What happen when you have loose bowel movement or diarrhea?

Loose bowel movements, also known as diarrhea, occur when the stools are watery, loose, and more frequent than usual. The consistency of the stool can vary from soft and mushy to watery and explosive. Diarrhea can also be accompanied by other symptoms, such as abdominal cramps, bloating, nausea, and vomiting.

There are many potential causes of diarrhea, including:

- Infectious gastroenteritis: This is the most common cause of diarrhea, and it can be caused by bacteria, viruses, or parasites.

- Food intolerance or allergy: Certain foods, such as dairy products, wheat, and gluten, can cause diarrhea in people who have an intolerance or allergy to these foods.

- Medications: Some medications, such as antibiotics and antacids, can cause diarrhea as a side effect.

- Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD): This is a group of chronic conditions that can cause diarrhea, abdominal pain, and other symptoms.

- Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS): This is a functional gastrointestinal disorder that can cause diarrhea, constipation, and abdominal pain.

- Pancreatitis: This is an inflammation of the pancreas, which can cause diarrhea and other symptoms.

If you experience loose bowel movements or diarrhea, it is important to see a doctor to determine the cause and receive appropriate treatment. In most cases, diarrhea is a self-limited condition that will resolve within a few days. However, some causes of diarrhea can be more serious and require medical intervention.

In addition to seeing a doctor, there are some things you can do at home to help relieve diarrhea:

- Drink plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration.

- Eat bland, easy-to-digest foods, such as rice, bananas, and toast.

- Avoid foods that can irritate the digestive system, such as spicy, fatty, and dairy products.

- Get rest to help your body heal.

- Over-the-counter medications, such as loperamide (Imodium) or bismuth subsalicylate (Pepto-Bismol), can help to slow down diarrhea.

If your diarrhea is severe or does not improve within a few days, it is important to seek medical attention.