Causes of diarrhea in the morning, from lifestyle to illness

Diarrhea in the morning is very disturbing. Whether it's a moment after waking up, your stomach feels churned or you even wake up from sleep because of an unbearable heartburn. The problem is, you definitely need more time in the bathroom than usual, which can make you late for work. Then, what exactly causes diarrhea in the morning? The following is the review.

Various causes of diarrhea in the morning

The causes of diarrhea in the morning vary widely, from temporary conditions to signs of chronic health conditions. Here are some common reasons why someone can experience diarrhea in the morning.

Unhealthy lifestyle

1. Smoking

Smoking habits at night before you go to sleep or just after waking up can be the cause of the diarrhea you feel. This is because the nicotine in cigarettes can make the stool more watery and trigger stomach contractions.

2. Drinking too much alcohol

The habit of drinking alcohol to excess can also cause watery stools. If you drink alcohol at night before going to bed, don't be surprised if the next day when you wake up you experience diarrhea.

3. Snacking midnight

If you wake up at night for just that snacking, You can also experience diarrhea the next morning. This also applies to those of you who are accustomed to eating snacks before bed.

4. Consuming too much caffeine

It is fairly common that caffeine can increase bowel movements. So, consuming too much coffee and other drinks that contain caffeine can make you go back and forth to the bathroom in the morning.

5. Eat breakfast in large portions

If you are accustomed to breakfast not long after waking up, especially in large portions, your stomach will feel a shock which will end with diarrhea.

Other causes are temporary

1. Dehydration

Dehydration affects the electrolyte balance in the body. Electrolytes control how cell membranes work and transport electrical signals that cause muscles to contract. As a result, if there are too few electrolytes in the body, the intestinal muscles can be stimulated, causing diarrhea.

2. Pregnancy

Pregnant women are more likely to experience diarrhea in the morning as the body responds to changes in hormone levels.

3. Viruses

The presence of certain viruses such as influenza in the body can cause the intestines to contract and eventually cause diarrhea.

4. Food poisoning

Diarrhea in the morning can occur as a result of the night before you eat expired food that has been contaminated by bacteria. Salmonella is a common bacterial infection that can cause diarrhea in the morning and usually develops after you eat contaminated food or water.

5. Stress

The intestines can become aroused when a person experiences stress or symptoms of anxiety. So if you wake up in the morning feeling stressed, it is not impossible that you can experience diarrhea.

Health problems that are usually long term

1. Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)

This condition is also known as irritable bowel, which indicates a disturbance in your large intestine. Usually this condition is triggered by a stressful state. Apart from diarrhea, IBS is usually accompanied by other symptoms such as flatulence, gas, constipation, stomach cramps, and mucus stools.

2.Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)

This term is used to describe several chronic intestinal disorders such as Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. Both of these conditions are characterized by inflammation of the digestive tract.

The inflammation usually spreads from the digestive tract to the surrounding tissue and causes sores along the lining of the large intestine. Other symptoms that usually appear besides diarrhea in the morning include stomach pain, drastic weight loss, and fatigue. The diarrhea that occurs in this disease can be accompanied by blood.

3. Allergies

Eating allergenic foods such as nuts, wheat, eggs, and milk can cause irritation of the intestines which is the cause of diarrhea.

Overcoming diarrhea in the morning

Overcoming diarrhea that occurs early in the morning can be adjusted according to the cause. When you realize that the cause of the upset in your stomach is due to a series of unhealthy lifestyles then you need to make some changes to stop it.

Then, if allergies are one of the causes, you need to be even more careful in choosing the foods you consume. The reason is that some people do not realize that they are allergic or sensitive to certain food groups. However, if the cause is IBS or IBD, this is a sign that you need to consult a doctor to get the best treatment.

Anyone who thinks IBS or IBD is the reason for his morning diarrhea should see a doctor immediately for an accurate diagnosis. Usually, to treat the symptoms of IBS, doctors will prescribe antidepressants (because they are often triggered by stress) and anticholinergics (reducing spasms in the intestinal muscles) and anti-diarrheal drugs.

To treat IBD, doctors will usually give anti-inflammatory drugs in the intestine which include corticosteroids, aminosalicylates, and immunosuppressant drugs. A 2017 study cited by Medical News Today found that an autoimmune protocol (AIP) diet, which is done by sorting certain foods in your menu can help control IBD symptoms.