Diarrhoea Patient Information

Patient information factsheet
Diarrhoea
Diarrhoea is passing looser or more frequent stools than is normal for you. It affects most people
from time to time and is usually nothing to worry about. However, it can be distressing and
unpleasant until it passes, which normally takes a few days to a week.
Symptoms
Frequently passing watery or loose poo. Some people may also have other symptoms, depending on
the cause. Associated symptoms can include:
• stomach cramps
• nausea and vomiting
• headache
• loss of appetite
The excessive loss of water in your poo can also sometimes lead to dehydration, which can be serious if not
recognised and treated quickly. Signs of dehydration in adults can include:
• tiredness and a lack of energy
• loss of appetite
• nausea
• feeling lightheaded
• dizziness
• dry tongue
• sunken eyes
• muscle cramps
• rapid heartbeat
Causes of short term diarrhoea

There are many different causes of diarrhoea, but a bowel infection (gastroenteritis) is a common cause in
both adults and children. Gastroenteritis can be caused by:
• a virus – such as norovirus or rotavirus

• bacteria – such as campylobacter and Escherichia coli (E. coli), which are often picked up from
contaminated food
• a parasite – such as the parasite that causes giardiasis, which is spread in contaminated water
These infections can sometimes be caught during travel abroad, particularly to areas with poor standards
of public hygiene. This is known as travellers’ diarrhoea. Diarrhoea can also be the result of anxiety,
a food allergy, medication or a long-term condition, such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
Other possible causes of short-term diarrhoea include:

• feelings of anxiety
• drinking too much alcohol
• a food allergy
• appendicitis
• damage to the lining of the intestines as a result of radiotherapy
www.uhs.nhs.uk
Causes of long term diarrhoea

Conditions that can cause persistent diarrhoea include:
• Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) – a poorly understood condition affecting the normal functions of
the bowel
• Inflammatory bowel disease – conditions that cause the gut to become inflamed, such as Crohn’s disease
and ulcerative colitis
• Coeliac disease – a digestive condition where you have an adverse reaction to gluten
• Chronic pancreatitis – inflammation of the pancreas
• Diverticular disease – where small bulges or pockets develop in the lining of the intestine
• Bowel cancer – this can cause diarrhoea and blood in your stools
Persistent diarrhoea can also sometimes occur following surgery on the stomach, such as a gastrectomy.
This is an operation to remove part of the stomach – for example, as a treatment for stomach cancer.
Treatment
Diarrhoea will usually clear up without treatment after a few days, particularly if it’s caused by an infection.
In adults, diarrhoea usually improves within two to four days, although some infections can last a week
or more. While waiting for your diarrhoea to pass, you can ease your symptoms by following the advice
outlined below.
It’s important to drink plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration, particularly if you are also vomiting.
Take small, frequent sips of water.
Ideally, adults should drink a lot of liquids that contain water, salt and sugar. Examples are water mixed with
juice and soup. If you are drinking enough fluid, your urine will be light yellow or almost clear.
Your GP or pharmacist may suggest using an oral rehydration solution to prevent dehydration if you’re
at risk. Oral rehydration solutions usually come in sachets available from your local pharmacist without
a prescription. They are dissolved in water and replace salt, glucose and other important minerals that are
lost if you are dehydrated.
Prevention
Diarrhoea is often caused by an infection. You can reduce your risk by making sure you maintain high
standards of hygiene. For example, you should:
• wash your hands thoroughly with soap and warm water after going to the toilet and before eating or
preparing food
• clean the toilet, including the handle and the seat, with disinfectant after each bout of diarrhoea
• avoid sharing towels, flannels, cutlery or utensils with other household members
It’s also important to practise good food and water hygiene while travelling abroad, such as avoiding
potentially unsafe tap water and undercooked food.
Who to contact if you are concerned

If you have any concerns about your symptoms you should contact your GP or call 111 for advice.
www.uhs.nhs.uk
Useful links
www.nhs.uk/conditions/Diarrhoea/Pages/Introduction.aspx
www.nhs.uk/Conditions/dehydration/Pages/Introduction.aspx
Have your say

We would be very grateful if you would complete a feedback card before you leave. It’s your chance to
have your say on the treatment you, or a family member have received in hospital and helps us continually
improve the service we give to our patients.
University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust

Southampton General Hospital
Tremona Road
Southampton
SO16 6YD
Main switchboard: 023 8077 7222
The information in this factsheet has been adapted from NHS Choices www.nhs.uk
If you need a translation of this document, an interpreter

or a version in large print, Braille or on audiotape, please
telephone 023 8120 4688 for help.
© 2019 University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust. All rights reserved. Not to be reproduced in whole or in part without the permission of the copyright holder.
Version 1. Reviewed March 2019. Due for review March 2022. 1360
www.uhs.nhs.uk

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Patient information factsheet

Causes of short term diarrhoea

• a virus – such as norovirus or rotavirus

Other possible causes of short-term diarrhoea include:

Causes of long term diarrhoea

Who to contact if you are concerned

Have your say

University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust

Main switchboard: 023 8077 7222

If you need a translation of this document, an interpreter

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