WHAT CAUSES DIARRHEA AFTER EATING?

Last reviewed Friday November 10th 2017

By Nicole Galan
Reviewed by Daniel Bubnis, MS, NASM-CPT, NASE Level II-CSS

Diarrhea is when someone has loose, watery stools or bowel movements. When this
occurs after eating, it is known as postprandial diarrhea. Postprandial diarrhea or PD can
happen quite unexpectedly. It can also cause discomfort or pain until a bowel movement
occurs. PD is relatively common, but it may be difficult to figure out what is causing it and
how to treat it. The reason for this is that PD can be a sign of a medical condition, or it can
just happen with no specific cause. Diarrhea is either acute or chronic, depending on how
long the symptoms last. Acute diarrhea lasts for only a couple of days or weeks. Chronic
diarrhea, on the other hand, can last for several weeks or months.
1. Causes Of Diarrhea

There are many different causes of PD or diarrhea after eating, depending on whether
it is acute or chronic.

Acute PD

Acute PD will usually resolve by itself, or with some medication. Chronic PD will require
medical attention. Acute diarrhea usually lasts for fewer than 14 days. It is either treated with
medicine or left to run its course. It can be caused by:

a. Infection
A viral infection, such as stomach flu, is the most common cause of acute diarrhea.
b. Food poisoning
Food or water that is contaminated by bacteria or other germs can cause diarrhea.
Eggs, poultry, soft cheeses, or raw foods are the most common culprits of this type of
infection and diarrhea.

c. Lactose intolerance
 Some people have an allergy to milk or are not able to digest lactose, which is the
sugar in milk. This means that if they drink or eat milk, it can cause diarrhea,
cramping, and gas.

d. Parasites
Some parasites, most commonly found in food, can cause acute diarrhea. The
symptoms tend to last until the parasite is identified and removed. These types of
parasites are not common in developed countries and are usually contracted while
traveling.
e. Toddler's diarrhea
Acute diarrhea is common in young children who drink a lot of sugary drinks, such as
fruit juice. The high amount of sugar causes water to enter the intestines, making the
stool more watery.
f. Antibiotics
Some antibiotics can cause a stomach upset and acute diarrhea. The symptoms tend to
resolve once the antibiotics are stopped.

Chronic PD

Chronic diarrhea is diarrhea that lasts for at least 4 weeks, with a minimum of three loose
or watery bowel movements each day. Potential causes of chronic diarrhea may include:

a. Irritable bowel syndrome

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a disorder of the large intestine, causing bloating,
cramping, and either constipation (IBS-C) or diarrhea (IBS-D). IBS is a relatively
common condition. Usually, it can be controlled with dietary changes, medication,
and stress management strategies.
b. Inflammatory bowel disease
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is an autoimmune disease, where the immune
system causes inflammation and irritability in the intestines. Crohn's disease and
ulcerative colitis are two examples of IBD. Both cause persistent diarrhea, cramping,
weight loss, and tiredness.

c. Endocrine disorders
Some hormonal disorders, such as hyperthyroidism and diabetes, can cause chronic
diarrhea, especially if there is nerve damage to the intestinal tract.
d. Celiac disease
 Celiac disease is an allergy or sensitivity to gluten, the protein found in wheat and
wheat products. People with this condition have diarrhea whenever they eat food that
contains wheat, barley, or rye.

2. Home care
Soup broth and over the counter medication may help to treat diarrhea. In most cases
of acute diarrhea, the symptoms go away over time and can be managed at home. Diarrhea
can lead to dehydration if the lost fluids are not replaced. People with mild to moderate
diarrhea can use the following to replace lost fluids:

 electrolyte-replacement solutions, such as Gatorade or Pedialyte

 watered-down apple juice

 ginger ale

 soup broth

It is important to use fluids that contain sugar and salt, to help replace lost electrolytes.
Someone with acute diarrhea should eat bland foods until their stomach is starting to feel
better. Bananas, rice, soup, and crackers are particularly easy to digest and can help to harden
stool. As long as there is no fever or blood in the stools, medications can be used to reduce
the frequency of loose stools. These will not cure the cause of diarrhea but can make someone
feel better and cut down the fluid loss.

Medications are available including:

 loperamide (Imodium)
 diphenoxylate-atropine (Lomotil)

 bismuth subsalicylate (Pepto-Bismol, or Kaopectate)

Hand-washing and other hygiene measures are crucial to prevent the spread of diarrhea if
it has been caused by an infection. This is because very young and very old people are
extremely prone to diarrhea and dehydration. Frequent hand-washing with soap and water or
an alcohol-based hand rub should be performed:
  after changing a diaper
 before and after preparing food or eating

 after going to the bathroom

 after touching any infectious material

3. When to see a doctor

People with diarrhea that does not improve with home measures or within 48 hours
should see their doctor. Someone with diarrhea in addition to any of the following symptoms
should be seen promptly:

 signs of dehydration, such as dry mouth, cramps, thirst, dark-colored urine, dizziness,
not urinating, or confusion
 signs of bleeding, such as bloody or black diarrhea, or stools that contain blood or
mucus

 a high temperature

 severe stomach pain

Any of these symptoms may mean going to the emergency department, especially if there are
signs of acute bleeding after the doctor's office is closed. A doctor will take a thorough
history, do a physical exam, and may order additional diagnostic tests. Once the cause of the
diarrhea is found, the appropriate treatment can begin.

4. Treatment

Inking plenty of fluids and resting may help the diarrhea to pass quicker, and may ease
the symptoms. Treatment of diarrhea, whether it is acute or chronic, depends on its cause. If
an infection is to blame, medication may help. Sometimes rest, fluids, and time are all that is
needed. If diarrhea is caused by a specific food or substance, such as lactose or gluten, it is
important to avoid those triggers in the future. Chronic diarrhea caused by IBD or IBS may
require the use of medication to control the immune system or inflammatory reaction.
5. Prevention
 Not all kinds of diarrhea are preventable. Hand hygiene and avoiding offending foods
can go a long way toward preventing some causes of diarrhea. Two forms of diarrhea can be
prevented. Rotavirus is a virus that causes diarrhea in young children. Most babies are
vaccinated against the virus during infancy. Only eating well-cooked food or drinking
purified water while traveling can prevent traveler's diarrhea, which results from exposure to
contaminated water or foods.

6. Outlook

In most cases, acute diarrhea is quickly cleared up once the cause is identified and
treated. While chronic diarrhea may have a more distinct medical cause, like IBD, the outlook
is still good. With some lifestyle changes and medication, if necessary, chronic diarrhea can
be controlled and treated.

THE SUMMARY
 Diarrhea is when someone has loose, watery stools or bowel movements. When this
occurs after eating. There are many different causes of PD or diarrhea after eating, depending
on whether it is acute or chronic. It can be caused by: infection, food poisoning, lactose
intolerance, parasites, toddler's diarrhea, antibiotics. An the other is Chronic PD. it caused
by: Irritable bowel syndrome, Inflammatory bowel disease, Endocrine disorders, Celiac
disease. Treatment of diarrhea, whether it is acute or chronic, depends on its cause. If an
infection is to blame, medication may help. Sometimes rest, fluids, and time are all that is
needed. The prevention of Diarrhea is Hand hygiene and avoiding offending foods can go a
long way toward preventing some causes of diarrhea.