The diarrhea is a considerable increase in the number of daily bowel movements. Generally, they are usually abundant and very liquid. It is a fairly common disorder today and can be due to numerous causes such as poisoning, intestinal diseases and intolerance to some foods, among others.
This situation can be resolved in a short period of time or it could last several days, and it may not be related to any serious situation. However, it is essential to visit a doctor, not only to know if it is a symptom of some other pathology, but also because diarrhea itself can be dangerous, especially in children, since it can cause dehydration and loss weight .
If you wonder when to go to the doctor for diarrhea , at FastlyHealwe want to let you know the main situations.
Diarrhea with high fever
The main function of fever is to raise the normal temperature of the body so that, in this way, the immune system is stimulated and kills external agents that may be causing any alteration. For this reason, it is often recommended to let the fever run its normal course; However, when the temperature rises to 39 ° or more for a long time and this condition is accompanied by diarrhea, it can become dangerous, so it is essential to consult a doctor as soon as possible.
The combination of these two symptoms may be indicating a pathology that needs to be addressed quickly, to prevent the condition from progressing and eliminate any disorder that may continue to harm the body, for example, gastroenteritis .
Diarrhea with vomiting
Having diarrhea accompanied by constant vomiting may be related to a pathology that urgently needs treatment, so it is important to visit a doctor. In addition, when fluid is expelled from the body in both ways and what is consumed cannot be retained, there is a risk of dehydration , especially if it is a child under 3 years of age, since they are at greater risk of dehydration .
The dehydration can be mild, moderate or severe and is directly related to the amount of fluid lost or could not be replaced in the body. Severe dehydration can be fatal, so it is advisable to visit a specialist if you have diarrhea with vomiting and symptoms such as yellow urine or spending many hours without urinating, rapid heart rate, rapid breathing, dry and wrinkled skin, dizziness , delusions, sunken eyes or apathy.
Bloody diarrhea
The appearance of blood in the stool could mean a significant alteration in the digestive tract . Blood can be present in the stool in a very small way, which is almost imperceptible to the eye or in a very noticeable way that changes the color of the stool.
The color of the stool can indicate where the problem is. If they appear black, it is usually a disorder in the upper part of the gastrointestinal tract, that is, the beginning of the small intestine, the esophagus and the stomach. While if they appear bright red, it generally refers to a problem in the lower part of the digestive tract, such as the large intestine, rectum or anus. However, for any alteration that occurs in diarrhea, it is essential to visit a doctor.
Diarrhea with mucus
If you are still wondering when to go to the doctor for diarrhea, having a mucus in it is another answer. If sticky mucus appears when you have a bowel movement that can be white, green or yellowish, it is important to see a doctor as it could be a sign of a major disorder, such as Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis .
Although it may be normal for mucus to appear in the stools, since the intestine produces this substance and part of it is usually eliminated with the stool, when it lasts more than a week and becomes more visible than normal, it should be consulted with a doctor.
Most common causes of diarrhea
There are numerous factors that can develop diarrhea, because it is a very common symptom in various pathologies. The most common causes of diarrhea are:
- Food poisoning or intolerance.
- Parasites
- Infection from a virus, such as rotavirus.
- Bacteria such as E. coli, Salmonella, and Campylobacter.
- Intolerance or allergy to proteins such as those in milk.
This article is merely informative, at FastlyHeal .com we do not have the power to prescribe medical treatments or make any type of diagnosis. We invite you to see a doctor in the case of presenting any type of condition or discomfort.
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I am a Surgeon with a diploma in comprehensive ultrasound and surgical care residency, an area I am specializing in. During the exercise of my profession, I have realized the need for patients to know the diseases they suffer, and I can tell you that a large part of their complications is due to a lack of information. Being a health web writer allows me to transmit my experience, without borders, to all those readers eager for knowledge, educate them in the prevention of diseases and promote a healthy lifestyle.