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Guide for
Diarrhea Treatment Online
By Medical Editor:
Dr. Francesco-Maria Serino, MD, PhD
September, 2024
Summary
Diarrhea is when you pass loose or watery stools at least three times a day. It can be caused by viruses, bacteria, or parasites. For example, mild cases are often due to viruses like norovirus, while more severe cases may involve bacteria like Salmonella or Campylobacter. Acute diarrhea, which lasts less than two weeks, often resolves on its own. But if diarrhea lasts more than 30 days, it’s considered chronic and could indicate a more serious issue like inflammatory bowel disease or a bacterial infection like C. difficile.
The main treatment for diarrhea is rehydration, as the body loses a lot of fluids. Drinking oral rehydration solutions (ORS) is often the best way to stay hydrated, especially for mild to moderate cases. In more severe situations, antibiotics might be necessary, but they’re not always recommended—especially if the diarrhea is caused by certain bacteria, like E. coli, which could lead to more serious complications like hemolytic-uremic syndrome (HUS). An online doctor consultation can be a great way to quickly get advice on how to treat diarrhea and get back to your travels faster.
What is Diarrhea?
Diarrhea refers to the frequent passage of loose or watery stools, typically occurring at least three times within 24 hours. Common types include yellow diarrhea, green diarrhea, and black diarrhea, depending on factors like diet or underlying conditions. This condition arises when the intestines fail to absorb water properly, or the body secretes too much water into the bowel. Acute diarrhea, such as explosive diarrhea often caused by infections or sudden changes in diet, typically resolves within a few days. However, persistent diarrhea can last more than two weeks, and chronic diarrhea can extend beyond a month.
Types of Diarrhea
- Acute Diarrhea: This form lasts less than 14 days and is often triggered by infections, which could include foodborne illnesses encountered during travel, or as a side effect of medications. Travelers’ diarrhea is a common issue faced by those visiting foreign destinations, often resulting in watery diarrhea every 10 minutes or sudden yellow watery diarrhea in adults.
- Persistent Diarrhea: If diarrhea lasts between 14 to 30 days, it usually requires medical evaluation. Persistent diarrhea can follow episodes of vomiting and diarrhea or develop due to reactions to specific foods..
- Chronic Diarrhea: Lasting more than 30 days, this type is usually linked to conditions like IBS or IBD. Those with chronic diarrhea might experience constant stomach cramps and diarrhea, which can be disruptive, especially during everyday activities like travel.
What Causes Diarrhea?
Diarrhea can have many causes, with the most common being:
- Infections: Common viral causes include norovirus and COVID-19, which can cause COVID diarrhea. Bacterial infections like E. coli and Salmonella, often contracted through contaminated food during travel, can lead to explosive diarrhea and more severe symptoms such as bloody diarrhea.
- Medications: Certain antibiotics can disrupt gut flora and lead to conditions like bile acid diarrhea, which might need anti-diarrhea medicine for management.
- Food intolerance: Consuming certain foods can trigger reactions like yellow watery diarrhea after eating or bright yellow diarrhea. Individuals may experience explosive diarrhea after eating specific meals.
- Chronic conditions: Issues like IBS, celiac disease, and Crohn’s disease can cause chronic diarrhea.
Is Diarrhea a Symptom of COVID-19?
Yes, diarrhea can be a symptom of COVID-19, especially in the early stages of infection. While COVID-19 is primarily known as a respiratory illness, gastrointestinal symptoms such as diarrhea have been reported. Though often mild, COVID diarrhea can become more severe in individuals with preexisting conditions. Symptoms like nausea and diarrhea, as well as vomiting and diarrhea without fever, can occur.
How Long Does Diarrhea Last?
The duration of diarrhea depends on its cause.
- Acute diarrhea generally lasts for a few days, typically less than 14 days.
- Persistent diarrhea continues for more than 14 days but less than 30 days.
- Chronic diarrhea lasts longer than 30 days and usually indicates an underlying medical condition that requires evaluation.
Diarrhea Treatment
Treating diarrhea involves managing symptoms, staying hydrated, and addressing the underlying cause.
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Hydration: The most critical aspect of diarrhea treatment is rehydration, especially with oral rehydration solutions that contain water, salt, and sugar to replace lost fluids and electrolytes.
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Medications: Over-the-counter medications like loperamide (Imodium) can slow down bowel movements, which can help in non-severe cases of diarrhea. However, these should be avoided if the diarrhea is caused by infections that result in fever or bloody stools.
