It turns out your runs serve a purpose. Diarrhea is one of the least pleasant parts of dealing with a stomach bug. But according to a new Brigham and Women's Hospital study published in Cell Host and Microbe, it's a blessing in disguise: You're essentially pooping out the bacteria that made you sick.
While it may be wildly unpleasant, diarrhea may actually serve a vital function in your body by helping it clear out illnesses that are making you sick. First, some basics: Diarrhea happens when you get extra water in your poop.
Viral and bacterial infections (think: everything from the flu to E. coli) can cause excessive pooping and diarrhea, says Dr. Staller. While this is normal, if you have bloody poop or a fever with it, you should get it checked out.
Most of the time, diarrhea is simply your gut's way of getting rid of a harmful invader, like a bacteria or virus.
The average person's colon can often hold 8 to 25 lbs of accumulated fecal matter. In 1914, 57 of the world's leading physicians met at a health conference where they concluded that every organ of the body is affected by reabsorbed poisons from the colon which result in many forms of illness.
For some people removing all of your clothing before pooping may seem strange but for many others, it is completely natural and normal. First of all, you are not alone. There are other people who prefer to have a bowel movement in the nude.
Your Colon Is Never Empty
Many people believe they have emptied out their colons after multiple episodes of diarrhea or that they can keep their colons empty by avoiding food. However, since stool is made up in large part of bacteria, fecal matter is continuously being formed. Stool is made up of: Bacteria.
Stay hydrated.
Water, juice, clear broth or warm lemon water with honey helps loosen congestion and prevents dehydration. Avoid alcohol, coffee and caffeinated sodas, which can make dehydration worse.
Cold and flu symptoms such as a blocked nose or cough usually subside after 7-10 days and the absence of these things is quite an obvious indication that you are on the mend.
A meta-analysis of more than 18,000 COVID patients from 43 different studies found diarrhea to be the most common gastrointestinal symptom, affecting 11.5 percent of patients.
If you're looking for relief from tummy trouble, you may want to consider trying helpful bacteria and yeast called probiotics. Millions of friendly bacteria live in your intestines, and they're important for your digestion. But diarrhea can throw the microbes in your gut off balance.
Eating fruits and vegetables that are high in vitamin C is a smart move. Vitamin C boosts your immune system, which is how your body naturally fights off infection. If you're feeling nauseous, following the BRAT diet – bananas, rice, apples and toast – may be your preference.
Since you'll be hydrating more when you're sick, your bladder will fill up faster, so voiding more frequently can fight the sudden urge to urinate and accidents when your bladder fills up too quickly.
Unintended weight loss can sometimes result from persistent or chronic diarrhea—aka diarrhea that lasts for more than two weeks—but it's not something to aspire to. The weight loss you see after a couple of days of diarrhea is usually caused by losing lots of fluids (dehydration), and not by a reduction in fat tissue.
Make toast.
White bread is better because the flavor is milder and there is less fiber and will help firm up your stools. Avoid putting butter and sugary jams on your toast. Butter is high in fat and sugary jams can make your stomach worse.
Watery diarrhea is commonly caused by a viral infection or food poisoning from eating undercooked meat or rotten foods. It can be serious if it causes dehydration. Keep an eye out for blood in the stool, and be sure to drink water and fluids with electrolytes.
Whether you're dealing with the common cold, the flu or a stomach bug, you've probably noticed that your symptoms feel worse at night. You're not imagining things. Research suggests that your body's circadian rhythms—as well as some other factors—can exacerbate your symptoms after sundown.
There is no real cure for a stomach bug (viral gastroenteritis) because it is caused by a virus. Most people don't need medical treatment and symptoms will go away on their own within a few days, though in some people symptoms may last up to 10 days.
Stomach viruses are often mild and go away on their own in 1 to 3 days. Babies, older adults, or people who have low immune systems should see the doctor right away. This can help prevent their infection from getting worse.
Do you ever begin sweating and feeling like you are going to pass out while pooping, or do you feel like you will pass out at the sight of blood? It's possible that your vagus nerve is causing this sensation and triggering your body's vasovagal reflex, or vasovagal response.
Yes, the primary molecules that you smell from stools are methanethiol and hydrogen sulfide gas created by the bacteria present in the colon and they can stick to your skin, your clothing, and be ingested through inhalation and absorption through your mucus membranes.