Have you ever experienced unusual bowel movements that seem to happen more frequently than usual, or stomach pain and a sudden, intense urge to poop? You may have had diarrhea. The good news is that if you do have diarrhea, it’s most likely short-term (even if it seems like it lasts forever) and you should be back to normal within a day or two. But what can cause it? And how can you prevent it from happening again?
Read on to find out what can cause diarrhea and how you can relieve it. We’ll also go over the types of diarrhea, the most common symptoms, how diarrhea can affect children, and what to do to avoid experiencing it in the future.
What is diarrhea and common causes
While it’s not pleasant, diarrhea is one of the most common gastrointestinal problems experienced by people of all ages. Diarrhea is defined as having loose, watery stools three or more times a day. It usually lasts about 1-2 days and then resolves on its own, often without the need for a visit to the doctor. But if you have diarrhea that lasts more than a few days, that may be a sign of a more serious or long-term problem.
There are many things that can cause diarrhea, including:
- Food poisoning caused by contaminated food
- Viral infections, such as influenza (diarrhea is a more common flu symptom in children) or norovirus
- Food intolerances and sensitivities, such as lactose intolerance or wheat sensitivity.
- Diseases that can affect the intestines, such as Crohn’s disease, celiac disease, or irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
- Menstrual cycles
- Artificial sweeteners such as those found in chewing gum or other sugar-free foods.
- Medications such as antibiotics or antacids containing magnesium (high doses can cause diarrhea)
- Stress and anxiety
- Chemotherapy medication
Signs and symptoms that you may be experiencing diarrhea
The most common symptom of diarrhea is loose, watery stools. Other symptoms include:
- An urgent need to poop
- Swelling in the belly
- Cramps and stomach pain
- Low fever
- Incontinence, where you can’t control your bowels.
- Nausea
- Vomiting
While these symptoms are unpleasant, they are usually not worrisome on their own. However, you may want to see your doctor if you have had diarrhea for more than 2 or 3 days and it doesn’t stop with home treatment methods.
There is a chance that diarrhea could be a sign of a more serious infection or chronic illness. Make an appointment with your doctor as soon as possible if you have diarrhea along with any of the following symptoms:
- Black or bloody stools
- Dehydration
- Fever of 102°F (39°C) or higher
- Mucus in stool
- Severe pain in the abdomen or rectum.
- Sudden weight loss, which may be a sign that your body is not absorbing enough nutrients.
- Particularly foul-smelling stools, which may be a sign of an infection known as C. difficile (C. diff)
Different types of diarrhea
There are two types of diarrhea you may experience:
- Acute watery diarrhea – This is the most common type of diarrhea. Acute diarrhea is defined as loose, watery stools that usually resolve without treatment within 2 to 3 days and no more than 14 days.
- Chronic or persistent diarrhea – With this type, you may have loose, watery stools three or more times a day, for four weeks or longer. Chronic diarrhea usually indicates a more serious medical condition or ongoing infection.
5 Ways to Find Relief from Diarrhea
If you or your child has diarrhea, you probably want to find relief as soon as possible. Diarrhea doesn’t usually require a trip to the doctor. Instead, try these tried-and-true remedies.
1. Over-the-counter medications can help adults with diarrhea.
While diarrhea may resolve on its own, antidiarrheal medications can speed up the process. Medications containing loperamide (Imodium) cause food to pass more slowly through the intestines, which can help the body absorb more fluids and nutrients and add bulk to stool. And medications containing bismuth subsalicylate (Kaopectate or Pepto-Bismol) can balance fluids in the intestines and reduce inflammation.
It is important to note that if diarrhea is caused by bacteria, the body must get rid of them first, allowing the diarrhea to run its course. If taken too soon, antidiarrheal medications can worsen symptoms and prevent the infection from being cleared.
While some people believe that probiotics can help with diarrhea, there haven’t been enough studies done to prove this conclusively. However, probiotics do help with gut flora and intestinal health, so it may be worth it for you and your child to take them anyway.
2. Drink plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration.
While drinking enough fluids is important in general, it’s especially helpful if you have diarrhea. But be sure to avoid drinking fluids that make diarrhea worse, such as alcohol or caffeinated beverages.
A good tip is to drink at least a cup of fluid for every loose bowel movement. This can be water, salty broths, a mixture of fruit juice and water, or electrolyte drinks to help replace the fluids you’ve lost and help your body absorb salt and sugar.
3. Follow a bland diet that does not cause stomach upset.
If you’ve ever had diarrhea or an upset stomach, you’ve probably followed the BRAT diet: bananas, white rice, applesauce, and dry toast. These foods are low in fiber and bland, so they won’t cause further stomach upset. They also contain starch, which can help firm up stool and replace lost nutrients. Other bland options that may help include crackers, broth, and plain boiled potatoes.
