Diarrhea

Diarrhea is the occurence of frequent, loose, watery or unformed bowel movements.

It can cause:

• Cramps, abdominal pain
• Frequent, loose, watery, or unformed bowel movements
• Trouble to control bowels
• Fever

Causes

Diarrhea can be caused by many things, such as:

• Infections (virus, bacteria, parasites)
• Stress
• Spoiled foods
• Allergies to certain foods
• Excess alcohol
• Some drugs (laxatives, antacids, antibiotics, anti-cancer drugs)
• Water not safe and tested for drinking
• Unclean living conditions
• Diseases of the colon

What can you do if you have diarrhea?

• Try to find out what causes the diarrhea and avoid it - often it is something you ate.
• Rest as much as possible.
• If you are taking any medications check with your doctor or pharmacist if the medications can cause diarrhea.
• Give your digestive system a rest for at least 12 to 24 hours.
• Drink plenty of fluids: white soda, tea, juices, broth, jello.
• Avoid alcohol, caffeine, milk and dairy products.
• For pain and cramps try a heating pad or hot water bottle on your abdomen.
• If you are nauseated, suck on ice chips.
• Over-the-counter medications such as Pepto-Bismol may help, but may turn your stools dark.

Once the diarrhea has stopped you may start eating soft and bland foods (bananas, rice, potatoes, cooked cereals, toast) -- avoid greasy, spicy foods, alcohol and fruits until you feel well again.

It is important to drink plenty of fluids so you don't become dehydrated.

With proper care and treatment diarrhea should resolve in 24 to 48 hours. If you do not feel better within that time, or if you are unable to keep fluids down you should call you doctor.

Also call your doctor if you have a fever of 101 ° F or higher, if you notice blood, mucus or worms in your bowel movements, if you have severe pain in your abdomen or rectum.

David A. Severance, MD
Family Physician, Lincoln Avenue Clinic

Each year, Medical College of Wisconsin physicians care for more than 180,000 patients, representing nearly 500,000 patient visits. Medical College physicians practice at Children's Hospital of Wisconsin, Froedtert Memorial Lutheran Hospital, the Milwaukee VA Medical Center, and many other hospitals and clinics in Milwaukee and southeastern Wisconsin.