What causes diarrhea for 3 days. Learn about 15 common causes of diarrhea and how to treat it effectively.

Understanding Diarrhea

Diarrhea is a common condition characterized by loose, watery bowel movements. It is typically caused by a viral infection in the gut, but can also be triggered by a variety of other factors, including food allergies, inflammatory bowel diseases, and even certain medications. Understanding the underlying causes of diarrhea and the appropriate treatment options is crucial for managing this often inconvenient and potentially serious condition.

Common Causes of Diarrhea

There are numerous potential causes of diarrhea, and identifying the root cause is essential for effective treatment. Some of the most common causes include:

1. Viral infections: Viruses like norovirus, rotavirus, and adenovirus are a leading cause of diarrhea, often referred to as “stomach flu” or “intestinal flu.”
2. Bacterial infections: Foodborne illnesses caused by bacteria like Salmonella, E. coli, and Clostridium difficile can result in diarrhea.
3. Food allergies or intolerances: Consuming foods that the body cannot properly digest, such as lactose or gluten, can trigger diarrhea.
4. Inflammatory bowel diseases: Conditions like Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis can cause chronic, intermittent diarrhea.
5. Malabsorption disorders: Certain medical conditions, such as celiac disease and pancreatic insufficiency, can impair the body’s ability to absorb nutrients, leading to diarrhea.
6. Medications: Some prescription and over-the-counter drugs, including antibiotics, antidepressants, and laxatives, can have diarrhea as a side effect.
7. Excessive alcohol consumption: Drinking too much alcohol can irritate the digestive system and cause diarrhea.

Diarrhea Symptoms

The primary symptom of diarrhea is frequent, loose, or watery bowel movements. Other common symptoms include:

• Abdominal cramps or pain
• Bloating
• Nausea and vomiting
• Fever
• Loss of appetite

Serious Symptoms of Diarrhea

In most cases, diarrhea is a temporary and relatively harmless condition. However, in some instances, it can be a sign of a more serious underlying health issue. Seek medical attention if you experience any of the following serious symptoms:

• Blood or mucus in the stool
• Persistent fever (over 101°F)
• Severe abdominal pain or cramps
• Dehydration (dark urine, dry mouth, dizziness, etc.)
• Diarrhea that lasts more than 2 days in adults or 24 hours in children

Diagnosing the Cause of Diarrhea

To determine the underlying cause of diarrhea, your healthcare provider may order a series of tests, which may include:

• Blood tests to check for underlying medical conditions
• Stool tests to identify any bacterial or parasitic infections
• Colonoscopy or sigmoidoscopy to examine the colon for signs of inflammatory bowel disease or other conditions

Treating Diarrhea

The treatment for diarrhea will depend on the underlying cause. In mild cases, over-the-counter medications like bismuth subsalicylate or loperamide can help manage symptoms. Maintaining proper hydration by drinking plenty of fluids, such as water, electrolyte-rich drinks, and broths, is also crucial. In more severe or persistent cases, prescription medications or additional treatments may be necessary. It’s important to follow your healthcare provider’s recommendations for the most effective treatment plan.

Preventing and Managing Diarrhea

To help prevent and manage diarrhea, consider the following tips:

• Practice good hygiene, including thorough handwashing, to prevent the spread of infectious causes of diarrhea.
• Avoid foods or beverages that may trigger your diarrhea, such as dairy products, spicy or fatty foods, and alcohol.
• Incorporate probiotics, either through supplements or fermented foods, to support a healthy gut microbiome.
• Seek medical attention if diarrhea persists for more than 2 days, as it may require further evaluation and treatment.

Diarrhea can be a frustrating and sometimes concerning condition, but understanding the common causes and appropriate treatment options can help you manage it effectively. If you experience persistent or severe diarrhea, don’t hesitate to consult with your healthcare provider for a comprehensive evaluation and personalized care plan.

