See Clostridium Difficile, E. Coli and for chronic problems, Giardia, and IBS programs. Also see Parasites General if no relief after 2nd treatment.Encyclopedia Entry for Diarrhea :Diarrhea - overview. In some people, diarrhea is mild and goes away in a few days. In other people, it may last longer. Diarrhea can make you feel weak and dehydrated. Diarrhea in babies and children can be serious. It needs to be treated differently than you would treat diarrhea in adults. Talk with your health care provider if your child has diarrhea. There can be a lot to know. Your provider can help you learn how to recognize and treat diarrhea in babies and in children.The most common cause of diarrhea is the stomach flu ( viral gastroenteritis ). This mild viral infection most often goes away on its own within a few days. Eating or drinking food or water that contains certain types of bacteria or parasites can also lead to diarrhea. This problem may be called food poisoning. Certain medicines may also cause diarrhea , including: Some antibiotics Chemotherapy drugs for cancer Laxatives containing magnesium Diarrhea may also be caused by medical disorders, such as: Celiac disease Inflammatory bowel diseases ( Crohn disease and ulcerative colitis ) Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) Lactose intolerance (which causes problems after drinking milk and eating other dairy products) Malabsorption syndromes Less common causes of diarrhea include: Carcinoid syndrome Disorders of the nerves that supply the intestines Removal of part of the stomach ( gastrectomy ) or small intestine Radiation therapy People who travel to developing countries can get diarrhea from unclean water or food that has not been handled safely. Plan ahead by learning the risks and treatment for traveler's diarrhea before your trip.Most times, you can treat diarrhea at home. You will need to learn: To drink plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration (when your body does not have the proper amount of water and fluids) Which foods you should or should not eat What to do if you are breastfeeding What danger signs to watch out for Avoid medicines for diarrhea that you can buy without a prescription, unless your provider tells you to use them. These drugs can make some infections worse. If you have a long-term form of diarrhea, such as diarrhea caused by irritable bowel syndrome, changes to your diet and lifestyle may help.Call your provider right away if you or your child shows signs of dehydration: Decreased urine (fewer wet diapers in infants) Dizziness or lightheadedness Dry mouth Sunken eyes Few tears when crying Call for an appointment with your provider if you have: Blood or pus in your stools Black stools Stomach pain that does not go away after a bowel movement Diarrhea with a fever above 101 F or 38.33 C (100.4 F or 38 C in children) Recently traveled to a foreign country and developed diarrhea Also call your provider if: The diarrhea gets worse or does not get better in 2 days for an infant or child, or 5 days for adults A child over 3 months old has been vomiting for more than 12 hours; in younger babies, call as soon as vomiting or diarrhea begins.Your provider will perform a physical exam and ask you questions about your medical history and symptoms. Lab tests may be done on your stools to find the cause of your diarrhea. This is also a good time to ask your provider any questions you have about diarrhea. Over-the-counter supplements that contain healthy bacteria may help prevent diarrhea caused by taking antibiotics. These are called probiotics. Yogurt with active or live cultures is also a good source of these healthy bacteria. The following healthy steps can help you prevent illnesses that cause diarrhea: Wash your hands often, particularly after going to the bathroom and before eating. Use alcohol-based hand gel frequently. Teach children to not put objects in their mouth. Take steps to avoid food poisoning. When traveling to underdeveloped areas, follow the steps below to avoid diarrhea: Drink only bottled water and DO NOT use ice, unless it is made from bottled or purified water. DO NOT eat uncooked vegetables or fruits that do not have peels. DO NOT eat raw shellfish or undercooked meat. DO NOT consume dairy products.Stools - watery; Frequent bowel movements; Loose bowel movements.Diarrhea - what to ask your doctor - child Diarrhea - what to ask your health care provider - adult Diet - clear liquid Diet - full liquid When you have nausea and vomiting.Campylobacter jejuni organism Campylobacter jejuni organism Digestive system Digestive system Cryptosporidium, organism Cryptosporidium, organism Diarrhea Diarrhea.Schiller LR, Sellin JH. Diarrhea.Encyclopedia Entry for Diarrhea :Diarrhea - what to ask your doctor - child. FOODS What foods can make my child's diarrhea worse? How should I prepare the foods for my child? If my child is still breastfeeding or bottle feeding, do I need to stop? Should I water down my child's formula? Can I feed my child milk, cheese, or yogurt? Can I give my child any dairy foods? What type of bread, crackers, or rice is best for my child? Can I feed my child any sweets? Is artificial sugar OK? Do I need to worry about my child getting enough salt and potassium? Which fruits and vegetables are best for my child? How should I prepare them? Are there foods my child can eat to prevent too much weight loss? FLUIDS How much water or liquid should my child drink during the day? How can I tell when my child is not drinking enough? If my child will not drink, what are other ways to get my child enough fluids? Can my child drink