In the clinic, I often meet patients who come in exhausted from long-standing diarrhea. When you go to the bathroom several times a day, it is easy to lose energy, have a decreased appetite, and feel dizzy even with slight movement.
When diarrhea lasts a long time, the whole body becomes exhausted
When loose stools recur and continue for more than 3 weeks, it is difficult to view them only as a simple temporary stomach upset. Several Causes should be considered together, including Irritable Bowel Syndrome, medications being taken, inflammatory bowel disease, changes after intestinal surgery, digestive and absorptive disorders, and infection.
Especially during hot periods or when overwork overlaps, a lack of fluids and electrolytes may lead to dizziness, indigestion, and nausea. Rather than thinking only about stopping the diarrhea, it is necessary to check why the intestines have become sensitive.
In Korean medicine, we also look at the strength of the spleen-stomach
In Korean medicine, we place importance on spleen-stomach qi deficiency in long-lasting diarrhea. The spleen-stomach refers to the function of taking in food, digesting and absorbing it, and turning it into energy. When this strength weakens, even if you eat, absorption may not go well and stools can easily become loose.
If cold foods, irregular meals, overwork, and stress repeat, the intestines may become more sensitive. During care, I look at abdominal condition, eating habits, stamina, sleep, and stool patterns together, and consider a direction that replenishes the body and gently warms the inside.
Foods to reduce first
When you have chronic diarrhea, what to reduce for a while is as important as what to eat. The following foods can burden the intestines, so I recommend adjusting them until symptoms settle.
- Cold drinks, ice, and foods eaten cold such as cold noodles: These can increase discomfort in people whose abdomen feels cold and gurgles.
- Spicy, salty, and irritating foods: These can speed up intestinal movement and prevent stool from staying long enough.
- Milk and dairy products, and flour-based foods: Depending on the person, these can cause bloating and loose stools, so you should observe your response.
- Fried foods, fatty meats, and cream-based foods: Foods high in fat take longer to digest and can burden the intestines.
- Large amounts of alcohol and smoking: Alcohol stimulates intestinal movement, and smoking can make the intestines sensitive, sometimes worsening diarrhea.
Fluid replacement and meal rhythm
When diarrhea is frequent, it is good to sip lukewarm water in small amounts. Rather than drinking a large amount at once, replenish slowly so your body can accept it, and try starting meals in a low-irritation form such as porridge or soft rice.
If you are taking medications, they may be related to diarrhea, but you should not stop them on your own. When medication adjustment seems necessary, it is safest to consult the Medical Team who prescribed them.
When we recommend a Consultation
- When loose stools repeat for more than 3 weeks
- When bloody stool, black stool, fever, or severe abdominal pain is present
- When you wake up at night because of diarrhea or lose weight
- When dehydration is suspected, such as dizziness, dry mouth, or decreased urination
- When diarrhea continues in older adults, pregnant women, or Pediatrics patients
If there are urgent changes such as clouded consciousness, severe dehydration, or paralysis symptoms, you should use 119 or go to the emergency room first. For long-standing diarrhea, it is easier to set a direction for management when Causes, constitution, and dietary life are reviewed together rather than enduring it.