What is Diarrhea
Diarrhea is when you have loose and water poop (stool) often. Diarrhea can make you feel weak and cause you to get dehydrated. Dehydration can make you tired and thirsty, make you have a dry mouth, and make it so you pee (urinate) less often.
Diarrhea often lasts 2–3 days. However, it can last longer if it is a sign of something more serious. It is important to treat your diarrhea as told by your doctor.
Follow these recommendations as told by your doctor:
- Take an oral rehydration solution (ORS). This is a drink that is sold at pharmacies and stores.
- Drink
clear fluids, such as:
- Water.
- Ice chips.
- Diluted fruit juice.
- Low-calorie sports drinks.
- Eat
bland, easy-to-digest foods in small amounts as you are able. These foods
include:
- Bananas.
- Applesauce.
- Rice.
- Low-fat (lean) meats.
- Toast.
- Crackers.
- Avoid drinking fluids that have a lot of sugar or caffeine in them.
- Avoid alcohol.
- Avoid spicy or fatty foods.
General instructions
- Drink enough fluid to keep your pee (urine) clear or pale yellow.
- Wash your hands often. If you cannot use soap and water, use hand sanitizer.
- Make sure that all people in your home wash their hands well and often.
- Take over-the-counter and prescription medicines only as told by your doctor.
- Rest at home while you get better.
- Watch your condition for any changes.
- Take a warm bath to help with any burning or pain from having diarrhea.
- Keep all follow-up visits as told by your doctor. This is important.
Contact a doctor if:
- You have a fever.
- Your diarrhea gets worse.
- You have new symptoms.
- You cannot keep fluids down.
- You feel light-headed or dizzy.
- You have a headache.
- You have muscle cramps.
Get help right away if:
- You have chest pain.
- You feel very weak or you pass out (faint).
- You have bloody or black poop or poop that look like tar.
- You have very bad pain, cramping, or bloating in your belly (abdomen).
- You have trouble breathing or you are breathing very quickly.
- Your heart is beating very quickly.
- Your skin feels cold and clammy.
- You feel confused.
- You
have signs of dehydration, such as:
- Dark pee, hardly any pee, or no pee.
- Cracked lips.
- Dry mouth.
- Sunken eyes.
- Sleepiness.
- Weakness.
