Diarrhea in Dubai: Which Doctor to See
Diarrhea means loose or watery stools that occur more often than usual. Short episodes are common and often pass within a few days; persistent or severe diarrhea may need medical evaluation.
Common causes include infections (food- or water-borne), viral gastroenteritis, medication side effects, food intolerance, and chronic gut conditions. In Dubai, heat-related dehydration, travel or dining changes, and air-conditioned environments that can affect eating patterns are practical factors to consider.
When to seek urgent care
- •Very high fever (e.g., over 38.5°C/101.3°F) or a rapidly rising fever
- •Blood in stool or black, tarry stools
- •Signs of severe dehydration: very little urine, dizziness, or fainting
- •Severe abdominal pain that is worsening or not relieved by simple measures
- •Symptoms lasting more than 48–72 hours with worsening condition, or diarrhea after recent international travel with high fever
If any of these apply, call 998 (Dubai ambulance) or go to the nearest emergency department. Emergency numbers
Conditions a doctor may consider
Commonly associated causes — only a doctor can diagnose which (if any) applies to you.
Acute infectious gastroenteritis
Often caused by viruses, bacteria, or parasites acquired from contaminated food, water, or infected people. Symptoms usually start quickly and often include stomach cramps and sometimes fever or vomiting.
Foodborne bacterial infection (food poisoning)
Bacterial toxins from undercooked or improperly stored food can cause sudden, severe diarrhea and abdominal pain. A doctor will consider recent meals and onset of symptoms.
Medication-related diarrhea
Antibiotics and some other drugs can disrupt the normal gut bacteria and lead to loose stools. Reviewing recent or ongoing medications is an important part of assessment.
Lactose intolerance or other food intolerance
Some people develop diarrhea after consuming lactose (milk sugar) or other foods because their digestive system cannot break them down. Symptoms typically occur after eating the trigger food.
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
Conditions such as Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis cause ongoing intestinal inflammation and can lead to chronic diarrhea, sometimes with blood or weight loss. These are less common but considered when symptoms persist.
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
A functional bowel disorder that can cause recurrent diarrhea (or constipation) linked to stress, certain foods, or bowel habits. It is diagnosed by symptom patterns after excluding other causes.
Which specialist should you see?
A gastroenterologist (a doctor specializing in the digestive system) evaluates ongoing, severe, or unexplained diarrhea. They assess for infections, inflammatory conditions, intolerances, and other gastrointestinal disorders and can order endoscopy, imaging, or stool and blood tests.
For many people the logical first step is a visit with a general practitioner (GP) or family physician. A GP can assess severity, rule out urgent issues, provide initial advice on hydration and diet, stop or change suspect medications, and refer to a gastroenterologist if tests or specialist care are needed. Other specialists who may be involved include infectious disease physicians (for unusual infections) and dietitians (for food intolerances and nutrition).
While you wait for your appointment
- •Keep hydrated with clear fluids (water, oral rehydration solutions, or electrolyte drinks) and small, frequent sips if needed
- •Avoid high-sugar drinks and alcohol; stick to bland, easy-to-digest foods if hungry (e.g., rice, bananas, toast)
- •Stop any nonessential over-the-counter laxatives and review recent antibiotics or new medications with your GP
- •Rest and avoid strenuous activity in Dubai’s heat; if outdoors, stay in shade or air-conditioned places to reduce dehydration risk
- •If mild, keep a simple diary of foods, travel, and symptoms to share with your doctor
What to expect at the visit
At a GP or gastroenterology appointment you will be asked about how long the diarrhea has lasted, stool features (blood, mucus, volume), recent travel, recent meals, medication use, and other symptoms (fever, vomiting, weight loss). The physician will perform a focused abdominal and general examination, including checking signs of dehydration.
Common tests include stool samples for infection or blood, basic blood tests for inflammation and kidney function, and sometimes imaging or endoscopy (a camera test of the gut) if symptoms are severe, persistent, or suggest an inflammatory or structural problem. Your doctor will explain the reasons for any tests and next steps.
Top-rated gastroenterology facilities in Dubai
51 matching facilities, ranked by DubaiMed Rating.
