Common causes of diarrhea and 5 ways to find relief

Have you ever experienced unusual bowel movements that seem to occur 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 experience diarrhea, it’ll most likely be short-term (even though it can feel like it lasts forever), and you should be back to normal in a day or two. But what can cause it? And how can you keep it from happening again?

Keep reading to find out what can cause diarrhea and ways you can find relief. We’ll also go over the types of diarrhea, common symptoms, how diarrhea can affect kids and what to do to avoid experiencing it in the future.

What diarrhea is and common causes

While it’s not fun, diarrhea is one of the most common gastrointestinal problems people of all ages experience. Diarrhea is defined as having loose, watery stools three or more times a day. It generally lasts for 1-2 days, then will resolve on its own, often without a doctor’s visit. But if you experience diarrhea that lasts more than a few days, that can be a sign of a more serious or long-term problem.

There are a lot of things that can cause diarrhea, including:

• Food poisoning caused by contaminated food
• Viral infections, such as the flu (diarrhea is a flu symptom more common in children) or norovirus
• Food intolerances and sensitivities, like lactose intolerance or wheat sensitivity
• Diseases that can affect the bowels, such as Crohn’s disease, celiac disease or irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
• Menstrual cycles
• Artificial sweeteners like those found in chewing gum or other sugar-free foods
• Medicines such as antibiotics or antacids that contain magnesium (high doses can cause diarrhea)
• Stress and anxiety
• Chemotherapy medication

Signs and symptoms you may be experiencing diarrhea

The most common symptom of diarrhea is loose, watery stool. Other symptoms include:

• An urgent need to poop
• Bloating in your belly
• Cramps and stomach pain
• Low-grade fever
• Incontinence, where you can’t control your bowels
• Nausea
• Vomiting

While these symptoms are unpleasant, they aren’t usually concerning on their own. However, you may want to reach out to your doctor if you’ve been experiencing diarrhea for more than 2-3 days, and it isn’t stopping with at-home treatment methods.

There is a chance that diarrhea may be an indication of a more serious infection or chronic disease. Make an appointment with your doctor as soon as possible if you have diarrhea along with any of the following symptoms:

• Bloody or black stools
• Dehydration
• Fever of 102oF (39oC) or higher
• Mucus in the stool
• Severe pain in the abdomen or rectum
• Sudden weight loss, which can be a sign your body isn’t absorbing enough nutrients
• Particularly foul-smelling stool, which can be a sign of an infection known as C. difficile (C. diff)

Different types of diarrhea

There are two types of diarrhea you can experience:

• Acute watery diarrhea – This is the most common type of diarrhea. Acute diarrhea is defined as loose, watery stool that typically resolves without treatment in 2-3 days and no more than 14 days.
• Chronic or persistent diarrhea – With this type, it’s possible to experience loose, watery stools three or more times a day, for four weeks or longer. Chronic diarrhea typically indicates a more serious medical condition or an ongoing infection.

5 ways to find relief from diarrhea

If you or your child is experiencing diarrhea, you probably want to find relief as fast as possible. Diarrhea doesn’t usually require a visit to your doctor. Instead, try these tried-and-true remedies.

1. Over-the-counter medications can help adults with diarrhea

While diarrhea can clear up on its own, anti-diarrheal medications can speed up the process. Medications that contain loperamide (Imodium) slow food moving through the bowels, which can help your body absorb more fluid and nutrients, and add bulk to your poop. And medications that contain bismuth subsalicylate (Kaopectate or Pepto-Bismol) can balance fluids in the intestines and reduce inflammation.

It's important to note that if diarrhea is caused by bacteria, your body needs to get rid of the bacteria first by letting diarrhea run its course. If they’re taken too soon, anti-diarrheal medication can make symptoms worse and keep you from clearing the infection.

While some people think probiotics can help with diarrhea, not enough studies have been done to conclusively prove it. However, probiotics do help with gut flora and gut health, so it may be worthwhile for you and your child to take them anyway.

2. Drink plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration

While getting enough fluids is important in general, it’s especially helpful if you have diarrhea. But make sure you stay away from drinking fluids that will make your diarrhea worse, like alcohol or drinks with caffeine.

A good tip is to drink at least one cup of liquid per loose bowel movement. This can be water, salty broths, a mix of fruit juice and water, or electrolyte-infused drinks to help replace fluids you’ve lost and help your body absorb salt and sugar.

3. Eat a bland diet that won’t upset your stomach

If you’ve ever had diarrhea or stomach upset, you’ve probably followed the BRAT diet – bananas, plain rice, applesauce and dry toast. These foods are low in fiber and bland, so they won’t upset your stomach further. They’re also starchy, which can help firm up your stool and replace lost nutrients. Other bland options that can help include crackers, broth and plain, boiled potatoes.

