Common Diarrhoea Questions & Answers
FAQs
Diarrhoea is a symptom of disruption to your digestive system, and you might be surprised how easy it is to tip the sensitive balance.
When your digestive system is in its normal rhythm, food and fluid pass regularly from the stomach into the small intestine. Food is then broken down and nutrients are absorbed along with most of the fluid. The remaining waste and some water pass into the colon (large intestine) where more water is absorbed and finally the waste is passed in the form of stools.
When your small intestine or colon are irritated, the relaxed and regular movement of your intestines can become overactive. Essential salts and fluids end up being passed through the colon too quickly with less fluid being absorbed by the body. The result is loose or watery stools, commonly known as diarrhoea.
Several things can tip the balance of our sensitive digestive systems. For most people, it’s occasional, for example - a tummy bug or travel related. Others suffer more frequently and, for them, it can be changes in food (or drink) and mood (like stress) that trigger a bout of diarrhoea.
Here are some common factors that could cause diarrhoea:
Food eating habits and ‘trigger’ foods and drinks
Mood– stress, anxiety and nervousness
Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Food intolerances can also cause diarrhoea
Gastroenteritis inflammation of the stomach and intestines
Norovirus a viral infection that leads to gastroenteritis
Food poisoning ingestion of contaminated food or drink causing gastroenteritis
Menstruation many women react to their monthly hormonal changes
If you have severe diarrhoea, blood in your stools or a high temperature, or if symptoms persist for more than 48 hours consult your doctor before using Imodium.
Yes. According to a survey, 84% of us feel weak and tired when suffering from diarrhoea. This is no surprise when you consider the resulting loss of important fluids and salts from our body. So why leave it untreated when you can relieve diarrhoea?
IMODIUM® contains an active ingredient called Loperamide, which works with your body to help restore its natural rhythm, slowing digestion back down to a normal pace.
Here’s what you can do if you get diarrhoea:
Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of fluids and/or taking a rehydration treatment
Take IMODIUM® straight after your first bout
Avoid fatty or spicy foods
As your appetite increases, eat small, light meals
If you have longer lasting or persistently recurrent diarrhoea, it might indicate an underlying medical condition, so you should talk to your doctor. Do not take Imodium for longer than 48 hours.
See a doctor and and stop taking Imodium® if:
Your diarrhoea is severe
Your symptoms last longer than 48 hours
You develop a fever
You have blood or mucus in your stools
Read the Imodium label for full information.
NHS Choices also recommends you should consult your GP if:
there is blood in your poo
you are vomiting persistently
you've lost a lot of weight
you have passed a large amount of very watery diarrhoea
it occurs at night and is disturbing your sleep
you have recently taken antibiotics or been treated in hospital
you have symptoms of dehydration
your poo is dark or black – this may be a sign of bleeding inside your stomach
No. As a trusted diarrhoea treatment, IMODIUM® is widely available over the counter in chemists, as well as in supermarkets – whether you’re shopping online or on the high street.
Imodium should not be used when you’re pregnant or breastfeeding. If you’re pregnant or caring for a newborn, diarrhoea can be the last thing you need. But while you can't use IMODIUM®, you can try to look after yourself by staying hydrated. Drink plenty of water and speak to your pharmacist about oral rehydration therapy. Resting can also help. If you're concerned, it's best to ask your GP for advice
IMODIUM® is suitable for children over 12 years of age, but not for younger children. Children can become dehydrated more quickly than adults. Speak to your your pharmacist, who may suggest an oral rehydration solution (ORS) if your child is particularly at risk of dehydration.
If you are concerned about your child, or if they have has severe diarrhoea, blood in the stools, a high temperature or if symptoms persist, consult your doctor.
Oral rehydration solutions replace lost fluids and electrolytes, and help prevent dehydration but do not relieve the symptoms of diarrhoea. However, to help stop diarrhoea you can also use IMODIUM® together with an oral rehydration solution. Speak to your pharmacist, who may suggest an oral rehydration solution if you are at risk of dehydration.
IMODIUM® contains an active ingredient called Loperamide that works in harmony with your body to help restore its natural rhythm, gently slowing digestion back down to a normal pace. In clinical trials with IMODIUM® less than 3% of users report constipation as a side effect. After a bout of diarrhoea you naturally feel empty and it can take time for your bowel to return to its normal pattern.
