Are you experiencing burning diarrhea and worried if it might indicate something severe, RELAX! Though burning diarrhea can cause discomfort, it is something normal and will go away within a few hours or a day. But do keep in mind that if your condition is severe or persists more than a day or two, you should immediately see a doctor. Long-lasting diarrhea can result in dehydration and malnutrition.
Below in this article will learn why does diarrhea burn. We will also look at some tips to help manage it.
Why does diarrhea burn?
There are various reasons why you may experience burning diarrhea.
Incomplete Digestion
After you enjoy the sizzling taste of your favorite meal in your mouth, it enters your stomach. When the food reaches there, stomach acids and digestive enzymes come into action. They come in contact with the food to break it down.
Diarrhea accelerates digestion, and your body fails to digest the food fully. Due to this, the stomach acids and digestive enzymes remain in diarrhea, which can hurt the tissues, and your rectum may burn when you poop.
Eating Spicy Foods
Eating foods high on spices is another reason why diarrhea burn. Some ingredients in spicy foods can cause a burning sensation when they come in contact with body tissues. One such is capsaicin, which can displease digestive tissues, causing diarrhea. Now you know that diarrhea accelerates digestion, and when capsaicin leaves the body undigested, it can cause discomfort during the bowel movement.
Physical Injury
Your body may not fully break down some types of foods. When these leave your body, they can give small cuts to the soft tissues of the rectum.
Sometimes you may feel irritated or more conscious and wipe harder after passing the stool, not knowing that it can cause a burning sensation.
Other Causes
Some habits such as drinking too much alcohol, caffeine, artificial sweeteners can contribute to burning diarrhea. Sometimes, stress can also be the reason why diarrhea burn.
How to manage burning diarrhea?
The best way to manage burning diarrhea is to avoid certain foods and habits that contribute to it.
- Spicy foods can be the prime culprit of your discomfort. Try to avoid such foods and try milder alternatives.
- When you wipe after stool, try to be gentle like you do with a baby and use lukewarm water to wash the area.
- Limit your consumption of alcohol and caffeinated drinks as they can cause dehydration
- Also, avoid smoking.
- Say no to high sugar foods.
- To help relieve pain, you can use over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers.
In case your condition is not under control, and you are experiencing severe discomfort and burning sensation, you should seek immediate medical help. Schedule an appointment with Gastroenterology Diagnostic Center. Call us today at 281-357-1977.