Walk-In Urgent Care for Diarrhea Treatment in Connecticut

Yes, diarrhea can cause dehydration. Every time fluid is lost and not replenished, dehydration becomes a greater risk. Diarrhea is no exception: because it involves expelling high amounts of fluids in a short amount of time, diarrhea can affect hydration status and healthy electrolyte levels. By maintaining healthy levels of fluid inside and outside our cells, electrolytes, such as potassium and sodium ions, ensure the smooth running of our bodies.

The signs and symptoms of dehydration include:

For infants or young children:

• Dry mouth and tongue
• Listlessness or irritability
• No tears when crying
• No wet diapers for three hours
• Sunken eyes, cheeks
• Sunken soft spot on top of the skull

For adults:

• Confusion
• Dark-colored urine
• Dizziness
• Extreme thirst
• Fatigue
• Less frequent urination

Diarrhea is caused by a disruption in the normal movement of water and electrolytes in the digestive system which results in loose, watery stools and high volumes of fluid loss. Causes of diarrhea include:

• Bacterial infection in the gut, such as Escherichia coli (E. coli), causes disease in 75,000 people in the US every year
• Viral infections, such as rotavirus or the cold virus, can have a similar effect of disrupting the balance of ions and water in the digestive system, causing diarrhea
• Medical conditions of the gut, such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), food intolerance, Celiac disease, and Crohn’s disease
• Spicy food that contains capsaicin (often found in peppers) can irritate the gut and may cause inflammation, which can lead to loose stools and diarrhea

Dehydration and diarrhea often accompany one another. Although they are intrinsically related, they have different warning signs for when one should seek professional care. For diarrhea in children, these include:

• A fever of more than 102ºF
• A dry mouth or tongue
• Bloody or black stools
• Cries without tears
• Diarrhea does not improve after 24 hours
• No wet diaper in over three hours
• Skin does not flatten if pinched & released
• Sunken appearance to abdomen, eyes or cheeks
• Unusually sleepy, drowsy, unresponsive or irritable

For adults, warning symptoms of diarrhea include:

• Lasts more than two days without improvement

Signs of dehydration, including:

• A fever of more than 102ºF
• Bloody or black stools
• Dark-colored urine
• Dizziness or lightheadedness
• Dry mouth or skin
• Excessive thirst
• Little or no urination
• Severe abdominal or rectal pain
• Severe weakness
 
Go to the Doctor for dehydration if:

• Are confused
• Cannot drink fluids on your own
• Feel disoriented
• Feel dizzy upon standing
• Feel very tired or weak
• Have not urinated in 8 hours


Severe dehydration is a medical emergency and must be treated at a hospital emergency room to avoid serious complications such as permanent tissue damage, organ failure, and death.
 
If you are experiencing symptoms of dehydration or diarrhea, come to Priority Urgent Care and Walk-In Clinic today. Our medical professionals are experienced at treating dehydration and diarrhea and can help you restore your health. Call us today to book an appointment with our dehydration and diarrhea specialist, or visit one of our clinic. We have two Connecticut locations to better serve you: one in Newington and one in Oxford. We serve patients from Cromwell CT, East Haven CT, Ellington CT, Newington, CT, Oxford, CT, Unionville CT, Wallingford, CT, and BEYOND!