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Antibiotics: These may be used if the diarrhea is caused by bacterial infections, especially in severe cases or for travelers’ diarrhea.
How to Stop Diarrhea
To stop diarrhea quickly in adults:
- Hydrate well: Drink plenty of fluids, like oral rehydration solutions, and avoid sugary or caffeinated drinks.
- Medications: Anti-diarrheal medicines like loperamide or bismuth subsalicylate (Pepto-Bismol) can help slow down bowel movements. If the diarrhea is related to an infection, antibiotics may be required, but you should consult a healthcare provider for the best course of treatment.
What to Eat When You Have Diarrhea
Choosing the right foods during a bout of diarrhea is essential. Stick to the BRAT diet (bananas, rice, applesauce, toast) and opt for broth-based soups and boiled potatoes. Avoid foods that can exacerbate symptoms, such as dairy or high-fiber vegetables, until recovery. Individuals dealing with yellow watery diarrhea or other persistent symptoms should also consider what foods can soothe the digestive system, such as crackers and gentle meals.
- Bananas: Rich in potassium, which helps replace lost nutrients.
- Rice: Plain, white rice is easy to digest.
- Applesauce: Gentle on the stomach.
- Toast: Plain, dry toast without butter can be beneficial.
Also, opt for:
- Broth-based soups
- Boiled potatoes
- Crackers
Avoid dairy, fried foods, and high-fiber vegetables until symptoms improve.
Common diarrhea medications
Oral rehydration solutions
oral powder
Loperamide
capsules
What Is the Best Medicine for Diarrhea and Vomiting?
For cases involving both vomiting and diarrhea, it’s critical to maintain hydration through oral rehydration solutions. Medicine for diarrhea, like bismuth subsalicylate, may help relieve both diarrhea and nausea. However, if symptoms worsen or persist, consulting a healthcare provider is essential. Loperamide is another commonly used medication for diarrhea. It helps slow down bowel movements, making stools less watery and more solid. It’s effective for treating both acute diarrhea and chronic diarrhea related to conditions like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
While loperamide (Imodium) is effective for treating diarrhea, there are some risks associated with its use:
- Overuse or misuse: Taking higher doses than recommended can lead to serious heart problems, including abnormal heart rhythms.
- Toxicity: In rare cases, loperamide misuse can cause central nervous system toxicity, especially in large doses.
- Masking underlying conditions: Loperamide may temporarily relieve symptoms but can mask more serious underlying infections, such as those caused by bacteria like Salmonella or Shigella. This can delay proper treatment.
- Constipation: Overuse can lead to constipation or even a blocked intestine, especially if taken in excess.
It’s important to use loperamide only as directed and to avoid it if diarrhea is accompanied by a high fever or bloody stools, as this can indicate a more serious infection that requires different treatment.
By integrating these treatments and remedies, guided by a healthcare provider, you can manage diarrhea effectively, whether you’re dealing with it after eating, during travel, or experiencing chronic conditions.
What Can I Drink to Stop Diarrhea Fast?
The best drinks to stop diarrhea and rehydrate the body include:
- Oral rehydration solutions (ORS): These are formulated to replace lost fluids and electrolytes.
- Clear broths: Help replenish fluids and provide some nourishment.
- Diluted fruit juices: Can provide hydration, but avoid those high in sugar.
- Coconut water: A natural source of electrolytes.
Avoid caffeinated, alcoholic, and sugary drinks, as they can worsen diarrhea.
Did you know that...
Here’s an interesting fact: even though diarrhea is often linked to bacterial or viral infections, stool tests only show positive results in about 1.5% to 5.6% of cases. This means that many cases, especially in well-resourced areas, might not be caused by easily detectable germs.
References
Weidinger S, Bieber T, Cork MJ, et al. Safety and efficacy of amlitelimab, a fully human nondepleting, noncytotoxic anti-OX40 ligand monoclonal antibody, in atopic dermatitis: results of a phase IIa randomized placebo-controlled trial. Br J Dermatol 2023; 189:531.
Simpson EL, Reich K, et al. An anti-OX40 antibody to treat moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis: a multicenter, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase 2b study. Lancet 2023; 401:204.
Totté JE, van der Feltz WT, Hennekam M, et al. Prevalence and odds of Staphylococcus aureus carriage in atopic dermatitis: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Br J Dermatol 2016; 175:687.
Tauber M, Balica S, Hsu CY, et al. Staphylococcus aureus density on lesional and nonlesional skin is strongly associated with disease severity in atopic dermatitis. J Allergy Clin Immunol 2016; 137:1272.
