Can Exercising Cause Diarrhea?

Runner’s diarrhea, also known as runner’s trots or exercise diarrhea, can occur during or after intense workouts. It is common among long-distance runners but can affect others as well. The symptoms usually begin during the workout and may continue in the hours after running. The diarrhea should not last for more than 24 hours.

Some types of exercise are more likely to cause diarrhea after working out than others. To prevent it, people can help themselves by following certain treatments, strategies, and diets. Some types of exercise cause food to pass through the digestive tract faster than normal, leading to reduced absorption of nutrients, less water being reabsorbed by the colon, and looser stools. Diarrhea is common in people who run long distances, especially marathons.

Gastrointestinal symptoms can include diarrhea, heartburn, abdominal pain, or nausea. Some types of exercise can cause diarrhea, and there are prevention, management, and treatment options to help. Studies suggest that 30-50 of athletes and active people experience digestive distress during or after exercise. There is evidence that exercise can contribute to gastrointestinal (GI) disorders which can cause unpleasant upper or lower abdominal symptoms.

The jostling movement of exercise can stimulate diarrhea, as noted by Audra Wilson, RD, CSCS, bariatric dietitian at Northwestern Medicine. By understanding the root cause of the problem and implementing effective treatments, individuals can help prevent diarrhea after exercising.

Why do I get diarrhea after I run?

The cause of runner’s diarrhea isn’t clear. Contributing factors likely include the physical jostling of the organs, decreased blood flow to the intestines, changes in intestinal hormone secretion, increased amount or introduction of new food, and pre-race anxiety and stress. What is clear is that food moves more quickly through the bowels of athletes in training.

Often, simple dietary changes can help prevent runner’s diarrhea:

• At least one day before running, limit or avoid high-fiber and gas-producing foods, such as beans, bran, fruit and salad. If you run every day, experiment to find a tolerable level of fiber. Otherwise, simply eat those foods after you run.
• At least one day before running, limit or avoid sweeteners called sugar alcohols (isomalt, sorbitol, others) — most often found in sugar-free candies, gum and ice cream.
• For three to six hours before running, limit or avoid caffeine and high-fat foods.
• For at least two hours before running, don’t eat anything at all.
• Before, during and after running, drink plenty of fluids. Dehydration can lead to diarrhea. Avoid warm liquids, however, which can speed food through the digestive tract.
• While running, use caution with energy gels and energy bars. In some people, these products can contribute to diarrhea. And especially avoid introducing a new gel or bar on race day.
• If you’re lactose intolerant, switch to lactose-reduced or lactose-free milk and milk products.
• Avoid nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others) or naproxen (Aleve). Both have been shown to increase the incidence of gastrointestinal complaints.

Why do I get diarrhea after exercising?

Diarrhea during sports can be caused by various factors, including exercise, dehydration, and dietary changes. Stimulating and putting pressure on the digestive organs during exercise can cause intestinal problems, such as diarrhea and abdominal pain. This is especially common for those targeting lower abs. After a run, many runners experience diarrhea due to the movement of their body up and down, which can upset the digestive system, leading to increased bathroom trips, abdominal cramps, bloating, and acid reflux.

Regular exercise for long periods of time can also cause digestive upset, which can be caused by activities like swimming, cycling, triathloning, aerobics, dancing, and skiing. Dehydration during exercise can lead to diarrhea and other digestive issues. To speed up recovery, it is recommended to consume easy-digestible foods, such as the BRAT diet (banana, rice, apple sauce, and toast), vegetable soups, lean meats, and potatoes. Refilling healthy gut bacteria can be achieved through probiotic supplements or probiotic-rich foods like yogurt, sauerkraut, or tempeh, along with drinks like kombucha, kefir, and kvass.

To schedule workouts after frequent bowel movements, it is suggested to design your running route so that restroom access is available at a specific time after your run. If diarrhea persists, reducing the intensity or duration of exercise can help control symptoms. Over-the-counter medications like loperamide (Imodium) or bismuth subsalicylate (Pepto Bismol) can also be considered.

Why do I poop more after exercise?

Increasing physical activity can affect how often you poop because exercise helps your digestion and flexes your muscles. It can change the regularity of your bowel movements.

Let’s be clear. There is no rule about how many bowel movements a person should have each day.

Some people poop several times a day. Others go every few days. “Normal” is something everyone decides for themselves.

But, if you suddenly find yourself going more often than usual for you, it could be the result of many different things:

Can exercise upset your stomach?

