Diarrhea is characterized by the passage of loose or watery stools, typically occurring three or more times in a 24-hour period. It is categorized as acute, persistent, or chronic based on duration. Etiologies include viral, bacterial, or parasitic infections, as well as non-infectious causes such as medication side effects, food malabsorption, or chronic conditions like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Clinical evaluation focuses on hydration status and identifying the underlying cause to guide treatment.
Clinical Overview for ICD code R19.7
ICD-10 code R19.7 is a clinical diagnostic term used to classify diarrhea not otherwise specified (NOS). This code is utilized when a patient presents with the symptom of frequent, loose, or watery stools, but the underlying etiology, whether infectious, inflammatory, malabsorptive, or functional—has not been definitively established by the clinician. It falls under Chapter 18: Symptoms, signs and abnormal clinical and laboratory findings, not elsewhere classified.
When to Use R19.7?
- The provider documents diarrhea but does not specify the cause
- No infectious or chronic condition is confirmed
- Symptoms are the main reason for the visit
When Not to Use R19.7?
- When diarrhea is caused by an infection
- When it is linked to a known digestive disorder
- When medication side effects are documented
Using R19.7 without checking provider notes is a fast way to trigger claim issues.
Historical Context
The code R19.7 was established during the transition from ICD-9 to ICD-10 to provide a dedicated space for unspecified diarrheal symptoms, formerly coded under 787.91 in ICD-9. Throughout the 2010s and into the 2020s, the WHO and CMS have refined the ‘Excludes1’ and ‘Excludes2’ notes to prevent overlapping with functional bowel disorders (K59 series). As of 2025, it remains one of the most frequently used codes in urgent care and emergency medicine for initial gastrointestinal presentations.
Includes
- Diarrhea NOS
Excludes
- Functional diarrhea (K59.1)
- Neonatal diarrhea (P78.3)
- Psychogenic diarrhea (F45.8)
- Infectious gastroenteritis
- Colitis (A00-A09)
