Diarrhea Also called: Dysentery, The runs, The trots Summary Diarrhea means that you have loose, watery stools more than three times in one day. You may also have cramps, bloating, nausea and an urgent need to have a bowel movement. Causes of diarrhea include bacteria, viruses or parasites, certain medicines, food intolerances and diseases that affect the stomach, small intestine or colon. In many cases, no cause can be found. Although usually not harmful, diarrhea can become dangerous or signal a more serious problem. You should talk to your doctor if you have a strong pain in your abdomen or rectum, a fever, blood in your stools, severe diarrhea for more than three days or symptoms of dehydration. If your child has diarrhea, do not hesitate to call the doctor for advice. Diarrhea can be dangerous in children. NIH: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Specifics Antibiotic-Associated Diarrhea Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research Chronic Diarrhea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Diarrhoeal Disease World Health Organization Runner’s Diarrhea: How Can I Prevent It? Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research Travelers’ Diarrhea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Related Issues Antibiotic-Associated Diarrhea Caused by Clostridium difficile (Beyond the Basics) UpToDate Cholecystectomy (Gallbladder Removal) Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research Diarrhea and Swimming Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Diarrhea: Cancer-Related Causes and How to Cope Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research Fecal Incontinence National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases Viral Gastroenteritis National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases Treatments and Therapies Antidiarrheal Medicines: OTC Relief for Diarrhea American Academy of Family Physicians Bilberry National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health Chamomile National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health Oral Probiotics National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health Time to Talk: 5 Things to Know about Probiotics National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health Children Are Your Bowels Moving? Nemours Foundation Chronic Diarrhea in Children National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases Diarrhea American Academy of Pediatrics Diarrhea Nemours Foundation Diarrhea (For Parents) Nemours Foundation Stool Tests Nemours Foundation Straight Poop on Kids and Diarrhea Food and Drug Administration Toddler’s Diarrhea North American Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition Vomiting and Diarrhea American Academy of Family Physicians Living With BRAT Diet: Recovering from an Upset Stomach American Academy of Family Physicians Diarrhea American Cancer Society Clinical Trials ClinicalTrials.gov: Diarrhea National Institutes of Health ClinicalTrials.gov: Dysentery National Institutes of Health Diagnosis and Tests Diarrhea American Academy of Family Physicians Lower Gastrointestinal (GI) Tract X-Ray (Radiography) Array MedlinePlus: Colonoscopy National Library of Medicine O&P (Ova and Parasite) Test American Association for Clinical Chemistry Stool Culture American Association for Clinical Chemistry Array Diarrhea Diarrhea in infants Diet – clear liquid Fecal culture Traveler’s diarrhea diet When you or your child has diarrhea Health Check Tools Diarrhea DSHI Systems Start Here Diarrhea Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research Diarrhea National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases Diarrheal Diseases – Acute and Chronic American College of Gastroenterology What I Need to Know about Diarrhea National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases Encyclopedia Diarrhea – what to ask your doctor – adult Diarrhea – what to ask your doctor – child Enteroscopy Fecal smear When your child has diarrhea Seniors Eldercare at Home: Diarrhea AGS Foundation for Health in Aging Find an Expert Find a Gastroenterologist American College of Gastroenterology National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases Teenagers Gastrointestinal Infections and Diarrhea Nemours Foundation Genetics Genetics Home Reference: congenital sucrase-isomaltase deficiency National Library of Medicine Genetics Home Reference: microvillus inclusion disease National Library of Medicine Genetics Home Reference: trichohepatoenteric syndrome National Library of Medicine Journal Articles Diarrhea Dysentery Prevention and Risk Factors Travelers’ Health: Water Disinfection for Travelers Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Latest News Breast Milk Best from the Breast? HealthDay Thousands of Public Pools, Hot Tubs Closed for Dirty Water: CDC HealthDay