Common causes of diarrhea include viruses, food poisoning, certain foods, stress, medication side effects, antibiotics, magnesium supplements or antacids, lactose intolerance, irritable bowel syndrome, inflammatory bowel disease, and other digestive conditions.
Diarrhea may happen by itself or with nausea, vomiting, stomach cramps, bloating, fever, body aches, urgency, weakness, or loss of appetite. The most important first concern is whether you are staying hydrated and whether warning signs are present.
When Telehealth May Help
Telehealth may help when diarrhea is mild to moderate, you can keep fluids down, and you do not have emergency warning signs. A telehealth visit can help review symptom timing, number of stools, hydration, fever, abdominal pain, vomiting, recent travel, food exposure, medications, antibiotics, sick contacts, and chronic medical history.
Your provider may discuss hydration steps, oral rehydration solutions, diet changes, medication safety, whether stool testing may be needed, and when urgent or in-person care is safer.
Hydration Comes First
Diarrhea can cause dehydration because the body loses fluid and electrolytes. Watch for dry mouth, dizziness, dark urine, urinating much less than usual, fast heartbeat, severe weakness, confusion, or feeling faint.
Small frequent sips of water or oral rehydration solution may help. Avoid alcohol. Some people may need to avoid very greasy foods, large amounts of dairy, or very sugary drinks while symptoms are active.
Medication Safety Matters
Over-the-counter diarrhea medicines may help some people, but they are not safe for every situation. They may not be appropriate if you have bloody diarrhea, high fever, severe abdominal pain, suspected certain infections, or diarrhea after antibiotics.
Do not use leftover antibiotics for diarrhea. Many cases do not need antibiotics, and the wrong treatment can cause side effects or make some infections worse.
When In-Person or Urgent Care Is Needed
Telehealth cannot perform an abdominal exam, check labs, give IV fluids, or fully evaluate severe abdominal pain. Some symptoms need urgent evaluation.
Seek in-person or urgent care if you have bloody diarrhea, black stool, severe abdominal pain, persistent high fever, repeated vomiting that prevents fluids, signs of dehydration, diarrhea lasting more than a few days, recent antibiotic use with worsening diarrhea, pregnancy, immune system problems, kidney disease, or severe weakness.
When It Is an Emergency
Call 911 or go to the emergency room for fainting, confusion, severe dehydration, severe or worsening abdominal pain, stiff abdomen, chest pain, trouble breathing, severe weakness, inability to keep fluids down, or any life-threatening symptom.
Older adults, pregnant patients, people with chronic medical conditions, and people with weakened immune systems may need care sooner because dehydration and complications can happen faster.
How TeleDNPnow Can Support You
At TeleDNPnow, we can provide telehealth support for non-emergency diarrhea and stomach illness concerns for patients residing in Arizona. Care may include symptom review, hydration guidance, medication safety review, testing guidance, and referral for urgent or in-person care when needed.
Diarrhea can be uncomfortable and disruptive. A telehealth visit can help you decide what may be safe to manage at home and what needs a higher level of care.
This article is for educational purposes only and does not replace medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Diarrhea can cause dehydration and may have serious causes. If you have bloody stool, black stool, severe abdominal pain, persistent vomiting, dehydration, confusion, fainting, pregnancy-related concerns, or symptoms that are severe or worsening, seek urgent or emergency care.