Diarrhea is the frequent passage of watery, loose bowel movements. Almost everyone gets diarrhea once in a while. Usually, it only lasts a day or two and isn't serious.
Causes
Many things can cause diarrhea:
Infection by viruses, bacteria, or
parasites
Drinking bad water or eating spoiled food
Allergies
Emotional upset
Overuse of laxatives
Certain medications, including some
antibiotics (like tetracycline, clindamycin, and ampicillin)
Diverticulitis - a disease in the bowel
Inflammatory bowel disease (usually
ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease)
Does the diarrhea occur in an infant or a child and is it present
with any of the following? Sunken eyes Dry skin Dry mouth Dry diaper for more than 3 hours in an
infant Passing no urine for more than 6 hours in a
child Unusual lethargy, weak cry Irritability, very upset or cranky |
 |
| Does an adult have any of these problems with the diarrhea? Blood in the stool Severe abdominal or rectal pain Dry skin that doesn't spring back after
being pinched Dry mouth, excessive thirst, and little or
no urination |
|
| In a child or adult, has the diarrhea lasted 48 hours or more
and/or is a fever of 101oF or higher present? |
 |
| Is the diarrhea occurring more than 8 times per day in an infant
or chronically ill elderly adult? |
 |
| In a child or adult, are any medicines being taken (this includes
regular medicines that the body may not be absorbing due to the diarrhea, or prescribed or
over-the-counter ones that might be contributing to diarrhea)? |
|
| Did diarrhea come on during or shortly after returning from a trip
to a foreign country? |
|
If vomiting is also present, treat for
vomiting first. (see Vomiting & Nausea)
Follow normal diet if there are no signs of
dehydration (dry mouth, thirst, muscle cramps, weakness, etc.).
If there are signs of dehydration, stop
solid foods. Give clear fluids. Fluids of choice are:
Sport drinks, such as Gatorade. Note: For children under 2, give over-the-counter
mixtures, such as Pedialyte
and Ricelyte.
Kool-Aid. This usually has less sugar than juices and soda pop.
Your own solution made by mixing 4 teaspoons of sugar and 1 teaspoon of salt with 1 quart
of water
Avoid giving these liquids:
High "simple" sugar drinks, like apple juice, grape juice, regular colas, other
soft drinks, and gelatin. These
can pull water into the gut and make the
diarrhea persist.
Boiled milk
Adults should have around 2 cups of fluid
per hour (if vomiting isn't present). For children under 2, consult their doctor about the
amount and type of fluids. For children over 2, give up to 1 1/2 quarts of fluid per day.
Don't give just clear liquids for more than
24 hours.
Start eating normal meals within 12 hours.
Good food choices are:
Starchy foods, like rice; potatoes; cereals (not sugar-sweetened ones); crackers; toast
Soups with noodles, rice, and/or vegetables
Vegetables
Lean Meats
Yogurt, especially with live active cultures of lactobacillus acidophilus
Avoid fatty and fried foods.
The B.R.A.T. diet: bananas (ripe), rice,
applesauce, and dry toast is no longer the diet of choice for diarrhea.
Don't exercise too hard until the diarrhea
is gone.
Adults can try an OTC medication, such as
Imodium A-D or Pepto-Bismol. Wait at least 12 hours before taking these medicines, though.
Let the diarrhea "run its course" to get rid of what caused it. {Note:
Do not give aspirin or any medication containing salicylates, such as
Pepto-Bismol, to anyone under 19 years of age, unless a doctor tells you to.}
Wash your hands after going to the toilet
and before preparing food, especially when you have diarrhea which results from an
infection in the GI tract. Don't share towels with others. Use disposable paper towels to
dry your hands.
HEALTH AT HOME - Your Complete Guide to Symptoms, Solutions, and Self-Care © 1999 by Don R. Powell. American Institute for Preventive Medicine.
Date updated 04/20/99