Can Stress Cause an Upset Stomach?

Have you ever felt “butterflies” in your stomach before giving a speech or right at the top of a roller coaster just before the plunge? Have you felt “gutted” after losing a big game, ending a relationship, or getting some bad news? Maybe you’re going through a stressful time in your life and you’ve started experiencing stomach cramps or other digestive issues.

Stress can lead to an upset stomach as well as other digestive problems. While these symptoms aren’t uncommon, it’s important that you share this information with your doctor.

Feelings of stress or anxiety can lead to digestive problems such as stomach aches or stomach cramps. Be sure to talk to your doctor about stress-related digestive issues. Click To Tweet

Your upset stomach may be cause by stress

An upset stomach is one of the most common symptoms of stress and anxiety. This can come from a single stressful moment — like public speaking or a bad breakup — or chronic worry over time from work or a global pandemic.

If your stomach hurts without any obvious cause, such as food illness, it’s possible that feelings of stress or anxiety could be the trigger. In addition to stomachaches, stress can also cause other digestive problems:

• indigestion
• upset stomach
• stomach cramps
• diarrhea
• constipation
• urgency to evacuate the bowels (tenesmus)
• nausea
• loss of appetite
• hunger
• heartburn

While these symptoms may stem from stress or anxiety, they can also become a source of stress. For example, someone who experiences diarrhea or urgency with bowel movements may fear having an accident in public; this can prevent them from leaving their home or limit the places they go.

The brain-gut connection.

Your brain and the enteric nervous system in the GI tract are closely connected. The digestive system contains the largest area of nerves outside of the brain. Feelings of stress and anxiety can influence the nerves in your digestive tract and trigger stronger and more frequent contractions.

Stress signals can change the way that the GI system functions, which can lead to stress-related digestive problems.

When should you see a doctor for gastrointestinal problems?

Mild or occasional digestive problems due to stress are common. However, this doesn’t mean that you should dismiss these symptoms.

Tell your doctor about symptoms such as nausea, stomachache, cramps, or diarrhea. The more your doctor knows about your health, the better the quality of care you receive.

These symptoms could indicate a manageable digestive problem, such as irritable bowel syndrome. The American College of Gastroenterology states that 10 to 15 percent of U.S. adults have symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome; however, only five to seven percent of adults have been diagnosed with IBS.

Talk to your doctor if you experience stress-related digestive problems. Your primary care physician may refer you to a specialist, such as a gastroenterologist.

Why Does Stress Cause Stomach Pain and What Can Help?

Many people report feeling stomach pain, cramps, sensitivity, or other discomfort during stressful situations. Stress and anxiety can contribute to short-term stomach pain and other digestive problems, but when they happen over long periods, they can also play a role in chronic conditions.

Why can stress lead to these types of stomach pain? Your brain and gut have a direct connection and can influence one another — if your mind is in knots, your stomach might be, too. 

This gut-brain connection also means that what goes on in your stomach can affect your mental state, so what you eat could influence your mood. 

While you should visit your doctor for any severe, prolonged, or recurring pains, understanding what nutrients your gut needs to be healthy and happy can likewise help you fuel a healthy, happy mind. 

In this article, you will learn why stress causes stomach pain, what lifestyle changes you can make to reduce your stress and anxiety, and how eating for your unique body can help influence stress and your mood. 

How does stress cause stomach pain?

Your brain may get most of the credit for overall control of your body, but the intestines have their own nervous system that is so powerful, it’s sometimes known as a “second brain. ” This system is called the enteric nervous system. 

With the largest collection of nerve cells in the body outside of the brain, the enteric nervous system not only controls gastrointestinal functions separately from the brain, but it also produces and responds to the same stress hormones and neurotransmitters that our brains do.

The link between your gut and your brain stems from this system. Even though these two systems function independently, this connection allows your brain to monitor your digestive tract and modify activity within your gut. 

So, if your brain experiences a state of stress, it can communicate that distress to your digestive system and trigger gut-based symptoms like cramping, bloating, or an upset stomach. 

Stress can also alter your gut bacteria. These bacteria can affect your ability to think and regulate emotions, so sustained changes can impact your mood and vice versa.

