Why does diarrhea happen

This can lead to watery stools and diarrhea. Gallbladder removal: People who have their gallbladder removed may experience frequent diarrhea in the first few weeks and months after the surgery. In most cases, the diarrhea will eventually stop, but some people will continue to have chronic diarrhea or PD after the surgery.

With this condition, your stomach empties very quickly after eating. This triggers the reflex that manages bowel movements, so diarrhea may be more common.

In some cases, an IBS-D diagnosis may prevent some doctors from considering other conditions. Many of the conditions that cause PD require medical treatment, but these four lifestyle treatments may also ease the condition:.

Avoid trigger foods: Certain foods may contribute to PD. Make note of what you eat and when you experience PD. Look for food commonly associated with PD, such as fatty foods, fiber, and dairy. Practice food safety: Keep bad bacteria at bay by washing fruits and vegetables before eating them, cooking meat to the proper temperature, and properly refrigerating foods that need to be kept cold.

Eat smaller meals: Eat five to six small meals a day instead of three big ones. This may help your intestines more easily digest food, and that could reduce symptoms of PD. Reduce stress: Your mind has a lot of power over your gut. Learning to manage your stress and anxiety is good not only for your mental health, but also for your digestive health. Check out: 10 simple ways to relieve stress ».

Diarrhea happens from time to time. However, serious complications are possible, so check with your doctor if you experience any of these additional symptoms:. Frequency: If diarrhea occurs several times a week for more than three weeks, or if you have diarrhea for three days in a row, make an appointment with your doctor. Pain: If the diarrhea is common but you start experiencing severe abdominal pain or rectal pain during a BM, talk with your doctor.

Drinking water or drinks with electrolytes can help you stay well despite the diarrhea. However, if you start showing signs of dehydration, seek medical attention. Signs of dehydration include:.

Discolored stool: If you start having black , gray, or bloody stools, talk with your doctor. These can be signs of a more serious gastrointestinal problem. Because of this, they often recommend certain treatment options one at a time until they find one that works consistently. From there, they can continue to narrow down the potential causes and come up with a full treatment plan. Explosive or severe diarrhea usually resolves on its own with self-care.

Learn about what to do and when you should see a doctor. If your child has diarrhea for longer than 24 hours, contact a doctor. To make an appointment, call or fill out our appointment request form.

Upon referral from your physician, we coordinate your testing and treatment. Share this on: Updated July Almost everyone has an occasional bout of diarrhea. Never Miss a Beat! Tap Click to Join! I understand that I may opt out of receiving such communications at any time. Thank you for subscribing! Message and data rates may apply. Family Health 5 Tips for Healthy Aging. Learn about the connection between diarrhea and the common cold, as well as how to treat them and when you should call a doctor.

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