Diarrhea: Causes, Home Care, Hydration, and When to Get Medical Care
Diarrhea
Diarrhea means having loose, watery, or more frequent stools than usual. It is common and often short-term, especially when caused by a stomach virus, food irritation, or something you ate. Many cases improve with fluids, rest, and supportive care.
However, diarrhea can sometimes lead to dehydration or may be a sign of infection, medication side effects, food intolerance, inflammatory bowel disease, or another medical condition. Knowing what to watch for can help you decide when home care is reasonable and when medical care is needed.
Common Causes of Diarrhea
Diarrhea can happen for many reasons, including:
Viral stomach infections
Food poisoning
Contaminated food or water
New foods or dietary changes
Lactose intolerance or food sensitivities
Stress or anxiety
Medication side effects
Antibiotic-associated diarrhea
Artificial sweeteners or sugar alcohols
Alcohol use
Irritable bowel syndrome
Inflammatory bowel disease
Recent travel
COVID-19 or other infections
If diarrhea is severe, persistent, bloody, or associated with fever or dehydration, it should be evaluated.
Symptoms That May Happen With Diarrhea
Diarrhea may occur by itself or with other symptoms, such as:
Abdominal cramping
Nausea
Vomiting
Bloating
Gas
Urgency to have a bowel movement
Fever
Fatigue
Loss of appetite
Body aches
Symptoms that come on suddenly after exposure to sick contacts, travel, or questionable food may suggest an infection.
When to Seek Medical Care
You should schedule medical care if:
Diarrhea lasts more than 2 days without improvement
You have signs of dehydration
You have severe abdominal or rectal pain
You have bloody or black stools
You have fever
You recently took antibiotics
You recently traveled
You have ongoing vomiting
You cannot keep fluids down
You have diabetes, kidney disease, heart disease, immune system problems, inflammatory bowel disease, or another higher-risk condition
Symptoms keep coming back
Diarrhea has lasted more than a week
You are unsure if symptoms are from infection, food poisoning, medication side effects, IBS, or another condition
Mayo Clinic recommends medical care for adults if diarrhea lasts more than two days without improvement, dehydration symptoms occur, severe abdominal or rectal pain is present, stools are bloody or black, or fever is high.
Signs of Dehydration
Diarrhea can cause dehydration, especially if it is frequent, watery, or combined with vomiting.
Watch for:
Excessive thirst
Dry mouth
Dizziness or lightheadedness
Weakness
Dark urine
Little or no urination
Fast heartbeat
Confusion
Feeling faint
Dry skin
Severe dehydration may require urgent treatment with IV fluids. CDC guidance on norovirus warns that severe dehydration can become serious and may require hospitalization.
When to Go to Urgent Care or the ER
Seek urgent in-person care or call 911 if you have:
Severe dehydration
Confusion, fainting, or severe weakness
Very little or no urination
Severe abdominal pain
A hard or swollen abdomen
Bloody or black stools
Vomiting blood or coffee-ground-like material
Persistent vomiting and cannot keep fluids down
High fever
Rapidly worsening symptoms
Chest pain, shortness of breath, or severe dizziness
These symptoms may suggest severe dehydration, gastrointestinal bleeding, serious infection, bowel obstruction, or another urgent condition.
Can Telehealth Help With Diarrhea?
Yes, telehealth may be appropriate for many adults with mild to moderate diarrhea when there are no severe red flag symptoms. A virtual visit can help review possible causes, hydration status, medication safety, whether testing may be needed, and when in-person care is necessary.
During a telehealth visit, your provider may ask about:
When symptoms started
Number of stools per day
Stool appearance
Blood or black stools
Fever
Abdominal pain location and severity
Nausea or vomiting
Ability to keep fluids down
Recent foods or sick contacts
Recent travel
Recent antibiotic use
Current medications and supplements
Medical history and risk factors
Signs of dehydration
Telehealth is not appropriate for severe dehydration, severe abdominal pain, bloody or black stools, fainting, confusion, persistent vomiting, or rapidly worsening symptoms.
How to Help Prevent Diarrhea
You may reduce your risk by:
Washing hands often with soap and water
Cleaning surfaces after vomiting or diarrhea illness
Cooking food to safe temperatures
Refrigerating food promptly
Avoiding food that smells spoiled or has been left out too long
Drinking safe water when traveling
Avoiding swallowing pool, lake, or ocean water
Avoiding close food-sharing when someone is sick
Staying home when actively ill if symptoms may be contagious
What This Means for You
Most mild diarrhea improves with hydration, rest, and simple foods. The biggest concern is dehydration, especially when diarrhea is frequent, watery, or combined with vomiting. If symptoms are severe, persistent, bloody, associated with fever, or you cannot stay hydrated, medical care is important.
At Your Best Life Medical eClinic, we provide convenient telehealth visits for adults in Virginia when diarrhea symptoms are mild to moderate and appropriate for virtual care.
Dealing with diarrhea, stomach upset, or possible food-related illness? Schedule a telehealth visit today to discuss your symptoms and safe next steps.
This information is for educational purposes only and does not replace medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you are experiencing severe symptoms or a medical emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.
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