Long-term stress and the impact it has on your gut can increase digestive tract sensitivity, which in turn can lead to chronic or exacerbated pain in conditions like irritable bowel syndrome.  

Because of the connection between the gut and the brain, some gut-borne diseases may also spread to the brain. 

What does a stress-related stomach ache feel like?

Just as everyone experiences stress differently, they may experience the stomach discomfort it causes differently. 

People with stress- or anxiety-related stomach pain most often complain of a knotted feeling, cramping, churning, bloating, indigestion, nausea, or diarrhea. 

Broadly speaking, stress increases the movement and fluid secretion of your gut, which can leave you feeling like your stomach is either unusually blocked or extra active.  

While acute or chronic stress has the potential to exacerbate the symptoms of any digestive condition, there are a number of specific stomach complaints that have been linked to stress, each with its own symptoms.

• Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS): Functional gastrointestinal disorders (of which IBS is the most common) affect up to 40% of the world’s population and are characterized by recurring, persistent symptoms like erratic stomach pain or contractions and increased digestive sensitivity. Not everyone experiences IBS in the same way — some people have diarrhea, some have constipation, and others may have both.

• Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD): In the two main types of IBD — Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis — the body perceives food or helpful microbes as dangerous. This triggers a disproportionate immune reaction, which then causes persistent bowel inflammation. Symptoms will vary depending on the type and severity of the IBD.

• Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD): More simply referred to as “reflux” — when acid moves back from the stomach through the esophagus — the most common symptom of GERD is heartburn, a burning pain behind your chest that occurs after you’ve eaten or when you’re lying down or bending over. Other symptoms might include persistent sore throat, chest pain, nausea, burping, or coughing.

4 ways to help reduce stress and stomach pain

According to a poll that tracks negative experiences of people in 115 countries, 2020 was the year the world reached its highest stress peak in over 15 years. Around 40% of the surveyed population reported experiencing significant stress. 

While you should see a doctor if your stomach pain is severe, prolonged, or recurring, there are things you can do to calm a nervous stomach and help reduce the kind of stress and anxiety that could lead to stomach problems. 

1. Mindfulness, meditation, and breathing techniques

Mindfulness, meditation, breathing techniques, and progressive muscle relaxation have all been linked to evoking the relaxation response by reducing anxiety, heart rate, and blood pressure, and improving energy, concentration, and self-awareness. 

This relaxation response is the opposite of your “fight-or-flight” impulse, which is your stress response. When you experience a relaxation response, your body no longer feels threatened by perceived danger, so your brain tells your gut it can safely revert to normal functioning.  

2. Counseling and cognitive behavioral therapy

One of the best ways to reduce stress and its psychological and physiological impact on the body involves learning effective management and coping techniques through counseling or cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT).

These therapies work to identify self-critical, distorted thought, or behavior patterns that cause negative emotions. They then assess which of these patterns might be connected to digestive symptoms and help you develop logic- and science-based strategies for reframing these emotions and physical responses. 

3. Exercise

Exercise doesn’t just have a positive impact on your overall health and well-being. It also provides relief from stress and potentially a protective effect against stress-related ailments. 

In addition to decreasing symptoms of depression and anxiety, cardiovascular exercise can lower cortisol, decrease heart rate, lower blood pressure, and stabilize heart rate variability. 

As with any new exercise regimen, you may want to consult your doctor before getting started, as certain forms or levels of exercise may not be appropriate for your condition. 

For example, in the case of GERD, while exercise that leads to weight loss may improve symptoms in people with obesity or overweight, strenuous exercise may induce more GERD symptoms.  

4. Diet

With your gut and brain communicating in a two-way system, stress can impact what you eat just as what you eat can impact stress. 

Who hasn’t reached for a pint of ice cream or a big bowl of chips when feeling under pressure? Stress eating often involves ultra-processed foods, which are typically high in sugar and unhealthy fats that can upset your stomach when eaten in excess. 

There’s nothing wrong with a little indulgence, but sticking to a balanced diet filled with a variety of plants will avoid irritating your gut further.

Some studies suggest diets rich in fiber and omega-3 fatty acids may be linked to reduced risk of developing symptoms of anxiety and stress. But more research is needed to confirm these findings. 

