Going too much: Possible Diseases and Conditions
If you're experiencing diarrhea or frequent bowel movements, you may have one of the following conditions:
1. Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
A chronic condition that affects the large intestine and causes symptoms like cramping, bloating, and diarrhea.
2. Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)
A group of chronic diseases that cause inflammation in the digestive tract, including Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis.
3. Colorectal Cancer
A type of cancer that starts in the colon or rectum and can cause changes in bowel habits, blood in the stool, and abdominal pain.
4. DDiverticulitis
An inflammation or infection of small pouches that form in the colon wall, which can cause pain, fever, and diarrhea.
Going too little: Possible Diseases and Conditions
If you're experiencing constipation or difficulty passing stool, you may have one of the following conditions:
1. Constipation
A condition in which you have difficulty passing stool, which can cause abdominal pain, bloating, and discomfort.
2. Bowel obstruction
A blockage in the intestine that prevents stool from passing through, which can cause severe pain, nausea, and vomiting.
4. Rectal Cancer
A type of cancer that starts in the rectum and can cause changes in bowel habits, blood in the stool, and abdominal pain.
5. Pelvic floor dysfunction
A condition in which the muscles in the pelvic floor do not work properly, which can cause difficulty passing stool or urine, as well as pain or discomfort in the pelvic area.
Symptoms to Watch Out For
Regardless of whether you're going too much or too little, there are some symptoms that you should watch out for, as they may be a sign of a more serious health problem. These include:
- Blood in stool
- Persistent abdominal pain
- Changes in stool consistency or appearance
- Frequent urination or painful urination
If you're experiencing any of these symptoms, it's important to seek medical attention right away.
Photo by Jannis Brandt on Unsplash
Herbal and Natural Remedies
If you're looking for natural ways to alleviate symptoms, here are some remedies to try:
Increase water and fiber intake
Drinking plenty of water and eating high-fiber foods like fruits, vegetables, and whole grains can help soften stool and make it easier to pass.
Probiotics
Eating foods that are rich in probiotics, such as yogurt, sauerkraut, and kefir, can help restore the balance of good bacteria in your gut and alleviate symptoms of IBS and other digestive disorders.
Aloe vera juice
Drinking aloe vera juice can help soothe inflammation in the digestive tract and alleviate symptoms of IBS and other digestive disorders.
Peppermint oil
Taking magnesium supplements can help soften stool and make it easier to pass, which can alleviate symptoms of constipation.
Magnesium supplementation
Taking magnesium supplements can help soften stool and make it easier to pass, which can alleviate symptoms of constipation.
While these remedies may provide some relief, it's important to remember that they should not be used as a substitute for medical treatment. Always consult with a healthcare professional before trying any new remedies, especially if you're taking medication or have a pre-existing health condition.
Medications, allergies, and foods that can cause changes in bowel movements and urination
- Laxatives (e.g., bisacodyl, senna, magnesium hydroxide): Increase bowel movements
- Antidiarrheals (e.g., loperamide, bismuth subsalicylate): Decrease bowel movements
- Diuretics (e.g., furosemide, hydrochlorothiazide): Increase urination
- Anticholinergics (e.g., oxybutynin, tolterodine): Decrease urination, slow bowel movements
- Opioids (e.g., morphine, oxycodone): Slow bowel movements, decrease urination
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (e.g., ibuprofen, naproxen): Can cause GI irritation, potentially leading to diarrhea or constipation
- Antibiotics (e.g., amoxicillin, ciprofloxacin): Can disrupt gut bacteria, leading to diarrhea or constipation
- Metformin: Can cause diarrhea as a side effect
Allergies:
- Food allergies (e.g., milk, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, soy, wheat, fish, shellfish): Can cause gastrointestinal symptoms, including diarrhea or constipation
- Pollen-food allergy syndrome: Some fruits, vegetables, and nuts can cause GI symptoms if a person has a pollen
:
- High-fiber foods (e.g., fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes): Increase bowel movements
- Low-fiber foods (e.g., processed foods, white bread, white rice): Slow bowel movements
- Dairy products: Can cause constipation or diarrhea, especially in those with lactose intolerance
- Spicy foods: Can cause diarrhea
- Caffeine (e.g., coffee, tea, chocolate): Increases urination and can have a mild laxative effect
- Alcohol: Increases urination and can cause diarrhea
- Artificial sweeteners (e.g., sorbitol, xylitol): Can cause diarrhea, especially when consumed in large quantities
