PRACTICAL HEALTH · SYMPTOMS

💧 Diarrhea

Diarrhea means loose or watery stools. The main concerns include dehydration, duration and accompanying symptoms.

📚 Medical sources

What should you notice?

How long it has lasted.
Frequency of bowel movements.
Blood or black stool.
Fever or severe abdominal pain.
Thirst, dry mouth, dark urine, dizziness or reduced urination.

Possible causes

These are examples, not a diagnosis. The same symptom can have many different causes.

Viral or bacterial infections.
Food-related illness.
Medication effects.
Food intolerances.
Other intestinal conditions.

What can you do initially?

Replace fluids and electrolytes as appropriate.
Monitor urine output and signs of dehydration.
Use careful hand hygiene when infection may be involved.
Seek medical advice if symptoms are severe or do not improve.

🚨 Warning signs

Severe dehydration.
Bloody or black stools.
Severe abdominal or rectal pain.
High fever with significant illness.
Children, older adults and people with weakened immune systems can become dehydrated more quickly.

If you believe the situation is life-threatening, call 911 in the United States.

Medical sources

Mayo Clinic — Diarrhea

Medical review: September 2026.

Educational information: This page provides general health information. It does not establish a diagnosis, prescribe treatment or replace evaluation by a qualified healthcare professional.