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Why Do I Have Diarrhea So Often?
Experiencing frequent diarrhea can be distressing and disruptive to your daily life. It's a common concern that can happen due to various factors, some of which might be related to your diet, lifestyle, underlying health conditions, or even stress.
At Imperial Digestive Health Specialists PLLC in Katy, Texas, Dr. Oforbuike Ewelukwa and our team have the expertise to get to the root cause of this issue and help manage and, in many cases, alleviate this uncomfortable symptom.
Understanding the culprits
One of the primary triggers of frequent diarrhea is dietary choices. Certain foods and beverages, particularly those high in artificial sweeteners, spicy elements, caffeine, or excessive amounts of sugar alcohols, can act as irritants to your digestive system.
In addition, food intolerances or allergies, such as lactose intolerance or celiac disease, can prompt diarrhea as your body reacts adversely to specific substances.
Infections caused by bacteria, viruses, or parasites are also prevalent causes of diarrhea. Contaminated food or water, poor hygiene practices, and close contact with infected people can all contribute to these infections. They often lead to an inflammation of your gastrointestinal tract, resulting in diarrhea as your body attempts to expel the harmful pathogens.
Another significant factor contributing to frequent diarrhea is various gastrointestinal disorders. Causes of chronic diarrhea can include conditions, such as:
- Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
- Crohn's disease
- Ulcerative colitis
- Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs)
If you have any of these issues, they can cause inflammation and disturbances in the functioning of your digestive tract, which often requires a proper medical diagnosis and management for effective treatment.
Unexpected influencers
Stress and anxiety can surprisingly affect your bowel movements. The gut-brain connection plays a vital role in your digestive health, which means emotional stress can lead to changes in your gut motility and sensitivity, potentially causing diarrhea as a physical manifestation.
In addition, medication side effects are often overlooked culprits of diarrhea. Certain antibiotics, antacids containing magnesium, chemotherapy drugs, and other medications can disrupt the balance of your gut bacteria or irritate your intestines, resulting in diarrhea as a side effect.
The importance of medical attention
While occasional bouts of diarrhea may resolve on their own, persistent or severe cases warrant our medical attention. Chronic diarrhea can lead to dehydration, nutrient deficiencies, and overall weakness if left untreated.
We can help pinpoint the underlying cause and provide appropriate treatment or management strategies.
Making lifestyle modifications
Adopting lifestyle modifications can aid in managing frequent diarrhea, too. Maintaining a balanced diet, staying hydrated, managing stress through relaxation techniques, and avoiding triggers identified through trial and error can significantly reduce the occurrence of diarrhea episodes.
Navigating the causes of diarrhea
Understanding the potential triggers of diarrhea and seeking appropriate medical advice at our practice can help you effectively manage, minimize, and possibly even eliminate the impact of this bothersome gastrointestinal symptom on your daily life.
If you suffer from frequent bouts of diarrhea, call us today at 832-639-5725 or click here to schedule an appointment online now.
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