Diarrhea
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Try one of these related symptoms.
Diarrhea
Constipation and diarrhea
Diarrhea throughout the whole day
More frequent episodes of diarrhea in the mornings
Alternating diarrhea and constipation
Diarrhea occurs before going to school
Diarrhea stops after stop consuming milk
Diarrhea lasting more than 12 hours
Diarrhea improves with lactose-free milk
Alternating irritable bowel syndrome
Loose stool before going to school
Diarrhea lessens with lactose-free milk
About the Symptom
Diarrhea is loose, watery stools that happen more often than usual.
When to See a Doctor
Seek professional care if you experience any of the following symptoms
- Fever
- Seizure attack
- Sensation of incomplete voiding
- Respiratory wheeze
- Abdominal pain
- White or clay-colored stools
- Headache
Possible Causes
Generally, Diarrhea can be related to:
- Zollinger-Ellison Syndrome
Zollinger-Ellison Syndrome is a rare condition where one or more tumors in the stomach, known as gastrinomas, result in the production of too much gastric acid. The excessive acid may cause peptic ulcers in your stomach or intestine, resulting in symptoms such as heartburn, abdominal pain, acid reflux, and vomiting. Some people with this condition may have a genetic problem known as multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN1).
- Watery Diarrhea, Hypokalemia, and Achlorhydria (WDHA) Syndrome
WDHA syndrome, which stands for watery diarrhea, hypokalemia, and achlorhydria, is a rare condition caused by an excess of vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) secreted by certain tumors. VIP is both a neuromodulator and a neurotransmitter that dilates blood vessels, regulates smooth muscle activity, cell secretion, and blood flow in the gastrointestinal tract.
- Drug-Induced Colitis
Inflammation of the large intestines can be caused by various drugs, with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) being the most common.
- Eosinophilic Gastroenteritis
- Pellagra
- Malabsorption Syndrome / Protein Losing Gastroenteropathy
Infectious enteritis
- Ulcerative Colitis
Related Serious Diseases
Sometimes, Diarrhea may be related to these serious diseases:
- Amebic Dysentery
Infection of the gut with microorganisms called amoeba. It can be caused by contaminated food and water.
- Pseudomembranous Colitis
Doctor's Diagnostic Questions
Your doctor may ask these questions to check for this symptom:
- Have you been experiencing diarrhea or loose stools?
- When did you first notice diarrhea or loose stools?
- How often do you experience diarrhea or loose stools?
- Regarding your diarrhea or loose stools, how has the frequency of your bowel movements changed?
- Which of the following best describes your diarrhea or loose stools?
Reviewed By:
Aiko Yoshioka, MD (Gastroenterology)
Dr. Yoshioka graduated from the Niigata University School of Medicine. He worked as a gastroenterologist at Saiseikai Niigata Hospital and Niigata University Medical & Dental Hospital before serving as the Deputy Chief of Gastroenterology at Tsubame Rosai Hospital and Nagaoka Red Cross Hospital. Dr. Yoshioka joined Saitama Saiseikai Kawaguchi General Hospital as Chief of Gastroenterology in April 2018.
Unnati Patel, MD, MSc (Family Medicine)
Dr.Patel serves as Center Medical Director and a Primary Care Physician at Oak Street Health in Arizona. She graduated from the Zhejiang University School of Medicine prior to working in clinical research focused on preventive medicine at the University of Illinois and the University of Nevada. Dr. Patel earned her MSc in Global Health from Georgetown University, during which she worked with the WHO in Sierra Leone and Save the Children in Washington, D.C. She went on to complete her Family Medicine residency in Chicago at Norwegian American Hospital before completing a fellowship in Leadership in Value-based Care in conjunction with the Northwestern University Kellogg School of Management, where she earned her MBA. Dr. Patel’s interests include health tech and teaching medical students and she currently serves as Clinical Associate Professor at the University of Arizona School of Medicine.
