Diarrhea is a common gastrointestinal symptom that can be caused by a variety of factors, including food intolerances, infections, and stress. People of all ages can be affected by diarrhea, and researchers have estimated that nearly 180 million cases occur each year in the United States. While diarrhea is often viewed as an unpleasant and inconvenient experience, some people wonder whether it can actually be beneficial in “cleaning out” the digestive system. Here we will explore some of the causes of diarrhea and the effect diarrhea can have on both digestive health and overall health.

How is Diarrhea Defined?

Most doctors define diarrhea as having watery or loose stools during bowel movements at least three times a day. The reason this occurs is generally because not enough water has been absorbed in the large intestine. Under normal circumstances, as chyme from the small intestine passes through the colon, enough water is absorbed to form a clump of feces that is solid and yet soft enough to easily pass through the rectum. When a person has diarrhea, though, bowel motility is speedier, and that causes stool to remain watery.

Some more recent research has begun to look at diarrhea as part of the normal immune system response to pathogens. In this context, diarrhea may be part of the body’s effort to rid the digestive tract of potentially harmful bacteria or other substances. This may also explain why diarrhea appears to be a response to certain foods that can irritate the intestinal lining and cause inflammation. Other symptoms that tend to accompany diarrhea include abdominal pain, cramping, bloating, nausea, vomiting, and dehydration.

Possible Causes of Diarrhea

For most people, diarrhea is considered a “self-limiting” condition because it isn’t always clear why it started or why it was able to be resolved on its own. Whether it’s acute diarrhea or chronic diarrhea, however, there are a number of factors and health conditions that have diarrhea as a symptom or play a role in its development:

  • Food poisoning: While they aren’t as much of a factor in the United States, contaminated food or water sources are some of the most common causes of diarrhea around the world—particularly in the developing world. Bacteria, viruses, parasites, or other microbes can cause contamination and lead to diarrhea and other illnesses.
  • Infection: Viral infections (especially involving rotavirus) are the most common cause of acute diarrhea in the world. Bacterial infections are also fairly common, and the strains of bacteria involved are most often Salmonella, E. coli, and Shigella.
  • Food allergies or intolerance: Some people are genetically predisposed to be allergic to or intolerant of certain types of food or ingredients in food. For these people, consuming these foods typically triggers an abnormal immune response that inappropriately attacks the body. One of the most common examples of a food intolerance is lactose intolerance; people who are lactose intolerant lack the enzyme necessary to break down the lactose found in dairy products.
  • Medication: Certain medications can unintentionally disturb the balance of beneficial bacteria in the digestive tract. Antibiotics are the biggest culprit because by their nature they are meant to kill harmful bacteria; sometimes in that process, however, they end up killing helpful bacteria in addition to the harmful bacteria.
  • Stress: Stress is believed to cause diarrhea by affecting the gut-brain axis, which is the connection between the central nervous system and the enteric nervous system. When you are stressed, neurotransmitters travel along this pathway to your gut, where they regulate the movement of water and electrolytes. This can lead to an increase in bowel movement in the large intestine, which can cause diarrhea. Stress can also affect the muscles in the bowels and intestines, which can affect the ability of intestines to filter out harmful gut bacteria.
  • Other health problems: There are numerous health conditions that include diarrhea as a symptom. Two of the most common examples are irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), a condition that usually manifests as either Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis. Diarrhea can also be a symptom of colon cancer, though it is rare and typically only presents in later stages when treatment options are limited.

What Are the Side Effects of Diarrhea?

Besides being uncomfortable and unpleasant, diarrhea can also have a significant impact on overall health. Perhaps the greatest concern with diarrhea is that it can mean several consecutive days of fluid loss that lead to dehydration. In fact, frequent episodes of diarrhea can cause both dehydration and malnutrition particularly in young children. But even for adults, diarrhea can cause the loss of water and electrolytes, a type of mineral that the body needs for a variety of functions.

Can Diarrhea Actually Clean You Out?

There are some who welcome diarrhea because they believe that it can “clean out” your digestive system. While diarrhea does seem to at least sometimes be part of a normal immune response to pathogens in the digestive tract, the truth is that it’s not something you would ever want to happen to you. Because in addition to flushing out harmful substances, diarrhea can lead to dehydration, malnutrition, and electrolyte imbalances. Even temporary acute cases can cause problems with the health of the gut microbiome. Moreover, diarrhea is often a sign of another medical problem entirely.

How to Treat Diarrhea

Most bouts of diarrhea are temporary and will likely resolve on their own after a few days, and they therefore won’t require any treatment. Even if treatment isn’t strictly necessary, though, there are ways to treat the symptoms in order to bring relief and comfort. Below are some common methods for treating diarrhea:

  • Rehydration and rest: Many experiences with diarrhea stem from eating something that irritates the digestive tract temporarily. In such cases, the best way to treat the symptoms is by drinking plenty of fluids and getting rest. Water, broth, and beverages with electrolytes are the best options for fluids, but you should definitely avoid caffeine and alcohol.
  • Diet changes: Traditionally, a diet of bland foods like crackers, rice, and bananas has been recommended for diarrhea, but new research has determined this isn’t strictly necessary beyond the first day or so. Food like this can help at first, but plan on switching back to nutrient-dense food soon. Instead, avoid fatty, greasy, fried, or high-fiber foods until the diarrhea has passed.
  • Medication: Over-the-counter anti-diarrheal medications, such as loperamide (Imodium) and bismuth subsalicylate (Pepto-Bismol), can help reduce the number of watery bowel movements and control severe symptoms. However, doctors generally do not recommend using over-the-counter medicines for people who have bloody poop or a fever.

It is important to see a doctor if you experience symptoms of diarrhea for more than two days or if you have additional symptoms such as blood, mucous, pus, abdominal pain, fever, and weight loss. If a child under your care is displaying symptoms of diarrhea, seek medical assistance immediately.

Contact Cary Gastroenterology

A person’s digestive health is a major factor in their overall health, but it also often has a significant impact on quality of life as well. As an expert healthcare provider, Cary Gastro is here to help you find answers and peace of mind about any digestive health concern you have. If you’ve been experiencing chronic or persistent diarrhea, it may be time to get examined by a gastroenterologist. To speak with one of our highly qualified and friendly staff members, please contact us to request an appointment.