tool has been reviewed by doctors and is for general educational purposes only. It is not
a substitute for medical advice. The information in this tool should not be relied upon to
make decisions about your health. Always consult your family doctor with questions about
your individual condition(s) and/or circumstances. Source: American Academy of Family
Physicians. Family Health & Medical Guide. Dallas: Word Publishing; 1996.