Diarrhea and Gastrointestinal Infections

Contents: About Diarrhea Self-Care: Diet and Treatment Advice When to Seek Medical Advice Related Services at Tang Center

About Diarrhea

Acute diarrhea is an unpleasant digestive disorder that almost everone experiences at some time. The symptoms usually start with crampy, abdominal pain, followed by frequent, watery bowel movements. Viruses, bacteria, or parasites all can cause diarrheal infections, as well as some medications -- particularly antibiotics. Symptoms usually last only a few days and can be self-managed, but in some cases symptoms can last longer.

For more detailed information about the sign, symptoms and causes of diarrhea, please see the Mayo Clinic article on diarrhea.

Self-Care: Diet and Treatment Advice

Follow these measures to prevent dehydration associated with diarrhea and to reduce symptoms while you recover:

1. Use medication only if prescribed -- and as prescribed -- by your clinician.

2. For diarrhea, you need to stay hydrated by consuming clear liquids only:

• plain water
• consomme
• apple juice
• clear broth
• uncaffeinated sodas (let carbonation escape, if vomiting)
• bouillon
• jello
• miso soup
• popsicles
• herb tea
• Gatorade®
• Pedialyte®

If you are also experiencing vomiting, do not take anything by mouth within 1 hour after vomiting. Slowly introduce clear liquids (see list above), two tablespoons (1 ounce) at a time, 2 or 3 times per hour. The amount and frequency may increase as tolerated, to as much as 2 ounces every 10 minutes.

3. When full hunger returns, and if diarrhea and/or vomiting are improving, any of the following "soft foods" may also be reintroduced into your diet in small portions:

• dry toast
• salted soda crackers
• boiled rice
• Melba toast
• Cream of Wheat
• apple sauce
• noodles
• bananas
• boiled/baked potato
• soup diluted with water, not milk
  

4. Once soft foods are well-tolerated for 24 hours, start to return to your regular diet with the following exceptions for at least a week after diarrhea and/or vomiting have resolved:

• fatty foods
• dairy products
• alcohol
• caffeine

When to Seek Medical Advice

Call the Tang Center Advice Nurse if you experience any of the following:

• diarrhea persists longer than a week
• persistent vomiting
• signs of dehydration despite drinking plenty of liquids (excessive thirst, dry mouth or skin, little or no urination, severe weakness, dizziness or lightheadedness or dark colored urine)
• severe abdominal or rectal pain
• bloody or black stools
• temperature of more than 100 F
  

Related Services at the Tang Center

For Students:

• Advice Nurse: (510) 643-7197
  
• Appointments: (510) 642-2000
  
• Self Care Resource Center: (510) 642-7202

For Faculty and Staff:

• Please refer questions to your health plan or primary care provider.

Disclaimer: The information provided here is not intended to diagnose, treat or provide a second opinion on any health problem or disease. It is meant to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between an individual and his/her clinician.

Last reviewed: September 2004

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