Diarrhoea can have a number of associated symptoms, depending on the cause and who is affected.
In terms of severity, you may only have slightly watery stools and a brief upset stomach, or your stools may be very watery for a prolonged period.
Many people with diarrhoea experience stomach cramps and a frequent, urgent need to go to the toilet. Other common symptoms associated with diarrhoea include:
- nausea and vomiting
- headache
- loss of appetite
When to contact your GP
The advice about when to contact your GP varies depending on who is affected.
Babies
You should contact your GP or health visitor immediately if your baby has had six or more episodes of diarrhoea in the past 24 hours.
Children
Contact your GP if your child has:
- had six or more episodes of diarrhoea in the past 24 hours
- diarrhoea and vomiting at the same time
- particularly watery diarrhoea
- blood in their diarrhoea
- diarrhoea that lasts more than two weeks (it usually passes within 5-7 days)
Adults
You should visit your GP if you have:
- diarrhoea and have recently been in hospital
- recently been treated with antibiotics
- diarrhoea that has blood in it
- diarrhoea and persistent vomiting
- unexplained weight loss
- bleeding from your rectum (back passage)
- passed a large amount of very watery diarrhoea - you may be at risk of dehydration (see below)
- diarrhoea at night and it is disturbing your sleep
- diarrhoea that lasts longer than a week (it usually passes within 2-4 days)
Dehydration
Severe or persistent diarrhoea can cause dehydration.
In children, symptoms of dehydration include:
- irritability or drowsiness
- passing urine infrequently
- pale or mottled skin
- cold hands and feet
- feeling increasingly unwell
In adults, symptoms of dehydration include:
- tiredness and a lack of energy
- loss of appetite
- nausea
- feeling light-headed
- dizziness, particularly when standing up
- dry tongue
- sunken eyes
- muscle cramps
- rapid heartbeat
Read more about the symptoms of dehydration.
