Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSymptomsCausesDiagnosisTreatmentComplicationsPrevention
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Symptoms
Causes
Diagnosis
Treatment
Complications
Prevention
Watery diarrhea means that you have liquid stools, typically due to infections (like norovirus) or medical conditions likeceliac diseaseandirritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Some cases of watery diarrhea are self-limiting or don’t require treatment.
However, if waterydiarrheais persistent and left untreated, it can lead todehydrationand potentially serious complications like seizures and shock. Infants and young children are at high risk due to their small body size.
Don’t wait more than 24 hours if a young child or infant has other symptoms with watery diarrhea, including fever or abdominal pain.
Liderina / Getty Images
Symptoms of Watery Diarrhea
Watery diarrhea means your stools are liquid instead of firm. They occur in episodes at least three times a day, often with an explosive rush of watery stool. Sometimes, there is a complete lack of control over your bowel movements.
Diarrhea can coincide with other symptoms, such as:
The frequency, severity, duration, and even the color of the diarrhea can vary depending on the cause. For instance, bouts of watery yellow diarrhea every 20 minutes or so can be a sign of a parasitic infection known asgiardiasis.
Germs can cause watery diarrhea, many of them spread through contaminated food, water, or hand-to-mouth behaviors.Certain diseases and health conditions also cause watery diarrhea.
Viral Causes
Viral gastroenteritisoccurs when certain viruses infect the digestive tract and cause “stomach flu.” This leads to watery diarrhea along with cramping and nausea.
There is no specific treatment for these gastrointestinal viruses. They often run their course without the need for medicine.
The most common causes of viral gastroenteritis include:
Does COVID-19 Cause Diarrhea?COVID-19 can affect the digestive tract and cause diarrhea and other gastrointestinal symptoms. A 2021 review of studies found that 12% of acute COVID infections involved diarrhea. The risk increased with the severity of the infection.
Does COVID-19 Cause Diarrhea?
COVID-19 can affect the digestive tract and cause diarrhea and other gastrointestinal symptoms. A 2021 review of studies found that 12% of acute COVID infections involved diarrhea. The risk increased with the severity of the infection.
Rotavirus vs. Norovirus: What Are the Differences?
Bacterial Causes
There are several types of bacterial infections associated with watery diarrhea. Most are foodborne and spread through contaminated food or improper hygiene. These causes include:
Parasitic Causes
Parasitic gastrointestinal infections are most common in areas with poor access to clean water and sanitation. Many different types of parasites can lead to watery diarrhea, some of which are common in the United States. They include the following:
Other Causes
Infectious diseases are the most common cause of watery diarrhea, but some non-infectious causes can lead to frequent bouts of diarrhea as well. Other digestive conditions include:
Few people need a healthcare provider to diagnose watery diarrhea. The symptom is pretty self-evident and a physical exam will assess vital signs, other symptoms like fever, and any potential changes in medication, routine, diet, or other potential causes.
However, if the condition doesn’t improve after a couple of days—or you or your child are exhibiting signs of dehydration—your healthcare provider may want to run tests. These may include stool samples, fasting tests,blood tests, or the following:
The treatment of watery diarrhea is focused on resolving the root cause, often with medications that ease the severity of diarrhea.Imodium (loperamide)is one anti-diarrheal drug available over the counter.
Replacing Lost Fluids
If you are unable to hydrate and your symptoms worsen, you may need to go to a hospital to get intravenous (IV) fluids delivered into your vein. The hospital can also prescribeantiemetic drugsto ease nausea and vomiting.
Watery diarrhea is often harmless and fleeting. But, in some cases, it can lead to serious complications of dehydration ormalabsorptionof vitamins and nutrients. Watch for:
Preventing Watery Diarrhea
Improved Hygiene
The best way to avoid infections is to wash your hands after using the bathroom and handling food. You need to take extra care when traveling abroad, only drinking bottled water, only eating well-cooked foods, and avoiding swimming in unchlorinated water.
Food Safety
To reduce your risk:
Vaccination
Two common causes of diarrhea, rotavirus and cholera, can be prevented through vaccination:
Summary
There are many reasons for watery diarrhea, including viral, bacterial, and parasitic infections as well as medical conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), celiac disease, and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
In addition to treating the underlying cause of watery diarrhea, you need to replace the lost fluids to avoid dehydration and other potentially severe complications. Seek immediate care if you have signs of severe dehydration such as sunken eyes, fatigue, increased thirst, and lightheadedness.
Why Do I Get Diarrhea After Eating?
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