Decrease font size
Default font size
Increase font size
May 25, 2012
 

What is the Cause of my Loose Stools?

Dear Ask The Doctor: Hi there,at 8 pm last night I sarted to get severe diarrhea followed by vomiting and cramps in my hands,feet,leg and neck.the diarrhea started of normaly turning watery,then clear with white mucisy bits,but now it is thick yellow? Im a bit unsure of what it may be.thanx.sara x

Dear Sara: You seem to be suffering for gastroenteritis which is an inflammation of the stomach and intestines due to bacteria or viruses. Most of the times an identifiable cause is not detected. the infection spreads from consuming improperly prepared food or drinking contaminated water. A person with gastroenteritis may experience diarrhea, nausea & vomiting, crampy abdominal pain, fever and body aches.

Most often gastroenteritis is a self-limiting condition normally lasting 1-6 days, but it can cause significant problems with dehydration. The treatment of gastroenteritis at home should be focused on hydrating yourself. Sometimes small frequent sips of clear fluid works better when you are feeling nauseous.

It is important to note that if you have blood in vomit or stool, or vomiting is continuing more than 48 hours, you have a high grade fever (>101 oF), or have signs of dehydration like dry skin/mouth, decreased urine, lightheadedness, you need to see your family physician as soon as possible.

Last Updated ( Wednesday, 26 October 2011 )
 

Related Articles

Forceful vomiting and acute diarrhea

Diarrhea post clindamycin use

Hives and diarrhea sine 4 days

What is the importance of colonoscopy in loose stool

Management for chronic loose stools

Dark and Bright Green colored runny stool??? Is this a danger?

Suffer from chronic diarrhea, also have psoriasis and hiatal hernia

Child with loose stool and smelly breath

Chronic diarrhea for 2 months

19 month old daughter has loose stools

Daily diarrhea with anticonvulsant medication

Urinary incontinence - What do I do?

Black color diarrhea with bleeding

Travel and Doxycycline use of preventing malaria

Black diarrhea with red spots??

Watery diarrhea - Viral or bacterial?

Acute Diarrhea, Fever, Abdominal Pains,

Diarrhea for Nine Days?

My Diarrhoea is not Getting Better with Medicines.

I'm having soft stools for 8 weeks. Do I need to see a doctor?

I'm having diarrhea w/ yellow-green stools. Is this bad?

What will glucose water do to diarrhea?

Unexplained weight loss, diarrhea and bloody stools

Clostridium difficle colitis and its treatment

Whyd do IBS Symptoms Worsen During Pregnancy and Postpartum?

Diarrhea when drinking sweet tea or eating cereal in the morning

Causes of Abdominal Pain After having Diarrhea

Abdominal Pain, diarrhea, vomiting and blood in stool and urine: What could it be.

Loose stools diarrhea for three months

Constant diarrhea and stomach pain that isnt going away

Diarrhea with gas: What could it be?

Salmonella Poisoning

Preventing Dehydration with Vomiting and Diarrhea

Diarrhea and Gas Due to Nervousness in Class or Quiet Places

Acute watery diarrhea with blood

Diarrhea with blood past four weeks

Chronic diarrhea and stomach pain

Diarrhea lasting more than two weeks

Diarreah for more than twenty four hours

importance of ORS and antinbiotics in Cholera treatment

Rotavirus

Surgery for anal control

Stomach problems

Daily loose and frequent bowel movements

Diaffhea that is driving me crazy

Miss

Diarrhea from sugar

Blood in stool

Persistent diarrhoea and mucus

Diarrhea

Gastroenteritis

Acute gastroenteritis

Chronic Diarrhea

Black stools

Weight loss and diarrhoea warrant urgent investigation

Diagnosis of Irritable bowel syndrome

Lots of Diarrhea

Black stool may be medication side-effect

Causes of lactose intolerance

Parathyroid gland removal during total thyroidectomy

Diarrhea

Help please

Morning diarrhoea

If i have diarrhea for more then four days, should i seek medical help?

Loose stool

Black tarry stools may represent upper gastrointestinal bleeding

Acute gastroenteritis symptoms

Continuing symptoms post rectal prolapse surgery

Symptoms of inflammatory bowel disease in a young male

Change in bowel habit warrants investigation

Had the Flu for the last few days

Diagnosis of post cholecystecomy syndrome requires follow-up with surgeon

Overflow Diarrhoea Secondary to Chronic Constipation

Causes of Diarrhoea and Loose Stools

Strange Rectal Bleeding

Stomach Pain with Vommiting and Diarrhea

The importance of fluid and electrolyte replacement in acute gastroenteritis

Waking up every night for one week with Diarrehea

Marijuana Increases Nausea During Withdrawal

Chronic Diarrhea Could be Caused by Many Etiologies

Treat this diarrhea or let it run its course?

Three year old with diarrhea

Keeping a Food Diary for Sensitive Stomach Prior to Visiting Doctor

Colon problems with Dietary Triggers

Acute Diarrhea lasting for 4 Days now

About us | Follow us | Contact us | Advertising | Careers | Terms of Service | Site Map