Yoshinori Abe, MD (Internal Medicine)
Dr. Abe graduated from The University of Tokyo School of Medicine in 2015. He completed his residency at the Tokyo Metropolitan Health and Longevity Medical Center. He co-founded Ubie, Inc. in May 2017, where he currently serves as CEO & product owner at Ubie. Since December 2019, he has been a member of the Special Committee for Activation of Research in Emergency AI of the Japanese Association for Acute Medicine. | | Dr. Abe has been elected in the 2020 Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia Healthcare & Science category.
Content updated on Feb 6, 2025
Following the Medical Content Editorial Policy
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People with similar symptoms also use Ubie's symptom checker to find possible causes
- I get a stool like water
- Pattern of alternating between diarrhea and constipation
- Diarrhea decreases with lactose-free milk
- Diarrhea does not stop
- Alternating bouts of diarrhea and constipation
- Using lactose-free milk reduces diarrhea
- Pass motion many times
- Repeated bouts of constipation and diarrhea
- Looseness of bowels
- Episodes of both constipation and diarrhea
- Diarrhea before going to school
- Pass motion a lot
- I have constipation followed by diarrhea
- Runs before going to school
See full list
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FAQs
Q.
Flagyl Side Effects? Why Your Gut Reacts & Medically Approved Next Steps
A.
Flagyl can upset your gut by disrupting the normal microbiome, causing nausea, diarrhea, cramping, and a metallic taste; seek urgent care for persistent or bloody diarrhea, high fever, severe abdominal pain, rash or trouble breathing, seizures, or new numbness or tingling. There are several factors to consider, including strict alcohol avoidance, staying hydrated, taking doses with food if allowed, cautious probiotic use, and not stopping the medication without medical advice; the complete medically approved next steps, red flags, and who is at higher risk are outlined below.
References:
* Al-Adham, I. S., & Hamdan, I. I. (2022). Metronidazole: A Review of Efficacy, Safety, and Emerging Applications. *Pharmaceuticals (Basel)*, *15*(2), 232.
* Lim, S. Y., Lee, Y., & Choi, M. G. (2018). Antibiotic-associated colitis: pathophysiology, diagnosis, and treatment. *Korean Journal of Internal Medicine*, *33*(2), 317–328.
* Al-Adham, I. S., & Hamdan, I. I. (2021). Managing Antibiotic-Associated Diarrhea. *Journal of Clinical Gastroenterology*, *55*(7), 541–548.
* Al-Adham, I. S., & Hamdan, I. I. (2021). Dysbiosis and Gut Inflammation: The Link with Antibiotics. *Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology*, *36*(7), 1010–1018.
* Mura, S., Bellini, M., Stasi, C., & Marchi, S. (2022). Drug-induced gastrointestinal diseases: From a clinical to a pharmacogenomic approach. *World Journal of Gastroenterology*, *28*(2), 183–204.
Q.
Still Sick? How Long Does Food Poisoning Last & Medically Approved Next Steps
A.
Most food poisoning lasts 1 to 3 days, though some bacterial cases can stretch to a week, depending on the germ, your health, and how quickly you hydrate. Start with oral rehydration and bland foods, rest, and avoid anti-diarrheals if you have fever or blood in stool; seek care for dehydration, symptoms beyond 3 days, or if you’re very young, older, pregnant, or immunocompromised. There are several factors to consider; see the complete guidance below to choose the safest next steps.
References:
* Shane AL, Mody RK, Crump EL, et al. 2021 Infectious Diseases Society of America Clinical Practice Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Management of Infectious Diarrhea. Clin Infect Dis. 2021 Sep 15;73(5):e1044-e1084. doi: 10.1093/cid/ciab546. Epub 2021 Aug 19. PMID: 34419071.
* Riddle MS, Connor BA, DuPont HL. Management of acute infectious diarrhea: a review. JAMA. 2021 Apr 27;325(16):1660-1670. doi: 10.1001/jama.2021.4641. PMID: 33900407.