Alongside the BRAT diet, try to eat more frequent, smaller meals. This will give your intestines a chance to recover and digest food more easily.

Keep in mind that because the BRAT diet is very restrictive and doesn’t provide adequate nutrition, it’s recommended that adults only follow it for a day or two.

4. Give your body time to rest and recover

If you’re experiencing diarrhea, skip the trip to the gym. Exercise can cause dehydration and stomach distress, which can make your symptoms worse. And although doctors aren’t sure why, some people experience diarrhea when running. So if you’re already experiencing diarrhea, going for a run can make it worse.

5. Take medications as prescribed

If your diarrhea is caused by a virus, prescription medications aren’t going to help. But if your diarrhea is caused by a parasite or bacteria, your doctor may prescribe an antibiotic or anti-parasitic to quickly kill the cause of your symptoms. It’s important to take medications exactly as prescribed so you have a better chance of recovery.

How to treat children who have diarrhea

In the past, doctors have recommended the BRAT diet to adults and children alike. Now, pediatricians no longer recommend it for children, as studies have shown that it doesn’t have the proper amount of nutrition and calories that children need. In fact, some pediatricians think it can make diarrhea last longer or make symptoms worse.

Instead, it’s recommended that if your child is only experiencing diarrhea, you let it run its course. It can be helpful to try to eat foods that are easy on their stomach, but most children can stick 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 vomiting has lessened or stopped, your child should be able to return to their regular diet and stop drinking electrolyte solutions.

If you have a breastfed or a formula-fed baby, you should continue to feed them as usual, as that’s their main source of nutrition and liquids.

If your child is experiencing diarrhea and vomiting every 1 to 2 hours, they may need to stop eating for a period of time to focus on hydration. If your child’s symptoms aren’t clearing up after a day or two, or they’re showing signs of dehydration (like peeing less or having fewer tears when crying), reach out to your doctor. They may recommend your child come in for an IV to replenish their fluids.

It’s also important to reach out to your child’s doctor if, along with diarrhea, they’re experiencing:

• Fever lasting longer than 24 hours
• Vomit that has blood in it
• Blood in their poop
• Severe stomach pain and a swollen belly

Most children who experience diarrhea don’t need over-the-counter anti-diarrheal medications or electrolyte solutions, especially if they’re under two years old. They also don’t 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

When your diarrhea has cleared up, you’ll want to take measures to prevent it in the future. These can include:

• Practicing good hygiene – Wash your hands frequently, especially after using the bathroom. Try to use hand sanitizer sparingly, as some bad bacteria can’t be killed with hand sanitizer alone, and it can kill good bacteria your body needs.
• Keeping food prep as clean as possible – Clean surfaces with bacteria-killing solutions as you use them and wash your hands frequently, especially if you handle raw meat. Use a meat thermometer and always cook meat to the appropriate temperatures to avoid bad bacteria, like salmonella, and harmful viruses, like hepatitis A.
• Storing your food properly – Don’t let food sit at room temperature for too long, as bacteria can multiply the longer it sits out. And pay attention to expiration dates to avoid consuming expired foods that may contain contaminants that can make you sick.
• Taking precautions if you’re traveling – In some countries, contaminated food and water are common and can result in something called traveler’s diarrhea. Research where you’re going and closely watch what you eat and drink to avoid potential problems.
• Avoiding certain foods and drinks – Things you eat and drink can cause diarrhea. Avoid or limit foods that have a lot of sugar or fat, foods that are spicy or fried, and drinks that have alcohol or caffeine in them. If you have a gluten or dairy sensitivity, a common side effect is diarrhea, so it’s important to avoid foods that contain them.
• Only taking medications you need – Some medications, like certain antidepressants and chemotherapy drugs, can cause diarrhea, so speak with your doctor if you need help managing side effects. It’s important to keep taking them as prescribed. Other medications, like antibiotics, should always be used as prescribed and only when you need them. 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.
• Getting vaccinated to avoid preventable illnesses – Diarrhea is a common symptom of the flu (in children), rotavirus and COVID-19. Keeping your child and yourself up to date with vaccinations can help you stay healthy.

When to see a doctor about diarrhea

Diarrhea is an annoyance at best, but it’s important to keep an eye on the length of time you’ve experienced it and the symptoms you’re having. Not seeking treatment can lead to serious complications, like dehydration and malnutrition. If you or your child have experienced diarrhea for longer than a few days, or you’re concerned about symptoms, reach out to your doctor. They can help get your digestion back on track.