Dr Piyush Somani Gastroenterologist
Dr Piyush Somani is consistently praised by patients for clear communication, calm manner, and successful endoscopic procedures (colonoscopy, gastroscopy, capsule endoscopy) performed at Emirates Specialty Hospital. Public evidence is strong on patient experience and procedural competence but limited or absent on formal credentials, pricing, and detailed facility/access information.
American Hospital Dubai Science Park
Based on multiple recent 5-star patient reviews and a strong Google rating, American Hospital Dubai Science Park appears to provide consistently kind, professional clinical care in a modern, clean facility. Evidence is strong on patient experience, emergency response and surgical/endoscopic care, but there is no website content or public pricing/credential information in the provided evidence.
Dr Kaiser Raja
Dr Kaiser Raja is presented as an experienced hepatologist and transplant hepatology consultant with consistently excellent patient reviews praising his diagnostic skill, long-term involvement, and communication. The website and reviews show strong expertise in complex liver disease and transplantation, but there is limited evidence about facilities, pricing, or booking processes.
Dr.Akhilesh
Dr. Akhilesh (Prime Hospital – Garhoud) is consistently praised in patient reviews for surgical skill, clear communication and attentive post‑operative follow up, and the clinic’s website highlights extensive laparoscopic and GI surgical experience. Public evidence about the physical facilities, pricing, hours or formal accreditations is limited, so judgments rely mainly on patient reports and the provider’s stated credentials.
DrNigelDubai Gastro-Liver Doc Cambridge University
Dr Nigel Beejay is presented as an experienced consultant gastroenterologist and endoscopy expert based at Emirates Hospital Jumeirah with consistently excellent patient reviews praising his communication, compassion, and clear explanations. The available evidence is strong on patient experience and clinical reputation but sparse on facility details, pricing/insurance transparency, and practical access information.
Aster Hospital - Mankhool
Aster Hospital - Mankhool is a Canadian-accredited, 100-bed hospital in Dubai with consistently positive patient reviews praising doctors, nurses and surgical/maternity outcomes. Website claims modern facilities (ICU, NICU, OTs, cath lab) and many specialties, but public evidence about pricing, wait times and parking is limited.
Swift Day Surgery
Swift Day Surgery Centre in Jumeirah shows consistently excellent patient feedback for minimally invasive procedures — reviewers repeatedly praise friendly staff, clear communication, and clean, well‑organized facilities. Website lists multiple specialist consultants and an affiliation with Biolitec, but public details on pricing, formal accreditations, and hours are limited.
Dr. Gaurav Muktesh
Dr. Gaurav Muktesh is a highly experienced gastroenterologist with strong qualifications and consistently excellent patient reviews praising communication, procedural skill and outcomes. The website documents advanced training and a large volume of endoscopic experience, but public information about clinic facilities, hours or pricing is limited.
Yugen Care by Dr. Gehad
Yugen Care by Dr. Gehad is a well-reviewed Jumeirah medical and wellness clinic with consistently positive patient reports about friendly staff, good outcomes (notably pilonidal surgery), and modern, clean facilities. Evidence is limited to the clinic website and a small sample of glowing reviews, so some operational and credential details are not documented here.
GMS Clinic
GMS Clinic is a small, downtown Dubai medical centre with consistently positive patient reviews praising clinicians, communication, and same-day access. The website lists an experienced, multilingual team and on-site diagnostics, but public information on pricing and external accreditations is limited.
Dr Cecilio Azar
Patient reviews consistently praise Dr. Cecilio Azar for kindness, clear communication, availability, and successful endoscopy/colonoscopy care. Evidence is strongly positive on patient experience and clinical outcomes, but there is little public information on facilities, pricing, or formal credentials.
HealthHub Day Surgery - Festival City
HealthHub Day Surgery - Festival City presents as a modern, well-equipped day-surgery and specialty clinic with consistently positive patient reports about staff kindness, communication, and safe procedures. The website documents extensive on-site diagnostics, a pharmacy and many specialties, but the evidence provided does not show pricing detail or formal accreditation information.
Diarrhea in Dubai — FAQs
Common questions about diarrhea and seeing a specialist in Dubai.
Sources & editorial note
This guide is consistent with public patient guidance from: NHS, CDC, Mayo Clinic.
This page is informational only and is not medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a licensed doctor about your symptoms. In an emergency call 998.