What Are the Symptoms of Diarrhea?

• A watery, liquid stool: The liquid stool causes frequent bowel elimination. Though color of the stool may not be significant, any trace of blood on it suggests an advanced infection and is a cause for alarm. When this happens, there may have been an intestinal bleeding. On the other hand, the passage of black stool suggests bleeding in the stomach.
• Abdominal cramps or pain: Slight abdominal pain may accompany bowel elimination. The pain should only be slight to moderate. On the other hand, if the pain is so intense, it may suggest a severe condition such as acute bacterial diarrhea.
• Fever: Fever is not common as a symptom that accompanies diarrhea. As such, when fever is experienced, it may suggest a more acute illness.
• Dehydration: A prolonged diarrhea can cause dehydration. When this happens, the condition then becomes truly alarming. When dehydration is experienced, this is one indicator that the condition is very severe. The following are the signs to watch out if dehydration has set in:
• In adults, dehydration results in very dry mouths while the person appears to be very thirsty.
• The skin may appear loose. Some people may become sleepy or exhibit behavioral changes.
• In infants and children, dehydration result to sunken eyes and dry mouths.