9 Unusual Things That Trigger Diarrhea

The digestive system reacts sensitively to any external changes by activating or inhibiting motor skills. Some influences, from certain foods, drinks, yoga, or stress, can trigger diarrhea, cramps, or even bloating. Though diarrhea is a common health problem, if not taken seriously, it can cause severe inconvenience. Let’s look at several factors that can trigger diarrhea.

Things That Trigger Diarrhea

If you suffer from diarrhea and are not aware of what triggers it, don’t worry; we are here to help. Below are some unusual causes of diarrhea:

1. Garlic And Other Foods

Many people are comfortable eating garlic dishes without suffering from any digestive upsets. But in some people, it provokes diarrhea since it contains fructans. These are molecules that are part of a group of carbohydrates and can cause digestive disorders in people with irritable bowel syndrome and other digestive diseases.

Some other foods such as onions, asparagus, artichokes, leeks, wheat, barley, and rye also contain fructans. Thus, consuming them in excess will also loosen your stool, so better avoid them for better health.

2. Alcoholic Beverages

Some people get diarrhea due to the consumption of alcoholic beverages. This happens because alcohol causes the intestine to speed up the digestion process. As a result, the intestine fails to properly digest the food and push out stool faster than normal.

Diarrhea is common among alcoholics, and thus to get rid of this problem, they need to give up alcohol. Quitting alcohol can resolve stomach problems, but without any professional guidance, this can be difficult.

So if you do not want to go to rehab for help, try calling substance abuse hotlines anonymously. Without revealing your identity, you can seek guidance from an expert via call. Such a facility can help you get sober on your own.

3. Sugar-Free Products

Many people who try to lose weight choose sugar-free foods. Although sugar substitutes can reduce the calorie content of food, diarrhea and stomach pain are possible with their intake. Many sugar-free gums, some protein or nutritional bars, and even toothpaste contain sugar alcohols.

Sugar alcohols, also called polyols, belong to a group of substances (osmotically active) that can cause diarrhea in some people. These compounds include inulin, isomalt, sorbitol, and xylitol. For some people, eating foods with these ingredients, or more often taking a lot of them at one time, can cause diarrhea.

4. Coffee 

Many people note that after coffee, their intestinal motility gets activated, and sometimes diarrhea occurs. It is not the drink itself that is to blame, but the caffeine it contains. Many of the patients with digestive problems drink large amounts of caffeinated sodas, black tea, and energy drinks.

Caffeine accelerates gastrointestinal motility and is a stimulant that has a laxative effect on the digestive tract. There are also some studies that show coffee itself can have a laxative effect (for example, decaf coffee in some people also provokes diarrhea).

5. Stress

If irritable bowel syndrome, celiac disease, and food allergies to dairy, wheat, or nuts are ruled out, and diarrhea still occurs, stress may be the cause. Scientists believe that regardless of whether the patient has health problems or not, constant sleep deprivation, difficult relationships, hectic work schedules and stressful physical activities can affect bowel motility.

As a result, a person constantly suffers from diarrhea. The gut-brain connection has long been proven to affect some people more than others. With stress, some people may develop migraines, others have back pain, and others may have constipation or diarrhea.

6. Peanuts And Other Nuts

Many people who consume peanuts in desserts, candies, or in pure form may experience loose stools. Peanuts, like other nuts and seeds, are high in magnesium. Magnesium is a mineral known to stimulate bowel function. In some people, the potentially laxative effects of nuts can become too strong and harsh.

This is especially pronounced among patients who have had their gallbladder removed and who are sensitive to fatty foods. These patients cannot eat any high-fat food because they develop bloating and an episode of diarrhea a few hours after eating such food.

7. Menses and PMS

Before menstruation begins, mood swings, unpleasant cramps in the lower abdomen, and decreased performance, typical of premenstrual syndrome (PMS), are possible. Some women, in addition to all the other, not the most pleasant manifestations, also may have diarrhea on the eve of the onset of discharge.

This is due to changes in the concentration of sex hormones, which, among other things, affect intestinal motility. Many women notice loose stools early in their periods, possibly due to the same hormonal changes that cause the uterus to contract and develop painful cramps.

8. Diabetes

Many conditions, including irritable bowel syndrome, Crohn’s disease, and ulcerative colitis, can cause bloating, constipation, or diarrhea. But there are other pathologies, such as poorly managed diabetes and thyroid disease, which can also lead to gastrointestinal upset.

Although polyuria (a large amount of urine per day) is more typical with diabetes, diarrhea is also possible. As a person brings diabetes under control, normalized blood sugar, and adjusts nutrition, the stool loosening gets eliminated.

9. Yoga 

Many people who start yoga should not be embarrassed if they notice bloating and gas while taking some of the postures. So, in yoga, there is even a special asana – Pavanamuktasana, also known as the posture of releasing the wind.

It stimulates intestinal motility, initially causing bloating and flatulence. It is known that other types of exercise, especially running, contribute to the activation of peristalsis, bloating or loosening of the stool. Combining some exercise with food can help identify some hidden digestive problems.

Summing Up

We mentioned some unusual causes of diarrhea in this article. When diarrhea begins, a person may experience burning, pain, or itching when going to the bathroom. To deal with the problem, you should drink more water and take a warm bath for relief.