Common Reasons for Diarrhea After Meals
Diarrhea after meals is quite frustrating, especially when it happens often. To handle this situation, one needs to know the causes of diarrhea. So, let's look into some common reasons behind diarrhea after the meal.
Food Intolerances
Food intolerances are one of the major causes of diarrhea after meals. Unlike food allergies, wherein the immune system reacts to food, intolerance is specifically a digestion issue.
- Lactose Intolerance: Many people do not make enough lactase, which is the enzyme that breaks down lactose. This is the sugar in milk. A deficiency triggers bloating, gas, and diarrhea shortly after consuming milk, cheese, or ice cream.
- Gluten Sensitivity: Individuals with gluten sensitivity, including developing symptoms like diarrhea, bloating, or abdominal pain after consuming wheat-based products, such as bread and pasta. There could be features of celiac disease or non-celiac gluten sensitivity.
- Fructose Malabsorption: Fructose, found in fruits, honey, and some sweeteners, if not absorbed properly by your body can lead to diarrhea.
Fatty Foods
Greasy, fatty foods are often difficult to digest. Fried chicken, pizza, and fatty-cut meats can cause diarrhea because they pass through the digestive tract too fast. And, of course, individuals with a gallbladder history tend to be extra susceptible to this because the gallbladder functions to dissolve fats.
Food Poisoning
Food poisoning is caused by contaminated food with bad bacteria, viruses, or parasites. Symptoms like diarrhea take about hours after having the contaminated food. Common contributors include:
- Undercooked meat
- Raw eggs or seafood
- Unpasteurized milk or juice
Food poisoning often has a resolution within one or two days, but some people may have severe enough cases to go to the doctor.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
IBS is a chronic illness of the large intestines that causes diarrhea after meals, especially after taking certain types of food. Patients with IBS may experience, constipation and diarrhea both. Common triggers for IBS-related diarrhea include:
- Fatty or fried foods
- Dairy products
- Caffeinated drinks
- Artificial sweeteners such as sorbitol or xylitol
Anxiety and stress, in general, exacerbate IBS symptoms, so optimum management of the condition must indeed include control over emotions.
Infections and Parasites
Digestive infections can create diarrhea, often accompanied by other symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting, and fever. Examples of possible infections include:
- Bacterial infections that could be Salmonella or E. coli
- Viral infections like norovirus or rotavirus
- Parasitic infections, such as Giardia
Infection-related diarrhea most commonly begins suddenly and often requires medical treatment if not cleared up quickly.
Medications and dietary supplements
Some drugs can cause diarrhea as an adverse effect. Here are common offenders:
- Antibiotics: They are necessary to eliminate infections, but they often interfere with the balance of gut bacteria and cause diarrhea.
- Antacids: Magnesium-containing antacids can be a laxative, especially in large dosage amounts.
- Dietary Supplements: Large dosages of magnesium or vitamin C supplements can cause diarrhea.
If you suspect the medication or supplement is causing this diarrhea, then consult with a healthcare provider to adjust the dosage or find an alternative.
Also Read: Top 10 Good Digestive Foods to Support Gut Health
Diagnosing the Cause
It is not easy to specifically identify what exactly triggers diarrhea postmeal, but following some of these steps could give you a clue about how to pinpoint the culprits:
Keep a Food Diary
Keeping a record of what you are eating and how your body is responding is pure gold. List the foods that always or almost always trigger diarrhea and any patterns that may emerge. Over time, this may help you zero in on specific offending agents like lactose or gluten.
Allergens and intolerance test
If your doctor suspects intolerance or allergies in you, he or she may propose the following tests:
- Lactose intolerance test: This test measures the body's reaction to lactose.
- Celiac disease test: You can be tested for celiac, an autoimmune disorder brought on by gluten.
- Test for fructose intolerance: Breath tests can give an estimate of the amount of fructose your body can absorb.
- Test for IBS: Know and understand your gut health for better cure
Stool Tests for Infections
You may be subjected to stool tests, which will determine whether the cause is a bacterial, viral, or parasitic infection; these tests can be employed in treating cases with foodborne illnesses, especially in cases where diarrhea has been accompanied by other symptoms such as fever or vomiting.
Colonoscopy
A colonoscopy might be necessary to help rule out undiagnosed conditions, such as IBD, since, apart from causing diarrhea, it is also characterized by inflammation of the digestive tract and could cause similar symptoms after meat consumption.
Take a Gut Microbiome Test today
Controlling Symptoms and How to Avoid Diarrhea After Eating
When you know the exact causes of diarrhea, controlling the symptoms is easier. Here are some hints on how to control them:
Avoid Trigger Foods
- The best way to avoid diarrhea is not to eat the foods that cause it. For instance:
- Someone with lactose intolerance should reduce dairy products or switch to lactose-free products.
- Someone who is gluten-sensitive should avoid products containing wheat, barley, and rye.
- High-fat and fried foods should be avoided as much as possible, especially if they make symptoms worse.
Hydrate
Diarrhea leads to dehydration, therefore, drinks should be enough to replace lost fluids, particularly water, and electrolyte-rich beverages. For this reason, caffeinated and alcoholic drinks are not recommended since they can facilitate dehydration.
Probiotic Supplements
Probiotics, or beneficial gut bacteria, can help repopulate the flora in the gut after antibiotics or a gut infection. Supplemental forms also include synbiotics; however, consumers may choose to supplement their diet with fermented foods such as yogurt, kefir, or sauerkraut as well.
Eat Small, Frequent Meals
Large meals overwhelm the digestive system, especially in people who have been diagnosed with IBS or food intolerances. The smaller and more frequent the meal, the less likely to experience diarrhea after eating.
Manage Stress
Stress worsens all digestive issues, especially IBS. Mindfulness, deep breathing, and a good dose of yoga can help with reducing stress and thus the frequency of diarrhea.
Conclusion
Diarrhea post-meal is very common among individuals, but if you know the cause of this, you can start managing your digestive health. From intolerances to food-borne infections or some underlying condition like IBS, knowing the trigger is the first way toward symptom management. With changes in diet, staying hydrated, and controlling stress, the discomfort associated with the disease can be handled and relished while eating without fear of diarrhea.
If the symptoms are not clear, you might want to consider a test for food sensitivity or intolerance. To learn more about maintaining digestive health and bespoke wellness, visit Sova Health. Let's help you take that next step toward healthier digestion.
