Diarrhoea

Diarrhoea can be caused by a number of factors such as excessive consumption of food and drink (e.g. alcohol), food poisoning, gastroenteritis, anxiety and some antibiotics.

Ask the customer to describe the consistency of their stools and frequency of their bowel movements using the Bristol Stool Chart and Bowel Barometer. Also identify what they believe may have caused their changes in bowel habit.

Consistency

• Watery = maybe infection or food poisoning
• Porridge-like = maybe chronic diarrhoea

Chronic diarrhoea (longer than two weeks) may be a sign of underlying illness and should be referred to a doctor

Key questions to ask

• How often do you empty your bowels?
• How would you describe the consistency of your stools?

Alarm Symptoms for diarrhoea

• Are you dehydrated?
• Have you been suffering from diarrhoea longer than 48 hours?
• Are you experiencing other symptoms i.e. blood or mucus in your stools?
• Are you suffering from nausea?
• Have you recently returned from travelling or spent time in hospital?

If any alarm symptoms are identified or symptoms are experienced on a frequent or permanent basis it may indicate a more serious problem that would require further investigation from a GP.

Lifestyle advice and treatment tips
Always continue with good standards of hygiene e.g. washing hands before touching food and after using the toilet

• Avoid dehydration by drinking lots of fluids. You are more likely to be dehydrated if you are also vomiting. Try to take small frequent sips of water or diluted fruit juices
• Eat as soon as you can, especially foods high in carbohydrates such as bread, pasta, rice or potatoes and other foods as soon as you feel like it
• If you feel you can’t eat, it will do you no harm for a short time, but continue drinking, and eat as soon as you are able

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