This page is intended to give advice for adults with diarrhea. In all cases of diarrhea in babies and children, please consult your doctor.
Diarrhea is the passing of watery stools more than three times a day. Diarrhea is categorized as acute diarrhea which lasts 5-10 days, and chronic diarrhea which lasts more than 2 weeks.
Anyone suffering from chronic diarrhea should always consult their doctor. Acute diarrhea is usually a symptom of gastroenteritis (an infection of the bowel) and may be due to:
- A virus
- Food poisoning/infected food
- Bacteria
- Contaminated water from foreign countries.
Other causes include anxiety or drinking lots of alcohol.
Consult your doctor if you have:
- Persistent diarrhea
- Diarrhea associated with fever
- Diarrhea with severe or constant stomach cramps
- Children, babies and the elderly can easily become dehydrated and medical referral is advisable.
- Cramping pains in abdomen.
- Watery stools last hours or several days.
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Vomiting
- High temperature
- Headache
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Drink lots of fluid. Take small, frequent sips of water or diluted fruit juice.
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Rehydration drinks are ideal as they provide a great balance of salts, sugars and water to prevent dehydration. Packets are available from most pharmacies.
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Eat as normally as possible. It is recommended that you eat food high in carbohydrates (bread, rice, pasta, potatoes).
† Medical referral is advisable if symptoms worsen or persist.
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On no account should prescribed medication be discontinued, except under a doctor’s supervision.
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