Nocturnal diarrhea shows up when you experience diarrhea at night, with symptoms that awaken you from your sleep.
In some cases, it is a sign of a serious health condition.
Severe diarrhea and the conditions that may cause it require treatment, often including fluids because dehydration can occur.
RyanKing999 / Getty Images
For example, most cases of acute diarrhea are sparked by viral infection.
Chronic diarrhea often tends to be non-infectious.
Causes of Nocturnal Diarrhea
Some causes of nighttime diarrhea are similar to those thatcause mild daytime diarrhea.
These cases are usually acute and tend to go away on their own.
They include:
What Medical Conditions Can Cause Nocturnal Diarrhea?
In cases of more persistent or chronic diarrhea, another medical condition may be to blame.
Below are some medical conditions that might be a possible cause of diarrhea at night.
This results in increased secretion and decreased absorption of water and sodium.
These diarrheas are common.
Their causes can include bacterial or viral infections, as well as allergens.
Symptoms of secretory diarrhea include high volumes of diarrhea that persist at night.
Symptoms may include:
The severity of symptoms varies from mild to debilitating.
Usually, loose watery stools occur during the day.
People with IBS who experience nighttime symptoms, including diarrhea, should contact their healthcare provider for medical attention.
The main symptoms of IBD are:
Some people with IBD experience nocturnal diarrhea in addition to daytime diarrhea.
They may experience severe symptoms at times or have periods of remission when they are getting treatment.
Microscopic Colitis
Microscopic colitis includes two similar, but separate conditions: collagenous colitis and lymphocytic colitis.
This condition causes inflammation of your large intestine that can only be seen by a microscope.
It leads to a secretory diarrhea throw in.
Other risk factors include having certain immune disorders, being a smoker, or taking certain medications.
However,some treatments may be appropriateto help decrease symptoms of mild diarrhea and prevent complications from occurring.
Additionally, most experts do not recommend fasting when you have diarrhea.
If you are experiencing persistent, chronic diarrhea, talk to your healthcare provider about possiblemedicationsto help ease symptoms.
Manage Stress
Managingstress and anxietymay help reduce diarrhea in some cases.
Research has shown that symptoms of IBS, including diarrhea, may be made worse by psychological distress.
Practicing relaxation techniques, meditation, or walking are all examples of how someone might manage stress.
Can IBD Be Treated?
Inflammatory bowel disease can be treated, but the approach will depend on the individual.
It also will depend on whether the IBD treatment aligns withCrohn’s diseaseorulcerative colitis.
Over-the-counter products, including anti-diarrheal drugs, are used along with prescription medications to treat IBD.
Diet and lifestyle changes also are part of a treatment plan.
In more serious cases, surgeries likeproctocolectomymay be needed.
Can Microscopic Colitis Be Treated?
Fiber supplements or anti-diarrheal drugs may help.
In more serious cases, medication is used, with budesonide being the primary treatment.
Prednisone or anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF) drugs may be used if budesonide doesn’t work.
It may simply be a bout of mild diarrhea that clears up within a day or two.
Acute, mild cases can often be safely treated at home and will go away on their own.
However, if you experience nocturnal diarrhea on an ongoing basis, you may have a serious medical condition.
They can provide an accurate diagnosis and help you to find the best treatment for your symptoms and condition.
Lactose intolerance is characterized by GI symptoms, including diarrhea, brought on by consuming dairy products containing lactose.
Acute (sudden onset) nocturnal diarrhea will usually go away on its own within a day or two.
Treatment may include avoiding certain foods or beverages, taking medication, and managing stress.
Burgers K, Lindberg B, Bevis ZJ.Chronic diarrhea in adults: evaluation and differential diagnosis.AFP.
2020;101(8):472-480.
American College of Gastroenterology.Diarrheal diseasesacute and chronic.
Keely SJ, Barrett KE.Intestinal secretory mechanisms and diarrhea.Am J Physiol Gastrointest Liver Physiol.
2022 Apr 1;322(4):G405-G420.
International Foundation For Gastrointestinal Disorders - About IBS.Changes you should not ignore if you have ibs.
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Symptoms & causes of irritable bowel syndrome.
Crohns & Colitis Foundation of America.The facts about inflammatory bowel diseases.
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Definition and facts of microscopic colitis.
Krishnasamy S, Abell TL.Diabetic gastroparesis: principles and current trends in management.Diabetes Ther.
2018;9(1):1-42. doi:10.1007%2Fs13300-018-0454-9
Joslin Diabetes.Diabetic nerve damage.
Chang YM, El-Zaatari M, Kao JY.Does stress induce bowel dysfunction?Expert Rev Gastroenterol Hepatol.
2014 Aug;8(6):583-5. doi:10.1586/17474124.2014.911659.
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Eating, diet, & nutrition for diarrhea.
2022 Apr 21;58(5):567. doi:10.3390/medicina58050567.
2019;12:111120. doi:10.2147/CEG.S165047
Sleep Advisor.Nocturnal Diarrhea: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment.
Korzenik J.Don’t Worry, Be Happy: Psychological Interventions in Inflammatory Bowel Disease.Gastroenterology.
2019;156(4):856-857. doi:10.1053/j.gastro.2019.02.013
National Institutes of Health.Lactose Intolerance.
