Invariably, the minute you’re far from a bathroom, in the middle of an important business meeting, or out on a date, that familiar rumble starts in your gut and you urgently need to find a bathroom. Perhaps the stress of those inconvenient times and the fear of an IBS episode are part of what makes diarrhea strike just at that moment — or maybe it’s related to something in your diet. If you are living with diarrhea-predominant IBS, there are ways to manage your symptoms.
What Causes IBS Diarrhea?
IBS can cause a number of different symptoms, including diarrhea, constipation, abdominal pain, cramping, and gas. These symptoms can occur individually, together, or alternate. People whose primary IBS symptom is diarrhea — a sudden, urgent need to have a bowel movement that results in loose and watery stools — have what’s called diarrhea-predominant IBS, or IBS-D. Doctors don’t understand what causes diarrhea to occur in IBS patients, but some people notice that diarrhea strikes when they feel stressed or anxious. Others notice a pattern of diarrhea following certain foods, like dairy. “Generally [IBS patients] need to see if there are any food triggers that aggravate diarrhea. If dairy products tend to aggravate or trigger their symptoms, they may have associated lactose intolerance, and so dairy products may need to be avoided,” says Norman Gilinsky, MD, a gastroenterologist and a professor of medicine in the division of digestive diseases at the University of Cincinnati in Ohio. A growing body of evidence suggests FODMAPs, or fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides, and polyols, may also be culprits. These foods result in an increased volume of liquid and gas in both the small and large intestine, leading to GI distress like abdominal pain, bloating, and gas. Avoiding foods high in FODMAPs can help relieve IBS symptoms. Foods high in FODMAPs that may trigger IBS include:
Fruits like apples, peaches, pears, and watermelonVegetables including onions, garlic, beets, and Brussels sproutsGrains like barley, wheat, and ryeDairyLegumesArtificial sweeteners
If you notice that your diarrhea episodes seem to always occur around stressful situations, the stress that your body feels could be what’s triggering your gut to react. “If they recognize certain stress situations will produce diarrhea — and we can’t avoid stress in what we do these days — it may be reasonable to take an Imodium ahead of time. If someone is going to take part in a meeting that may be stressful and knows that they are likely to have diarrhea and cramps, an antidiarrheal ahead of time could be very useful,” says Dr. Gilinsky. RELATED: 11 Foods to Avoid When You’re Having Digestive Problems
7 Ways to Manage IBS Diarrhea
No matter the cause of your IBS, there are ways to manage your symptoms to keep it from interrupting your life once, twice, or 10 times a day. Here are some suggestions to help you manage your diarrhea caused by IBS: There are many different ways to try to control your diarrhea caused by IBS. It may take some time and a combination of methods, but keep trying. You don’t have to spend your life near a bathroom — you just have to figure out what works for your body.
