What are the common causes of watery stool and gas. How can you manage diarrhea and foul-smelling stools at home. When should you seek medical attention for persistent digestive issues. What are the potential complications of chronic diarrhea.

Understanding Liquid Bowel Movements and Diarrhea

Liquid bowel movements, commonly known as diarrhea, occur when you pass watery stool three or more times a day. While occasional diarrhea is normal, persistent or severe cases may indicate an underlying health issue. Diarrhea can be classified as acute (lasting less than 2 weeks) or chronic (lasting more than 4 weeks).

Various factors can contribute to liquid bowel movements, including:

• Acute digestive infections
• Constipation (liquid stool can bypass blockages)
• Digestive tract disorders (e.g., inflammatory bowel disease, Crohn’s disease)
• Food intolerances (e.g., celiac disease, lactose intolerance)
• Damage to the anal sphincters
• Surgical procedures (e.g., hemorrhoid removal, treatment for anal abscesses)
• Malabsorption syndromes

The Spectrum of Stool Colors: What They Indicate

The color of your stool can provide valuable insights into your digestive health. While normal stool is typically brown due to the presence of bile and bilirubin, liquid bowel movements may exhibit various colors, each potentially indicating different underlying conditions:

Yellow Liquid Stool

Yellow liquid stool might suggest liver or gallbladder issues. In some cases, bright yellow liquid stool could be a sign of giardiasis, an intestinal parasite infection often contracted from consuming contaminated water.

Green Liquid Stool

Green diarrhea can result from consuming green foods or from stool moving too quickly through the colon, preventing the usual color changes that occur during digestion.

Clear Liquid Stool

When intestinal inflammation leads to increased mucus secretion in the intestines, it can result in clear liquid bowel movements.

Black Liquid Stool

Black liquid stool can be concerning as it may indicate bleeding in the upper digestive tract. However, it can also result from taking certain medications like Pepto-Bismol or iron supplements, or consuming dark-colored foods.

Recognizing Symptoms Associated with Watery Stool and Gas

Liquid bowel movements often come with a host of unpleasant symptoms that can significantly impact your daily life. These may include:

• Abdominal cramping and pain
• Fatigue
• Fever
• Nausea and vomiting
• Dizziness
• Weakness
• Urgent need for bowel movements
• Increased passing of gas

Is increased gas always associated with diarrhea? While increased gas production often accompanies diarrhea, it’s not always the case. Some individuals may experience watery stool without significant gas, while others might have excessive gas without diarrhea.

Potential Complications of Chronic Diarrhea

When diarrhea persists for extended periods, it can lead to several complications that may require medical attention:

1. Dehydration: Frequent watery stools can lead to significant fluid loss.
2. Malabsorption: Chronic diarrhea may interfere with nutrient absorption.
3. Electrolyte imbalance: Loss of essential minerals through frequent bowel movements.
4. Acute kidney injury: Severe dehydration can impact kidney function.

How can you prevent these complications? Staying hydrated is crucial. Drink plenty of fluids, especially those containing electrolytes. If symptoms persist, consult a healthcare professional for proper management and to prevent long-term health issues.

When to Seek Medical Attention for Digestive Issues

While many cases of diarrhea resolve on their own, certain situations warrant immediate medical attention:

• Diarrhea lasting more than 48 hours
• Blood in the stool
• Severe abdominal pain
• Signs of dehydration (e.g., dark urine, dizziness, dry mouth)
• Fever above 102°F (39°C)
• Unexplained weight loss

Should you always see a doctor for watery stool? Not necessarily. Mild, short-term diarrhea often resolves without medical intervention. However, if symptoms persist or are accompanied by concerning signs, it’s best to consult a healthcare professional.

Diagnostic Approaches for Persistent Digestive Problems

When faced with chronic or severe diarrhea, healthcare providers may employ various diagnostic methods to identify the underlying cause:

• Stool sample analysis: To detect the presence of bacteria, parasites, or viruses
• Blood tests: To check for signs of infection or other systemic issues
• Colonoscopy or sigmoidoscopy: To examine the intestinal lining for abnormalities
• Imaging studies: Such as CT scans or ultrasounds to visualize the digestive tract
• Food intolerance tests: To identify potential dietary triggers

Why are multiple tests sometimes necessary? Digestive issues can have complex underlying causes. A comprehensive approach helps healthcare providers pinpoint the exact problem and develop an effective treatment plan.

