If you’re reading this article, it’s probably because you’ve recently been struggling with diarrhea. Maybe you had about a few days ago and since then your stomach has been in turmoil. You can’t seem to get the scent of that disgusting food out of your mouth. And even though you know that eating only soft, well-cooked foods will keep your digestive system running smoothly, the smell makes you gag. To avoid this from happening again, you’re checking up on what could be causing diarrhea and whether there are any steps you can take to prevent it from coming back again. However, before we proceed any further, let’s address one question that has probably crossed your mind: Why does not eating cause diarrhea?
Why Does Not Eating Cause Diarrhea?
There are a few potential reasons why not eating might cause diarrhea. One possibility is that bowel movements become more frequent and watery as a result of a lack of fiber. Not eating also might lead to a deficiency in certain vitamins or minerals, which could trigger diarrhea. Finally, inadequate hydration may also lead to diarrhea. If you experience diarrhea after not eating, drink plenty of fluids and increase the amount of fiber you consume.
What Is Diarrhea?
- Diarrhea is the passing of loose or watery bowel movements. It can be mild but it is also possible to experience bouts of very severe diarrhea.
- The normal consistency of bowel movements is like toothpaste being squeezed out of a tube. This consistency changes for everybody but diarrhea typically involves the passing out of runny, watery stool that may often contain blood as well. The amount may vary from person to person and from time to time with some people needing to use the bathroom immediately after passing stool while others manage with several hours between movements.
- Diarrhea is considered a symptom rather than a disease in itself because it does not have any physical symptoms other than the loose and watery stool which usually comes out in bulk and you can easily know that this condition has taken place if you check your underwear and find out that it’s got brown or red stains on it when there are no food bits in it at all (and if there are, they were consumed long before).
- Diarrhea is sometimes accompanied by abdominal pain because the quick movement of stools can put pressure on rectal muscles and cause them to tense. Other symptoms may include bloating, gas, loss of appetite, and nausea. While not necessarily a symptom, one could experience dizziness when changing positions becomes difficult because of dehydration.
- Diarrhea can be categorized into two – acute diarrhea which lasts for less than two weeks and chronic diarrhea which lasts for more than two weeks.
Causes Of Diarrhea
- Diarrhea is caused by the presence of pathogens in the gut. The most common pathogen causing diarrhea is E. coli, which is often responsible for the condition in young children.
- Other causes include viruses (e.g., rotavirus) and parasites (e.g., Giardia lamblia).
- In some cases, diarrhea can be caused by food poisonings such as from contaminated water or food or from eating undercooked meat or raw shellfish.
- Some people who have a weakened immune system may experience diarrhea due to the presence of pathogens in their gut which can be caused by some drugs (e.g., steroids) and some diseases (e.g., HIV, hepatitis C).
- Other causes include food intolerances, intestinal parasites, lactose intolerance, food poisoning, and hormonal changes that can cause diarrhea or other symptoms such as weight changes in menopause.
- Some people experience diarrhea due to an eating disorder such as anorexia nervosa or bulimia nervosa where the person is not able to properly digest their food properly and ingest it again so it does not get absorbed by their body properly.
Diagnosis Of Diarrhea
- The diagnosis is made by taking stool samples which are then examined under a microscope for the presence of “E. coli” bacteria and other pathogens. The presence of blood in the stool may also indicate that this condition is more serious than mere diarrhea and warrants further investigation by a doctor or other healthcare professional who will take blood samples for analysis to check for other conditions such as viruses and parasites that can cause vomiting and diarrhea at the same time.
- If you have no history of any illnesses that might have caused this condition you should still see your doctor if you have been experiencing loose stools for more than two weeks because it could be caused by several different factors including intestinal parasites, intestinal blockage (e.g., from constipation), inflammatory bowel disease or cancer.
- Your doctor may also recommend that you take a stool sample to check for parasites or other pathogens in the gut.
- If the cause of diarrhea is due to food poisoning then it can be treated with an anti-diarrheal medication such as loperamide (Imodium).
- If you have frequent diarrhea which lasts for more than two weeks then your doctor may check your liver function and stomach function by taking a blood test and some other tests such as x-rays of your abdomen to see if there are any problems with the lining of your intestines which could be causing this condition.
Ways To Prevent Diarrhea From Occurring
- Drink plenty of water. Don’t forget to drink enough water to make it through the whole day.
- Avoid eating foods that cause loose stools. Foods such as onions and garlic, eggplant, tomatoes, and bananas are known to cause diarrhea.
- Eat a diet rich in fiber-rich foods such as whole grains, fruits, vegetables and beans. Diarrhea is caused by a lack of fiber in the diet which can lead to dehydration and constipation which can also lead to diarrhea problems.
- Eat smaller meals more frequently throughout the day if you are constantly feeling thirsty or having loose stools, this can help prevent constipation issues that can lead to diarrhea problems too!
- Drink plenty of water when you wake up in the morning especially if you have been having frequent bowel movements during the night time which may be an indication that you have not been drinking enough water during your sleep time .
- Have your doctor check for any digestive disorders like colitis or ulcerative colitis before they get worse because they do cause some symptoms similar to those of diarrhea as well!
Conclusion
If you’ve just been diagnosed with diarrhea or know someone who has, you’ll want to get to the bottom of what causes it. While there are a few factors that can cause this annoying condition, the main one is not eating enough dietary fiber, which can be found in whole, unprocessed foods. And while it’s essential to include an adequate amount of fiber in your diet, it’s important to remember that you don’t have to eat fiber-rich foods like whole-wheat bread or beans with every meal. If you follow the above tips and make sure you are eating the right foods, you should be able to prevent your next bout of diarrhea.
FAQ About Diarrhea
“What does diarrhea mean? Will alcohol make me get it?”
Answer: No, alcohol does not cause diarrhea. The symptoms can be very similar to each other, and include the feeling of a bloated stomach and frequent solid, watery poo. It is especially more likely for children to get constipation, which also can lead to watery poo
“What are some symptoms of bacteria in your poo?”
Answer: Bloated stomach from concentrated poop + mucus + sometimes blood. Shitting needs to wait at it occurs. Up to 8 hours or longer as food settles in large intestine and then travels through Intestines are hollow tube – do they not see the stool during passage?? Mucus prevent lot’s of air getting through then stays stagnating in pic so looks like black berry stock when passed
“What do I eat when I have a case of diarrhea?”
Answer: There are two types of foods that help patients with diarrhea: slippery elm (Tilia Americana = American Balsam; Tilia europaea = European Balsam) capsules or herbs used during infection (http://dermnetnz.org/)or soluble fiber don’t need water soluble fiber from digestion doesn’t stay in digested form only excreted form<br> insoluble fibers absorb water – need for more fluids. Choose more fruits high in insoluble fiber by these high where fruit fiber count.
