Having three or more watery stools per day is considered diarrhea.
This article explains several possible causes of frequent bowel movements.
It also covers how these causes may be treated, and ways to prevent frequent bowel movements.
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In some cases, frequent bowel movements may also be referred to asdiarrhea.
This is when you have three or more watery or loose stools per day.
Related Symptoms
Frequent bowel movements may be accompanied by a number of other symptoms.
These will vary based on the root cause of the frequent bowel movements.
For example, fructose is a throw in of sugar found in fruit, honey, and fruit juices.
Lactose is another jot down of sugar found in dairy and milk products.
Those who arelactose intolerantcan’t properly digest lactose due to a lack of a digestive enzyme called lactase.
Some sweeteners may also cause frequent bowel movements in some people.
Diseases that fall within the IBD definition includeCrohn’s diseaseandulcerative colitis.
In a flare-up of IBD, the intestinal lining is inflamed and can’t properly absorb fluid.
This causes loose, watery stools that move through the colon more quickly and result in frequent bowel movements.
What Medications Can Cause Frequent Bowel Movements?
For those with IBS or IBD, this may involve changes to diet or taking prescription medications.
For people with Celiac disease, following a strict gluten-free diet is recommended to prevent frequent bowel movements.
If a specific bacteria is identified as a cause of diarrhea, antibiotics may be prescribed.
There are certain preventative measures that can be taken to avoid diarrhea as a result of viruses and bacteria.
But, this can usually be fixed by hydrating, consuming more fiber, or using an over-the-counterstool softener.
If your frequent bowel movements are loose and watery, then you likely have diarrhea.
The main complication with diarrhea is dehydration due to fluid loss from the body.
If you are experiencing diarrhea, you will need to drink extra water to replace the fluid lost.
If diarrhea persists, it can be difficult for the body to properly absorb nutrients.
In some cases, persistent diarrhea can cause some people to develop lactose intolerance.
However, there are some instances in which it is best to get medical attention.
Treatment may not always be necessary, but may involve addressing the underlying cause, if there is one.
It can take a long time for food to be digested once swallowed.
This is known as bowel transit time.
The average bowel transit time in a person who isn’t constipated is 30 to 40 hours.
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