Indigestion and diarrhoea: what to know

Diarrhoea can follow infection, contaminated food, food intolerance, stress, or medicines such as antibiotics. Indigestion adds upper-abdominal burning, fullness, belching, or nausea. The timing of both symptoms, recent travel or food, fever, and other household illness can be useful clues.

Reflux, gastritis, an ulcer, or Helicobacter pylori infection can cause upper-digestive symptoms, but they do not automatically account for every episode of diarrhoea. Read about [Indigestion](/symptoms/indigestion/) and [Helicobacter Pylori Infection](/conditions/helicobacter-pylori-infection/).

Take frequent small sips of water or an oral rehydration drink, especially after loose stools. Eat light foods as tolerated and avoid alcohol, very rich meals, and foods that clearly worsen symptoms. Wash hands carefully and avoid preparing food for others while diarrhoea continues.

Keep a note of stool changes, urine output, fever, vomiting, and medicines. Ask a pharmacist or clinician before using an anti-diarrhoeal product, particularly with fever or blood in the stool.

Get urgent medical help for blood or black stool, severe abdominal pain, repeated vomiting, confusion, fainting, very little urine, or difficulty keeping fluids down. Arrange assessment for diarrhoea that persists, recurs, follows antibiotics, or affects someone who is frail or medically vulnerable.

Ask whether infection, food intolerance, reflux, or a medicine is most likely; whether you need stool or blood tests; how to replace fluids; and which foods or medicines to avoid while recovering.