Diarrhea

Diarrhea is loose, watery stool three or more times a day. Most diarrhea is caused by a virus or something you ate and clears within 1 to 3 days. Knowing how to stop diarrhea starts with replacing fluids to prevent dehydration.

What Is It

Common causes include stomach viruses, food poisoning, travel, antibiotics, and food intolerances like lactose. Diarrhea lasting more than 2 weeks is called chronic and has other causes, like irritable bowel syndrome. Babies, young children, and older adults dehydrate fastest.

Symptoms

Loose, watery stools
Belly cramps
An urgent need to go
Nausea or bloating
Fever in some infections
Blood or mucus in the stool, which needs care

Not sure what is causing it? Diarrhea with vomiting that spreads through a household is often the stomach flu. Dark urine, dizziness, and thirst are signs of dehydration.

Treatment

At your visit: A provider checks for dehydration and looks for the cause. A stool test may help when there is blood, high fever, or long lasting diarrhea. IV fluids may be used when needed. Antibiotics help only certain bacterial infections.

At home:

Sip water, broth, or an oral rehydration drink often
Eat bland foods like rice, bananas, toast, and crackers
Avoid dairy, alcohol, caffeine, and greasy foods for a few days
Use over the counter anti diarrhea medicine only for adults without fever or blood in the stool

Most diarrhea clears within 1 to 3 days.

When to Get Care for Diarrhea

Watch at Home

Diarrhea for less than 2 days
Drinking well and urinating normally
No fever or blood

Come to Urgent Care Today

Diarrhea lasting more than 2 days in adults or 24 hours in young children
Signs of mild dehydration, like dark urine or a dry mouth
A fever above 102 degrees
Diarrhea after recent travel or antibiotics
Diarrhea in a baby under 6 months

Go to the Emergency Department

Black or bloody stool, or vomiting blood
Severe belly pain that will not ease
No urine for 8 hours, confusion, or fainting
A baby with sunken eyes and no tears

FAQ

How do you stop diarrhea fast?

To stop diarrhea fast, replace fluids with an oral rehydration drink and eat bland foods. Adults without fever or blood in the stool can try over the counter anti diarrhea medicine.

What causes diarrhea?

Diarrhea is most often caused by stomach viruses, food poisoning, travel, antibiotics, or food intolerances. Long lasting diarrhea can come from bowel conditions.

How long does diarrhea last?

Most diarrhea lasts 1 to 3 days. Diarrhea lasting more than 2 days in adults, or 24 hours in young children, should be checked.

What should I eat when I have diarrhea?

When you have diarrhea, eat bland foods like rice, bananas, toast, crackers, and broth. Avoid dairy, greasy food, alcohol, and caffeine until it clears.

Can urgent care treat diarrhea?

Yes, urgent care can treat diarrhea. At Vitality Urgent Care, a provider can check for dehydration and look for the cause. No appointment or referral is needed.

When is diarrhea an emergency?

Diarrhea is an emergency when there is black or bloody stool, severe belly pain, no urine for 8 hours, confusion, or fainting.

Last reviewed October 2026