Diarrhea

Symptoms of Diarrhea
Diarrhea may be accompanied by *cramping, *abdominal pain, *bloating, *nausea, or an *urgent need to use the bathroom. Depending on the cause, a person may have a fever or bloody *stools.

Glossary For This Page
*Cramping
Sharp pains that occurs when a muscle suddenly contracts - tightens up. Cramps commonly occur in the abdomen and legs. The abdomen (Pronounced - AB-doh-men) is the area between the chest and the hips. Contains the stomach, small intestine, large intestine, liver, gallbladder, pancreas, and spleen.

*Abdominal Pain
Pain in the stomach area or belly (the abdomen).

*Bloating
Pronounced - BLOH-ting
To cause to swell, as with fluid, to become puffed up, a feeling of fullness in the abdomen. Bloating is usually the result of gas in the intestines and can be caused by many things, including overeating, lactose intolerance, and constipation.

*Nausea
A sick feeling or discomfort in the stomach that may or may not be followed by an urge to vomit (throw up).

*Urgent
Immediate and prompt attention, immediate action!! Right now!! Hurry!!

*Stools
The solid wastes that pass through the rectum as bowel movements. Stools are undigested foods, bacteria, mucus, and dead cells. Also called feces.

References:
March 2007
NIH Publication No. 07-2749
digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/diarrhea/