What should you know about excessive diarrhoea?

Diarrhoea means passing loose or watery stools more often than is normal for you. It may be caused by Food Poisoning, Gastroenteritis, a medicine, a Food Intolerance or an ongoing condition such as Irritable Bowel Syndrome. Coeliac Disease, Crohn's Disease and Giardiasis can also cause recurring or prolonged diarrhoea. Cramping, nausea, urgency and tiredness may accompany it. The main immediate risk is loss of water and salts, particularly when stools are frequent or vomiting prevents drinking.

Sip water often and consider an oral rehydration solution to replace salts. Eat small portions of plain, nourishing food when able; stopping all food is unnecessary. Wash hands carefully and avoid preparing food for others while infectious diarrhoea is possible. Keep a note of stool frequency, blood or mucus, fever, vomiting, recent travel, new medicines and foods that preceded symptoms. Do not take anti-diarrhoeal medicine without advice if there is blood in the stool, a high fever or severe abdominal pain.

Seek urgent help for fainting, confusion, severe weakness, severe abdominal pain, blood or black stool, repeated vomiting or signs of dehydration such as very little urine. Contact a clinician if diarrhoea is persistent, keeps returning, follows recent antibiotics or affects a young child, older adult, pregnant person or someone with a long-term illness. Assessment may identify infection, inflammation, malabsorption or a food-related trigger.

Ask whether you need stool tests, blood tests or treatment, how to replace fluids safely, and which foods or medicines to pause. Tell the clinician about travel, sick contacts, antibiotics and any weight change or night-time symptoms.