🚑 Seek urgent care if:
- Blood or mucus in the stool, high fever, signs of dehydration (dizziness, very little urine, sunken eyes), severe abdominal pain, diarrhoea lasting more than 2 days, or diarrhoea in an infant, elderly or frail person.→ Do not rely on self-care. Seek prompt medical evaluation / emergency care for dehydration.
Classical understanding
- Described as excess fluidity of the stool from aggravated doṣas and disturbed agni; the classics stress protecting strength and fluids.
General self-care (safe for most)
- Rest and keep well hydrated (oral rehydration / clear fluids); take light, easily digested food as tolerated; avoid heavy, oily and raw foods until settled.
Diarrhoea with any red-flag feature, or that does not quickly settle, needs a physician; dehydration is the main danger.
View sources — 2 classical & official references ›
- Classical text Charaka Saṁhitā
- Classical text Mādhava Nidāna