Treatment Options for Watery Stool and Associated Symptoms

The treatment for liquid bowel movements and associated symptoms depends on the underlying cause. Here are some common approaches:

Home Remedies and Lifestyle Changes

• Stay hydrated with water and electrolyte solutions
• Follow the BRAT diet (Bananas, Rice, Applesauce, Toast) temporarily
• Avoid trigger foods and beverages (e.g., dairy, caffeine, alcohol)
• Get adequate rest to support your body’s healing process

Over-the-Counter Medications

• Loperamide (Imodium) to reduce bowel movement frequency
• Bismuth subsalicylate (Pepto-Bismol) for both diarrhea and nausea
• Probiotics to support gut health

Prescription Treatments

• Antibiotics for bacterial infections
• Anti-parasitic medications for parasitic infections
• Medications to address underlying conditions (e.g., IBD, Crohn’s disease)

Can probiotics help with persistent diarrhea? Probiotics can be beneficial in restoring the balance of gut bacteria, potentially reducing the duration and severity of diarrhea. However, their effectiveness can vary depending on the underlying cause of the digestive issues.

Managing Foul-Smelling Stools and Excessive Gas

Foul-smelling stools and increased gas often accompany watery stool, causing additional discomfort and embarrassment. Here are some strategies to manage these symptoms:

Dietary Modifications

• Identify and avoid trigger foods
• Reduce intake of sulfur-rich foods (e.g., eggs, cheese, cruciferous vegetables)
• Limit consumption of artificial sweeteners and sugar alcohols
• Increase fiber intake gradually to promote healthy digestion

Lifestyle Adjustments

• Eat slowly and chew food thoroughly
• Avoid carbonated beverages and drinking through straws
• Exercise regularly to promote healthy digestion
• Manage stress through relaxation techniques or meditation

Supplements and Medications

• Digestive enzymes to aid in food breakdown
• Activated charcoal to reduce gas and odor
• Simethicone for gas relief

How effective are over-the-counter gas relief medications? While products like simethicone can provide temporary relief from gas and bloating, addressing the underlying cause of excessive gas production is often more effective for long-term management.

Preventing Recurrent Episodes of Watery Stool and Gas

While not all cases of diarrhea and excessive gas can be prevented, certain measures can reduce your risk of recurrent episodes:

• Practice good hygiene, especially hand washing
• Be cautious with food and water when traveling
• Cook foods thoroughly, particularly meats and seafood
• Maintain a balanced diet rich in fiber
• Stay hydrated with clean water
• Manage stress levels through relaxation techniques or counseling
• Get regular exercise to promote overall digestive health

Can dietary changes alone prevent all instances of watery stool and gas? While a healthy diet is crucial for digestive health, it may not prevent all cases of diarrhea or excessive gas, especially those caused by infections or underlying medical conditions. A comprehensive approach to health and hygiene is most effective.

The Impact of Chronic Digestive Issues on Quality of Life

Persistent watery stool, foul-smelling stools, and increased gas can significantly impact an individual’s quality of life. These issues may lead to:

• Social anxiety and isolation
• Disrupted sleep patterns
• Reduced work productivity
• Nutritional deficiencies
• Chronic fatigue
• Depression or anxiety

How can individuals cope with the psychological impact of chronic digestive issues? Seeking support from healthcare providers, joining support groups, and practicing stress-management techniques can help individuals better cope with the challenges of chronic digestive problems. It’s important to address both the physical and emotional aspects of these conditions for comprehensive care.

Emerging Research and Future Treatments

The field of gastroenterology is continually evolving, with new research shedding light on digestive health and potential treatments. Some areas of ongoing research include:

• Microbiome manipulation: Tailoring treatments based on an individual’s gut bacteria composition
• Targeted probiotics: Developing specific probiotic strains for different digestive issues
• Fecal microbiota transplantation: Exploring its potential beyond C. difficile infections
• Gut-brain axis: Understanding the connection between digestive health and mental well-being
• Personalized nutrition: Developing dietary recommendations based on genetic and microbiome profiles

Will future treatments be able to permanently cure chronic digestive issues? While a permanent cure for all chronic digestive issues may not be on the immediate horizon, ongoing research is likely to lead to more effective, personalized treatments that can significantly improve quality of life for those affected by these conditions.

