Diarrhea 101
Diarrhea is common but can be very unpleasant. Learn about the potential causes and ways to find relief.
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It’s a common thing, diarrhea. Such an everyday occurrence that kids sing funny songs about it on the playground.
When it’s happening to you, though, it’s no laughing matter. Bouts of diarrhea are miserable, embarrassing, and sometimes scary. Usually they pass through quickly (pun intended), but sometimes they have people running in and out of the bathroom for days, weeks and even months.
Is It Something You Ate?
“If you have food-induced diarrhea,” says Dr. Patricia Raymond, a gastroenterologist and assistant professor at Eastern Virginia Medical School, “it’s a matter of whether or not you’re absorbing the food you eat. Anything that doesn’t absorb in the stomach passes through to the colon and becomes worm fodder [dealt with by bacteria in the colon].”
“Malabsorptive diarrhea” is a common term for this problem, and, for many people, it’s clear as day: When they eat [insert problem food here], they have diarrhea. Therefore, they avoid that food.
Some common problem foods are:
| If you get diarrhea when you eat these foods, you may… |
| Milk and other dairy products |
Be lactose intolerant, due to a deficiency of the enzyme lactase, which is necessary for the absorption of lactose. |
| Wheat and other grains |
React poorly to gluten (a condition called Celiac Disease). Or you may have a wheat allergy. |
| Fruits and fruit juices |
Have trouble absorbing the fructose in these foods. |
| “Sugar-free” gums and mints |
Have trouble absorbing sorbitol. |
| Coffee, tea, sodas |
Have trouble absorbing caffeine. |
| Pasta, beans |
Have trouble digesting complex carbohydates. |
Sometimes, though, the relationship between foods and diarrhea isn’t as clear, especially since many of the problems that people have absorbing foods develop or worsen with age. If you seem to have dietary diarrhea, or if you have recurring diarrhea that you can’t explain, Raymond suggests a food diary.
“Dietary diarrhea just needs awareness, so you can either avoid the food, or take orally any enzymes that you may be missing.”
What Else Might It Be?
- Medications—over the counter or prescription. Antibiotics and drugs that contain magnesium products are common culprits.
- A virus.
- Bacteria or parasites. Have you recently traveled to a developing area of the world? Or, might you have eaten a food contaminated with E.coli?
- A more serious gastrointestinal concern, such as Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Crohn’s disease, chronic pancreatitis, or some other infection or disease.
When Is It Time to Call the Doctor?
“We don’t like diarrhea when it’s associate with unexplained weight loss, fevers or chills, or blood,” says Raymond. “When it starts to disrupt your life, that’s the time to go see your doc.”
Some see-your-doctor-now warning signs, according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), include:
- Diarrhea lasting more than a few days.
- Signs of dehydration.
- A severe pain in your abdomen or rectum.
- A fever of 102 degrees Fahrenheit or higher.
- Stools that are bloody or black and tarry.
What Can I Do at Home?
If you’re suffering from an everyday case of diarrhea, and you’re not yet concerned about something more serious, your top priority should be replacing lost fluids. Try a broth-based soup. Avoid milk and dairy, which can sometimes make things worse.
In some cases, an over-the-counter anti-diarrheal medicine can help.
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