15 Common Causes and How To Treat It

Written by WebMD Editorial Contributors

• What Is Diarrhea?
• Diarrhea Causes
• Diarrhea Symptoms
• Serious Symptoms of Diarrhea
• When to See a Doctor for Diarrhea
• Diarrhea Diagnosis
• Treatment for Diarrhea
• Relief From Diarrhea Symptoms
• When Diarrhea Won’t Go Away
• More

When you have diarrhea, your bowel movements (or stools) are loose and watery. It’s common and usually not serious.

Many people get diarrhea a few times a year. It normally lasts 2 to 3 days. Some people get it more often. That could be because they have irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) or other conditions.

Usually, diarrhea happens because of a virus that gets into your gut. Some people call it “intestinal flu” or “stomach flu.”

Other causes include:

• Allergies to certain foods
• Diseases of the intestines (such as Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis)
• Eating foods that upset the digestive system
• Infection by bacteria (the cause of most types of food poisoning) or other organisms
• Laxative abuse
• Running (Some people get “runner’s diarrhea” for reasons that aren’t clear. )
• Some cancers
• Surgery on your digestive system
• Trouble absorbing certain nutrients, also called “malabsorption”

Diarrhea may also follow constipation, especially for people who have irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

You may have:

• Bloating in your belly
• Thin or loose stools
• Watery stools
• An urgent feeling that you need to have a bowel movement
• Nausea and throwing up

Most cases of diarrhea are nothing more than a brief inconvenience. But sometimes, they warn of a serious condition. Talk with your doctor if your child has diarrhea for more than 24 hours. If you have it for more than 3 days, make an appointment.

Also, be sure to let your doctor know about your diarrhea if you have cancer, or have had recent treatment for it.

More serious symptoms of diarrhea include:

• Blood or mucus in your stool
• Weight loss

If you have watery stools more than three times a day and you’re not drinking enough fluids, you could become dehydrated. That can be a serious problem if it’s not treated.

Call your doctor right away if you have:

• Blood in your diarrhea or black, tarry stools
• A fever that is high (above 101 F) or that lasts more than 24 hours
• Diarrhea lasting longer than 2 days
• Nausea or throwing up that prevents you from drinking liquids to replace lost fluids
• Severe pain in your belly (especially the right lower quadrant) or rear end
• Diarrhea after coming back from a foreign country

These can be warning signs of things like:

• Infection
• Inflammatory bowel disease
• Pancreatitis
• Colon cancer

Also, call your doctor right away if you have diarrhea and any of these signs of dehydration:

• Dark urine
• Smaller than usual amounts of urine or, in a child, fewer wet diapers than usual
• Rapid heart rate
• Headaches
• Dry skin
• Crankiness
• Confusion

Your doctor will ask about your medical history and what medications you take, as well as what you’ve eaten or had to drink recently. They will give you a physical exam to look for signs of dehydration or belly pain.

Certain tests can help pinpoint the cause of your diarrhea, including:

• Blood tests to look for certain diseases or disorders
• Colonoscopy, in rare cases, in which your doctor looks inside your colon with a thin, flexible tube that holds a tiny camera and light. They can also use this device to take a small sample of tissue. Or your doctor might need to do only a sigmoidoscopy, which looks at just the lower colon.
• Stool tests to look for bacteria or parasites

If your case is mild, you may not need to take anything. Adults can take an over-the-counter medicine such as bismuth subsalicylate or loperamide, which you can get as liquids or tablets.

You also need to stay hydrated. You should drink at least six 8-ounce glasses of fluids each day. Choose electrolyte replacement drinks or soda without caffeine. Chicken broth (without the fat), tea with honey, and sports drinks are also good choices. Instead of drinking liquids with your meals, drink liquids between meals. Sip small amounts of fluids often. Liquid probiotics may also help.

Your rectal area may become sore because of all the bowel movements that diarrhea brings. You may have itching, burning, or pain when you go to the bathroom.

For relief, take a warm bath or sitz bath. Afterward, pat the area dry (don’t rub) with a clean, soft towel. You may also try using a hemorrhoid cream or petroleum jelly on the affected area. If this continues for several days, you should contact your doctor.

If you still have diarrhea after 4 weeks, then you have chronic diarrhea.

