Symptoms of diarrhea

Patients with diarrhea present with various symptoms (clinical features) depending on the underlying cause.

Diarrhea due to small intestinal disease is typically watery and often associated with dehydration.

Diarrhea of the large intestine is associated with frequent small-volume stools, urgency and the presence of blood.

Patients with acute infectious diarrhea typically present with nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain and fever.

Parasites such as Giardia lamblia and Cryptosporidium spp. usually cause only mild abdominal discomfort associated with steatorrhea and bloating. Dehydration can occur if diarrhea is severe and when oral intake is limited due to nausea and vomiting.

Symptoms of dehydration
Dehydration is manifested as increased thirst, decreased urinary output and orthostatic changes. In severe cases, it may lead to acute renal failure and mental status changes.

Next page: Management of Diarrhea

Written by: Healthplus24 team
Date last updated: May 10,2012