In conclusion, watery stool and increased gas can be challenging symptoms to manage, but understanding their causes, recognizing when to seek medical attention, and implementing appropriate treatment strategies can help alleviate discomfort and prevent complications. By staying informed and working closely with healthcare providers, individuals can effectively manage their digestive health and maintain a good quality of life.

Liquid Poop (Watery Diarrhea): Common Causes and More

A liquid bowel movement, or diarrhea, is usually due to a short-term illness like food poisoning or a virus. However, it can result from a different underlying medical condition.

Diarrhea can happen to everyone from time to time. It occurs when you pass liquid instead of formed stool three or more times a day.

If your liquid bowel movements are a side effect of a chronic condition, a doctor can usually help you treat or manage them.

This article discusses the various causes of liquid bowel movements, potential complications, and the range of available treatments.

Multiple causes and contributing factors can lead to liquid bowel movements. Examples include:

• acute digestive infection
• constipation, since liquid stool can escape around blockages
• digestive tract disorders, like inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and Crohn’s
• intolerances such as celiac disease
• history of damage to the anal sphincter
• surgeries like hemorrhoid or tumor removal, or treatment for anal abscesses and fistulas
• malabsorption syndromes

Stool is usually brown because of compounds like bile and bilirubin that are present in it. But if you have liquid bowel movements, you may find the liquid is another color entirely.

Learn more about stool colors and what they mean here.

Yellow liquid poop

Yellow liquid poop could indicate an underlying disorder in the liver or gallbladder. Bright yellow liquid stool can also be a sign of giardiasis, an infection caused by an intestinal parasite you can get from drinking unclean water.

Green liquid poop

Diarrhea can appear green due to green foods you ate or stool moving too quickly through your colon.

Pooping clear liquid

Intestinal inflammation can cause the secretion of mucus in the intestines. This causes clear liquid bowel movements.

Black liquid poop

Black liquid poop can be a cause for concern because it can indicate bleeding from a location somewhere in the higher portion of the digestive tract.

Other potential causes of black liquid poop include taking Pepto-Bismol or iron supplements or eating foods that are blue or black in color.

Diarrhea that lasts 2 weeks or less is known as acute diarrhea. Diarrhea that lasts longer than 4 weeks is considered chronic.

Loose bowel movements can have a lot of unpleasant symptoms, including:

• cramping and abdominal pain
• fatigue
• fever
• nausea
• vomiting
• dizziness
• weakness
• urgency for bowel movements that may result in loose stool

If you see unexplained color changes in your liquid bowel movement, especially red, black, or tarry stool, seek emergency medical treatment.

Diarrhea, especially severe or chronic, may cause other complications in your body. These include:

• dehydration
• malabsorption
• electrolyte imbalance
• acute kidney injury

You should always inform your doctor if you experience severe or consistent diarrhea lasting over 2 days.

Liquid bowel movements often resolve independently as the body passes the bacteria or other harmful factors contributing to your illness.

However, if you have bloody or regular diarrhea that lasts longer than 48 hours, contact a doctor to make sure your symptoms do not get worse.

A doctor may obtain a stool sample to send to a laboratory to test for the presence of certain bacteria, parasites, or viruses.

They also may recommend interventions, such as examining the intestinal lining via colonoscopy or sigmoidoscopy.

Liquid bowel movements can lead to cramping, abdominal discomfort, and dehydration.

If your diarrhea lasts longer than a few days, contact a doctor to determine a potential underlying condition. Staying hydrated and eating bland foods can help you regain strength and avoid dehydration.

Read this article in Spanish.

Liquid Poop (Watery Diarrhea): Common Causes and More

A liquid bowel movement, or diarrhea, is usually due to a short-term illness like food poisoning or a virus. However, it can result from a different underlying medical condition.

Diarrhea can happen to everyone from time to time. It occurs when you pass liquid instead of formed stool three or more times a day.

If your liquid bowel movements are a side effect of a chronic condition, a doctor can usually help you treat or manage them.

This article discusses the various causes of liquid bowel movements, potential complications, and the range of available treatments.

Multiple causes and contributing factors can lead to liquid bowel movements. Examples include:

• acute digestive infection
• constipation, since liquid stool can escape around blockages
• digestive tract disorders, like inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and Crohn’s
• intolerances such as celiac disease
• history of damage to the anal sphincter
• surgeries like hemorrhoid or tumor removal, or treatment for anal abscesses and fistulas
• malabsorption syndromes

Stool is usually brown because of compounds like bile and bilirubin that are present in it. But if you have liquid bowel movements, you may find the liquid is another color entirely.

