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Diarrhea
Loose, watery stools that happen more frequently than usual
Digestive System
Diarrhea
What it is: Loose, watery stools (poop) that happen more frequently than usual. It's like having your digestive system work too fast, not giving your body time to absorb water from your food.
Why it happens
- Viral infections: Stomach viruses are the most common cause
- Bacterial infections: From contaminated food or water
- Food poisoning: Eating spoiled or contaminated food
- Medications: Some medicines can cause diarrhea
- Food intolerances: Your body can't digest certain foods
- Stress: Emotional stress can affect digestion
- Travel: Changes in diet and water can cause "traveler's diarrhea"
- Inflammatory bowel disease: Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis
What you feel
- Loose, watery stools: More than 3 times per day
- Urgent need to go: Feeling like you can't wait
- Abdominal cramps: Pain or discomfort in your belly
- Bloating: Feeling full and swollen
- Nausea: Feeling like you want to throw up
- Fever: Sometimes with infections
- Dehydration: Feeling thirsty, tired, or dizzy
How to help yourself
- Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of water and clear liquids
- Eat bland foods: Rice, bananas, toast, applesauce
- Avoid dairy: Can make diarrhea worse
- Avoid spicy foods: Can irritate your digestive system
- Rest: Give your body time to recover
- Wash your hands: Prevent spreading infection
- Use gentle wipes: Avoid irritating the area
- Take probiotics: Can help restore good bacteria
Foods to eat (BRAT diet)
- Bananas: Easy to digest and provide potassium
- Rice: Plain white rice is gentle on the stomach
- Applesauce: Provides nutrients without irritation
- Toast: Plain toast is easy to digest
- Clear liquids: Water, broth, herbal tea
Foods to avoid
- Dairy products: Can make diarrhea worse
- Spicy foods: Can irritate your digestive system
- High-fiber foods: Can make diarrhea worse
- Fatty foods: Hard to digest
- Caffeine: Can stimulate bowel movements
- Alcohol: Can worsen dehydration
When to see a doctor
- Diarrhea lasts more than 2 days: In adults
- Severe dehydration: Dizziness, confusion, rapid heartbeat
- High fever: Over 102°F (39°C)
- Blood in stool: Could indicate serious infection
- Severe abdominal pain: That doesn't go away
- Signs of dehydration: Dry mouth, no tears, dark urine
Signs of dehydration
- Thirst: Feeling very thirsty
- Dry mouth: Sticky or dry feeling
- Dark urine: Urine is dark yellow or brown
- Dizziness: Feeling lightheaded
- Fatigue: Feeling very tired
- No tears: When crying (in children)
- Sunken eyes: Eyes look hollow
Prevention tips
- Wash your hands: Especially before eating and after using the bathroom
- Cook food thoroughly: Make sure meat is cooked properly
- Avoid contaminated water: When traveling, drink bottled water
- Be careful with food: Avoid street food in developing countries
- Practice good hygiene: Keep food preparation areas clean
- Manage stress: Stress can affect your digestive system
Treatment options
- Over-the-counter medicines: Like loperamide (Imodium)
- Probiotics: Can help restore good bacteria
- Prescription medicines: For severe or persistent cases
- Intravenous fluids: For severe dehydration
- Antibiotics: Only for bacterial infections (not viral)
Natural remedies
- Ginger tea: Can help with nausea
- Chamomile tea: Can help with cramping
- Peppermint tea: Can help with digestive issues
- Rice water: Boil rice and drink the water
- Banana: Provides potassium and is easy to digest
When to go to the emergency room
- Severe dehydration: Can't keep fluids down
- High fever: With severe diarrhea
- Blood in stool: Large amounts of blood
- Severe abdominal pain: That doesn't go away
- Confusion: From severe dehydration
- Rapid heartbeat: From dehydration
Remember: Most diarrhea is not serious and goes away on its own. The most important thing is to stay hydrated. If symptoms are severe or persistent, seek medical attention.