Discharge Instructions - Diarrhea

As discussed in the Emergency Department prior to discharge, you have been diagnosed with diarrhea.  Diarrhea describes bowel movements that are runny or watery, and happen 3 or more times in a day.  Diarrhea is very common.  Most adolescents and adults have diarrhea about 4 times a year.  Just about everyone has it at some point.

Diarrhea can be caused by:

    -Viruses

    -Bacteria that live in food or water

    -Parasites, such as tiny worms that you can catch in some countries

    -Side effects from some medicines

    -Problems digesting certain types of food

    -Diseases that harm the digestive system

Here are some things you can try at home:

-Drink a lot of liquids that have water, salt, and sugar.  Good choices are water mixed with juice, flavored soda, and soup broth.  If you are drinking enough fluids, your urine will be light yellow or almost clear.

-Try to eat a little food.  Good choices are potatoes, noodles, rice, oatmeal, crackers, bananas, soup, and boiled vegetables.  Salty foods help the most.

Some people can also take a medicine called Loperamide (brand name: Imodium).  You should not take this medicine if you have a fever, bloody bowel movements, or severe belly pain.  Do not take more than the label tells you to.  Taking too much loperamide has led to serious heart problems in some people.  If you have health problems or already take other medicines, talk to your doctor or nurse before trying loperamide.

Return to the Emergency Department if you have signs of dehydration despite treatment, a dry mouth with no visible saliva, lethargy, high fever (≥40.0°C / 104.0°F), blood in your diarrhea, abdominal pain that move to one side of the abdomen, or have any other new or concerning symptoms.