What causes watery diarrhea?
Watery diarrhea is usually caused by a bacterial, viral, or parasitic infection in the intestines. The most common causes include:
- Viral infections like norovirus, rotavirus, adenovirus
- Bacterial infections like E. coli, Salmonella, Campylobacter
- Parasitic infections like Giardia, Cryptosporidium
- Food poisoning
- Medication side effects
- Inflammatory bowel diseases like Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis
- Food intolerances like lactose intolerance
These infections or conditions disrupt the intestines’ ability to properly absorb water and nutrients, leading to frequent watery stools. Diarrhea helps flush out the infection but also results in dehydration if severe.
How can I stop the diarrhea?
If you have watery diarrhea for more than 2-3 days or diarrhea with other concerning symptoms like fever, blood, or severe pain, you should see a doctor for proper diagnosis and treatment.
For milder cases, you can try these home remedies to help control the diarrhea:
Stay Hydrated
Drink plenty of clear fluids like water, broths, diluted fruit juices or oral rehydration solutions to prevent dehydration. Avoid sugary drinks, caffeine and alcohol which can worsen diarrhea. Children with diarrhea need extra fluids.
Eat the BRAT Diet
Stick to bland, easy to digest foods for a couple days. BRAT stands for:
- Bananas
- Rice
- Applesauce
- Toast
Avoid dairy, fatty, sugary, high-fiber foods until stool consistency improves.
Take Anti-diarrheal Medication
Over-the-counter anti-diarrheal pills like loperamide (Imodium) can help slow down diarrhea by slowing gut motility. Use as directed on the label.
Try Probiotics
Probiotic supplements containing healthy gut bacteria can help restore balance to your intestines. Yogurt with live cultures may also help. Ask your doctor for probiotic recommendations.
Avoid Trigger Foods
Once recovered, reintroduce foods gradually and avoid any that seem to make your diarrhea worse. Dairy, greasy foods, and caffeine are common diarrhea triggers. Keep a food diary to identify your triggers.
When to See a Doctor
Consult your doctor if you have:
- Diarrhea lasting over 2 days
- Severe pain or cramping
- Fever over 101 F (38 C)
- Bloody or black stools
- Signs of dehydration like dizziness, dry mouth, infrequent urination
Your doctor can determine if your diarrhea is from an infection, foodborne illness or other condition that may require treatment with prescription medication like antibiotics or other therapies.
How can I prevent watery diarrhea?
You can reduce your chances of getting diarrhea by:
- Washing hands frequently with soap and water
- Avoiding contaminated food and water
- Getting vaccines like rotavirus, cholera, typhoid
- Only drinking pasteurized milk and dairy products
- Rinsing fruits and vegetables
- Cooking food thoroughly
- Taking antibiotics only when necessary
When traveling, take precautions to avoid travelers’ diarrhea from ingesting new bacteria:
- Drink sealed bottled water
- Eat cooked, piping hot foods
- Avoid uncooked foods washed in tap water
- Take probiotics
If you have frequent diarrhea, keep a food diary to identify problematic foods to avoid. Check with your doctor to rule out underlying medical conditions like lactose intolerance or irritable bowel syndrome.
Conclusion
Acute watery diarrhea often resolves on its own within a few days with home treatment to prevent dehydration. Seek medical advice for severe, persistent or recurring diarrhea to get proper diagnosis and care. Take preventive measures like handwashing, safe food handling and vaccination to reduce your risk of diarrhea.
| Cause | Symptoms | Treatment |
|---|---|---|
| Viral infection | Watery diarrhea, abdominal cramps, nausea, fever | Clear fluids, BRAT diet, anti-diarrheals, rest |
| Food poisoning | Watery diarrhea, vomiting, fever, chills | Clear fluids, BRAT diet, anti-diarrheals |
| Medication side effects | Watery stool, bloating, nausea | Consult doctor about stopping or changing medication |
| IBD like Crohn’s, UC | Bloody diarrhea, weight loss, abdominal pain | Prescription anti-inflammatory drugs, biologics |