Admin Does diarrhea cause you to lose weight? The answer is yes. But is it an overall or healthy way to lose weight? Or is it something you should worry about? Well, if you want to have a long-term, steady and sustainable weight loss, it’s probably not a good idea. Almost all of us have experienced diarrhea at some point in our lives. Even though it’s not a serious but short-term condition, the symptoms aren’t comfortable.
Weight loss and diarrhea are not the same thing. Some people with diarrhea may inadvertently lose 1 or 2 pounds if they extend it to 3 days. According to research, diarrhea is a common digestive problem that results in weight loss due to malabsorption of nutrients. However, there is no guarantee that everyone will lose some weight quickly because of diarrhea because the body is constantly processing food and excreting waste.
Would you like to learn more about the mysterious link between diarrhea and weight loss and how to deal with this condition? Please continue browsing to find out
Is Diarrhoea a Concern of Diet?
Diarrhea is a common health problem. Even healthy adults and children may experience diarrhea several times a year. In most cases, the symptoms are acute (short-term) and go away after a few days.
Diarrhea that lasts more than three days is a reason to consult a health care provider because it may be a symptom of a more serious health condition, such as a gastrointestinal infection (e.g., from a bacterium called Clostridium difficile or C. diff.), celiac disease, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), or inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
Diarrhea that lasts more than four days or chronic diarrhea that lasts more than four weeks may lead to other complications, including dehydration and unexpected weight loss.
It’s important to get a diagnosis so that the underlying cause of diarrhea can be addressed.
How Diarrhoea Causes Weight Loss?
Chronic diarrhea that lasts for more than a few weeks causes your body to lose a lot of fluid. The loss of body fluids may affect your weight. Other accompanying symptoms, such as vomiting and lack of appetite, also make it difficult to hold any source of food or liquid nutrients in your stomach. These symptoms will reduce caloric levels of intake and contribute to the involuntary weight loss process. The rate of weight loss depends on the length and intensity of the diarrhea. However, any weight lost due to diarrhea is primarily water weight. Once your bowel movements and appetite return, your weight will also return to normal levels. In addition, weight loss due to diarrhea depends on the type you are affected by. It comes in two types, acute and chronic diarrhea, each with a unique weight loss mechanism.
Acute diarrhea usually affects a person for 24 to 48 hours, and the maximum volume and frequency of bowel movements can be 5 to 7 times a day. It may result in a sudden energy flush due to lack of nutrient absorption.
Chronic diarrhea may affect a person for several weeks and the loss of nutrients can last longer. A person may feel tired for most of the time. The frequency of bowel movements is 3 to 4 times a day.
Causes of Diarrhea
There are many causes of diarrhea. Most cases of acute diarrhea are caused by an infection. The infection may be bacterial, viral or parasitic. Usually, this type of diarrhea resolves on its own within a few days.
In some cases, acute diarrhea may be due to a change in diet, such as consuming too many artificial sweeteners or alcohol, or other lifestyle factors, including stress.
Persistent or chronic diarrhea may be caused by a number of underlying health conditions or other factors. These factors include:
1. Medications
Diarrhea is a side effect of certain medications, including antibiotics, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and chemotherapy.
2. C. diff. infection
This type of infection often occurs during or after the use of antibiotics and may also be contracted in a hospital or nursing home.
3. Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Inflammatory bowel diseases such as Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis affect the digestive tract and its normal functions. As a result, it hinders the absorption of nutrients, leading to anemia and weight loss.
4. Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Irritable bowel syndrome is a common disorder that causes persistent diarrhea or constipation. It occurs due to an imbalance of intestinal microorganisms and may lead to symptoms such as gas, bloating, anemia and unexplained weight loss.
5. Celiac disease
This is an autoimmune disease in which the immune system overreacts to the wheat protein gluten and attacks the lining of the small intestine.
6. Food allergy or intolerance
Food intolerances are caused by a lack of enzymes needed to digest a particular food. Lactose intolerance, the inability to digest the sugars in milk, is the most common, but it is possible to be intolerant to other foods as well.
7. Chronic Infections
Constant exposure to contaminated water and food with bacteria or parasites can lead to chronic microbial infections and persistent diarrhea. As a result, it damages the intestinal tract and leads to malnutrition and unexpected weight loss.
8. Malabsorption Syndrome
In this condition, the body lacks certain digestive enzymes. As a result, it causes food to be unabsorbed and undigested. Moreover, over time, it may lead to weight loss due to malnutrition. Likewise, injury to the intestinal wall can prevent nutrient absorption and lead to weight loss.
9. Keto Diet
A high-fat and low-carb diet, known as ketosis, makes it challenging for your body to process food. It can eventually lead to diarrhea, which can affect your weight and overall health.
Tips to Deal With Weight Loss Caused by Diarrhoea
Here are some of the effective tips to deal with diarrhoea.
1. Drink Plenty of Water
When your body becomes dehydrated due to diarrhea, it leaches retained water from your muscles and internal organs to try to compensate for the lack of water. Therefore, it is important to drink plenty of water when you have diarrhea, which also helps with weight control. However, it is important to avoid drinking too much water or other fluids.
2. Avoid Consumption of Excess Sugar
When you suffer from diarrhea, you should avoid foods with high sugar concentrations. It includes sodas, sports drinks and other carbonated beverages. Instead, if you want to maintain optimal weight, drink healthy alternatives such as plain water or unsweetened tea instead of sugary drinks.
3. Increase Intake of High-Fibre Foods
Fiber plays a key role in helping individuals shed weight without bingeing on unhealthy snacks. In addition, eating high fiber foods is a great way to shed pounds and control diarrhea without relying on medications.
4. Eat Good Fats
People who develop diarrhea may crave foods with high fat content because their digestive system is unbalanced and not functioning properly. To avoid more effects of an upset stomach, try including good fatty foods such as nuts, seeds and avocados. These will help you get the extra energy you need to stay active throughout the day.
Conclusion
Some people think of diarrhea as a form of dieting. Even though it can lead to weight loss, diarrhea is not an ideal means of doing so. This sudden, unexplained weight loss may indicate an underlying health problem. Deliberately induced diarrhea can lead to abdominal pain and digestive problems, and may even lead to a decline in overall health.
Whether you have acute or chronic diarrhea, you can lose weight due to fluid loss, severe dehydration and reduced absorption of nutrients from the intestines. Therefore, weight loss can only be achieved through the diet and exercise aspect, not by affecting the movement of the intestines. Simply put, a healthy weight loss journey should be the perfect combination of a balanced diet, regular exercise and positive lifestyle changes to improve overall health.
