Dope Entrepreneurs
  • Research
  • News
  • Articles
  • Reviews
No Result
View All Result
  • Research
  • News
  • Articles
  • Reviews
No Result
View All Result
Dope Entrepreneurs
No Result
View All Result
Home Articles

Why Does Diarrhea Hurt?

What makes diarrhea hurt so bad?

hplictawa@gmail.com' by Editorial Team
June 6, 2022
in Articles
1
Why Does Diarrhea Hurt?
2.8k
SHARES
6.3k
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare On Whatsapp

Medically reviewed by Onikepe Adegbola, MD, PhD 

Why Does Diarrhea Hurt?
Image by Jonathan Borba from Unsplash

If you are having a severe case of diarrhea and are concerned that it could be due to something more serious, take a deep breath and relax. Though a painful and unpleasant experience, it is a common occurrence that will pass in a few hours or days. However, if your condition is severe or lasts longer than a day or two, you should consult a doctor right away. This article will explain why diarrhea causes pain. 

Why does diarrhea hurt?

There are several reasons why you might have painful diarrhea. Some of them are described below.

ADVERTISEMENT

Incomplete digestive process: Food enters the stomach after you devour the taste of the meal on your tongue. Afterward, stomach acids and digestion enzymes are released and come into contact with the food to break it down. 

During diarrhea, your digestion speeds up, resulting in food not being properly digested. As a result, stomach acids and digestive enzymes persist, causing tissue damage and causing your rectum to burn when you have a bowel movement.

Consumption of spicy foods: Another factor that causes painful diarrhea is the consumption of spicy meals. When some ingredients in spicy foods come into contact with bodily tissues, they can induce a burning sensation. 

Capsaicin, for example, can irritate gut tracts and cause diarrhea. Its effect was established in the study titled “Capsaicin, the spicy ingredient of chili peppers: Effects on gastrointestinal tract and composition of gut microbiota at various dosages,” published in MDPI Foods in March 2022. 

You now know that diarrhea hastens digestion and that when capsaicin remains undigested in the body, it can cause painful bowel movements.

Injury: Some food substances may not be completely broken down by your body. When these leave your body, they might cause minor injuries and cuts to the rectum’s soft tissues. Furthermore, after passing the stool, you may wipe harder than usual without realizing that this can cause pain.

Associated conditions 

Several health issues can make you more susceptible to painful diarrhea, as described below.

  • Smoking cigarettes

Cigarettes include nicotine, which can cause loose stools that hurt. Diarrhea can occur if a smoker takes a puff late at night or first thing in the morning. Excessive smoking before bedtime can also cause burning diarrhea.

  • Excess alcohol intake

If you drink too much alcohol, you may get loose stools. Diarrhea might be caused by drinking too much alcohol the night before. The alcohol may irritate the gastrointestinal tract, resulting in painful loose stools.

  • Taking medication

Painful diarrhea is a common side effect of prescription and over-the-counter drugs. Antibiotic medications might cause diarrhea that hurts, according to a study. 

The study titled “Acute diarrhea in adults” was published in the American Family Physician journal in 2014. Antibiotics can cause diarrhea by disrupting the gut’s natural microbiome balance. This could lead to bacterial overgrowth or infection by toxin-producing bacteria. Antibiotic-associated diarrhea may necessitate medical attention.

  • Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)

One of the most common causes of painful diarrhea is irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Although certain foods and psychological stress may be triggers, the exact cause of IBS is unknown.

People with IBS with diarrhea have an average of 200 episodes of gas and diarrhea each year. 

Painful diarrhea can be due to the following conditions:

  • Crohn’s disease 
  • Celiac disease 
  • Ulcerative colitis

 

  • Hemorrhoids

Swollen veins in the lower rectum or surrounding the anus are known as hemorrhoids. Hemorrhoids can get irritated and swollen due to diarrhea, resulting in a burning, unpleasant sensation.

  • Diabetes

Metformin, a medicine used to treat type 2 diabetes, is known to cause diarrhea as a side effect. According to a study, about 10% of persons who take metformin report gastrointestinal adverse effects. 

The study titled “Severity of gastrointestinal side effects of metformin tablet compared to metformin capsule in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients” was published in the Journal of Research in Pharmacy Practice in 2017. Diarrhea is one of the side effects, according to this research.

  • Food intolerances or allergies

People who eat items to which they are allergic or sensitive may experience stomach pain and diarrhea in the morning. Common food allergens include peanuts, wheat, egg, dairy, and fruit. 

