Diarrhea - Symptoms and causes - Mayo Clinic
Aug 3, 2024 · Diarrhea — loose, watery and possibly more-frequent passage of stool — is a common problem. Sometimes, it's the only symptom of a condition. At other times, it may be associated with other symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain or weight loss. Luckily, diarrhea is usually short-lived, lasting no more than a few days.
Stool color: When to worry - Mayo Clinic
Oct 10, 2024 · Stool comes in a range of colors. All shades of brown and even green are considered typical. Only rarely does stool color indicate a possibly serious intestinal condition. Stool color is generally influenced by what you eat as well as by the amount of bile — a yellow-green fluid that digests fats — in your stool.
Constipation - Symptoms and causes - Mayo Clinic
Oct 20, 2023 · Constipation is a problem with passing stool. Constipation generally means passing fewer than three stools a week or having a difficult time passing stool. Constipation is fairly common. A lack of dietary fiber, fluids and exercise can cause constipation. But other medical conditions or certain medicines may be the cause.
Fecal incontinence - Symptoms and causes - Mayo Clinic
Nov 27, 2024 · Loose or watery stool that quickly fills the rectum and is difficult to hold. Large, hard stool that blocks the rectum and results in leakage of softer stool around it. Damaged or weakened muscles. The muscles of the anus, rectum and pelvic floor control the holding and passing of stool. Damaged or weak muscles can cause fecal incontinence.
Nonprescription laxatives for constipation: Use with caution
Jan 26, 2024 · Oral stool softeners (Colace, Surfak, Docusate Calcium) Add moisture to stool to soften stool, allowing strain-free bowel movements: Electrolyte imbalance if used for a long time: Oral stimulants (Dulcolax, Senokot Bisacodyl, Senna/Sennosides) Trigger rhythmic contractions of intestinal muscles to eliminate stool
Gastrointestinal bleeding - Diagnosis and treatment - Mayo Clinic
Oct 13, 2023 · Stool tests. Analyzing your stool can help determine the cause of occult bleeding. Nasogastric lavage. A tube is passed through your nose into the stomach to remove stomach contents. This might help find the source of the bleeding. Upper endoscopy. An upper endoscopy is a procedure that uses a camera to view the upper digestive system.
Viral gastroenteritis (stomach flu) - Symptoms & causes - Mayo …
Jan 18, 2022 · Viral gastroenteritis is an intestinal infection that includes signs and symptoms such as watery diarrhea, stomach cramps, nausea or vomiting, and sometimes fever.
Infant constipation: How is it treated? - Mayo Clinic
Oct 5, 2024 · Newborns typically pass stool every day for the first month or two. After that, some babies pass stool less often. And babies that take in formula tend to pass stool less often than do babies taking in breast milk. Just as in older children and adults, healthy patterns of passing stool can vary among babies.
Blood in stool in adults - Mayo Clinic
Choose a symptom; Selected Select related factors; View possible causes; Blood in stool in adults. Find possible causes of blood in stool based on specific factors.
Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection - Mayo Clinic
May 5, 2022 · Stool PCR test. A lab test called a stool polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test can detect H. pylori infection in stool. The test can also identify mutations that may be resistant to antibiotics used to treat H. pylori. However, this test is more expensive than a stool antigen test and may not be available at all medical centers.