Diarrhea

Diarrhea — loose, watery and possibly more-frequent bowel movements — is a common problem. It may be present alone or be associated with other symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain or weight loss.

Luckily, diarrhea is usually short-lived, lasting no more than a few days. But when diarrhea lasts beyond a few days into weeks, it usually indicates that there's another problem — such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) or a more serious disorder, including persistent infection, celiac disease or inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

Symptoms

Signs and symptoms associated with diarrhea (loose, watery stools) may include:

Abdominal cramps or pain

Bloating

Nausea

Vomiting

Fever

Blood in the stool

Mucus in the stool

Urgent need to have a bowel movement

When to see a doctor

If you're an adult, see your doctor if:

Your diarrhea persists beyond two days with no improvement

You become dehydrated

You have severe abdominal or rectal pain

You have bloody or black stools

You have a fever above 102 F (39 C)

In children, particularly young children, diarrhea can quickly lead to dehydration. Call your doctor if your child's diarrhea doesn't improve within 24 hours or if your child:

Becomes dehydrated

Has a fever above 102 F (39 C)

Has bloody or black stools