Exercise-induced nausea is quite common, as are exercise-induced gastrointestinal (GI) problems in general, affecting perhaps up to 90% of endurance athletes.

So why does this happen and, more important, how can you prevent it?

The cause: Competing demands. When you exercise, skeletal muscles in your legs and arms contract. To work most efficiently, they need oxygen. So your heart muscle contracts, too, increasing blood flow through your body. The hemoglobin molecules within your red blood cells carry oxygen to your working muscles.

Can exercise trigger IBS?

Exercise may trigger IBS. However, this generally happens with intense, long lasting forms of exercise, such as long-distance running or cycling.

According to 2023 research, strenuous exercise and endurance sports may cause exercise-induced gastrointestinal symptoms (Ex-GIS). In previous studies, researchers found rates as high as 70% among athletes. The symptoms of Ex-GIS may include:

• Bloating
• belching
• heartburn
• regurgitation of food
• flatulence
• bowel urgency
• abdominal pain
• diarrhea

How long does a runner’s gut last?

Symptoms typically ease up soon after you stop running, or once you’ve used the bathroom or thrown up, depending on the exact issues you’re dealing with. But Dr. LeBrett says stomach problems can sometimes last for up to 24 hours, “especially if it’s after a very intense workout, like a particularly long endurance run,” she says.

On the flip side, some people don’t get runner’s stomach until after their run is over, Dr. LeBrett adds, so don’t be surprised if it only shows up once you start your recovery.

If runner’s stomach has become an all-too-reliable jogging partner for you, there are a few things you can do proactively to help keep symptoms from messing with your miles.

Can exercise affect your bowels?

• Stress relief. Stress can trigger or worsen IBS symptoms, which may be explained by the brain-gut connection. Exercise has a positive effect on stress.
• Better sleep. Like stress, poor sleep could trigger an IBS flare-up. But physical activity can help you get better sleep.
• Increased gas clearance. Regular physical activity could improve your body’s ability to get rid of gas. This could decrease bloating, along with the accompanying pain and discomfort.
• Encourage bowel movements. Exercise can also promote bowel movements, which may ease your symptoms.
• Better sense of well-being. When you exercise regularly, you’re more likely to adopt other healthy habits. These habits could minimize your IBS symptoms.

If you have IBS, it’s still a good idea to get some exercise. Being active has many health benefits, including potential IBS relief. You can try:

Walking is a great option if you’re new to exercise. It’s low impact and doesn’t require special equipment.

Does diarrhea help clean you out?

The Reason For Diarrhea. Studies at Brigham and Women’s Hospital have determined that diarrhea plays a crucial role in clearing the bacteria that is found in the intestines at the beginning of an infection. When a virus like E. coli strikes, two molecules in the intestine work together to enable pathogen clearance before the infection causes too much damage. While you may be inconvenienced by diarrhea, it may actually be the best thing for your body. Diarrhea could limit the severity and longevity of the infection.

The Danger Of Diarrhea. The biggest danger of diarrhea is dehydration, which can be a serious issue if not addressed- especially in young children or seniors. Signs to watch for in dehydration include:

• Constant and excessive thirst
• Your mouth or skin feels dry
• Dark urine and/or very little occurrence of urination
• Weakness, dizziness, lightheadedness or fatigue.

Is it normal to poop a lot after running?

“Walking and jogging tend to increase gastric motility and gastric emptying in everyone; this is a physiologic response,” Dr. Smith says. “Movement gets the digestive system moving a little more quickly than if you’re sitting still. While it may be inconvenient, it’s never in and of itself a dangerous sign.”

Is it better to stop diarrhea or let it run?

Over-the-Counter. Since diarrhea is your body’s way of getting rid of toxins, it is best to let it run its course. However, you may use over-the-counter antidiarrheal remedies for convenience, including:

• Attapulgite (Kaopectate)
• Loperamide (Imodium)
• Bismuth sub-salicylate (Pepto-Bismol)

DO NOT take bismuth sub-salicylate with the herbs meadowsweet ( Spirea ulmaria ), white willow ( Salix alba ), or wintergreen ( Gaultheria procumbens ).

Complementary and Alternative Therapies. Work with your doctor to find remedies that are right for you. If you are pregnant, or thinking of becoming pregnant, DO NOT use any complementary and alternative therapies (CAM) therapies unless directed to do so by your doctor.

Is diarrhea bad for muscle growth?

It has been shown that diarrhea adversely affects protein metabolism in skeletal muscle (Ansell et al.

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