Diarrhea or constipation in adults: causes, red flags and which doctor to see
Short-term bowel upsets happen to everyone — because of food, travel or stress. But if constipation or diarrhea lasts more than a week or two, keeps coming back or is accompanied by pain, it is worth sorting out with a gastroenterologist.
Common causes
- A diet low in fiber and water
- Intestinal infections and after-effects of antibiotics
- Irritable bowel syndrome
- Low activity, stress, a change of routine
- Thyroid disorders
- Medication side effects
When to seek urgent help
Do not wait for a scheduled visit if you have any of these signs:
- Blood in the stool or black, tar-like stools
- Diarrhea with high fever and signs of dehydration
- Constipation with severe pain and bloating, no stool for several days
- Unexplained weight loss
- Bowel habit changes that first appear after 45–50
Ambulance: 103 (103 from a mobile) · Unified rescue service: 911
Your specialist
Gastroenterologist
What to bring to the visit
- A description of your stools and their frequency over recent weeks
- A list of medicines and supplements you take
- Previous test and colonoscopy results, if any
- Details of recent travel and suspicious food — if you have diarrhea
Frequently asked questions
What counts as diarrhea, and when should I see a doctor?
Diarrhea means loose or watery stools three or more times a day (or more often than is normal for you). In adults it is often caused by food or a gut infection and usually passes within a few days; drinking enough fluids is important. If it lasts longer than a few days, keeps coming back or comes with pain, see a general practitioner, and if it drags on for weeks, a gastroenterologist.
When is diarrhea an emergency?
If there are signs of dehydration (dry mouth, little urination, marked weakness), high fever or blood in the stool — do not wait, call 103 or go to a clinic.
Constipation: what can I do and which doctor should I see?
Treatment depends on the cause, so first look at the common causes listed above: too little fiber and water in your diet, low activity, a change of routine, medicines. If constipation lasts more than a week or two, keeps coming back or you cannot manage without laxatives, see a general practitioner or a gastroenterologist, and do not take laxatives for a long time without a doctor. Severe pain and bloating with no stool for several days is a reason to seek help urgently: call 103.
Diarrhea or constipation after antibiotics: what should I do?
Antibiotics often upset the bowel. Tell the doctor who prescribed them, and do not stop the course on your own. If the diarrhea is frequent and watery, or you have abdominal pain or a fever — even several weeks after the course — see a doctor without delay; with blood in the stool or signs of dehydration, call 103.
Diarrhea in a child: who should I see?
This page is about adults. For a child, see a pediatrician: children, especially young ones, become dehydrated faster. If the child is drinking little, urinating rarely, has become listless or there is blood in the stool, call 103.
Do I need a colonoscopy?
Not everyone: the doctor orders it when there are warning signs or after age 45. It usually starts with an examination and tests.
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The information on this page is for reference only and does not replace a doctor's consultation. Only a doctor can make a diagnosis in person. If your condition worsens, call 103.