When your body speaks, you should listen. But if you do pay attention to your symptoms, it's not easy to know what they mean. That's why diagnosis is a job for a doctor. But you can use the information here to help you decide how urgently you need to see one.
Symptoms you should never ignore: diarrhea
Are you experiencing diarrhea?
Description: diarrhea that comes on suddenly for no apparent reason; may be accompanied by fever, vomiting, cramping or headache.
Possible causes: a viral infection (stomach flu).
Response: symptoms usually clear up on their own within a few days. During that time, stay well hydrated. Drink nondairy, noncaffeinated beverages or an over-the-counter electrolyte solution throughout the day.
Description: diarrhea after eating certain foods, such as milk or eggs.
Possible causes: food allergy.
Response: eliminate the trigger food from your diet and talk with your doctor about whether to have allergy tests.
Description: diarrhea starting 2 to 6 hours after a meal.
Possible causes: a bacterial infection caused by spoiled, undercooked or contaminated food; most cases of food poisoning are due to common bacteria such as staphylococcus or E. coli
Response: symptoms usually clear up on their own within 12 to 48 hours. Avoid solid food until your stools return to normal. Call your doctor if symptoms last more than two or three days or if you're unable to stay hydrated; you may need intravenous fluids. If you ate contaminated mushrooms or shellfish, go to the emergency room; your stomach may need to be emptied.
Description: diarrhea while traveling in a foreign country.
Possible causes: an infection caused by contaminated water; most often due to common bacteria and sometimes parasites.
Response: symptoms usually clear up on their own in one to two days. If they persist or are accompanied by other symptoms such as persistent vomiting and headache, see your doctor, who may prescribe an antibiotic or anti-parasitic medication.
Description: diarrhea while taking medications.
Possible causes: a side effect of medications such as antibiotics, diuretics, laxatives that contain magnesium or cancer drugs.
Response: talk with your doctor about whether a different drug should be substituted. If you're taking an antibiotic, eat yogurt with active cultures to replenish the "good" bacteria in your gut.
Description: diarrhea that lasts more than 4 weeks.
Possible causes: a chronic condition such as lactose intolerance, Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, irritable bowel syndrome or celiac disease (intolerance to gluten, a protein found in wheat, rye and barley).
Response: See your doctor, who may refer you to a gastroenterologist and/or dietitian.
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