stool is watery and loose

Last reviewed 01/2018

A watery, loose stool suggests colonic or systemic pathology. Stool culture and microscopy are required.

If these fail to identify the cause, consider:

  • sigmoidoscopy and rectal biopsy
  • colonoscopy and multiple biopsies - to look for:
    • infective right-sided colitis
    • inflammatory bowel disease
    • microscopic colitis