Diarrhoea is a very common and normally short-lived complaint characterised by loose and liquid stools that are passed more frequently than normal. In most cases, no treatment is required. Adults suffering from diarrhoea should drink plenty of liquids. Diarrhoea is a cleansing response by the body and any drugs used to prevent it can lead to the cause of the complaint (such as a food-borne illness) being retained by the body. However, it can be more serious in small children and babies because of the risk of dehydration.