To figure out the cause, your doctor will want to know your symptoms and medical history. You’ll get the most out of your appointment if you can tell them:

• How long you’ve had diarrhea
• Whether your diarrhea comes and goes, or is continuous
• If you think certain foods and situations make things better or worse
• If your stool looks bloody, oily, fatty, or watery
• Other symptoms you have and how long you’ve had them
• If you have a family history of chronic diarrhea
• Places you’ve traveled to recently
• Unusual foods you’ve tried in the last little while
• Any medication or supplements you’re taking
• If you’ve lost a lot of weight

Top Picks

15 Common Causes and How To Treat It

Written by WebMD Editorial Contributors

• What Is Diarrhea?
• Diarrhea Causes
• Diarrhea Symptoms
• Serious Symptoms of Diarrhea
• When to See a Doctor for Diarrhea
• Diarrhea Diagnosis
• Treatment for Diarrhea
• Relief From Diarrhea Symptoms
• When Diarrhea Won’t Go Away
• More

When you have diarrhea, your bowel movements (or stools) are loose and watery. It’s common and usually not serious.

Many people get diarrhea a few times a year. It normally lasts 2 to 3 days. Some people get it more often. That could be because they have irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) or other conditions.

Usually, diarrhea happens because of a virus that gets into your gut. Some people call it “intestinal flu” or “stomach flu.”

Other causes include:

• Allergies to certain foods
• Diseases of the intestines (such as Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis)
• Eating foods that upset the digestive system
• Infection by bacteria (the cause of most types of food poisoning) or other organisms
• Laxative abuse
• Running (Some people get “runner’s diarrhea” for reasons that aren’t clear.)
• Some cancers
• Surgery on your digestive system
• Trouble absorbing certain nutrients, also called “malabsorption”

Diarrhea may also follow constipation, especially for people who have irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

You may have:

• Bloating in your belly
• Thin or loose stools
• Watery stools
• An urgent feeling that you need to have a bowel movement
• Nausea and throwing up

Most cases of diarrhea are nothing more than a brief inconvenience. But sometimes, they warn of a serious condition. Talk with your doctor if your child has diarrhea for more than 24 hours. If you have it for more than 3 days, make an appointment.

Also, be sure to let your doctor know about your diarrhea if you have cancer, or have had recent treatment for it.

More serious symptoms of diarrhea include:

• Blood or mucus in your stool
• Weight loss

If you have watery stools more than three times a day and you’re not drinking enough fluids, you could become dehydrated. That can be a serious problem if it’s not treated.

Call your doctor right away if you have:

• Blood in your diarrhea or black, tarry stools
• A fever that is high (above 101 F) or that lasts more than 24 hours
• Diarrhea lasting longer than 2 days
• Nausea or throwing up that prevents you from drinking liquids to replace lost fluids
• Severe pain in your belly (especially the right lower quadrant) or rear end
• Diarrhea after coming back from a foreign country

These can be warning signs of things like:

• Infection
• Inflammatory bowel disease
• Pancreatitis
• Colon cancer

Also, call your doctor right away if you have diarrhea and any of these signs of dehydration:

• Dark urine
• Smaller than usual amounts of urine or, in a child, fewer wet diapers than usual
• Rapid heart rate
• Headaches
• Dry skin
• Crankiness
• Confusion

Your doctor will ask about your medical history and what medications you take, as well as what you’ve eaten or had to drink recently. They will give you a physical exam to look for signs of dehydration or belly pain.

Certain tests can help pinpoint the cause of your diarrhea, including:

• Blood tests to look for certain diseases or disorders
• Colonoscopy, in rare cases, in which your doctor looks inside your colon with a thin, flexible tube that holds a tiny camera and light. They can also use this device to take a small sample of tissue. Or your doctor might need to do only a sigmoidoscopy, which looks at just the lower colon.
• Stool tests to look for bacteria or parasites

If your case is mild, you may not need to take anything. Adults can take an over-the-counter medicine such as bismuth subsalicylate or loperamide, which you can get as liquids or tablets.

You also need to stay hydrated. You should drink at least six 8-ounce glasses of fluids each day. Choose electrolyte replacement drinks or soda without caffeine. Chicken broth (without the fat), tea with honey, and sports drinks are also good choices. Instead of drinking liquids with your meals, drink liquids between meals. Sip small amounts of fluids often. Liquid probiotics may also help.

