Do I Have Diarrhea?

Do you have loose, watery stools?

Do you have loose, watery stools three or more times a day?

Do you have a strong and urgent need to have a bowel movement?

Do you have bloating or abdominal cramps?

Do you have pain in your abdomen?

Do you have nausea and vomiting?

Do you have a fever?

Do you have blood or mucus in your stool?

Have you lost your appetite?

Do you have an unintentional weight loss?

Do you have light-headedness and dizziness?

Based on your answers it is unlikely that you have diarrhea. Diarrhea is a disorder characterized by passing looser or more frequent stools than usual. It affects many people from time to time and there is usually no need to worry about it. It is a short-lived condition that often resolves within a week without treatment. In some cases, diarrhea can last for weeks, which usually means that there is another problem. There are a variety of causes of diarrhea, but the most common is a bowel infection. People with diarrhea lose water and electrolytes along with stool, so this condition can cause complications if left untreated.

Based on your answers there is a possibility that you have diarrhea. Diarrhea refers to loose and watery bowel movements. There are three types of diarrhea: acute, persistent and chronic. The most common is acute diarrhea, which usually does not require treatment and goes away after a few days. Persistent diarrhea lasts for several weeks, and chronic diarrhea persists longer than a month or comes and goes regularly over a long period of time. If your diarrhea does not improve, you may be at risk of dehydration, electrolyte imbalance, and kidney failure. To determent the exact cause of diarrhea, your doctor will order blood and stool tests.

Based on your answers there is a high possibility that you have diarrhea. Diarrhea is a disorder that presents with loose, watery stools three or more times a day. Acute diarrhea is a common problem, and about 179 million people in America are diagnosed with this condition every year. In most cases, diarrhea is a consequence of a viral intestinal infection and is often called "intestinal flu". Other possible causes of diarrhea involve bacterial infections, eating food that upset your digestive system, allergies and intolerances to a certain food, certain medication and malabsorption of food. Treatment includes medications, probiotics, increased fluid intake and dietary changes.