Learn more about stool colors and what they mean here.

Yellow liquid poop

Yellow liquid poop could indicate an underlying disorder in the liver or gallbladder. Bright yellow liquid stool can also be a sign of giardiasis, an infection caused by an intestinal parasite you can get from drinking unclean water.

Green liquid poop

Diarrhea can appear green due to green foods you ate or stool moving too quickly through your colon.

Pooping clear liquid

Intestinal inflammation can cause the secretion of mucus in the intestines. This causes clear liquid bowel movements.

Black liquid poop

Black liquid poop can be a cause for concern because it can indicate bleeding from a location somewhere in the higher portion of the digestive tract.

Other potential causes of black liquid poop include taking Pepto-Bismol or iron supplements or eating foods that are blue or black in color.

Diarrhea that lasts 2 weeks or less is known as acute diarrhea. Diarrhea that lasts longer than 4 weeks is considered chronic.

Loose bowel movements can have a lot of unpleasant symptoms, including:

• cramping and abdominal pain
• fatigue
• fever
• nausea
• vomiting
• dizziness
• weakness
• urgency for bowel movements that may result in loose stool

If you see unexplained color changes in your liquid bowel movement, especially red, black, or tarry stool, seek emergency medical treatment.

Diarrhea, especially severe or chronic, may cause other complications in your body. These include:

• dehydration
• malabsorption
• electrolyte imbalance
• acute kidney injury

You should always inform your doctor if you experience severe or consistent diarrhea lasting over 2 days.

Liquid bowel movements often resolve independently as the body passes the bacteria or other harmful factors contributing to your illness.

However, if you have bloody or regular diarrhea that lasts longer than 48 hours, contact a doctor to make sure your symptoms do not get worse.

A doctor may obtain a stool sample to send to a laboratory to test for the presence of certain bacteria, parasites, or viruses.

They also may recommend interventions, such as examining the intestinal lining via colonoscopy or sigmoidoscopy.

Liquid bowel movements can lead to cramping, abdominal discomfort, and dehydration.

If your diarrhea lasts longer than a few days, contact a doctor to determine a potential underlying condition. Staying hydrated and eating bland foods can help you regain strength and avoid dehydration.

Read this article in Spanish.

Foamy stools – causes, diagnosis and treatment

Foamy stools is a discharge of liquid consistency feces with a large number of air bubbles and a sharp fetid odor. The symptom is sometimes accompanied by pain and pain in the abdomen, flatulence. As a variant of the norm, such a chair is more often observed in infants. In older children and adults, the disorder occurs with nutritional errors, may be due to diseases of the digestive system. To determine the root cause of the appearance of foamy feces, a coprogram, ultrasound of the abdominal organs, endoscopy and radiography are performed. To normalize the stool, enterosorbents, probiotics, and antidiarrheal drugs are used.

Causes of foamy stools

Normally, due to the absorption of excess fluid in the large intestine, stool has a well-formed appearance and a moderately hard texture. Liquid stools with a significant amount of foam are formed with increased gas formation in the intestines. Their formation is also facilitated by increased peristalsis. In young children, especially infants, this symptom is physiological and is usually not associated with other dyspeptic disorders. Foamy feces are also found in various organic and functional diseases of the gastrointestinal tract.

Children’s age

In the first years of a child’s life, the digestive system adapts to various foods, during which liquid dark yellow or greenish stools with foam are formed. The sign is most typical for infants, which is associated with insufficient production of enzymes in the intestine. It is possible to increase bowel movements up to 8-10 times a day. If the symptom is observed frequently or is combined with the child’s anxiety, constant crying, refusal to eat, an urgent need to contact a pediatrician. The appearance of foamy stools in infants is provoked by:

• Mother’s malnutrition . The use of large quantities of smoked meats, chocolate, fresh vegetables and legumes affects the composition of breast milk. The child has abundant foamy feces 20-30 minutes after feeding, the stomach is often swollen.
• Early introduction of complementary foods . Loose stools with foam occur when the recommendations of doctors are not followed and new foods are added to the diet before the child reaches six months of age. Defecation disorders persist for 1-2 days.
• Use of foremilk . Liquid stools appear if the baby does not have time to completely empty one breast during feeding. Because foremilk is watery and rich in lactose, it promotes gas.
• Allergy to infant formula . In this case, foamy feces are released for a long time, the child becomes restless, loses weight. At first, the bowel movements are plentiful, then they become scarce, which is due to insufficient nutrition of the baby.

