On this page:
Symptoms of diarrhoea
Diarrhoea can be dangerous for babies and young children
Causes of acute diarrhoea
Causes of chronic diarrhoea
Diagnosis of diarrhoea
Treatment for diarrhoea
Risk of spreading infection
Dietary adjustments may help diarrhoea
Where to get help
Things to remember
Food nutrients are absorbed in the small intestine. The waste is pushed into the large intestine (bowel) where water is removed. The resulting faeces is stored temporarily within the ****** then passed out of the body through the ****. Faeces are usually firm, moist and easy to pass. Diarrhoea is the frequent passing of loose, watery and unformed faeces.

Acute diarrhoea is the sudden onset of three or more loose stools per day, lasting less than 14 days. The most common cause of acute diarrhoea is an infection of the intestines, such as gastroenteritis or food poisoning. Viruses are responsible for most cases. The intestinal lining becomes irritated and inflamed, which hinders the absorption of water from food waste. In severe cases, the intestinal lining may even leak water.

Generally, acute diarrhoea resolves after a day or two. Chronic diarrhoea, which lasts four weeks or more, can be caused by a range of conditions that affect the intestines, including inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
Symptoms of diarrhoea
The symptoms associated with diarrhoea include:
abdominal cramps
abdominal pains
urgency to go to the toilet
frequent passing of loose, watery faeces
nausea
vomiting.
Serious symptoms of diarrhoea
In most cases, acute diarrhoea is self-limiting and will resolve by itself within a day or two.
However, contact your doctor immediately if you experience serious symptoms including:
blood in the faeces
pus in the faeces
painful passage of faeces
repeated vomiting
inability to increase fluid intake
reduced or absent urination
fever (temperature greater than 38 ºc).
If you have a serious chronic medical condition, such as kidney or heart failure, even one day of diarrhoea can be dangerous. It’s safer to see your doctor as soon as possible.
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Diarrhoea can be dangerous for babies and young children
Acute diarrhoea can be life threatening to babies and young children. This is because their smaller bodies are more vulnerable to dehydration. If your baby or young child develops diarrhoea, seek medical attention straight away.
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Causes of acute diarrhoea
A bout of diarrhoea can be caused by a wide range of disorders, infections and events including:
food poisoning
gastroenteritis
tropical diseases, such as typhoid and cholera
anxiety or emotional stress
overconsumption of alcohol
medications, particularly antibiotics.