Diarrhea with Uncertain Cause (Adult)

Home care

Follow all instructions given by your health care provider. Rest at home for the next 24 hours, or until you feel better. Stay away from caffeine, tobacco, and alcohol. These can make diarrhea, cramping, and pain worse.

If taking medicines:

• Over-the-counter nausea and diarrhea medicines are generally OK unless you experience fever or blood in the stool. Check with your provider first in those circumstances.

• You may use acetaminophen or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen or naproxen to reduce pain and fever. Don’t use these if you have chronic liver or kidney disease, or ever had a stomach ulcer or gastrointestinal bleeding. Don't use NSAID medicines on an empty stomach or if you are already taking a NSAID for another condition (like arthritis) or are on daily aspirin therapy (such as for heart disease or after a stroke). Talk with your provider first.

• If antibiotics were prescribed, be sure you take them until they are finished. Don’t stop taking them even when you feel better. Antibiotics must be taken exactly as prescribed.

To prevent the spread of illness:

• Remember that washing with soap and clean, running water or using alcohol-based sanitizer are the best ways to prevent the spread of infection. Wash your hands after going to the bathroom. Dry your hands with a single-use towel (like a paper towel).

• If possible, use a separate toilet if you are having diarrhea or clean the toilet after each use.

• Wash your hands before eating.

• Wash your hands before and after preparing food. Keep in mind that people with diarrhea or vomiting should not prepare food for others.

• Wash your hands after using cutting boards, counter tops, and knives that have been in contact with raw foods.

• Wash and then peel fruits and vegetables.

• Keep uncooked meats away from cooked and ready-to-eat foods.

• Use a food thermometer when cooking. Cook poultry to at least 165°F (74°C). Cook ground meat (beef, veal, pork, lamb) to at least 160°F (71°C). Cook fresh beef, veal, lamb, and pork to at least 145°F (63°C).

• Don’t eat raw or undercooked eggs (poached or sunny side up), poultry, meat, or unpasteurized milk and juices.

Food and drinks

The main goal while treating vomiting or diarrhea is to prevent dehydration. This is done by taking small amounts of liquids often.

• Keep in mind that liquids are more important than food right now.

• Drink only small amounts of liquids at a time.

• Don’t force yourself to eat, especially if you are having cramping, vomiting, or diarrhea. Don’t eat large amounts at a time, even if you are hungry.

• If you eat, stay away from fatty, greasy, spicy, or fried foods.

• Don’t eat dairy foods or drink milk if you have diarrhea. These can make diarrhea worse.

During the first 24 hours you can try:

• Oral rehydration solutions. Sports drinks may be used if you are not too dehydrated and are otherwise healthy.

• Soft drinks without caffeine.

• Ginger ale.

• Water (plain or flavored).

• Decaf tea or coffee.

• Clear broth, consommé, or bouillon.

• Gelatin, ice pops, or frozen fruit juice bars.

The second 24 hours, if you are feeling better, you can add:

• Hot cereal, plain toast, bread, rolls, or crackers.

• Plain noodles, rice, mashed potatoes, chicken noodle soup, or rice soup.

• Applesauce, unsweetened canned fruit (no pineapple).

• Bananas.

As you recover:

• Broaden your diet when you feel ready. In general, a low-fat diet may be better tolerated. This includes lean meat, poultry, and fish.

• Limit fiber. Initially limit raw or lightly cooked vegetables, fresh fruits except bananas, or bran cereals. Add them back when you feel ready.

• Limit caffeine and chocolate.

• Limit dairy. If you tolerated dairy products before your diarrhea, add them back when you feel ready. Some people are lactose intolerant for a while after diarrhea.

• Don’t use spices or seasonings except salt.

• Go back to your normal diet over time, as you feel better and your symptoms improve.

• If the symptoms come back, go back to a simple diet or clear liquids and contact your health care provider.

Follow-up care

Follow up with your health care provider, or as advised. If a stool sample was taken or cultures were done, call the provider for the results as instructed.

Call 911

Call 911 if you have:

• Trouble breathing.

• Confusion.

• Extreme drowsiness or trouble walking.

• Loss of consciousness.

• A rapid heart rate.

• Chest pain.

• A stiff neck.

• A seizure.

When to get medical advice

Contact your health care provider right away if:

• You have abdominal pain that gets worse.

• You have constant lower right abdominal pain.

• You have continued vomiting and inability to keep liquids down.

• You have diarrhea more than 5 times a day.

• You have blood in vomit or stool.

• You have dark urine or no urine for 8 hours, dry mouth and tongue, tiredness, weakness, or dizziness.

• You have drowsiness.

• You have a new rash.

• You don’t get better in 2 to 3 days.

• You have a fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher, or as advised by your provider.