Loose stool Introduction

Loose stool is usually a form of diarrhea and many conditions causing loose stool will be listed under diarrhea. It may also be related to watery stool (also within the spectrum of diarrhea). Medically, the definition of diarrhea usually includes loose stool or watery stool, and similarly, hard stool is really a form of constipation.

Understand that there are two broad types of loose stool: acute and chronic. Acute loose stool is a temporary symptom, arising suddenly and lasting for up to a few weeks. Chronic loose stool, on the other hand, is continuous and does not go away without medical attention. If your have loose stools for over a week, you should probably see a doctor.

What Causes Loose Stools?

Most loose stools have a very common cause. Usually, symptoms appear after eating certain foods or by having a bad diet. Dietary sugar intake can increase the water content of stool, causing diarrhea. The small intestine has a limited capacity to digest certain types of sugars called sugar alcohols, which include xylitol, sorbitol, mannitol, lactitol, isomalt and maltitol. Yale–New Haven Hospital cautions that ingesting large quantities of sugar alcohols often leads to transient diarrhea. Bowel infections caused by viruses, bacteria and certain parasites frequently cause loose stools. Viral gastroenteritis, an inflammation of the stomach and intestines, is a common cause of episodic diarrhea.

Disease processes that interfere with the breakdown of consumed foods or the absorption of nutrients by the intestine are collectively termed malabsorption disorders. These conditions typically cause loose stools. Decreased production or release of pancreatic digestive juices causes malabsorption owing to impaired breakdown of dietary fats, starches and proteins.

How to Treat Loose Stool?

First, we must understand that there are two kinds of loose stool. Acute loose stool, the most common, is temporary. It usually comes on suddenly and can last for up to a few weeks. Chronic loose stool, on the other hand, is more serious. It may last much longer than a few weeks and is continunous. Chronic loose stool does not go away without medical attention, and may be a sign of a more serious underlying cause. If your loost stools last for more than a few weeks, you should see a doctor for medical attention.

Second, we must understand what loose stool is. People often mix up loose stools, sometimes also called diahrrea, with the more common soft, smelly stools. The latter is the type that may stick to the sides of your toilet bowl, or float. This may be an indictation of excess fat in the stools, a condition called steatorrhea. To learn how to treat this condition, please see the link in the resources section.

Think, “Loose stool is such a BRAT!” You should eat the BRAT foods. They are Bananas, Rice, Applesauce, Toast.

There are also many alternative remedies for loose stools. One of the most popular is from Chinese medicine, which says that loose stools are caused by a spleen qi deficiency. Spleen Qi deficiency is supposedly brought around from excessive stress and restlessness.

What Is Diarrhea?

Diarrhea is loose, watery, and frequent stool. Diarrhea is considered chronic (long-term) when you have had loose or frequent stools for more than 4 weeks. Diarrhea is the frequent passing of loose or watery stools. Acute diarrhea, which is a common cause of death in developing countries, appears rapidly and may last from five to ten days. Chronic diarrhea lasts much longer and is the second cause of childhood death in the developing world. Diarrhea is sometimes accompanied by abdominal cramps or fever. It may be caused by infection, allergy, or could be a sign of a serious disorder, such as IBD (inflammatory bowel disease), or Crohn’s disease.

What Causes Diarrhea?

The most common cause of diarrhea is viral gastroenteritis, a mild viral infection that goes away on its own within a few days. This condition is often called the stomach flu. Viral gastroenteritis often occurs in mini-epidemics in schools, neighborhoods, or families.

Food poisoning and traveler’s diarrhea are two other common causes of diarrhea. They occur as a result of eating food or drinking water contaminated with bacteria or parasites.

Medications, especially antibiotics, laxatives containing magnesium, and chemotherapy for cancer treatment, can also cause diarrhea.

How to Stop Diarrhea?

Antibiotics may help treat diarrhea caused by bacteria or parasites. If a virus is causing your diarrhea, antibiotics won’t help. Avoid diarrhea medications, unless the doctor tells you to take them. The function of diarrhea is to rid the body of bad bugs. Often the only way to get better is to suffer through the loose stools.

Avoid dehydration. Drink lots of clear fluid — no alcohol or caffeine. Milk will usually prolong diarrhea, but it might help provide nutrients for folks with very mild cases. For moderate to severe cases, use an electrolyte solution like Gatorade or Pedialyte. Eat probiotic yogurt. These active cultures can ease the symptoms of some types of diarrhea and shorten their duration. Try the BRAT diet: bananas, rice, apples or applesauce, and dry toast. This diet is often suggested for kids, but adults can eat it as well. It’s not necessary to restrict kids or adults to this diet, but adding these foods may help shorten episodes of diarrhea.

If your diarrhea is caused by a more serious disease or condition, such as inflammatory bowel disease, your doctor will work to control that condition. You may be referred to a specialist, such as a gastroenterologist, who can help devise a treatment plan for you.