Along with the BRAT diet, try eating more frequent and smaller meals. This will give your intestines a chance to recover and digest food more easily.
Please note that because the BRAT diet is very restrictive and does not provide adequate nutrition, it is recommended that adults only follow it for one or two days.
4. Give your body time to rest and recover.
If you have diarrhea, don’t go to the gym. Exercise can cause dehydration and upset stomach, which can make symptoms worse. And although doctors aren’t sure why, some people get diarrhea when they run. So if you already have diarrhea, going for a run can make it worse.
5. Take medications as prescribed
If your diarrhea is caused by a virus, prescription medications won’t help. But if your diarrhea is caused by a parasite or bacteria, your doctor may prescribe an antibiotic or antiparasitic to quickly eliminate the cause of your symptoms. It’s important to take your medications exactly as prescribed to give yourself the best chance of recovery.
How to treat children with diarrhea
In the past, doctors recommended the BRAT diet for both adults and children. Now, pediatricians no longer recommend it for children, as studies have shown that it does not have the proper amount of nutrition and calories that children need. In fact, some pediatricians believe that it can make diarrhea last longer or make symptoms worse.
Instead, it is recommended that if your child only has diarrhea, let the illness run its course. It may help to try to eat foods that are easy to digest, but most children can continue with their regular diet.
Some children experience vomiting along with diarrhea. In this case, a modified diet may be needed in addition to an electrolyte solution for a day or two to make up for lost fluids. Once the vomiting has decreased or stopped, your child should be able to return to his or her regular diet and stop drinking electrolyte solutions.
If you have a breastfed or formula-fed baby, you should continue to feed him as usual, as that is his main source of nutrition and fluids.
If your child has diarrhea and vomiting every 1 to 2 hours, he or she may need to stop eating for a while to focus on hydration. If your child’s symptoms don’t go away after a day or two, or if he or she shows signs of dehydration (such as urinating less or having fewer tears when crying), contact your doctor. He or she may recommend that you get an IV to replace fluids.
It is also important to contact your child’s doctor if, in addition to diarrhea, your child has:
- Fever lasting more than 24 hours
- Vomiting that has blood in it.
- Blood in your stool
- Severe stomach pain and swollen belly.
Most children with diarrhea do not need over-the-counter anti-diarrheal medications or electrolyte solutions, especially if they are younger than two years old. They also do not need to fast (stop eating). Always check with your child’s doctor before trying new methods to stop diarrhea or before giving your child any medications or supplements.
Home Remedies to Help You Avoid Diarrhea in the Future
Once your diarrhea has gone away, you will need to take steps to prevent it in the future. These may include:
- Practice good hygiene – Wash your hands frequently, especially after using the bathroom. Try to use hand sanitizer sparingly, as some bad bacteria cannot be eliminated with hand sanitizer alone, and it can kill the good bacteria your body needs.
- Keep food preparation as clean as possible. – Clean surfaces with antibacterial solutions when using them and wash your hands frequently, especially if handling raw meat. Use a meat thermometer and always cook meat to proper temperatures to avoid harmful bacteria, such as salmonella, and harmful viruses, such as hepatitis A.
- How to store food properly – Don’t leave food out at room temperature for too long, as bacteria can multiply the longer it stays out. And pay attention to expiration dates to avoid consuming expired foods that may contain contaminants that can make you sick.
- Take precautions if you travel – In some countries, it is common for food and water to be contaminated, which can lead to an illness called traveler’s diarrhea. Research the place you are going to and pay close attention to what you eat and drink to avoid potential problems.
- Avoid certain foods and drinks – Foods and drinks you consume can trigger diarrhea. Avoid or limit foods that contain a lot of sugar or fat, spicy or fried foods, and drinks that contain alcohol or caffeine. If you have a sensitivity to gluten or dairy products, a common side effect is diarrhea, so it is important to avoid foods that contain them.
- Take only the medicines you need – Some medications, such as certain antidepressants and chemotherapy drugs, can cause diarrhea, so you should talk to your doctor if you need help managing side effects. It’s important to continue taking them as prescribed. Other medications, such as antibiotics, should always be used as prescribed and only when necessary. Some over-the-counter antacids and medications to treat acid reflux and heartburn contain ingredients that can cause diarrhea, so they should be used as sparingly as possible and always as recommended.
- Get vaccinated to avoid preventable diseases – Diarrhea is a common symptom of influenza (in children), rotavirus, and COVID-19. Keeping your child and yourself up to date on vaccinations can help keep you healthy.
When to see a doctor about diarrhea
Diarrhea is a nuisance at best, but it’s important to monitor how long you’ve had it and what symptoms you’re experiencing. Not seeking treatment can lead to serious complications, including dehydration and malnutrition. If you or your child have had diarrhea for more than a few days or are concerned about the symptoms, see your doctor. He or she can help you get your digestion back on track.
