Diarrhea
Adults and Teens
Infants and Children
Diarrhea is usually caused by a virus or bacteria, but it can also be caused by parasites, bowel diseases, foods, and medications. Usually, diarrhea will go away on its own, but prolonged diarrhea may be a sign of a more serious condition.
Can I treat this at home or do I need a doctor?
You should see a doctor right away if you:
- have more than 6 bowel movements in 24 hours
- have diarrhea that lasts for more than 2 days
- have symptoms of dehydration (e.g., dry mouth or tongue, feeling very thirsty, weakness or lightheadedness, not urinating as often as usual)
- are urinating less frequently than usual or have dark concentrated urine
- have blood, pus, or mucus in the stool, or the stool is black
- have abdominal pain that is getting worse
- have a temperature higher than 38.5°C
- cannot keep fluids down
- recently started a new medication or had a change in dose of an existing medication
Home treatment
Non-medication treatments
The most important treatment is to make sure you get enough fluid to replace what is lost through the bowel movements.
- Stay hydrated.
- You can drink sports drinks (e.g., Gatorade®), clear broths, or oral rehydration solutions (e.g., Gastrolyte®).
- Drink a larger amount and more often than you normally do.
- If you are also vomiting, try drinking less at a time but more frequently.
- Once the diarrhea slows down, you can go back to the amount of fluids that you usually take.
- Eat a bland diet.
- For example, try banana, applesauce, rice, and toast. Avoid fatty or spicy or high-fibre foods or dairy while you're having diarrhea.
- Once the diarrhea slows down, gradually return to what you usually eat.
Over-the-counter medications
There is no need to use anti-diarrhea medication unless directed by your doctor.
- Medications available without a prescription include loperamide* (Imodium®), bismuth subsalicylate (Pepto-Bismol®), and attapulgite (Kaopectate®).
- Talk to a health care professional before using these products.
- If diarrhea is caused by an infectious agent (e.g., bacteria), stopping the diarrhea with antidiarrheal medications may make things worse.
What not to do
Here are some of the things you shouldn't do and why:
- Don't use only water for more than 24 hours as fluid replacement. Water does not have the salt and sugar that your body needs. Drink fluids with electrolytes. You can make your own oral rehydration solution by mixing 4 cups water with 1 teaspoon of salt and 8 teaspoons of sugar.
- Don't stop drinking because your diarrhea seems worse after you drink. You need to replace the fluids lost from the watery stool. Dehydration can be very dangerous.
* All medications have both common (generic) and brand names. The brand name is what a specific manufacturer calls the product (e.g., Tylenol®). The common name is the medical name for the medication (e.g., acetaminophen). A medication may have many brand names, but only one common name. This article lists medications by their common names. For information on a given medication, check our Drug Information database. For more information on brand names, speak with your doctor or pharmacist.
What to expect
The diarrhea should slow down and you should feel better in 1 to 2 days.
You should see your doctor if:
- your diarrhea has lasted for more than 3 days
- you are feeling worse or the diarrhea is becoming more frequent
- there is blood, mucus, or pus in the stool or the stool is green
- you have any of the signs and symptoms listed previously
Learn more