Perhaps there are shocking photos of medical operations that show blood and intestines

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Foamy stools in a child

Nutritional errors

Periodically foamy stools in adults and children of older age groups are detected when some foods are consumed. Most often, the development of a symptom is associated with eating a large amount of carbohydrate food, which undergoes fermentation reactions in the intestine, which increases gas formation. Characterized by increased stool up to 4-5 times a day. During each bowel movement, abundant foamy feces are released, which have a greenish tint and a sharp “sour” smell. Sometimes lumps of undigested food can be seen in the stool.

The symptom also occurs with the abuse of certain vegetables and fruits (cabbage, grapes, pears), legumes, the predominance of spicy dishes and smoked meats in the diet. In typical cases, dyspepsia resolves on its own within one day, the general condition of the person is not disturbed. The regular appearance of foamy feces, which is accompanied by vomiting, severe abdominal pain, loss of appetite, is a sign of an organic pathology of the gastrointestinal tract. With such symptoms, you should visit a doctor as soon as possible.

Dysbacteriosis

Foamy loose stools are considered one of the key signs of intestinal dysbiosis – a lack of beneficial bifidus and lactobacilli, which are necessary for normal digestion. Patients note the connection of symptoms with meals – at first, disorders occur after overeating, eating “heavy” fatty foods, then liquid, fetid stools are observed constantly, regardless of the nature of the diet. The chair becomes more frequent up to 5-7 times during the day. In addition to foamy feces, severe flatulence and rumbling in the intestines are typical, and abdominal pain is possible.

Intestinal infections

Foamy diarrhea is caused by disorders of the gastrointestinal tract when pathogens enter, as well as damage to the intestinal mucosa. Depending on the severity of the disease, the frequency of bowel movements ranges from 5 to 20 times during the day, the feces are unformed, fetid, with a high content of coarse and medium bubbling foam. Disorders of the stool are accompanied by severe pain and pain in the abdomen, nausea, vomiting, lack of appetite. In children, due to dehydration, the general condition quickly worsens. With the release of foamy feces flow:

• Bacterial processes : salmonellosis, escherichiosis, initial stage of dysentery.
• Viral diseases : rotavirus, enterovirus infections.
• Parasitic infestations : giardiasis, gastroenteric form of balantidiasis and amoebiasis.

Celiac disease

With gluten intolerance, frothy stools appear in children at the age of 7-8 months, when various cereals are used as complementary foods. Celiac disease is characterized by copious, foul-smelling, greenish or light brown stools with foam and particles of undigested food. Defecation becomes more frequent up to 10-12 times a day. Due to digestive disorders, the child loses weight. A combination of the symptom with bloating, anxiety and psychomotor agitation is typical. If the pathology is not detected in time, the child begins to lag behind in growth and physical development.

Lactase deficiency

Watery, foamy stools are caused by low levels of an enzyme that breaks down milk sugar (lactose). As a result, undigested lactose accumulates in the intestines, which causes fermentation and increases the formation of gases. Defecation disorders appear in infants after 3-4 days of life, when the mother forms mature milk rich in milk sugar. There is low weight gain and even weight loss. The passage of foamy feces after taking milk, accompanied by severe bloating, is also possible in adults.

Complications of pharmacotherapy

Most often, disorders become a side effect in the treatment of bacterial diseases (antibiotic-associated diarrhea). Changes in the nature of the stool are associated with a violation of the composition of the intestinal microflora and occur in 20-40% of patients. The symptom develops 2-3 days after the start of therapy and continues throughout the course of taking the drugs. A prerequisite for the formation of liquid stools with foam is also direct damage to the intestinal wall by aggressive medicinal substances. Side effects in the form of diarrhea are typical for such groups of drugs as:

• Antibiotics : penicillins, macrolides, cephalosporins, etc.
• Oral contraceptives : regulon, postinor, marvelon.
• Cytostatics : methotrexate, mercaptopurine, cytosar.

Rare causes

• Chronic bowel disease : Crohn’s disease, amyloidosis of the small intestine.
• Tropical sprue .
• Surgical complications : resection of the small intestine, inflammation of the intestinal anastomoses.
• Congenital enteropathies: intestinal microvillus atrophy, enterokinase deficiency.

