Stomach pain and diarrhea can take you by surprise. This is because there is a whole list of diseases and conditions of the body that can cause abdominal pain and diarrhea (often these symptoms “come” together). The article will explain in clear language the possible causes of your diarrhea and associated abdominal pain.
Infection
A viral infection might trigger abdominal pain and diarrhea. Diarrhea may arise from a bacterial or viral infection of the stomach and bowel, which physicians call gastroenteritis. People may get bacterial gastroenteritis by eating or drinking contaminated food or water. Symptoms usually occur within a couple of hours or days of consuming the polluted food People may likewise contract viral gastroenteritis, which some people call stomach flu, from somebody who has the infection. Symptoms generally go away without treatment after a couple of days in both cases. People can attempt home treatments, such as drinking a lot of fluids, resting, and taking over the counter medications to alleviate pain. Parasitic infections can also cause acute diarrhea and stomach pain. This type of infection frequently cleans up within a few weeks. Persistent outbreaks may require medical treatment.
Reactions to Food
Something an individual has actually eaten or intoxicated can potentially trigger diarrhea, stomach pain, and other kinds of stomach problems. Symptoms typically take place for short periods and will normally go away a couple of hours after eating. Diarrhea after eating may have causes including: unexpected changes in diet, consuming rich, fatty foods, food level of sensitivities, or celiac disease. More than 20 percent of people experience food level of sensitivities, according to some research. It is not constantly clear why diarrhea takes place after consuming. Keeping a food diary can help. Once people know which foods are causing the issue, they can resolve it. Solutions might consist of presenting new foods and dietary changes gradually, consuming less rich meals, and limiting or avoiding trigger foods. People with celiac disease will require to remove gluten from their diet completely.
Read also: Stomach pain after eating meat.
Indigestion and Overeating
Overeating can result in indigestion, diarrhea, and stomach ache because the gastrointestinal system has a hard time to deal with big amounts of food. Both adults and children can experience the negative effects of overeating, however children may be more likely to do so. This is since children can not always differentiate in between feeling hungry and feeling full.
To avoid overeating, people can:
- practice portion control and ration foods
- fill on high-fiber, low-calorie alternatives, such as vegetables
- take the time to chew food completely
Another valuable method is mindful consuming, which involves taking notice of the taste and texture of each bite of food. This includes avoiding diversions, such as tv, during mealtimes.
IBS
Persistent diarrhea can recommend a chronic condition, such as IBS. This condition does not harm the digestion tract but might trigger symptoms consisting of: diarrhea, stomach cramps, bloating, and gas. According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) about 12 percent of people in the United States have IBS. The majority are female.
There is no remedy, but people can handle their symptoms by: minimizing stress, making dietary changes, getting enough good quality sleep, drinking a lot of liquids, working out, taking supplements, and using medications.
Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) refers to a group of conditions that affect the bowel, consisting of Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), up to 1.3 million people in the United States have IBD. Symptoms include: diarrhea, tiredness, stomach pain, bloody stool, and weight loss. IBD may result in damage to the gastrointestinal tract, unlike IBS. It is therefore essential that people with the condition handle their symptoms.
Treatment aims to minimize the inflammation that causes bowel damage and digestive symptoms. Choices include medication, supplements, dietary changes, and surgery.
Stress
Stress and anxiety can promote bowel motions, which may lead to diarrhea. Stress may likewise contribute in the development of IBS or make symptoms even worse. There is a link between the brain and the gut, which may discuss why stress can lead to gastrointestinal problems. For instance, occupational stress may promote the gastric response. People can minimize stress by attempting: routine exercise, deep breathing methods. People must see a doctor or psychological health expert who can recommend medications, therapy, or a mix of both for persistent or serious stress.
Medications and Alcohol
Alcohol can hinder digestion and cause swallow pain, diarrhea, vomiting, or other symptoms. People should give up alcohol consumption to avoid these issues. Some medications can also trigger stomach issues, with lots of medications listing diarrhea as a negative effects. Drugs that might trigger diarrhea consist of: antacids consisting of magnesium, antibiotics, chemotherapy drugs, laxative overuse, metformin, which is a diabetes drug, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Diarrhea sometimes disappears after a few days of using a new medication as the body adjusts. If diarrhea persists for numerous days after starting a new drug, people ought to contact their doctor who might recommend an alternative.
Pregnancy
Pregnant people frequently experience diarrhea and other bowel changes, potentially due to hormonal and structural changes in the body. Changes in dietary habits and new food sensitivities can likewise cause diarrhea during pregnancy. Contact a medical professional for a check-up and advice if diarrhea continues for more than a couple of days during pregnancy.
Other Causes
Continuous or serious diarrhea can recommend a major medical issue, especially if blood exists.
Other possible causes of abdominal pain and diarrhea include:
- appendicitis
- certain types of cancer
- cystic fibrosis
- diseases that impact stomach organs
- fecal impaction
- intestinal blockage
How Does Doctor Detect the Cause
To determine the cause for abdominal pain and diarrhea, your doctor will first carry out a physical examination. They’ll also ask some questions about your health history and lifestyle. Traveling to certain nations might increase your dangers of digestion disease. Make certain to point out any current trips overseas. The physician will also ask questions about any current changes in your diet. Your doctor may carry out a stool culture, in which they’ll send a sample of your feces to a lab to check for bacteria, viruses, and parasites. If this shows up unfavorable, they may run a more total analysis of your feces to look for possible digestion conditions.
Other typical diagnostic tests consist of:
- Endoscopy: In an endoscopy, a doctor sends out a cam down your throat and into your stomach to look for problems, such as ulcers and signs of celiac disease.
- Colonoscopy: A colonoscopy involves sending out an electronic camera into the rectum and intestinal tracts to look for signs of damage and signs of disease, such as ulcers and polyps.
- Lower GI (gastrointestinal) tract radiography: In a lower GI tract radiography, a specialist will perform a real-time X-ray of the abdominal area. This happens after your medical professional injects a barium-based contrast material into the rectum to look for intestinal tract obstructions and other conditions.
Treatment
The type of medical treatment you’ll receive for your abdominal pain and diarrhea depends on the underlying condition triggering your symptoms. Treatments for some of the more common reasons for these symptoms include:
- antibiotics to treat bacterial infections, including food poisoning
- prescription allergy medications
- antidepressants to treat stress and stress and anxiety
- prescription non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to treat PMS
- anti-parasitic drugs to eliminate parasites
Home Remedies
It’s important for people experiencing stomach pain and diarrhea to remain hydrated. Drink lots of clear liquids, such as water, juice, and broth. Avoid caffeine and alcohol.
As bowel motions end up being more regular, consume small quantities of low-fiber, moderate foods. These types of foods include plain toast, rice, and eggs. Avoid spicy, high-fat, and high-fiber foods. They can worsen inflammation in the gastrointestinal system.
Probiotics might help your digestion system heal. Natural probiotics are found in foods such as yogurt. Probiotic supplements are also available.
Numerous non-prescription medications and herbal supplements can ease stomach pain and diarrhea brought on by infections or indigestion. Organic supplements that some individuals find useful consist of bilberry, ginger, lemon balm, and chamomile.
Seek advice from with a pharmacist or your doctor for advice on their usage. Always follow package guidelines when taking non-prescription medications.