Others have found associations between probiotics and improved mood. Probiotics are living microbes — most often found in fermented foods like live yogurt, sauerkraut, kimchi, and miso — that help to increase the diversity of your good gut bacteria.  

This diversity is crucial in supporting your gut microbiome in its functions, including digestion, vitamin production, and immune system health. Your gut microbiome is the collection of all genetic material from microbes in your gut. 

Since your brain is connected to and influenced by your gut, your diet and gut functionality also impact your brain functionality.

At ZOE, we know everyone’s gut microbiome and responses to particular foods are different. There’s no universally perfect diet for everyone, so the best way to find the right diet for your body is to know what your gut needs to be healthy and happy.

An at-home ZOE test can tell you: 

• which of the 15 “good” and “bad” gut microbes we’ve identified live in your gut

• which foods are your personal “gut suppressors”

• which foods are your specific “gut boosters” that may increase the diversity of your “good” gut bugs.

Summary

Your brain and your gut are two independent hubs of key bodily functions, but they are in constant communication and can influence each other. If one isn’t feeling well or functioning at its best, the other likely isn’t, either. 

This means that if your brain experiences acute or chronic stress, your stomach can experience many forms of digestive distress, like pain, knotting, cramps, bloating, churning, constipation, diarrhea, or nausea. 

Depending on the severity and persistence of these conditions, you may need to see a doctor, but you can also work to reduce the effect of stress on stomach pain through your lifestyle. 

Focus on effective stress management and quieting your body’s stress response by practicing relaxation techniques, considering counseling or CBT, exercising regularly, and eating a diet filled with diverse, colorful plants.  

Ready to find out which microbes are affecting your health and how you can modify your diet? Take our free quiz to learn how you can eat the best foods for your body.

Sources

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https://news.gallup.com/poll/352205/2020-sets-records-negative-emotions.aspx

A review of dietary and microbial connections to depression, anxiety, and stress. (2018).

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Association between dietary pattern and perceived stress. (2021).

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Chronic stress, exercise and cardiovascular disease: placing the benefits and risks of physical activity into perspective. (2021). 

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Cognitive-behavioral therapy for patients with irritable bowel syndrome: current insights. (2017).

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Diaphragmatic breathing for GI patients. (n.d.).

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Effects of probiotics on cognitive reactivity, mood, and sleep quality. (2019).

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Functional gastrointestinal disorders: advances in understanding and management. (2020.)

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Gastroesophageal reflux disease and physical activity. (2006). 

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Gastrointestinal hormones and the gut connectome. (2017). 

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Gut-focused psychological therapy. (n.d.).

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Is stress from COVID-19 upsetting your stomach? 7 self comfort tips to try. (2020).

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Mechanisms of stress-induced visceral pain. (2018). 

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Meditation may relieve IBS and IBD. (2015). 

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Mindful eating: a review of how the stress-digestion-mindfulness triad may modulate and improve gastrointestinal and digestive function. (2019). 

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Neurotransmitters: the critical modulators regulating gut-brain axis. (2017).

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Relaxation techniques to manage IBS symptoms. (2014).

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Stress and eating (2013).

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Stress and your gut. (n.d.).

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Stress effects on the body. (2018).

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Nervous diarrhea in an adult

Stress and intestinal motility

Any stress causes a complex of reactions in the body. Physiological, normal changes in a stressful situation are aimed at mobilizing the work of organs and systems that adapt the body to different situations, ensure the delivery of oxygen and nutrients ^[1] .

The central nervous system is responsible for the fight-or-flight response that occurs during stress. At the heart of this reaction is an increase in the level of stress hormones adrenaline and cortisol. In addition, the work of the pituitary gland is activated, which leads to an increase in the level of the thyroid hormone thyroxine and other biologically active substances ^[1] .

Due to the release of hormones, energy resources are mobilized – the concentration of glucose in the blood increases and its utilization in the periphery decreases, blood pressure increases, metabolism is stimulated. Organs whose work is vital in times of stress – the heart, brain, skeletal muscles – receive more blood than the kidneys, skin, intestines ^[1] .

Stress slows down digestion. At the same time, the release of the stomach is delayed – food enters the small intestine more slowly compared to the usual state. Along with this, the motor activity of the intestine increases: it is intensively reduced, which leads to the appearance of diarrhea ^[1] .