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Answer a few questions
Just answer a few questions about your diarrhea symptoms and choose a convenient time for your online session. It’s simple and hassle-free, with no need to sign up.
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Doctors respond in minutes. Select your preferred one and start your virtual consultation right from your web browser.
7-day free follow-up chat
Reach out to your doctor with any questions you might have, at no extra cost for 7 days following your consultation.
How does it work?
99% of our users solve their issue within 1 hour. No waiting, no language barriers, no insurance needed.
Answer a few questions
Just answer a few questions about your diarrhea symptoms and choose a convenient time for your online session. It’s simple and hassle-free, with no need to sign up.
Select and connect
Doctors respond in minutes. Select your preferred one and start your virtual consultation right from your web browser.
7-day free follow-up chat
Reach out to your doctor with any questions you might have, at no extra cost for 7 days following your consultation.
Your questions answered
Why Do I Have Diarrhea?
Diarrhea can have many causes, and it’s often triggered by infections, food intolerances, or underlying health issues. Acute diarrhea, which lasts for a few days, is usually caused by viral infections (like norovirus), bacterial infections (such as Salmonella or E. coli), or parasites. Common triggers include consuming contaminated food or water, food intolerances (like lactose intolerance), or stress. Diarrhea after eating may also occur if your body reacts to certain foods or if you have food poisoning.
Chronic diarrhea, lasting more than four weeks, could be due to non-infectious causes like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), inflammatory bowel disease, or prolonged infections. Travelers’ diarrhea often happens when visiting countries with different sanitation practices or food standards.
How to Stop Diarrhea Fast?
Stopping diarrhea quickly depends on the cause, but general steps include staying hydrated and using anti-diarrhea medicine like loperamide (Imodium). Oral rehydration solutions (ORS) can help replace lost fluids, and over-the-counter anti-diarrheal medicine can slow the frequency of bowel movements. However, avoid taking these medications if your diarrhea is accompanied by a fever or bloody stools, as it could indicate a more serious infection.
For sudden watery diarrhea or constant diarrhea, especially when it’s severe (like liquid diarrhea every 10 minutes), seeing a doctor is crucial, particularly if you suspect food poisoning or an infection like C. difficile.
What to eat when you have diarrhea?
Recommended Foods
- Boiled Starches and Cereals: These include potatoes, noodles, rice, wheat, and oats. Adding a little salt can help replenish lost electrolytes.
- Bananas: This fruit is easily digestible and helps firm up stools, which is beneficial when experiencing watery diarrhea.
- Crackers: Plain crackers are bland and gentle on the stomach, helping absorb excess liquid in the intestines.
- Soup and Broths: Clear, broth-based soups (like vegetable soup) are ideal as they provide necessary hydration and nutrients.
- Boiled Vegetables: Soft-cooked vegetables like carrots or squash are also easy on the digestive system.
Foods to Avoid
- High-fat foods: These can be harder to digest and may worsen symptoms.
- Dairy (except yogurt): Diarrhea can temporarily cause lactose malabsorption, making it harder to digest dairy products.
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After the consultation, expect to receive an invoice and an e-prescription via email. You can show or print the e-prescription to purchase medication at the pharmacy of your choice.
How do I get a prescription from an online doctor?
Following the consultation, the doctor will either email the e-prescription to you or send it via WhatsApp. You can then either print it out or show it directly to the pharmacist when purchasing the medication.
It’s important to understand that doctors must responsibly evaluate each case individually. They can’t simply prescribe medication solely based on a patient’s request or a recommendation from another doctor without confirming that it’s suitable for the patient’s specific condition.
How much does it cost?
The total cost may differ based on the providers. Each one competes for your request, offering a fair price tailored to your needs. On average, an online doctor visit costs 25 Euros. Prices for in-person appointments, specialists, and lab work vary by city. You can send a request to learn more—there’s no commitment to book, and you can select your provider.
Please note that the visit fee doesn’t cover medication expenses, but common antibiotics are quite affordable in Europe. The cost of antibiotic treatment typically ranges from 5 to 15 euros approximately.
Are doctors available on weekends?
Yes, whenever you submit your request it is instantly received by the doctors active at that time. Whether it’s late at night, on a Sunday morning, or on New Year’s Eve, there’s always someone on the other side who’s ready to see you. When you receive an option for an appointment, there’s a person behind it (a doctor) who’s read your request and is willing to assist you.
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