Diarrhea Diagnosis

A diagnosis typically isn’t needed for acute diarrhea. In most cases, diarrhea passes with no major issues and without the need for medication or other treatments.

If the symptoms of diarrhea continue for more than a few days (or if you experience frequent, or chronic, diarrhea), a diagnosis may be necessary to determine whether an underlying digestive tract condition, infection, unknown food intolerance, or side effect from a medicine may be causing your diarrhea.

For those experiencing chronic diarrhea, a healthcare provider will perform an assessment and a series of tests to determine the underlying cause of the condition. They will begin by assessing your personal and family medical histories, reviewing your current medications, and conducting a physical exam.

Following that, the provider will request further testing²⁹ that may involve:

• Blood tests for anemia, celiac disease, and conditions like inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
• A stool test to check for signs of inflammation, parasites, or a viral or bacterial infection
• A flexible sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy³⁰, which involves using a thin, lighted tube to see inside your colon and check for abnormalities or signs of gastrointestinal diseases. A hydrogen breath test³¹ can also help diagnose gastrointestinal issues. Since bacteria in the bowels produce hydrogen gas, a hydrogen breath test can assist with identifying bacterial overgrowth, malabsorption, lactose intolerance, fructose intolerance, and other digestive issues and food intolerances.