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.
Trusted medical advice from the
American Academy of Family Physicians.
American Academy of Family Physicians.
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Trusted medical advice from the
American Academy of Family Physicians.
American Academy of Family Physicians.
Diarrhea
Step 1
Selecting A Symptom
- Abdominal Pain (Stomach Pain), Long-term
- Abdominal Pain (Stomach Pain), Short-term
- Ankle Problems
- Breast Problems in Men
- Breast Problems in Women
- Chest Pain in Infants and Children
- Chest Pain, Acute
- Chest Pain, Chronic
- Cold and Flu
- Cough
- Diarrhea
- Ear Problems
- Elimination Problems or Constipation
- Elimination Problems or Constipation in Infants and Children
- Eye Problems
- Facial Swelling
- Feeding Problems in Infants and Children
- Fever
- Fever in Infants and Children
- Foot Problems
- Genital Problems in Infants (Female)
- Genital Problems in Infants (Male)
- Genital Problems in Men
- Genital Problems in Women
- Hair Loss
- Hand/Wrist/Arm Problems
- Headaches
- Hearing Problems
- Hip Problems
- Knee Problems
- Leg Problems
- Lower Back Pain
- Menstrual Cycle Problems
- Mouth Problems
- Mouth Problems in Infants and Children
- Nausea and Vomiting
- Nausea and Vomiting in Infants and Children
- Neck Pain
- Neck Swelling
- Shortness of Breath
- Shortness of Breath in Infants and Children
- Shoulder Problems
- Skin Rashes & Other Skin Problems
- Throat Problems
- Tooth Problems
- Urination Problems
Step 2
Answering Questions
Are you also nauseated or vomiting?
Did you recently start taking an antibiotic or other new over-the-counter or prescribed medicine or supplement?
Did your symptoms begin 30 minutes to 2 hours after eating or drinking dairy products?
Did your diarrhea develop within 2-8 hours after eating food that might be spoiled, or did someone else eat the same food and become ill too?
Have you traveled recently to another country?
Do you have sharp pain in the lower left side of your abdomen, and are you often constipated?
Is your diarrhea watery, and do you have a headache or muscle aches and a low fever?
Do you have persistent, severe abdominal cramps, gas, and watery diarrhea followed by greasy stools?
Do you have a fever, and are you experiencing pain in the middle or upper abdomen that radiates to your back?
Are you bloated, and are you experiencing severe lower abdominal pain or cramping?
Do you have diarrhea along with gas, bloating, and stomach pains every time you eat certain foods?
Do you have frequent loose bowel movements mixed with blood or mucus, and diffuse/generalized abdominal pain and cramping?
Do your bowel movements alternate between constipation and diarrhea, and does your condition seem to get worse when you’re under stress?
Have you had chronic constipation (long bouts between bowel movements associated with abdominal pain, bloating and straining to defecate), but suddenly experienced watery diarrhea that leaks out?
Step 3
Possible Causes
Diagnosis
You may have GASTROENTERITIS (stomach flu).
Self Care
Drink plenty of water, eat a bland diet (smaller, more frequent meals that include non-spicy foods) and see your doctor if you develop and find blood or mucous in your diarrhea or vomit.
Diagnosis
Your diarrhea may be a side effect or adverse reaction caused by the medicine.
Self Care
Talk to your doctor about the antibiotic or medicine you’re taking. He or she may be able to prescribe a medicine that won’t cause diarrhea. However, don’t stop taking your current medicine unless your doctor tells you.
Diagnosis
Your symptoms may be caused by LACTOSE INTOLERANCE. People who have this condition have trouble digesting the sugar in milk and other dairy products.
Self Care
If you think you have LACTOSE INTOLERANCE, talk to your doctor. Your doctor may recommend taking lactase enzyme tablets or drops to help prevent problems. Also, avoid eating or drinking foods and beverages that make you sick.
Diagnosis
You may have FOOD POISONING. Other symptoms of FOOD POISONING may include headache, fever, chills, and weakness.
Self Care
Most problems caused by FOOD POISONING will clear up within 12-48 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. A simple way to make a home-based ORS is to boil a cup of white rice until the rice has completely overcooked and split and the water is cloudy. Keep the water and throw out the mushy rice. The water replaces the electrolytes lost in diarrhea.
If your symptoms last longer than 48 hours, or you’re very uncomfortable, call your doctor.
Diagnosis
You may have TRAVELER’S DIARRHEA, which is caused by contaminated food or drink.
Self Care
Over-the-counter medicines may help relieve your symptoms. Drink plenty of fluids, but avoid alcohol, caffeine, and dairy products. If your symptoms persist or if you have blood or mucous in your diarrhea, call your doctor.
Diagnosis
You may have a condition that affects the intestines, such as DIVERTICULOSIS or DIVERTICULITIS.
Self Care
See your doctor. A diet high in FIBER and water may help relieve your symptoms.
Diagnosis
You may have GASTROENTERITIS (stomach flu).
Self Care
Get plenty of rest. Children who have GASTROENTERITIS should be given an oral rehydration solution (ORS) to prevent dehydration. A simple way to make a home-based ORS is to boil a cup of white rice until the rice has completely overcooked and split and the water is cloudy. Keep the water and throw out the mushy rice. The water replaces the electrolytes lost in diarrhea.
Ease back into eating with bland foods and clear liquids.
Contact your doctor if you have a high fever (greater than 101.5°F), your symptoms last for more than 10 days, or if you are unable to tolerate liquids for more than 2 days.
Diagnosis
You may have a form of BACTERIAL DIARRHEA or a parasite (GIARDIA).
Self Care
Call your doctor promptly. Be sure to drink plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration. Avoid caffeine.
Diagnosis
You may have GALLBLADDER DISEASE, a perforated ULCER PANCREATITIS.
Self Care
Call your doctor promptly.
Diagnosis
These could be symptoms of a problem such as an INTESTINAL OBSTRUCTION or blockage.
Self Care
See your doctor right away, or go to the nearest emergency room.
Diagnosis
MALABSORPTION problems, such as CELIAC DISEASE, can cause food-related diarrhea. Food sensitivities can also cause similar symptoms.
Self Care
Avoid the foods that make you sick, and discuss the problem with your doctor. Keep a food diary (writing down what and when you eat and when symptoms develop) to help determine patterns or triggers for your symptoms.
Diagnosis
You may have INFLAMMATORY BOWEL DISEASE or CROHN’S DISEASE.
Self Care
See your doctor. He or she will determine what treatment is right for you. Drink plenty of fluids, and avoid foods that make your symptoms worse.
Diagnosis
IRRITABLE BOWEL SYNDROME or SPASTIC COLON may be the cause of your DIARRHEA.
Self Care
Gradually increase the amount of fiber in your diet if constipation is the main issue, and drink plenty of fluids. If you see blood in your stools, call your doctor.
Diagnosis
You may have a FECAL IMPACTION, a large mass of dry, hard stool that is trapped in the rectum.
Self Care
See your doctor.
Self Care
For more information, please talk to your doctor. If you think your problem is serious, call your doctor right away.