Examination

When frothy stools appear, patients turn to a gastroenterologist. Since the symptom can be due to various reasons, the specialist prescribes a comprehensive examination of the gastrointestinal tract using instrumental and laboratory methods. Diagnostic search involves clarifying the cause of defecation disorders and assessing the degree of secondary disturbance of metabolic processes in the body. The most valuable are:

• Coprogram . During a standard analysis of feces, their consistency is assessed, undigested food particles are detected. The pH of foamy feces is necessarily measured and the levels of individual enzymes are determined, which is important for the timely diagnosis of enzyme deficiency.
• Bacteriological analysis . To verify intestinal dysbacteriosis, it is necessary to inoculate feces on nutrient media with the identification of all bacterial colonies. More informative is the sowing of the contents of the small intestine, which is obtained using a probe.
• Function tests . For a quick non-invasive detection of lactase deficiency, a special breath test is used. An increase in the level of hydrogen in the exhaled air after ingestion of a large amount of milk sugar indicates a primary deficiency of the enzyme.
• Ultrasound . Ultrasound of the abdominal cavity is used as a screening to detect structural changes in the gastrointestinal tract, which may indicate the presence of organic pathology. Sonography is widely prescribed in childhood, since the method is absolutely safe and painless.
• Radiography . A series of radiographic images after oral barium sulfate contrast is recommended for persistent stool disorders. On radiographs, the contours of intestinal loops, the presence of defects in the intestinal wall, and volumetric formations are evaluated.

General and biochemical blood tests are indicated for all patients. To clarify the diagnosis of celiac enteropathy, an endoscopic examination of the duodenum with a biopsy of its walls is performed. Confirmation of intestinal infections is performed by detecting antibodies in blood plasma. If there is a suspicion that a foamy stool is associated with congenital diseases, a consultation with a specialist in the field of medical genetics is recommended.

Bacteriological analysis of feces

Symptomatic therapy

In case of mild defecation disorders, non-drug methods are recommended: drinking plenty of water to replenish the water balance, avoiding fatty and spicy foods, rich pastries and fast food from the diet. To eliminate increased gas formation, enterosorbents can be used. Do not take strong antidiarrheals without a doctor’s prescription as they may cause side effects. If the discharge of liquid, foul-smelling feces continues for more than 2-3 days, you should consult a specialist.

Probiotics are given to prevent antibiotic-associated diarrhea. The presence of other dyspeptic symptoms (severe cramping abdominal pain, repeated vomiting, blood in the feces) against the background of foamy diarrhea is an indication for seeking medical help. Attempts to self-treat such conditions are fraught with the development of severe dehydration and aggravation of the underlying disease. Etiotropic and pathogenetic therapy is prescribed by a gastroenterologist after finding out the causes of stool disorders.

Antibiotic-associated diarrhea

Antibiotic-associated diarrhea is a condition in which loose stools (diarrhea) develop when people take drugs to treat bacterial infections (antibiotics).

Most often, diarrhea is mild and stops after some time after antibiotics are stopped. On the other hand, antibiotic-associated diarrhea has been reported to cause colitis, inflammation of the intestines, or a more severe form of colitis, pseudomembranous colitis. In both cases, there is pain in the abdomen, fever and bloody diarrhea.

Mild antibiotic-associated diarrhea usually does not require treatment. In more serious forms of the disease, stop taking the antibiotic or replace it with another drug.

Symptoms

Antibiotic-associated diarrhea symptoms can be moderate to severe.

Common signs and symptoms

Most patients with antibiotic-associated diarrhea have the following mild signs and symptoms:

• Loose stool
• More frequent stool
• Antibiotic-associated diarrhea most often develops within a week of starting the drug. However, in some cases, diarrhea and other symptoms may appear days or even weeks after the end of the course of antibiotics.

More serious signs and symptoms

Some patients have more severe antibiotic-associated diarrhea. With a significant increase in the population of pathogenic bacteria, signs and symptoms of colitis or pseudomembranous colitis may occur, such as:

• Frequent watery stools
• Pain and cramps in the abdomen
• Temperature increase
• Mucus in stool
• Blood in stool
• Nausea
• Loss of appetite

Conditions that require medical attention

If you experience symptoms of severe diarrhea associated with taking antibiotics, you should immediately consult a doctor. These signs and symptoms are common to many diseases, so your doctor may order tests to make a diagnosis.

Complications

The most severe form of antibiotic-associated diarrhea, pseudomembranous colitis, can rarely cause life-threatening complications such as:

Dehydration .