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Diarrhea

Diarrhea is characterized by a significant increase in the frequency, or a significant decrease in the consistency of bowel movements. It has many causes-both infectious and non-infectious. It may be accompanied by cramping and urgency to get to a toilet.

If you have diarrhea with vomiting...

...you will need to give priority to settling your stomach before tending to the diarrhea. When these symptoms are happening at the same time, you should be especially aware of the risk of dehydration. If you can’t keep any liquids down and have not urinated for more than 6 hours, you should seek medical attention.

If you have diarrhea without vomiting...

...you may not have to change your diet very much. You should drink plenty of fluids (water, sports drinks, or VERY diluted juices) to keep yourself hydrated. Stay away from greasy and spicy foods, full strength juices (the sugars make diarrhea worse), and other foods or drinks that you remember have made previous episodes of diarrhea worse.

Sticking to bland foods may also help. The BRATS diet would be a safe start: 

  • Bananas, bread
  • Rice, rice cereal
  • Apples, applesauce (unlike apple JUICE, these have pectin which tends to thicken bowel movements)
  • Toast (no butter, small amount of jam or jelly ok)
  • Saltines-or other crackers-help replace lost salts

What about diarrhea medicine?

Non-prescription products, such as Immodium AD, Pepto-Bismol, and Kaopectate can decrease the frequency or increase the consistency of bowel movements. If you use this sort of preparation, always follow the package instructions. You can find these products at any pharmacy, including the Gannett Pharmacy.

Note: some of these products may turn stools dark black and can cause the tongue look black, as well. This is a normal response to the medication and not something to be concerned about.

Some studies have shown that taking Lactobacillus acidophilus (a normal intestinal bacteria), found in the health food section of many stores, can shorten the length of diarrheal illness.

What if I still feel sick?

If you have tried to follow this advice, but it's not helping; if you have:

  • diarrhea for more than 5 days
  • more than 5 episodes of diarrhea in a day
  • severe abdominal cramping
  • a fever for more than 2 days
  • not urinated in more than 6 hours
  • seen blood in the toilet
  • recently returned foreign travel

...you should seek medical attention:

Contact Gannett (255.5155) or another health care provider.

Print our Fact Sheet (pdf) on this topic.

Questions? Concerns?

We can help.

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