Constant Diarrhea
All about Constant Diarrhea
Constant diarrhea is one of the things in life which is very unpleasant. Everyone has diarrhea at one time or another but constant diarrhea can be a chronic condition. That means that you can have diarrhea day after day for months or even years at a time. Depending on the cause it can stop for periods of time and then return.
Constant diarrhea affects every part of your life. You are practically afraid to leave your home just in case a bout of diarrhea should come upon you in public and you are far from any restrooms. People stop going out in public places and traveling. Sometimes diarrhea can come on suddenly and be completely uncontrollable. Diarrhea that is chronic is defined as diarrhea which lasts more than two weeks.
There are many reasons for constant diarrhea. Diarrhea is a symptom of several different diseases and conditions. One of the most frequent causes of diarrhea is an allergy to certain foods. All you have to do is eat a food to which your body is sensitive and diarrhea will follow. One of most well-known of this type of food allergies happens with people who are lactose-intolerant. Anytime they drink milk or eat a food containing milk or other dairy products, they get gas, bloating and diarrhea. With some people the reaction can take place immediately and with others it may take a few hours to develop.
For many people it is not always obvious what exactly they have eaten which can cause diarrhea. Lots of times the only way to find out is by the process of elimination. You have to stop eating one food at a time to see if the diarrhea stops or continues. Once you find the food, all you have to do is eliminate it from your diet.
Sugar substitutes, such as sorbitol or fructose, can cause constant diarrhea. In celiac disease, diarrhea can appear soon after eating any food containing gluten. Wheat, rye, and barley are among the most frequently eaten foods containing gluten. Constant diarrhea can continue as long as foods causing allergies are eaten but will end when the foods are dropped from the diet.
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common ailment that causes constant diarrhea. In fact, it can cause both diarrhea and constipation along with abdominal pains. IBS is caused by a combination of sensitivity to certain foods and stress. The majority of people with IBS can control their symptoms by diet changes, learning how to deal with stress and medication.
For others, however, the symptoms of IBS cannot be controlled and the condition can become disabling. These people will have constant diarrhea and other symptoms which keep them from going out of their homes to even get groceries or attend events. Some people are not able to work outside of the home.
Constant diarrhea can be caused by intestinal parasites. Just like in dogs and other animals, parasites can live in the gastrointestinal tract of humans. There are two major groups of parasites that bother humans, protozoans and parasitic worms. They can be obtained by infected water, undercooked meat or by absorption through the skin, such as by having contact with infected soil.
Other causes of long-term diarrhea include such diseases as pancreatitis, liver or kidney disease, malnutrition, and certain prescriptions. Sometimes constant diarrhea from medications is preferable to dying from a major disease.
If you are experiencing constant diarrhea and don’t know why, it’s time to visit a doctor for some tests to find out. Chances are that whatever is causing the diarrhea can be successfully treated and you can get on with your life.