Your rectal area may become sore because of all the bowel movements that diarrhea brings. You may have itching, burning, or pain when you go to the bathroom.

For relief, take a warm bath or sitz bath. Afterward, pat the area dry (don’t rub) with a clean, soft towel. You may also try using a hemorrhoid cream or petroleum jelly on the affected area. If this continues for several days, you should contact your doctor.

If you still have diarrhea after 4 weeks, then you have chronic diarrhea.

To figure out the cause, your doctor will want to know your symptoms and medical history. You’ll get the most out of your appointment if you can tell them:

• How long you’ve had diarrhea
• Whether your diarrhea comes and goes, or is continuous
• If you think certain foods and situations make things better or worse
• If your stool looks bloody, oily, fatty, or watery
• Other symptoms you have and how long you’ve had them
• If you have a family history of chronic diarrhea
• Places you’ve traveled to recently
• Unusual foods you’ve tried in the last little while
• Any medication or supplements you’re taking
• If you’ve lost a lot of weight

Top Picks

What is diarrhea and when to run to the doctor?

We all have diarrhea from time to time, which can last for a couple of days. Sometimes it lasts for several weeks, which may indicate an infection or inflammatory bowel disease. In this article, we will look at where this violation comes from and for what symptoms you need to urgently see a doctor.

This disorder is characterized by frequent trips to the toilet (3 or more times a day) with loose stools. Doctors distinguish 3 types of diarrhea:

1. Acute – the most common variety, which usually bothers you for 1-2 days and goes away on its own.
2. Continuous – lasts from 2 weeks, but less than a month.
3. Chronic diarrhea – lasts at least 4 weeks, while its symptoms may either persist throughout the entire time, or go away and then come back.

People suffering from this disorder, in addition to the main symptom, may have the following:

• Emergence of an urgent need to visit the toilet,
• Abdominal cramps or pain,
• Inability to stop defecation,
• Nausea.

If the causes of diarrhea are hidden in an infection, the patient has one or more additional symptoms:

• Diarrhea with blood,
• Fever and chills,
• Dizziness,
• Vomiting.

What are the causes of diarrhea?

The acute or continuous form of the disorder may have causes that are different from chronic diarrhea.

Acute and continuous

The most common causes of acute or continuous diarrhea are infections and drug side effects.

Infections

There are 3 types of infections that cause acute or continuous diarrhea:

• Viral infections, including norovirus and rotavirus. A common cause of acute diarrhea is viral gastroenteritis.
• Bacterial infections. Several types of bacteria are able to enter our body along with contaminated food or water. The most common ones that can cause diarrhea are Campylobacter, E. coli, Salmonella, and Shigella.
• Parasitic infections. Parasites enter the body with food or water, after which they settle in the digestive tract. Parasites that can cause diarrhea include cryptosporidium, dysenteric amoeba, and intestinal giardia.

Medication side effects

Many drugs can cause the disorder, including antibiotics, magnesium-containing antacids, and drugs given to cancer patients.

Chronic diarrhea

This form of disorder can be caused by:

• Certain infections,
• Food allergy or intolerance,

abdominal cavity,

• Long-term medication.

Infections

Some bacterial or parasitic infections that cause diarrhea do not go away without treatment. Also, after an infection, a person can get problems with the digestion of carbohydrates (lactose – milk sugar) or protein (dairy or soy products). Because of these problems, diarrhea can bother a person longer than usual.

Food allergy or food intolerance

• Allergies to foods such as cow’s milk, soy, grains, eggs and seafood can cause chronic diarrhea.
• Lactose intolerance (milk sugar) is another common disorder. It can cause diarrhea after eating a meal that contains milk or dairy products.
• Fructose intolerance, which is found in honey, juices, fruits or soft drinks, can also cause chronic diarrhoea. Fructose is one of the simple sugars, or monosaccharides.
• Sugar alcohols such as sorbitol, mannitol and xylitol can cause distress in some people. These substances are often added to chewing gums and sugar-free hard candies. Read more about sugar alcohols in the article on the FODMAP diet.