Nervous diarrhea: irritable bowel syndrome

Irritable bowel syndrome is a common condition that occurs in 11.2% of the population. It is difficult to call it a disease: there are no organic lesions in this syndrome, but it has manifestations. Irritable bowel syndrome causes intermittent abdominal discomfort or pain associated with changes in stool consistency and/or frequency ^[2] .

The cause of the condition lies in the disrupted regulation of the immune, hormonal, and nervous systems ^[2] . The syndrome proceeds chronically, with alternating periods of complete remission, when a person feels completely healthy, and exacerbations. During exacerbations, characteristic symptoms occur: pain, swelling, constipation, or, conversely, diarrhea ^[2] .

It has been proven that psychological stress, as well as depression and anxiety accompanying it, are associated with exacerbation of irritable bowel syndrome, including the appearance of diarrhea. According to statistics, worsening with stress occurs in more than 50% of cases of this syndrome ^[3] .

Stress symptoms: nervous health problems

In a stressful situation, the work of many organs and systems can be disturbed, which is manifested by a number of symptoms ^[4] :

• diarrhea – ongoing diarrhea for a certain period of time;
• constipation;
• feeling hot or cold;
• lump in throat, feeling short of breath;
• chest tightness;
• frequent urination;
• dizziness;
• muscle twitching, startling, trembling;
• palpitations;
• abdominal pain;
• decreased libido.

How to treat?

Along with these complaints, general anxiety symptoms may also occur: a feeling of anxiety, nervousness, irritability, agitation (restlessness, biting of the lips, involuntary movements of the hands). The patient is tormented by anxious thoughts, he quickly gets tired. Sleep is disturbed – there are difficulties with falling asleep, the quality of sleep worsens, nightmares occur ^[4] .

The appearance of these symptoms indicates a violation of the body’s adaptation to a stressful situation and the need for medical assistance.

“Red flags”: when to see a doctor?

In some cases, the appearance of diarrhea, including nervous causes, against the background of psycho-emotional stress, may be a sign of serious diseases that require medical attention. Their symptoms may be ^[3] :

• unmotivated weight loss;
• fever;
• onset of abdominal pain and diarrhea at night;
• persistent, incessant diarrhea;
• blood in stool;
• persistent abdominal pain.

If these symptoms appear, you should immediately consult a doctor to find out the cause of the condition, rule out or confirm the presence of diseases and, if necessary, start treatment.

How to treat nervous diarrhea?

As with any disease or condition that develops as a result of some problem, it is important to start dealing with the primary precipitating factor, stress, with nervous diarrhea.

Stress management

If possible, eliminate or reduce the stress factor: try to control the environment in order to minimize the impact of events that cause stress. If the situation gets out of control, you need to learn to accept it. A psychotherapist or psychologist can help with this: supportive psychotherapy allows you to adapt to stressful conditions, teaches you to relax, and control anxiety.

If, despite all efforts, symptoms of stress (diarrhea, sweating, sleep disturbance, etc.) persist, a doctor should be consulted. Perhaps he will prescribe medications – in such cases, antidepressants, tranquilizers, sedatives (sedatives) and some other drugs may be indicated.

Gastrointestinal disorder psychotherapy

Experts believe that some types of psychotherapy may be particularly useful for chronic stress-related digestive disorders, including nervous diarrhea. In particular, the effectiveness of such techniques has been proven ^[6] :

• cognitive-behavioral therapy is a psychotherapy method that helps to change unproductive, mentally destructive thoughts and behavior and learn to cope with anxiety and stress;
• relaxation therapy includes several techniques that help you learn relaxation techniques and reduce reactivity in response to a stressor; this technique is especially effective in combination with cognitive-behavioral therapy;
• hypnosis helps to relax and can be useful for those who have gastrointestinal symptoms (in particular, diarrhea) appear even with minor negative emotions.

How to treat?

Symptomatic treatment of diarrhea

Coping with stress is a serious and lengthy process, and its results will appear only after some time. Diarrhea should be treated as soon as possible. Therefore, with nervous diarrhea, symptomatic drugs are needed that help normalize bowel function.