The small intestine triggers an increased immune response when it detects a molecule or substance to which it is allergic. Also, a sign of lactose intolerance is diarrhea. 

Lactose intolerance is caused by a lack of the enzyme needed to digest the proteins in cow’s milk. A study titled “Update on lactose malabsorption and intolerance: Pathogenesis, diagnosis, and clinical management” was published in BMJ Journals that supported this theory.

  • Food poisoning 

Painful diarrhea is a symptom of nearly every type of food poisoning. This can be caused by eating food that has gone bad or being infected by bacteria. 

Food poisoning symptoms can continue for days, weeks, or even months. If it extends longer, it can increase the risk of irritation from more frequent wiping after going to the toilet. The majority of bacterial and parasite infections necessitate medical attention.

  • Surgical or medicinal treatments

According to the American Cancer Society, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and other cancer treatments can all produce diarrhea. An article titled “Diarrhoea” was published by the American Cancer Society. This symptom can also be due to tumor growth. 

Diarrhea caused by cancer treatment might linger up to three weeks after the treatment is completed. It can be a side effect of surgeries involving the gastrointestinal system.

How to manage painful diarrhea

Avoiding certain foods and habits that cause painful diarrhea is the best way to manage it. 

  • Spicy foods are likely to be the source of your discomfort. Try to stay away from such items and instead go for milder alternatives.
  • When wiping up after a bowel movement, be soft, and cleanse the area with lukewarm water.
  • Limit your intake of alcohol and caffeinated beverages, as these can dehydrate you.
  • Refrain from smoking.
  • Limit your intake of high-sugar foods.
  • The only way to prevent diarrhea caused by food allergies or lactose intolerance is to avoid the foods that induce symptoms.

When to call the doctor

It is a good idea to see a doctor if you have been experiencing painful diarrhea for longer than a week. High temperature, nausea and vomiting, confusion, difficulty speaking, eyesight issues, rapid heart rate, and seizures are all symptoms that need immediate medical attention. 

Viruses, food reactions, drugs, stress, alcohol consumption, and IBS are the most common causes of painful diarrhea. Some other reasons are gut health problems, including cystic fibrosis, appendicitis, and intestinal obstructions. It is best to be safe and visit a doctor if you experience chronic symptoms of painful diarrhea.

Conclusion

It is not normal if you have diarrhea daily. Changes in your diet, medications, and lifestyle modifications can assist if the cause is a chronic illness like IBS. Work with your doctor and let them know if your health changes. Remember that the best method to treat your gut troubles is to address them.

References

Culpepper, T., Christman, M. C., Nieves, C., Jr, Specht, G. J., Rowe, C. C., Spaiser, S. J., Ford, A. L., Dahl, W. J., Girard, S. A., & Langkamp-Henken, B. (2016). Bifidobacterium bifidum R0071 decreases stress-associated diarrhea-related symptoms and self-reported stress: a secondary analysis of a randomized trial. Beneficial Microbes, 7(3), 327–336. https://doi.org/10.3920/BM2015.0156

Diarrhea. (n.d.). Cancer.Org. Retrieved June 3, 2022, from https://www.cancer.org/treatment/treatments-and-side-effects/physical-side-effects/stool-or-urine-changes/diarrhea.html

Döller, P. C. (1999). Traveler’s diarrhea. Medizinische Monatsschrift für Pharmazeuten, 22(7), 205–210. https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/page/travelers-diarrhea

Misselwitz, B., Butter, M., Verbeke, K., & Fox, M. R. (2019). Update on lactose malabsorption and intolerance: pathogenesis, diagnosis and clinical management. Gut, 68(11), 2080–2091. https://doi.org/10.1136/gutjnl-2019-318404

Rodak, K., Kokot, I., & Kratz, E. M. (2021). Caffeine as a factor influencing the functioning of the human body-friend or foe? Nutrients, 13(9), 3088. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu13093088

Roohafza, H., Bidaki, E. Z., Hasanzadeh-Keshteli, A., Daghaghzade, H., Afshar, H., & Adibi, P. (2016). Anxiety, depression, and distress among irritable bowel syndrome and their subtypes: An epidemiological population-based study. Advanced Biomedical Research, 5(1), 183. https://doi.org/10.4103/2277-9175.19093

Siavash, M., Tabbakhian, M., Sabzghabaee, A. M., & Razavi, N. (2017). The severity of gastrointestinal side effects of metformin tablet compared to metformin capsule in Type 2 diabetes mellitus patients. Journal of Research in Pharmacy Practice, 6(2), 73–76. https://doi.org/10.4103/jrpp.JRPP_17_2