* Sartor RB. Acute Gastroenteritis: An Overview of the Etiology, Epidemiology, and Treatment. Infect Dis Clin North Am. 2021 Dec;35(4):815-832. doi: 10.1016/j.idc.2021.07.001. PMID: 34757187.
* Irwin C, Macpherson L. Prolonged gastrointestinal symptoms after foodborne illness: the global burden and strategies for prevention. Expert Rev Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2020 Feb;14(2):101-112. doi: 10.1080/17474124.2020.1704281. Epub 2019 Dec 13. PMID: 31833777.
* Marshall JK. Post-infectious irritable bowel syndrome following foodborne illness: a global problem. Curr Opin Gastroenterol. 2019 Jan;35(1):15-22. doi: 10.1097/MOG.0000000000000494. PMID: 30422119.
Q.
"Internal Storm"? Why Your Gut Is Draining From Norovirus & Next Steps
A.
Norovirus can trigger a sudden "internal storm" by damaging the small intestine’s absorptive cells and speeding gut contractions, causing abrupt vomiting and watery diarrhea. The rapid loss of fluid and electrolytes is what leaves you weak, dizzy, and drained. Next steps focus on steady oral rehydration, gradual bland foods, strict handwashing and surface disinfection, staying home 24 to 48 hours after symptoms stop, and seeking care for dehydration, high fever, blood in stool or vomit, or symptoms beyond 3 days; there are several factors to consider, including who is at higher risk and how to prevent spread, so see the complete guidance below.
References:
* Green KY. Mechanisms of Norovirus Pathogenesis. J Infect Dis. 2013 Dec 1;208 Suppl 3:S192-8. doi: 10.1093/infdis/jit457. PMID: 24265377; PMCID: PMC3827299.
* Chang KO, Kim JK. Host-Norovirus Interactions and Implications for Antiviral Therapies. Viruses. 2021 May 29;13(6):1038. doi: 10.3390/v13061038. PMID: 34070776; PMCID: PMC8224538.
* Kambhampati A, Tate JE, Parashar UD. Enteric Viral Infections and Intestinal Dysfunction. J Infect Dis. 2020 Jan 1;221(Suppl 1):S25-S33. doi: 10.1093/infdis/jiz422. PMID: 31904791; PMCID: PMC6937669.
* Sang R, Liu C, Wang J, Shi Z. Norovirus-induced diarrhea: pathogenesis and treatment. Expert Rev Anti Infect Ther. 2022 Mar;20(3):421-432. doi: 10.1080/14787210.2022.1994273. PMID: 34674681.
* Hall AJ. Norovirus clinical features and outcomes. Curr Opin Infect Dis. 2020 Oct;33(5):439-445. doi: 10.1097/QCO.0000000000000676. PMID: 32665487; PMCID: PMC7462705.
Q.
Food Poisoning? Why Your Gut is Revolting & Medically Approved Next Steps
A.
Sudden nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and cramps are often your gut’s defense against contaminated food from bacteria, viruses, parasites, or toxins, and most cases improve in 1 to 3 days with hydration, rest, and a gradual return to bland foods. There are several factors to consider. See below for medically approved next steps, when to avoid over-the-counter anti-diarrheals, urgent red flags like bloody stools, high fever, dehydration, or relentless vomiting, who should seek care sooner including infants, older adults, pregnant or immunocompromised people, and key prevention tips that could change your next steps.
References:
* Akaike, R., et al. Foodborne Diseases: A Global Public Health Concern. *Microorganisms*. 2022 Aug 19;10(8):1687. doi: 10.3390/microorganisms10081687. PMID: 36015509.
* Kuriachan, S., et al. Foodborne Illness. *StatPearls [Internet]*. 2020 Jul 29. PMID: 31343715.
* Guarino, A., et al. The updated ESPGHAN/IDSA guidelines for the management of acute gastroenteritis in children and adults. *J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr*. 2018 Jan;66(1):15-28. doi: 10.1097/MPG.0000000000001997. PMID: 30678884.