Diet, water regimen

Treatment of diarrhea of ​​any origin begins with proper nutrition. In such cases, it is better to eat a little, but often, excluding from the diet foods that increase diarrhea – milk, caffeine. To avoid dehydration, you need to drink enough liquid – up to 2-3 liters per day, if necessary, use saline solutions.

Pharmacotherapy

As a symptomatic treatment, antidiarrheals can be prescribed, which slow down intestinal motility. However, in some cases their use is contraindicated. Unlike antidiarrheals, probiotics can be used almost without restriction* ^[6] .

Since diarrheal syndrome is closely related to the quantitative and qualitative disturbance of the microflora composition, probiotics are indicated for diarrhea of ​​various origins, including against the background of irritable bowel syndrome, on nervous grounds. Their activity is proven in studies and confirmed in practice ^[6] .

Modern probiotics must be of natural origin, be stable in the aggressive environment of the stomach, be resistant to antibiotics and pathogenic bacteria. The efficacy and safety of the probiotic must be confirmed ^[6] . Products that meet these requirements include spore suspension Bacillus clausii ^[7] .

Spore Suspension Bacillus clausii is resistant to the action of gastric juice, so the spores enter the intestines unharmed, where they are converted into an active form. The drug restores the intestinal microflora, helps to achieve an antitoxic effect. It is used for acute and chronic gastrointestinal diseases associated with dysbacteriosis in adults and children, including infants ^[7] .

contraindication – hypersensitivity to the active or excipients of the drug

main causes and how to cope

Contents

• 1 Causes and consequences of diarrhea: how to avoid unpleasant symptoms
  • 1 . 1 Define diarrhea: what it is
  • 1.2 Pathogens as a cause of diarrhea
  • 1.3 Food toxins: harmful substances in foods
  • 1.4 Why diarrhea occurs: the main causes and how to deal with it
    • 1.4.1 Food allergies: when the body rebels
  • 1.5 Stress and its effect on the intestines
  • 1.6 Irritable bowel syndrome: a cause for concern
  • 1.7 Side effects of drugs: why they cause diarrhea
  • 1.8 Chronic disease: diarrhea as a symptom
  • 1.9 Digestive problems as a potential cause of diarrhea
  • 1.10 Dehydration: a dangerous complication of diarrhea
    • 1.10.1 What is dehydration and how is it related to diarrhea?
    • 1.10.2 How can you protect yourself from dehydration?
  • 1.11 How to manage diarrhea: tips for treatment and prevention
    • 1.11.1 Treating diarrhea
    • 1.11.2 Preventing diarrhea
  • 1.12 Related videos :
  • 1.13 Q&A:
    • • 1. 13 .0.1 What is diarrhea?
      • 1.13.0.2 What are the causes of diarrhea?
      • 1.13.0.3 Which foods can cause diarrhea?
      • 1.13.0.4 What to do about diarrhea?
      • 1.13.0.5 When should I see a doctor for diarrhea?
      • 1.13.0.6 How is diarrhea diagnosed?

The article tells about the causes and consequences of diarrhea. You will learn what factors can lead to this disease, what complications can occur, and how to deal with and prevent diarrhea.

Diarrhea is a condition in which the stool becomes loose and frequent. This phenomenon can adversely affect health, causing nausea, vomiting, dehydration and other problems.

In this article, we will tell you what causes diarrhea and how to manage it. We will talk about the main causes, including intestinal infections, lactose intolerance, digestive problems, stress, etc. In addition, we will look at the typical symptoms and treatments for diarrhea.

More than 90% of all children have diarrhea, as do many adults. In some cases, diarrhea may go away on its own, but often medical treatment is needed to treat it. In this article, we will talk about general recommendations and medications that will help manage diarrhea and prevent possible complications.

Define diarrhea: what it is

Diarrhea is loose and frequent stools that may be accompanied by abdominal pain, flatulence, nausea and vomiting. It can occur for various reasons, which we will discuss in this article.

It is important to note that diarrhea can lead to dehydration, especially in children and the elderly. Therefore, it is necessary to monitor the level of fluid in the body and, if necessary, take measures to prevent dehydration.

Pathogenic micro-organisms as the cause of diarrhea

Diarrhea can be caused by pathogenic micro-organisms such as bacteria, viruses and parasites. These microorganisms can enter the body through contaminated food and water, or through contact with an infected person.

