Diarrea

Consideraciones clave

• Diarrhea is when you have loose, watery stools.
• Diarrhea could be caused by a viral or bacterial infection, a reaction to a food, or it could be a side-effect of a medication.
• Diarrhea is contagious if caused by an infectious disease.
• Acute (short-term) diarrhea does not typically need treatment. Some over-the-counter medicines or antibiotics can help depending on the cause of your diarrhea.

Resumen

What is diarrhea?

Diarrea is when your stools are loose or watery. Diarrhea can often occur multiple times a day. You can also have other symptoms such as cramping, abdominal pain o náuseas.

Diarrhea can be acute or chronic. Acute diarrhea usually lasts for a day or two. Chronic diarrhea can last up to 4 weeks. Some types of diarrheas are contagious and spread through infectious diseases. Other times, diarrhea can be a symptom of a disease or other health condition that is not infectious.

Other names for diarrhea:

Loose stool, watery stool

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Posibles causas

What can cause diarrhea?

There are several possible causes of diarrhea including but not exclusive to:

• Viral infection — Some common viruses that affect the digestive tract are rotavirus, Coronavirus, norovirus and flu (influenza).
• Bacterial infection or parasite - Some common bacteria that cause diarrhea include campylobacter, Salmonella, E. coli and Shigella. Giardia lamblia and Entamoeba histolytica are parasites that cause diarrhea.
• Food allergy - With a food allergy, your body treats certain foods as a threat and your immune system works to fight against them. Diarrhea can be a common allergic reaction.
• Lactose intolerance - Lactose intolerance is when you are not able to fully digest sugar (lactose) in dairy products. Eating dairy products with lactose intolerance can cause diarrhea.
• Digestive disorders — Digestive disorders such as irritable bowel syndrome and celiac disease can cause diarrhea.
• Medications - Diarrhea can be a side effect of some antibiotics and medications. Chemotherapy, proton pump inhibitors and antacids may also cause diarrhea.

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Tratamiento y control

How can diarrhea be treated?

Most cases of acute diarrhea clear on their own within a couple of days without treatment. Treatment options can vary depending on the cause of your diarrhea. Some of these options include:

• Taking over-the-counter medications
• Drinking sports drinks to replace lost electrolytes
• Taking antibiotics for bacterial infections
• Adjusting or changing your prescribed medication
• Working with a provider to manage a chronic digestive disorder

Working with a health care provider will help determine the cause of your diarrhea so that it can be treated appropriately. MinuteClinic ofrece una variedad de servicios que pueden ayudar con el diagnóstico y tratamiento.

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Cuándo buscar atención médica

Acuda al hospital o llame al 911 si:

• Your diarrhea has blood or pus in it.
• You have severe diarrhea that will not stop.
• You have signs of dehydration such as a headache, confusion, fatigue, dizziness and low blood pressure.
• You are experiencing severe stomach or abdominal pain.
• You have a fever of 102 degrees or higher.

Llame a su proveedor si:

• Your diarrhea doesn't resolve completely within a few days.
• You want to discuss adjusting or changing a medication.

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Este material es solo para consulta y no debe usarse para determinar el tratamiento de afecciones específicas.

Visite un proveedor de atención médica por evaluación, diagnóstico y tratamiento de cualquier síntoma que pueda tener. Si tiene una emergencia médica, marque el 911 o visite su Departamento de Emergencia local.

Referencias usadas como fuentes para esta página

1. Common Intestinal Parasites via American Family Physician. Disponible en: https://www.aafp.org/pubs/afp/issues/2004/0301/p1161.html. (Accessed February 2023)
2. Symptoms and Causes of Diarrhea via National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Disease. Disponible en: https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/digestive-diseases/diarrhea/symptoms-causes. (Accessed February 2023)
3. Dehydration via Cleveland Clinic. Disponible en: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/9013-dehydration. (Accessed February 2023)
4. Treatment for Diarrhea via National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Disease. Disponible en: https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/digestive-diseases/diarrhea/treatment. (Accessed February 2023)

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