Experiencing an episode of diarrhea is unpleasant, uncomfortable, and sometimes embarrassing. While occasional diarrhea is frustrating enough, getting regular diarrhea can start to disrupt your life.
Sometimes, diarrhea is a symptom of a more serious condition, but according to Thomas Nguyen, MD, from Nguyen Medical Group in Boynton Beach, Florida, other times recurring diarrhea can occur because of your lifestyle. Learn how your lifestyle can impact diarrhea, and what you can do to reduce your number of episodes.
Diarrhea occurs when you have a bowel movement with stools that are watery or loose. Before having diarrhea, you often feel abdominal discomfort and have a difficult time resisting the urge to use the bathroom.
Everyone can get occasional diarrhea, but chronic diarrhea can become disruptive or even dangerous. Diarrhea can lead to problems like dehydration and be a symptom of an infection, chronic condition, or general problems in your gut health.
Diarrhea has several possible causes, but many of them are linked to your lifestyle. By making changes, you can often reduce or eliminate diarrhea.
Many of the following can cause diarrhea:
Experiencing regular diarrhea can be a sign your gut health is poor, which can mean your overall health needs to be checked. Making general lifestyle changes and sometimes taking medication can help get your gut back into balance.
Eating certain types of foods can put you at a higher risk of getting diarrhea. A diet high in fiber, spicy foods, and liquids can lead to chronic diarrhea.
Drinking excessive caffeine or alcohol can also cause diarrhea. Changing your diet can get rid of the problem.
Certain hygiene practices make it more likely you’ll get an infection that leads to diarrhea. For example, if you wipe from back to front after a bowel movement, that can cause you to come in contact with bacteria that causes diarrhea.
Other hygiene risks that can lead to diarrhea include not washing your hands thoroughly enough, especially after handling raw meat, using the bathroom, or changing a diaper.
If you travel regularly, you’re at risk for traveler’s diarrhea from coming into contact with foods and water your body isn’t used to eating. It’s especially important when you travel to many destinations to only drink bottled and purified water to prevent diarrhea.
If you take certain medications for other medical conditions, they can cause you to have regular diarrhea. Some examples of medications include certain antibiotics, antidepressants, laxatives, proton pump inhibitors, and herbal remedies.
Our team performs a full evaluation, which can include your medical history, an examination, and lab tests, to determine the cause of your diarrhea. Based on the results, we recommend treatment to reduce your symptoms of diarrhea.
Your treatment plan is personalized based on your evaluation results and personal needs. Treating diarrhea can involve making lifestyle changes, taking medication, and managing any conditions that are causing your diarrhea.
For more support with diarrhea, constipation, or other bowel problems, contact us today.
