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    Acute and Chronic Diarrhoea

    Also known as: diarrhoea, gastroenteritis, loose stools, traveller's diarrhoea

    Acute diarrhoea is usually viral gastroenteritis and settles in a few days; fluids are the key treatment. Chronic diarrhoea (over 4 weeks) needs medical investigation. Chinese medicine treats acute cases as Damp-Heat or Cold-Damp invasion, and chronic cases as Spleen or Kidney Yang deficiency.

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    Lifestyle & Diet

    • •Fluids are the main treatment for gastro — oral rehydration solution from the pharmacy works best.
    • •Wash hands thoroughly; gastro spreads easily in households.
    • •Stay home from work, school and food handling until 48 hours after symptoms stop.
    • •Chronic diarrhoea always warrants a GP work-up rather than self-treatment.

    Cautions & Contraindications

    See sources
    • •Bloody stools, high fever or dehydration need medical care first.[,]
    • •Anti-diarrhoeal medicines are avoided in bloody diarrhoea or high fever.[]

    When to reassess or seek care again

    See sources

    Acute: review if not settling in 48–72 hours. Chronic: confirm GP work-up (coeliac, IBD, thyroid, infection) before ongoing treatment; track stool pattern and weight.

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    Sources & Further Reading

    Clinical guidance, red flags and safety notes on this page draw on the following current sources alongside the classical references above.

    1. Diarrhoea — Healthdirect
      Healthdirect Australia · 2024
    2. Gastroenteritis — NICE CKS
      NICE · 2023
    3. Gastroenteritis — Better Health Channel
      Better Health Channel (Victoria) · 2024
    4. Chinese medicine practitioner safety standards
      AHPRA / Chinese Medicine Board of Australia · 2024

    Educational reference for licensed practitioners. Not a substitute for individual clinical assessment. Refer to conventional care for any red-flag or undiagnosed presentation.