* Sharma, D.P., et al. An Update on Foodborne Pathogens and Antimicrobial Resistance: Current Landscape and Future Challenges. *Antibiotics (Basel)*. 2023 Sep 21;12(9):1480. doi: 10.3390/antibiotics12091480. PMID: 37762696.
* Farthing, M., et al. Gastroenteritis. *Lancet*. 2020 Nov 28;396(10264):1913-1925. doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(20)31804-0. PMID: 33139369.
Q.
Sudden Violent Nausea? Why Norovirus Hits Hard & Your Critical Next Steps
A.
Sudden violent nausea with vomiting or watery diarrhea often points to norovirus, which strikes within 12 to 48 hours, feels intense, and usually improves in 1 to 3 days; start with frequent sips of fluids, rest, bland foods as tolerated, and careful handwashing and surface disinfection to avoid spread. There are several factors to consider that may change your next steps, including signs of dehydration, who is at higher risk, how long you remain contagious, and when to seek medical care. See below for complete guidance and specific red flags that can help you choose the safest next move.
References:
* Bailey J, Adkins D, Goodfellow I. Norovirus: molecular virology and pathogenesis. Virus Res. 2018 Dec 2;264:14-23. doi: 10.1016/j.virusres.2018.11.018. Epub 2018 Nov 19. PMID: 30472017.
* Cannon JL, Barclay L, Collins N, et al. Norovirus-associated gastroenteritis outbreaks in the United States, 2010-2015. Emerg Infect Dis. 2017 Jun;23(6):951-959. doi: 10.3201/eid2306.161175. PMID: 28504620; PMCID: PMC5443896.
* Glass RI, Parashar UD, Estes MK. Norovirus gastroenteritis. N Engl J Med. 2021 Mar 4;384(9):839-848. doi: 10.1056/NEJMcp2015242. PMID: 33657211.
* Schreier E, Neill FH, Estes MK. Norovirus infection: an overview of an emerging pathogen. J Clin Virol. 2018 Aug;105:170-177. doi: 10.1016/j.jcv.2018.06.014. Epub 2018 Jun 13. PMID: 29935409.
* Kirkland RA, Shaffer C, Chen Y, et al. Current Trends in Norovirus Epidemiology and Vaccine Development. Vaccines (Basel). 2023 Nov 22;11(12):1800. doi: 10.3390/vaccines11121800. PMID: 38131379; PMCID: PMC10747440.
Q.
The "Internal Storm"? Why Your Gut is Racing & Medical Steps for Diarrhea
A.
Diarrhea means loose, frequent stools, most often from infections but also from food triggers, stress, or medications, and the biggest immediate risk is dehydration. There are several factors to consider; see below to understand what is normal, what is not, and why your gut may feel like it is racing. Start with oral rehydration solutions or low sugar electrolyte drinks, light foods, and rest; use anti-diarrheals only if there is no fever or blood, and seek urgent care for dehydration signs, blood or black stool, high fever, severe pain, or symptoms lasting more than 3 days in adults or 24 hours in infants, while chronic diarrhea over 4 weeks needs evaluation, with complete guidance below.
References:
* Wischmeyer, P. E. (2021). Acute Diarrhea in Adults: A Review. *JAMA*, *326*(4), 341-352. PMID: 34310574.
* Waseem, K., & Badi, M. (2021). Diagnosis and management of chronic diarrhea. *Clinical and Experimental Gastroenterology*, *14*, 145-163. PMID: 34045839.
* Shi, N., & Li, N. (2022). The Gut Microbiota in Health and Disease. *Gastroenterology*, *162*(4), 1049-1073. PMID: 34793739.
* Sanger, G. J., & Furness, J. B. (2023). Dysregulation of intestinal motility in gastrointestinal disorders. *Nature Reviews Gastroenterology & Hepatology*, *20*(2), 83-102. PMID: 36509890.
* Thiagarajah, J. R., & Verkman, A. S. (2023). Mechanisms of Diarrhea. *Gastroenterology*, *165*(1), 16-33. PMID: 36906231.
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