Most IMODIUM®* products can be used to treat diarrhoea associated with IBS in the UK, if it has been diagnosed by your doctor.
*Excluding IMODIUM® Dual Action Relief Tablets
Diarrhoea is a common health condition suffered by British tourists when abroad, and it can really upset your rhythm – not to mention your holiday.
Eating contaminated food and drinking contaminated water are the two most likely causes of travellers’ diarrhoea or simply by eating unfamiliar rich or spicy foods.
Don’t let diarrhoea spoil your trip - IMODIUM® is here to help. IMODIUM® Instants are especially helpful if you’re on the go, as they dissolve on your tongue and you don’t need to take them with water. If you have severe diarrhoea, blood in your stools or a high temperature, or if symptoms persist for more than 48 hours consult your doctor before using Imodium.
Overeating and drinking can upset your digestive system and lead to diarrhoea. So always try to eat sensibly and avoid excess. However if diarrhoea does occur, IMODIUM can quickly relieve the symptoms within one hour and can help you get your body back in harmony again.
Here are some everyday eating habits that can upset your digestive system:
Eating too quickly. It takes 20 minutes for your stomach to tell your brain it’s full, so eating more slowly means you’re likely to eat less and so have less to digest.
Gulping down food. When you gulp, you swallow air, which can lead to trapped wind and poor digestion.
Eating big, heavy meals. These take longer to digest and make your system work harder.
Eating late at night. Your digestive system is at its least efficient at the end of the day, so try to eat your last meal at least 3 hours before bedtime.
Eating too many fatty or spicy foods or drinking too much alcohol. These are common trigger foods, which can set off diarrhoea or worsen symptoms for people with IBS.
When you get nervous, anxious or stressed, your body produces adrenaline and other chemicals, which speed up the function of your nervous system. This can make some of your muscles work faster than normal. If the muscles in your intestines speed up, the natural rhythm of your digestion will speed up too.
Faster digestion means your body absorbs less fluid, making your stools more frequent and watery - what we know as diarrhoea.
Just a small reduction in the fluid you absorb can be enough to bring on an attack of diarrhoea.
IMODIUM® effectively relieves diarrhoea. IMODIUM® Instants are especially helpful if you’re out and about, as they dissolve on your tongue and you don’t need to take them with water.
IMODIUM® Dual Action tablets work to relieve diarrhoea effectively, while also soothing painful cramps, uncomfortable bloating and embarrassing wind. They contain an additional ingredient called Simeticone, which helps to ease excess gas.
About 1 in 5 women get diarrhoea during their period. It can cause discomfort and make you feel self-conscious, but you don’t have to let it ruin your day. IMODIUM® can quickly help relieve diarrhoea during your period within 1 hour.
If you're someone who suffers from diarrhoea, rest assured you're not alone.
Diarrhoea is one of the most common complaints your pharmacist will deal with, and he or she is trained to offer you the best treatment possible. Many UK pharmacies now contain a consultation room intended for private conversations.
IMODIUM® Instants are specially made to dissolve instantly on your tongue, so you don’t need to use water. They simply melt and get to work, giving you fast and effective relief from diarrhoea within one hour – perfect if you’re on the go.
You can find all our patient information leaflets (PILs) on the electronic Medicines Compendium at www.medicines.org.uk/EMC.
Everyone is different and it can be hard to identify the cause of your diarrhoea. For some, it could be what they eat, say a trigger food or intolerance. For others, it might be a reaction to stress, anxiety or nervousness, while some people have diarrhoea related to IBS, when taking medication or during their period. It’s good to understand your body to help manage your diarrhoea accordingly.
Our Lifestyle & Wellbeing Tips section is full of advice on triggers of diarrhoea, improving digestive health and avoiding diarrhoea. If you have longer lasting or persistently recurrent diarrhoea, it might indicate an underlying medical condition, so you should consult your doctor. Imodium should not be used for longer than 48 hours.
Norovirus is one of the most common causes of viral gastrointestinal illness, which often leads to diarrhoea. Norovirus is very contagious and can spread quickly if you don’t wash your hands regularly. If you have diarrhoea as a result of norovirus, you can treat the symptoms with IMODIUM®.