Nocturnal Diarrhea

Diarrhea can be a frustration no matter what time it occurs. Diarrhea is when you have a bowel movement that is loose, and watery. Nocturnal diarrhea is when symptoms awaken you in the middle of the night usually from sleep. Nocturnal diarrhea only occurs at night. Acute diarrhea only lasts a few days and usually goes away on its own without any needed treatment. Acute nocturnal diarrhea is usually caused by a viral or bacterial infection. Chronic nocturnal diarrhea is diarrhea that continues for more than 4 or more weeks. This is usually a sign of something more serious. Chronic nocturnal diarrhea is usually caused by something non-infectious.

Symptoms can range from mild to severe. Symptoms can include bloating, fever, chills, interrupted sleep, nausea, stomach pain, or the urge to have a bowel movement. More serious symptoms can include blood in the stool, severe pain, and unexplained weight loss. Nocturnal diarrhea can cause dehydration. Dehydration can be a serious complication of diarrhea. Symptoms of dehydration include excessive thirst, low urinary output, dry skin and mouth, headaches, fast heart rate, and the feeling of needing to pass out.

For acute cases of nocturnal diarrhea it is usually caused by a viral or bacterial infection. It can be caused by infection, food poisoning, food allergies, food intolerances, or even antibiotics. Chronic causes of nocturnal diarrhea can include secretory diarrhea, irritable bowel syndrome, Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, microscopic colitis, or diabetes.

In most cases acute diarrhea does not need treatment. It will usually go away on its own after a few days. It is important after having diarrhea to stay hydrated. This is important to make sure that you don’t become dehydrated. Lots of water is important. You can also drink things that have electrolytes in them to help keep them balanced. Make sure that you aren’t drinking anything with high amounts of sugar or caffeine. Restricting your diet when you have diarrhea is not recommended. Eating a bland diet or things that sound good can be helpful if you are also feeling nauseous. There are some foods that may worsen diarrhea symptoms and can be best to avoid. These foods include alcohol, caffeinated beverages, foods high in fructose, high in fat or greasy foods, spicy foods, apples, peaches, pears, dairy products, foods that contain sorbitol, mannitol, or xylitol.

For chronic diarrhea there may be some options for treatments to make symptoms more manageable. Your doctor may prescribe you antidiarrheal medications. Managing other underlying conditions can also help alleviate your symptoms. There aren’t cures for irritable bowel syndrome, or irritable bowel disease but you can find treatment options that can limit the side effects these conditions can have. Avoiding triggers can also be helpful. Learning to manage your stress and anxiety can also be helpful.

Intermittent diarrhea is very common. There is no way to completely prevent yourself from having diarrhea every now and then. There are some things you can do to help reduce the frequency and the severity of diarrhea episodes you may experience. Making dietary adjustments and eliminating problematic foods can be beneficial. This can be done with keeping a food journal and keeping track of how you feel after eating something. Don’t eat two to three hours before bed. Do not smoke ever. Establish good sleeping patterns. Making sure you are getting enough sleep can help your body be in a relaxed and restful state at night. Manage stress in a way that works for you. Maintain a healthy weight. Follow any treatment plans you may have for any underlying conditions that cause your nocturnal diarrhea.

If you have blood in your stool, any symptoms of dehydration, a high fever that lasts for days these may be signs of a more serious condition. You will want to speak with your doctor to see what they can do to help you. Nocturnal diarrhea can be acute or may become chronic depending on the underlying issues. Acute cases will usually clear up in a day or two and are usually caused by something such as a viral infection or a food sensitivity. Chronic cases may be more serious and can lead to complications such as dehydration. If your diarrhea becomes more ongoing you will want to speak to your healthcare provider.