Subtypes of IBS. (2022, April 1). About IBS. https://aboutibs.org/signs-and-symptoms/subtypes-of-ibs/

Xiang, Q., Tang, X., Cui, S., Zhang, Q., Liu, X., Zhao, J., Zhang, H., Mao, B., & Chen, W. (2022). Capsaicin, the spicy ingredient of chili peppers: Effects on gastrointestinal tract and composition of gut Microbiota at various dosages. Foods (Basel, Switzerland), 11(5), 686. https://doi.org/10.3390/foods11050686

Tags: diarrheahurtpain
hplictawa@gmail.com'

Editorial Team

Related Posts

Can Coffee Trigger IBS?
Articles

Can Coffee Trigger IBS?

February 22, 2023
Deficiency in Vitamin D And Its Link to Inflammation
Articles

Deficiency in Vitamin D And Its Link to Inflammation

September 23, 2022
Taking A Better Look At Oatmeal And How It Can Improve Your Health
Articles

Taking A Better Look At Oatmeal And How It Can Improve Your Health

September 22, 2022
Next Post
What Soups Can I Eat With Diverticulitis?

What Soups Can I Eat With Diverticulitis?

How To Soothe A Sore Bum From Diarrhea?

How To Soothe A Sore Bum From Diarrhea?

Why Does Coffee Give Me Diarrhea?

Why Does Coffee Give Me Diarrhea?

Comments 1

  1. Pingback: Why Does Coffee Give Me Diarrhea? - Dope Entrepreneurs

Follow Us

  • 9.9k Followers

Recommended

Study Confirms a Direct Relationship of Gut Microbiota with the Brain

Study Confirms A Direct Relationship Of Gut Microbiota With The Brain

3 years ago
Brief Comparison of Effective IBS Treatments

Brief Comparison of Effective IBS Treatments

3 years ago
Gut Virome Can Treat Intestinal And Immunological Diseases

Gut Virome Can Treat Intestinal And Immunological Diseases

3 years ago
Dietary Choices Are Influenced By Gut Microbiota

Dietary Choices Are Influenced By Gut Microbiota

3 years ago

Categories

  • Articles
  • General
  • News
  • Research
  • Reviews

Topics

acid reflux antibiotics bloating capsaicin causes coffee colonoscopy constipation Crohn's Disease deficiency diabetes diarrhea Digestive enzymes diverticulitis fatigue FODMAP gluten-free gut gut bacteria gut health gut microbiome gut microbiota health healthy diet IBD IBS IBS-C IBS diet inflammation inflammatory bowel disease irritable bowel syndrome lactobacillus low FODMAP diet microbiome microbiota probiotic probiotics quality of life research SIBO sucrose intolerance supplement tea therapy treatment
No Result
View All Result
https://casadesante.com https://casadesante.com https://casadesante.com

Highlights

Do Gallstones Cause Constipation? Gastroenterologist Explains

Does Pancreatitis Cause Gas & Bloating?

Sharp Liver Pain: 7 Causes & Mimics.

Does Your Liver Cause Pain After Eating?

Can You Get Gallstones After Having Your Gallbladder Removed?

When To Go To The Hospital For Gallbladder Attack?

Trending

General

6 Colon Cancer Symptoms In Women

by Editor
June 14, 2023
0

If you're a woman, it's important to be aware of the signs of colon cancer. In this...

Is It Normal To Have A Small Trace Of Bilirubin In Urine?

June 14, 2023

IBS Or Colon Cancer: Signs You Shouldn’t Ignore.

June 14, 2023

Do Gallstones Cause Constipation? Gastroenterologist Explains

June 14, 2023

Does Pancreatitis Cause Gas & Bloating?

June 14, 2023
dopelogo

Dope Entrepreneurs is the hub for all dope gut health related content. We are a groundbreaking news publication dedicated to gut health. We cover gut health research, entrepreneurship, startups and the latest trends in gut health. We serve a growing segment of patients, entrepreneurs and investors who want to learn more about gut health, the disruption and market potential in this field, and how they can benefit from the latest advances in gut health. Dope entrepreneurs is led by Onikepe Adegbola, MD PhD DipIBLM, physician, scientist, and gut health entrepreneur.

Categories

  • Research
  • News
  • Articles
  • Reviews
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms And Conditions


© 2022 Dope Entrepreneurs

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In

Add New Playlist

No Result
View All Result
  • Research
  • News
  • Articles
  • Reviews

© 2022 Dope Entrepreneurs