Diarrhea is common, but that doesn’t make it any less uncomfortable. When it happens, you probably want to know how to stop diarrhea and how long you should wait before calling a doctor.
Most cases get better within a few days. Drinking plenty of fluids and making temporary changes to your diet may be enough. But diarrhea that doesn’t improve or keeps coming back could be a sign of another digestive problem.
If you have mild diarrhea, preventing dehydration should be your first priority. Drink plenty of water throughout the day. Broth, sports drinks, or oral rehydration solutions can also replace some of the fluids and electrolytes you’ve lost.
When you’re ready to eat, choose foods that are easy on your stomach and slowly return to your normal diet as you feel better. You may want to temporarily avoid:
Over-the-counter medicines such as loperamide may provide short-term relief for some adults. But they aren’t right for everyone. Don’t use them if you have bloody diarrhea or a high fever unless your doctor tells you to.
Something you ate may be the first thing that comes to mind, but diarrhea has many possible causes.
Bacteria such as E. coli and Salmonella can cause diarrhea, as can parasites such as Giardia. Viral infections, including norovirus, are another common cause.
Other possible causes include:
Finding the cause becomes more important when diarrhea doesn’t go away or keeps coming back.
Most cases of acute diarrhea clear up within a few days. But you don’t have to wait weeks to contact your doctor. Adults should contact their doctor if diarrhea lasts more than two days without improving.
You should also contact your doctor if you have:
Signs of dehydration can include a dry mouth, dark urine, urinating less often, dizziness, weakness, or extreme thirst.
Recurring diarrhea may be a sign that something else is affecting your digestive system.
Your gastroenterologist may ask about your diet, medications, recent travel, and other symptoms. Blood work, stool tests, or other exams may help identify infections or digestive conditions.
Treatment depends on the cause. For example, diarrhea caused by an infection may need a different approach than diarrhea related to IBS, inflammatory bowel disease, or a food intolerance.
Good hygiene and food safety can reduce your risk of some types of diarrhea. Wash your hands after using the bathroom and before preparing or eating food. Wash produce, cook meat thoroughly, and keep raw meat away from foods that are ready to eat.
If certain foods regularly trigger diarrhea, talk with your doctor before eliminating entire food groups from your diet. Identifying the actual trigger can help you avoid unnecessary restrictions.
Most diarrhea goes away on its own. But if you’re wondering how to stop diarrhea because your symptoms won’t improve or keep coming back, it may be time to find out what’s causing them.
Gastroenterology Consultants of San Antonio diagnoses and treats digestive conditions that can cause persistent or recurring diarrhea. Our gastroenterologists can evaluate your symptoms and recommend treatment based on the cause.
If diarrhea is interfering with your daily life, contact us today to schedule an appointment.
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