How do doctors find the cause of diarrhea?
Doctors don’t typically attempt to discover a cause of acute diarrhea. There’s a rare chance that your diarrhea lasts longer than 4 days, otherwise you have side effects such as fever or gristly stools, your doctor may have to discover the cause. (9)
To determine the cause of diarrhea, your doctor may consult your medical and family histories, a physical exam, or tests.
MEDICAL AND FAMILY HISTORY
If you are having diarrhea symptoms, your doctor will seek information from you, such as:
1: How long have you had diarrhea?
2: How much stool have you passed?
3: How frequently do you have diarrhea?
4: How do your stools look, such as color or consistency? Do you have other symptoms along with diarrhea?
Your doctor will moreover inquire about:
1: Current and past therapeutic conditions.
2: Prescription and nonprescription medicines.
3: Recent contact with other individuals who are sick.
4: Recent travel to developing nations.
Depending on whether there is a history of chronic diarrhea in your family, your doctor may examine you for diseases that cause chronic diarrhea, such as celiac illness, ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s infections, lactose intolerance, and crabby bowel syndrome.
PHYSICAL EXAM
During a physical exam, your doctor may:
1: Examine your body for signs of fever or dehydration.
2: Check your blood pressure and pulse for signs of dehydration.
3: Listen to the sounds in your abdomen with a stethoscope.
4: Tap on your abdomen to check for tenderness or pain.