Diarrhoea
Causes
Diarrhoea is usually caused by a bowel infection. Other causes can be things like a food allergy, alcohol or appendicitis.
If you're taking any medicine, check the side effects. Diarrhoea might be one of them.
Conditions that can cause diarrhoea are:
- irritable bowel syndrome
- crohn's disease
- ulcerative colitis
- coeliac disease
- diverticular disease
- chronic pancreatitis
- bowel cancer
- stomach cancer
Medically Reviewed by a doctor on 14 Jul 2017
Introduction
Diarrhoea should go away on its own within a few days. It's normal to also have stomach cramps. It's important that you drink enough fluids to avoid dehydration. Your pee should be light yellow or clear.
Symptoms
Symptoms of diarrhoea for adults and children include: watery or loose poo, stomach cramps, feeling sick and vomiting, etc. Diarrhoea often lasts 2 to 4 days in adults and 5 to 7 days in babies or children.
Causes
Diarrhoea is usually caused by a bowel infection. Other causes can be things like a food allergy, alcohol or appendicitis. If you're taking any medicine, check the side effects. Diarrhoea might be one of them.
Treatment
You can take medicines to help reduce the diarrhoea and shorten how long it lasts. But you don't have to take these and they won't cure your diarrhoea. Describe your symptoms to the pharmacist. They can recommend the best medicine for you.
Prevention
You can't always prevent diarrhoea. Good food hygiene can reduce the risk of getting it. While you have diarrhoea: wash your hands well every time you've been to the toilet, clean the toilet after you've gone, etc.
Subscribe
Ask the doctor
Rate this article
Find products