It’s important to know the signs of diarrhea in both adults and children, and when it’s time to see a doctor.
Bloody stoolsVomitingFever and chillsLight-headedness and dizziness
Diarrhea can lead to dehydration and malabsorption, each of which have their own symptoms.
A visit to the doctor for diarrhea will consist of a physical examination and a full medical history, including a review of your medication. A physician will also carefully feel your abdomen and may perform a rectal exam. Additionally, testing for acute diarrhea may include:
Stool Test This might be recommended to determine whether you have a bacteria or a parasite infection. A healthcare professional will give you containers for catching and storing your stool samples, as well as instructions on where to send or take the containers for analysis.Blood Test A complete blood count can show signs of infection, anemia, inflammation, or imbalances of electrolytes, to help determine the cause of your diarrhea.
If diarrhea persists, or if there are worrisome signs like bleeding, your doctor may order other tests, which include:
Colonoscopy or Sigmoidoscopy These are both tests involving a lighted tube with a camera. A colonoscopy involves following a special diet the day before the exam, typically with no solid foods and usually not eating or drinking anything after midnight the night before the exam. You will also need to take a laxative in either pill or liquid form or use an enema kit to empty your colon. During the procedure, for which you are sedated, the tube is inserted into the rectum and the camera gives the doctor a view of the inside of the entire colon to check for abnormalities.A sigmoidoscopy is a similar procedure but looks at the rectum and lower portion of the colon only.Hydrogen Breath Test This test is used to diagnose lactose intolerance by measuring the amount of hydrogen in your breath. When someone is lactose intolerant, undigested lactose produces high levels of hydrogen in the breath. The test involves drinking a beverage with a known amount of lactose and then breathing into a balloon-type container to measure breath hydrogen levels. A high level of hydrogen will lead to a diagnosis of lactose intolerance.Fasting Test This will help determine if a food intolerance or allergy is the cause of your diarrhea. Your physician may ask you to avoid certain foods, including dairy, wheat, carbohydrates, or other ingredients in an effort to see if your symptoms of diarrhea respond to those diet changes.
Visit your doctor right away if you experience any of the following symptoms:
Diarrhea that lasts more than two daysDiarrhea accompanied by a fever of 102 degrees F or higherSix or more loose stools in 24 hoursSevere, unbearable pain in the abdomen or rectumBloody stools or stools that are black and tarry or contain pusDiarrhea accompanied by frequent vomitingSigns of dehydration
