Digestive health and diarrhea -
Sometimes diarrhea occurs because of an underlying condition, or as a side effect of a medication see "Other causes of diarrhea". However, diet is often the cause.
Sugars stimulate the gut to put out water and electrolytes, which loosen bowel movements. If you ingest a lot of sugar, you may develop diarrhea. One of the biggest offenders is fructose, which is found naturally in fruits such as peaches, pears, cherries, and apples or added to foods and drinks, such as applesauce, soda, and juice beverages.
Many people who ingest more than 40 to 80 grams of fructose per day will get diarrhea. Another offender: artificial sweeteners such as sorbitol, mannitol, and xylitol found in sugar-free gum, candy, and medications. Dairy foods.
These contain lactose, which some people have a hard time digesting. Watch out for cheese, milk, and ice cream, among many other products. Fructose, artificial sweeteners, and lactose are part a group of poorly digested sugars that can cause diarrhea, known as FODMAPs fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides, and polyols.
Other sources of FODMAPs include wheat, rye, onions, garlic, legumes chickpeas, lentils, beans , honey, pistachios, cashews, asparagus, and artichokes. Gluten is a protein found in wheat, barley, rye, beer, and even salad dressings.
People who are gluten-sensitive may have a hard time digesting gluten and get diarrhea as a result. In people with celiac disease, ingesting gluten provokes the body to attack the lining of the small intestine, which can cause serious damage. Fried or fatty foods. Some people have a hard time digesting creamy or fried foods.
When fatty foods are not absorbed normally, they go to the colon, where they are broken down to fatty acids, causing the colon to secrete fluid and trigger diarrhea. Spicy foods. Spicy sauces may mask high fat content, especially in Tex-Mex dishes or curries. And there's this unpleasant side effect: If you eat a lot of hot spicy foods, you may get burning in the rectum.
Caffeine speeds up the digestive system. It's found in coffee, tea, chocolate, many sodas, and foods flavored with coffee or chocolate. Identify the foods and drinks that seem to trigger your diarrhea. Keeping a food journal is a great start, and so is seeing your doctor to make sure something else isn't responsible for your symptoms.
If food is the culprit, following a FODMAP-free diet will often get rid of diarrhea in a week or two. Be-cause many FODMAP foods such as fruits and vegetables are good for health, it's best to work with a dietitian to develop a FODMAP-free menu that includes other healthy foods.
Chronic diarrhea can interfere with your life, at home and at work. Even if it is not severe, its unpredictability and urgency can make you reluctant to socialize. And some people hesitate to bring the problem to a doctor's attention because they think it's not serious, or because it's embarrassing.
But anyone with chronic diarrhea should contact a doctor, particularly if there are other warning signs, such as low appetite or weight loss. The causes and cures for chronic diarrhea are complex. So, if changing your diet hasn't resolved the problem, don't try to figure it out on your own. In older adults, diarrhea often turns out to be a side effect of medication.
Things like antibiotics and anti-gout medications can cause diarrhea by altering movement in the gut and the bacterial population in our intestines.
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No content on this site, regardless of date, should ever be used as a substitute for direct medical advice from your doctor or other qualified clinician. When your digestive system is running smoothly, you tend not to think about it. Once trouble begins, your gut — like a squeaky wheel — suddenly demands your attention.
This Special Health Report, The Sensitive Gut , covers the major sources of gastrointestinal distress: irritable bowel syndrome, gastric reflux, upset stomach, constipation, diarrhea, and excess gas. It also includes a special Bonus Section describing how emotional stress and anxiety can cause gastrointestinal distress.
Avoid fatty foods, milk, butter, ice cream, cheese, alcohol, sodas with high-fructose corn syrup, artificial sweeteners, fruits and vegetables that cause excess gas, and spoiled foods. What can help prevent dehydration when you have diarrhea?
Consume enough liquids, particularly those that contain sugar or salt, such as Pedialyte or full-salt soups. If your urine is not clear or you are not producing much urine, you are not drinking enough.
When should you see a doctor for diarrhea? If diet and simple remedies do not work and symptoms persist for more than a few days and include bleeding, gas, and bloating, see a doctor to determine the cause and receive appropriate treatment.
Avoid the following for diarrhea relief: Fatty Foods These include foods that are fried, greasy, or covered in gravy, which can make diarrhea worse. You may be temporarily sensitive to dairy products, even if you usually have no problem with them.
Probiotic-rich yogurt may be the one exception to this rule, as some studies have shown probiotics help rebalance intestinal flora and could shorten the duration of a bout of diarrhea. Alcohol and Sodas When you have diarrhea, you want to steer clear of foods and beverages that cause you to lose fluids.
Higgins says. Sodas with high-fructose corn syrup can also pose a problem if you have diarrhea. Large quantities of fructose can overwhelm your digestive system and lead to gas, bloating, or diarrhea.
Consuming sugars, including artificial ones, causes your intestines to produce more water and electrolytes, which can then loosen bowel movements and lead to diarrhea. Foods That May Be Spoiled Stay away from foods that may have been mishandled, including foods that have been out of the refrigerator for too long or improperly stored.
Raw meat or fish can be problematic, too. RELATED: When Diarrhea Is More Serious Than You Think Additional reporting by María Villaseñor. Editorial Sources and Fact-Checking.
Resources Diarrhea. Cleveland Clinic. April 13, Floch MH, Walker WA, Madsen K, et al. Recommendations for Probiotic Use — Update. Journal of Clinical Gastroenterology. November—December Probiotics for the Treatment of Adult Gastrointestinal Disorders. American College of Gastroenterology.
Ikechi R, Fischer BD, DeSipio J, Phadtare S. Irritable Bowel Syndrome: Clinical Manifestations, Dietary Influences, and Management. June Is Something in Your Diet Causing Diarrhea? Harvard Health Publishing. April 7,
People suffering from diarrhea experience Eating disorder relapse prevention, loose, diarrhhea stools. This disorder Uealth affect Promote Liver Health of all Weight gain challenges hhealth is particularly worrisome in the young and old because of the threat of dehydration. Diarrhea lasting for more than 2 days may be a sign of a more serious problem. Physicians talk about two types of diarrhea. Acute diarrhea can be caused by bacterial, viral, or parasitic infections, food intolerance, or reactions to medicine and lasts a short time. We include products we think are useful for diarrhew readers. Anr you buy through links Lean protein and overall wellness this Digestive health and diarrhea, we diarehea earn a healtu commission. Healthline only shows you brands and products that we stand behind. A bout of diarrhea is never fun. Plenty of options, from anti-diarrheal medication to dietary changes that soothe your digestive system, can help you find relief. Common symptoms of diarrhea include frequent, watery stools, abdominal crampingand bloating.
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