Bacterial infections can cause diarrhea such as salmonellosis, campylobacteriosis and escherichiosis. Viruses such as rotavirus and norovirus can also cause diarrhea. Parasitic infections can manifest as dysentery, amoebiasis, and helminths.

Symptoms of diarrhea caused by pathogens may include watery stools, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain and fever. If these symptoms appear, you should consult a doctor for proper diagnosis and treatment.

• To avoid infections, wash your hands before eating, after using the toilet and after contact with animals.
• Also check the quality of drinking water and food, and avoid raw or undercooked foods.
• When traveling to countries with poor hygiene, precautions must be taken, such as drinking only bottled water and avoiding food of questionable quality.

In case of diarrhea, reduce fatty, spicy and spicy foods and drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration. If symptoms do not go away within a few days or worsen, a doctor should be consulted for treatment.

Food Toxins: Harmful Substances in Foods

Food toxins are substances found in certain foods that can cause a variety of illnesses, including diarrhea. They can occur as a result of improper storage of products, violation of the rules of cooking or the use of low-quality ingredients.

The main causes of food toxins are:

1. Inaccurate temperature control during storage and preparation of food
2. Poor quality and expired products
3. Use of poor quality raw materials
4. Violation of food preparation technology
5. Incorrect storage of ready meals

to avoid the occurrence of food toxins, it is necessary to follow the rules of storage and preparation of products. It is also important to buy quality products and monitor their expiration dates.

Some known dietary toxins:

Why diarrhea occurs: the main causes and how to cope

Food allergies: when the body rebels

When we eat, we rarely think about how our body reacts to food. However, sometimes the foods we eat can cause an allergic reaction in a person. Food allergies are the body’s response to certain foods. In some cases, allergies can lead to diarrhea, which is frequent and watery stools.

If you notice symptoms of a food allergy in yourself or in a child, you should immediately contact a doctor who will conduct special allergy tests and prescribe treatment. In the event of a severe allergic reaction, immediate medical attention is required.

To prevent food allergies, foods that can cause an allergic reaction should be avoided. If you or your child has already been diagnosed with a food allergy, then you need to carefully monitor what you eat and read the ingredient list on food labels.

Stress and its effect on bowel function

Diarrhea is often the result of stress. This is due to the fact that stress causes not only emotional, but also physiological stress. In this condition, blood moves from the intestines to the muscular system, which can lead to changes in bowel function.

Experts say that stress affects the intestinal microbiome, thereby worsening its composition and quality. This can lead to a decrease in the work of enzymes that are necessary for normal digestion. In addition, stress can cause a decrease in intestinal motility, which can lead to inhibition of the movement of food through the intestines and, as a result, to diarrhea.

To manage diarrhea caused by stress, you must first eliminate the cause of stress. This may require expert advice.

• Gut-boosting products, such as probiotics, can be used to relieve the symptoms of diarrhea.
• It is important to normalize your diet and increase the amount of liquids consumed.
• It is important to reduce the amount of fatty, spicy and sugary foods you eat.

Various relaxation methods such as yoga, meditation or outdoor walks will also help.

Irritable bowel syndrome: cause for concern

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a disorder that is accompanied by abdominal pain, constipation, or diarrhea. The causes of IBS, however, are not entirely clear.

IBS is a serious condition that can seriously affect a person’s quality of life. With IBS, there is a risk of diarrhea, which creates discomfort and leads to a lack of fluid in the body.

Treatment for IBS should be comprehensive and include dietary changes, stress relief exercises, medication, and probiotics. Consultation with a specialist will help to correctly determine the cause and find the optimal treatment for IBS.

Main symptoms of SIDSsymptoms Characteristics

Drug side effects: why they cause diarrhea

Drugs often have side effects that can affect the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract. One such effect is diarrhea. Before you start taking any medicine, it is important to read the list of side effects so that you are prepared for the possible risks.

In some cases, diarrhea may be caused by an allergic reaction to a drug. Therefore, it is very important to tell your doctor about any allergies before starting medication.

• How to manage diarrhea caused by drugs:
• Read the leaflet and see the list of side effects.
• Tell your doctor about any allergies before starting medication.
• Drink plenty of fluids to stay hydrated.
• Avoid fatty and spicy foods.
• Try reducing or stopping the medication.