anything with caffeine, such as coffee or tea? Can my child drink fruit juices or carbonated drinks? MEDICINES Is it safe to give my child medicines from the store that may help slow the diarrhea down? Do any of the medicines, vitamins, herbs, or supplements my child is taking cause diarrhea? Are there medicines I should stop giving my child? MEDICAL CARE Does having diarrhea mean my child has a more serious medical problem? When should I call the provider?.What to ask your doctor about diarrhea - child; Loose stools - what to ask your doctor - child.Bhutta ZA. Acute gastsroenteritis in children.Encyclopedia Entry for Diarrhea :Diarrhea - what to ask your health care provider - adult. Questions you should ask: Can I eat dairy foods? What foods can make my problem worse? Can I have greasy or spicy foods? What type of gum or candy should I avoid? Can I have caffeine, such as coffee or tea? Fruit juices? Carbonated drinks? Which fruits or vegetables are OK to eat? Are there foods I can eat so I do not lose too much weight? How much water or liquid should I drink during the day? What are the signs that I am not drinking enough water? Do any of the medicines, vitamins, herbs, or supplements I take cause diarrhea? Should I stop taking any of them? What products can I buy to help with my diarrhea? What is the best way to take these? What is the best way to take these products? Which ones can I take every day? Which ones should I not take every day? Can any of these products make my diarrhea worse? Should I take psyllium fiber (Metamucil)? Does diarrhea mean I have a more serious medical problem? When should I call the provider?.What to ask your health care provider about diarrhea - adult; Loose stools - what to ask your health care provider - adult.McQuaid KR. Approach to the patient with gastrointestinal disease.Encyclopedia Entry for Diarrhea :Diarrhea in infants. Diarrhea in babies usually does not last long. Most often, it is caused by a virus and goes away on its own. Your baby could also have diarrhea with: A change in your baby's diet or a change in the mother's diet if breastfeeding. Use of antibiotics by the baby, or use by the mother if breastfeeding. A bacterial infection. Your baby will need to take antibiotics to get better. A parasite infection. Your baby will need to take medicine to get better. Rare diseases such as cystic fibrosis.Infants and young children under age 3 can become dehydrated quickly and get really sick. Dehydration means that your baby does not have enough water or liquids. Watch your baby closely for signs of dehydration, which include: Dry eyes and little to no tears when crying Fewer wet diapers than usual Less active than usual, lethargic Irritable Dry mouth Dry skin that does not spring back to its usual shape after being pinched Sunken eyes Sunken fontanelle (the soft spot on top of the head).Make sure your baby gets plenty of liquids so she does not get dehydrated. Keep breastfeeding your baby if you are nursing. Breastfeeding helps prevent diarrhea, and your baby will recover quicker. If you are using formula, make it full strength unless your health care provider gives you different advice. If your baby still seems thirsty after or between feedings, talk to your provider about giving your baby Pedialyte or Infalyte. Your provider may recommend these extra liquids that contain electrolytes. Try giving your baby 1 ounce (2 tablespoons or 30 milliliters) of Pedialyte or Infalyte, every 30 to 60 minutes. Do not water down Pedialyte or Infalyte. Do not give sports drinks to young infants. Try giving your baby a Pedialyte popsicle. If your baby throws up, give them only a little bit of liquid at a time. Start with as little as 1 teaspoon (5 ml) of liquid every 10 to 15 minutes. Do not give your baby solid foods when she is vomiting. DO NOT give your baby ant-diarrhea medicine unless your provider says it is OK.If your baby was on solid foods before the diarrhea began, start with foods that are easy on the stomach, such as: Bananas Crackers Toast Pasta Cereal Do not give your baby food that makes diarrhea worse, such as: Apple juice Milk Fried foods Full-strength fruit juice.Your baby might get diaper rash because of the diarrhea. To prevent diaper rash: Change your baby's diaper frequently. Clean your baby's bottom with water. Cut down on using baby wipes while your baby has diarrhea. Let your baby's bottom air dry. Use a diaper cream. Wash your hands well to keep you and other people in your household from getting sick. Diarrhea caused by germs can spread easily.Call your provider if your baby is a newborn (under 3 months old) and has diarrhea. Also call if your child has signs of being dehydrated, including: Dry and sticky mouth No tears when crying No wet diaper for 6 hours Know the signs that your baby is not getting better, including: Fever and diarrhea that last for more than 2 to 3 days More than 8 stools in 8 hours Vomiting continues for more than 24 hours Diarrhea contains blood, mucus, or pus Your baby is much less active than normal (is not sitting up at all or looking around) Seems to have stomach pain.Diarrhea - babies.American Academy of Pediatrics. Healthychildren.org website. Diarrhea. www.healthychildren.org/English/health-issues/conditions/abdominal/Pages/Diarrhea.aspx. Updated November 21, 2015. Accessed October 6, 2017. Bhutta ZA. Acute gastroenteritis in children.Encyclopedia Entry for Diarrhea :Diarrhea in infants. When your infant has diarrhea; When your baby has diarrhea; BRAT diet; Diarrhea in children.Bananas and nausea Bananas and nausea.Bhutta ZA. Acute gastroenteritis in children.