Diseases or disorders of the gastrointestinal tract

Problems with the gastrointestinal tract that can cause chronic diarrhea include:

• Celiac disease (gluten intolerance),
• Disease Crown,
• Irritable bowel syndrome and other functional disorders of the gastrointestinal tract,
• Small intestine bacterial overgrowth syndrome,
• Ulcerative colitis.

Surgery on organs that are located in the abdomen

Some people develop chronic diarrhea after surgery on the gallbladder, colon, liver, pancreas, small intestine, stomach, spleen, or appendicitis.

Long term medication

Medicines taken for a long time can also cause chronic diarrhoea. Some of these medications, such as antibiotics, can change the intestinal flora and increase the chances of encountering the bacterium Clostridium difficile. This bacterium is capable of causing a chronic disorder.

How do doctors find the cause of diarrhea?

In addition to a physical examination and review of the patient’s medical history, the gastroenterologist will order one or more of the following tests to find the exact cause of diarrhea:

• Comprehensive blood count,
• Fecal test – this test helps to determine , if diarrhea is due to a bacterial or parasitic infection,
• Endoscopy – This procedure allows you to examine the mucous membrane of the upper or lower gastrointestinal tract. Endoscopic procedures may include gastroduodenoscopy, colonoscopy, or rectosigmoidoscopy.

What to do if you have diarrhea?

Treatment depends on the cause and whether the disorder is acute, continuous, or chronic. Let’s consider each of them.

How to treat acute diarrhea?

Most acute disorders are treated with loperamide and bismuth subsalicylate. If the patient has a fever or blood is found in the stool, doctors do not recommend taking pills for diarrhea. In this case, the cause of the disorder may be hiding in a bacterial or parasitic infection.

How is acute diarrhea in children treated? Over-the-counter medicines taken by adults can pose a health risk to babies. In this case, it is better to consult a pediatric gastroenterologist.

What should I do if I have chronic diarrhea?

Treatment of the continuous or chronic form of the disorder depends on the cause. A doctor may prescribe antibiotics and drugs to kill a bacterial or parasitic infection. If necessary, the gastroenterologist prescribes medications to treat diseases that cause chronic diarrhea. These include ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease, or irritable bowel syndrome.

Doctors sometimes recommend taking a course of probiotics. Probiotics are live microorganisms that live in our intestines.

What can not be eaten with diarrhea?

With this disorder, many patients temporarily lose their appetite. In most cases, when appetite returns, you can gradually return to your usual diet.

If the cause of diarrhea is a food allergy or intolerance, some dietary adjustments are recommended. In this case, you should avoid foods that can provoke a disorder. These include:

• Alcohol,
• Beverages and products containing caffeine – coffee, dark chocolate, cola, chocolate ice cream
• Dairy products – milk, cheese, ice cream
• Fatty and fried foods large amounts of fructose – honey, apples, peaches, pears, juices, grapes, peas, watermelons, asparagus, zucchini,
• Spicy foods,
• Diet sodas and sugar-free chewing gums.

When do I need to see a doctor urgently?

Seek immediate medical attention if any of the following symptoms occur:

• Diarrhea lasting more than 2 days
• Temperature rises to 38.8 °C
• going to the toilet within 24 hours,
• Severe pain in the abdomen or rectum,
• Black or tarry stools,
• Diarrhea with blood or pus,
• Appearance of signs of dehydration.

Elderly, immunosuppressed or co-morbid people should seek medical attention at the first sign of diarrhea.

If an infant or child is suffering from the disorder, the reasons for urgent medical attention are:

• Diarrhea in a child that lasts more than 24 hours .
• Severe pain in the abdomen or rectum,
• Diarrhea with blood or pus,
• Black or tarry stools,
• Signs of dehydration.

If you or your child has frequent diarrhea, see a gastroenterologist.

Sources:

1. Fructose intolerance: Which foods to avoid,
2. Diarrhea, The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, Health Information Center,
3. Diarrhea, Mayo Clinic,
4. Diarrhea, NHS.

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