Chronic disease: diarrhea as a symptom

When diarrhea becomes persistent, it may be one of the signs of a chronic disease. Some of these diseases include ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease, and irritable bowel syndrome.

Ulcerative colitis is a chronic disease in which the colon becomes inflamed. This can lead to severe abdominal pain and, of course, diarrhea.

Crohn’s disease is another chronic disease in which inflammation can occur not only in the colon, but in any part of the digestive system. As with ulcerative colitis, patients with Crohn’s disease often experience symptoms, including diarrhea, abdominal pain, and loss of appetite.

Irritable bowel syndrome can also cause regular diarrhea. This is a functional disorder in which the digestive system does not work properly.

Digestive problems as a potential cause of diarrhea

In children, diarrhea can be caused by various causes, one of the main ones being digestive disorders. They can occur as a result of malnutrition or the consumption of poor quality foods.

For example, children who eat a lot of fast foods and sweets may experience stomach and intestinal problems, leading to diarrhea. In addition, poor eating habits and irregular meals can also cause digestive problems and diarrhea.

To solve this problem, it is recommended to follow a diet and exclude foods from the diet of children that can lead to indigestion. Also, to prevent diarrhea, you need to make sure the quality of the products that the child consumes. In case of diarrhea, you should consult a doctor.

• Symptoms of indigestion causing diarrhoea:
  • Abdominal pain;
  • Belching;
  • Nausea;
  • Vomiting;
  • Full stomach;

In general, it is important to monitor the quality of nutrition and not to abuse foods that can lead to digestive problems and diarrhea.

Dehydration: a dangerous complication of diarrhea

What is dehydration and how is it related to diarrhea?

Dehydration is a decrease in the level of fluid in the body, caused in most cases by the loss of fluid through the urinary system or the digestive tract. Diarrhea is characterized by frequent bowel movements, which may be accompanied by diarrhea and high fever.

Diarrhea and dehydration are often associated with each other, as a large amount of fluid is passed out of the body during loose stools. In addition, diarrhea reduces the ability of the intestines to absorb nutrients from food, which leads to dehydration, deterioration of the general condition, and even the development of dangerous complications.

How to protect yourself from dehydration?

Lost fluid must be replaced to prevent dehydration. Replenishment of water reserves by the body can be carried out by regular intake of warm liquids, such as herbal decoctions, tea, water at room temperature with sugar, brine, drinking water. It is also helpful to include brands and yogurts in your diet that restore the gut microflora, thereby improving nutrient absorption.

To restore the mineral and bacterial balance in the body, it is recommended to take electrolytes that contain magnesium, potassium, sodium and other elements necessary to improve the general condition.

Please note that if diarrhea lasts more than two or three days, or is accompanied by sharp pains or skin rashes, it is better to consult a doctor or get advice from specialists beforehand.

How to manage diarrhea: tips for treatment and prevention

Treatment of diarrhea

Drink plenty of fluids. Diarrhea can lead to dehydration so it is important to drink plenty of water and other fluids such as tea, coconut or electrolyte water.

Watch your diet. Limit milk, coffee, alcohol, fatty and spicy foods until diarrhea is gone. Add bananas, rice, butter-free toast, and coconut water to your menu to reduce the risk of dehydration.

Use medication. He may recommend diarrhea products that contain gut-friendly bacteria, or prescription drugs based on loperamide or diphenoxylaate, which can shorten the time you have diarrhea.

Diarrhea Prevention

• Wash hands frequently with soap and water. You can also use disinfectant wipes and gels, especially if you are in a public place.
• Avoid heavy, fatty, spicy, canned, or baked foods that may be contaminated with bacteria and viruses.
• Drink only bottled water. It is preferable to tap water, as tap water can contain bacteria and viruses.
• Avoid contact with people who have diarrhoea. This can lead to infection.

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Q&A:

What is diarrhea?

Diarrhea is a bowel disorder in which there is an increase in the amount and/or decrease in the consistency of stools and an increase in the frequency of going to the toilet.

What are the causes of diarrhea?

Diarrhea can be caused by digestive disorders, infections (bacterial, viral, fungal), allergic reactions to food, medicines, stress, and other factors.