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Schedule your diarrhoea treatment online in just a few clicks. Mobi Doctor makes booking a convenient appointment and connecting with a qualified doctor easy. Get the care you need without the hassle of leaving your home.

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Personalised Treatment

Receive expert diarrhoea treatment online with personalised care plans from experienced doctors. Mobi Doctor helps manage symptoms effectively, offering guidance on medications, dietary changes, and hydration tips to support a smooth recovery. Start your treatment journey today!

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Ongoing Support

Mobi Doctor provides ongoing care for diarrhoea treatment online, ensuring you recover fully and stay healthy. From follow-ups to tailored advice, our doctors are here to support your health every step of the way. Help is always available!

Medically Reviewed

By

Chrysoula I. Liakou

MD, PhD, Internal Medicine Specialist and
Cancer Immunology Researcher.

What is Diarrhoea?

Experiencing diarrhoea is expected, as it affects almost everyone at some point. Usually, there is no cause for concern, and it will resolve independently. However, if it persists for an extended period, it can risk one's health.

 

In most adults, diarrhoea typically clears up within a week, whereas in children, it should resolve within four days. If the symptoms persist beyond these time frames, it is advisable to consult a physician for further guidance.

Diarrhoea Symptoms

The following symptoms characterize diarrhoea:

 

  • Feeling sick

  • Bloating

  • An urgent need to go to the bathroom

  • Thin, loose or watery poo

  • Tummy pain

  • A large volume of poo

  • Tummy cramps (which may ease after going to the toilet)

  • Being sick

 

If you have diarrhoea, it's crucial to watch for dehydration symptoms since you'll lose a significant amount of water. Additional information on this topic can be found later on this page.

Diarrhoea Causes

Diarrhoea happens when something upsets your digestive system, making your body flush out waste quickly. There are several common causes, and understanding them can help you avoid getting sick.

Main causes include:

  • Infections: Viruses like norovirus or rotavirus, bacteria like E. coli or Salmonella, and parasites like Giardia can cause diarrhoea. These often come from eating or drinking contaminated food or water.
  • Food intolerance: Some people can’t digest certain foods, like lactose in milk, which can lead to diarrhoea.
  • Food poisoning: Eating spoiled or contaminated food can irritate your stomach and cause diarrhoea.
  • Medications: Some medicines, like antibiotics, can upset the balance of bacteria in your gut and lead to diarrhoea.
  • Medical conditions: Problems like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), Crohn’s disease, or celiac disease can make diarrhoea happen more often.
  • Stress or anxiety: Emotional stress can sometimes affect digestion and cause diarrhoea.

Diarrhoea can also happen when travelling to new places with different food and water safety standards, often called “traveller’s diarrhoea.”

By knowing the causes, you can take steps to protect yourself, like eating clean food, drinking safe water, and practising good hygiene. If diarrhoea lasts too long, a doctor can help find out what’s causing it.

Diarrhoea Treatment

Diarrhoea is often manageable at home, but the proper care can make a recovery quicker and more comfortable. Here’s a detailed guide to effective treatments:

1. Self-Care at Home

  • Stay Hydrated: Drink plenty of clear fluids like water, diluted juice, or oral rehydration solutions (ORS) to replace lost water and electrolytes. These solutions are vital for children and older adults. Avoid sugary drinks, caffeine, and alcohol, as they can worsen symptoms.
  • Eat Bland Foods: Follow a simple diet like the BRAT diet—bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast. These foods are gentle on your stomach and can help firm up stools. Avoid high-fibre, fatty, or spicy foods until you recover.
  • Rest: Give your body time to heal by staying home and taking it easy. Avoid work or school until you haven’t had a loose bowel movement for 24 hours.

2. Medicines for Diarrhoea

Over-the-counter anti-diarrhoeal medicines like loperamide can help slow down bowel movements. However, they aren’t suitable for everyone. Avoid these if you have a fever, blood in your stools, or diarrhoea caused by an infection, as they may prolong the illness. Always check with a doctor or pharmacist before use.

3. Medical Treatments

If diarrhoea persists or is caused by an infection:

  • Antibiotics or Antiparasitics: These are prescribed for bacterial or parasitic infections.
  • Intravenous Fluids: For severe dehydration, fluids may be given through an IV in a medical setting.
  • Dietary Guidance: A dietitian can help if your diarrhoea is linked to nutritional issues or conditions like IBS.

