Non-Specific Diarrhea

What is diarrhea?

Diarrhea is when you have watery stool. It can be very soft runny stool or almost completely liquid. It’s an extremely common symptom of viral illnesses, like stomach bugs. It usually resolves on its own without treatment.

Mild diarrhea

Mild, temporary diarrhea usually lasts 1–7 days. You may have two to eight loose to watery bowel movements per day. This type of diarrhea is very common and usually does not require a visit to the doctor. The most common causes of mild diarrhea are viral infections of the small intestine and food poisoning.

Severe diarrhea

Severe diarrhea is defined as more than 10 watery bowel movements each day. If you have difficulty drinking enough fluids to make up for the fluids that have been lost, you can become dehydrated. You may also have blood or pus in the bowel movements (dysentery).

The usual causes of severe diarrhea are infections, although inflammatory bowel disease, some tumors, and pancreatic insufficiency (in which the pancreas does not make enough digestive enzymes) are occasional causes.

Viral Gastroenteritis vs. Food Poisoning

While viral gastroenteritis and food poisoning can cause similar symptoms, they are distinct conditions with different causes. Viral gastroenteritis, often called stomach flu, is an inflammation of the stomach and intestines caused by a virus. Food poisoning, on the other hand, results from consuming food or drinks contaminated with harmful bacteria, viruses, parasites, or toxins.

Both conditions can lead to symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain. However, food poisoning symptoms typically appear more quickly, often within 2-6 hours after eating contaminated food, while viral gastroenteritis symptoms may take 1-2 days to develop after exposure to the virus.

The primary difference lies in their causes. Viral gastroenteritis is most commonly caused by norovirus or rotavirus and spreads through person-to-person contact or contaminated surfaces. Food poisoning is usually the result of consuming improperly handled, stored, or cooked food containing harmful pathogens like Salmonella or E. coli.

Treatment for both conditions focuses on managing symptoms and preventing dehydration. Rest and drinking plenty of fluids are crucial. In most cases, both viral gastroenteritis and food poisoning resolve on their own within a few days. However, severe cases may require medical attention, especially if there are signs of dehydration or persistent symptoms.

Prevention is key for both conditions. Practicing good hygiene, such as washing hands frequently, is essential for preventing viral gastroenteritis. For food poisoning, proper food handling, cooking, and storage practices are crucial to avoid contamination. By taking these precautions, you can reduce your risk of experiencing either of these unpleasant digestive issues.

Treatment

If you have severe diarrhea, your doctor is likely to take a stool sample to test for infection with bacteria or parasites. If you are dehydrated, you will receive oral rehydration solutions or intravenous solutions of salt water. For milder diarrhea you can try home remedies.

Call a doctor if you have diarrhea and any of the following apply:

• You have black or bloody bowel movements.
• You have pus in your bowel movements.
• You have abdominal pain and cramps that are not relieved by having a bowel movement.
• You are dehydrated (your mouth feels dry and you are thirsty and weak).
• You have a fever above 101°F with chills and vomiting.
• You have traveled to a foreign country recently and the diarrhea started while you were there or within a week of returning.
• You are taking medicine for another condition and your diarrhea has persisted for more than 4 weeks (diarrhea may be a side effect of the medicine).
• Your diarrhea lasts more than 1 week.
• You are taking immune-suppressing medicine.