What should you know about persistent diarrhoea?

Diarrhoea may follow food poisoning or gastroenteritis, but continued symptoms can also occur with coeliac disease, Crohn's disease, giardiasis, hyperthyroidism, irritable bowel syndrome, or food intolerance. The pattern matters: note how often you pass stool, whether it is watery or greasy, and whether cramps, fever, vomiting, weight loss, or blood occur. These details help a clinician decide whether testing is needed.

Take frequent sips of water or an oral rehydration drink, especially after each loose stool. Eat small, simple meals if you feel able and avoid foods that clearly worsen symptoms. Keep a record of meals, recent travel, medicines, and stool changes. Do not start antibiotics or anti-diarrhoeal medicines without advice, particularly if you have fever or blood in the stool.

Arrange medical advice when diarrhoea continues, keeps returning, or interferes with eating, drinking, sleep, or daily activities. Seek urgent care for severe weakness, confusion, fainting, very little urine, inability to keep fluids down, severe abdominal pain, high fever, or blood or black stool. Children, older adults, pregnant people, and anyone with a long-term illness may become dehydrated sooner.

Ask what causes fit your pattern, whether stool or blood tests are appropriate, and which fluids and foods are safest while symptoms continue. Mention recent travel, untreated water, new medicines, and any family history of bowel disease.