Taking these steps can help manage diarrhoea effectively. If symptoms persist or worsen, consult a healthcare professional for further care.

Diarrhoea in Adults

You should be able to manage your symptoms at home for mild cases. However, it's essential to seek urgent medical attention if you encounter any of the following alongside your diarrhoea:

 

  • Presence of blood, mucus, or black, tarry stools in your bowel movements

  • Unexplained weight loss

  • Elevated body temperature

  • Diarrhea persisting beyond five days

  • Inability to consume fluids due to severe sickness

  • Intense abdominal or rectal pain

  • Onset of diarrhoea after returning from a foreign country

  • Signs of dehydration

  • Recent antibiotic use or hospitalization

 

Additionally, if diarrhoea continues for more than four days, it's advisable to consult a doctor.

Diagnosing Diarrhoea

When talking with a doctor, they may inquire about recent toilet habits, if the diarrhoea could have been contracted from another person or source, and any medications being taken. They can offer advice, provide comfort, and administer treatment if necessary.

 

You may be asked to send a stool sample to a lab for analysis if the condition is severe.

Diarrhoea Treatment

For adults, diarrhoea is usually a short-term issue, lasting no more than one week. Children should see an improvement in the condition within four days. If either group experiences diarrhoea for longer than this, medical advice should be sought.

 

If you are experiencing diarrhoea, you can take anti-diarrhoea medications such as loperamide and racecadotril to help lessen the number of toilet trips and shorten the episode's duration. Our doctors can provide advice regarding the best treatment for you, so don't hesitate to speak to them.

Looking out for Dehydration

When experiencing diarrhoea, one tends to lose a significant amount of water, leading to dehydration. Therefore, it is vital to drink plenty of water to replenish the lost fluid.

 

It is essential to be aware of the signs of dehydration, as they can be harmful if not treated, especially in infants and children. These consist of:

 

  • Dark coloured wee

  • Tiredness

  • Lightheadedness

  • Dry lips, eyes and skin

  • Low amounts of wee

  • Having a fast pulse

  • Being very thirsty

 

In addition to the above, babies and children may also suffer from:

 

  • Sunken eyes

  • Sunken fontanel (soft spot on their head)

  • Irritability

  • A lack of tears when crying

How can you Prevent Diarrhoea?

Preventing diarrhoea can be challenging due to its various causes, but there are preventive measures you can take:

 

  • Maintain regular handwashing, particularly after using the restroom and before handling or consuming food.

  • Exercise extra caution in thoroughly cleaning the toilet after experiencing diarrhoea, including disinfecting the toilet, toilet brush, and door handles.

  • Refrain from sharing towels, utensils, and other personal items, especially if someone has had diarrhoea recently.

  • When clothing, bedding, or towels become soiled, wash them at a high temperature.

  • Wait 48 hours after your last episode of diarrhoea before returning to work or school.

  • While travelling internationally, avoid consuming unsafe tap water and undercooked foods.

  • If concerns arise or you're suffering from diarrhoea, don't hesitate to contact one of our doctors for advice and potential treatment options.

How can Mobidoctor help?

Mobi Doctor offers the convenience of a virtual doctor visit. You can connect with a doctor via video consultation from the comfort of your home or on the go. They can diagnose any diarrhoea-related issues and provide the right treatment plan to help you recover quickly.

Diarrhoea in Children and Babies

It is usually safe to look after your little one at home. However, if your baby or toddler is showing signs of diarrhoea, it is essential to seek urgent medical help. Dehydration can occur within 24 hours due to diarrhoea, so it is necessary to recognize the symptoms of dehydration. For more information about the warning signs, visit the link provided.

 

You should contact a doctor if your child has:

 

  • Both sickness and diarrhoea

  • Watery poo

  • Dehydration symptoms

  • Blood or pus in their poo

  • Had six or more bouts of diarrhoea in 24 hours

  • Bad tummy ache that won't go away

  • Been sick three times or more in 24 hours

 

If your child has diarrhoea, it is essential to seek medical advice. Mobi Doctor's doctors can see you and your child via video consultation, meaning you can receive care from home. Most cases of diarrhoea will resolve within two weeks, but if you are concerned, book an appointment today.

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