Bowel movements differ from person to person. People may poop a few times per calendar week or several times per 24-hour interval. A sudden modify in bowel move frequency tin occur due to stress, a change in diet or exercise, or an underlying illness.

If bowel movements return to normal within a few days, this should not be a crusade for concern. Nonetheless, persistently pooping much more than normal could signal an underlying medical condition that may require handling.

This article outlines nine potential causes of needing to poop more than frequently. Information technology besides provides information on treatment options and when to run across a physician for gastrointestinal discomfort.

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Dietary changes and booze consumption may affect a person's bowel motion.

Below are some potential causes of pooping more than often than normal.

Dietary changes

A change in nutrition can lead to a modify in bowel movements. For example, consuming more fiber helps nutrient motility through the digestive system. Equally such, a person who adds more fruit, vegetables, and whole grains to their nutrition may observe they need to poop more oftentimes.

Alcohol consumption

Alcohol tin can have an immediate issue on the amount a person poops. Drinks with a higher alcohol content may slow down the digestive arrangement, and depression-alcohol beverages may speed it up.

Drinks with a lower alcohol content include beer and wine. After consuming these drinks, people may find they need to poop more frequently or more urgently. This consequence should go away after the alcohol leaves their system.

Exercise

A 2017 review suggests depression-intensity exercise may decrease the time it takes for nutrient to movement through the gut. This could result in more regular bowel movements.

Some people report a need to poop during or immediately after physical activity. Strenuous do has a greater impact on the body and may cause the following symptoms:

  • diarrhea
  • stomach pain
  • nausea

Stress

Stress tin can have a significant impact on gut function and health. Information technology speeds upwards the movement of food through the big intestine, while persistent stress could trigger a need to empty the bowels more often.

People may also written report a greater need to use the bathroom if they feel acute stress or feet. This is due to the trunk's gut-brain axis — the network that connects the fundamental nervous system with the gastrointestinal (GI) tract fretfulness. The gut-brain axis is responsible for the "butterflies" a person feels in their stomach when they are anxious.

Diarrhea

The definition of diarrhea is iii or more loose, watery stools per twenty-four hour period. Other symptoms may include:

  • an urgent need to use the bathroom
  • loss of control of bowel movements
  • intestinal pain
  • nausea

Diarrhea tin can occur as a effect of a viral, bacterial, or parasitic infection. The verbal cause may not be obvious in some cases.

Most cases of diarrhea should become away inside 4 days. In the meantime, a person should residue and drink plenty of fluids to avert dehydration.

Menstruum

According to a 2014 written report, people are more likely to experience abdominal hurting and diarrhea in the days leading upward to a menstruation.

People who report emotional symptoms and fatigue before or during their period were more likely to feel multiple GI symptoms. The researchers conclude this may be due to shared pathways between the encephalon, gut, and hormones.

These symptoms that people experience typically disappear once their catamenia finishes.

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a chronic GI disorder that may crusade the following symptoms:

  • breadbasket cramps
  • bloating
  • diarrhea
  • constipation

The cause of IBS is unclear, though some possible reasons include:

  • hypersensitivity of the nerves inside the gut
  • food passing through the gut too quickly or besides slowly
  • stress
  • genetic factors

Mutual food triggers for IBS include:

  • caffeine
  • dairy
  • carbonated drinks

Food intolerances

Nutrient intolerances occur when a person is unable to digest certain foods properly. Symptoms include:

  • diarrhea
  • abdominal pain or discomfort
  • nausea
  • vomiting

Some examples of food intolerances include:

  • lactose intolerance, where a person is unable to break downwardly lactose in milk and dairy products
  • fructose intolerance, in which a person is unable to break downward the fruit saccharide fructose
  • non-celiac gluten sensitivity, where a person has symptoms subsequently consuming gluten containing foods

Crohn'south disease

Crohn'south disease is an inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that causes chronic inflammation of the GI tract.

The symptoms vary from person to person, partially depending on the part of the GI tract afflicted. Some of the most common symptoms include:

  • an urgent demand to empty the bowels
  • a feeling of incomplete bowel emptying
  • persistent diarrhea
  • constipation
  • rectal haemorrhage
  • abdominal cramps and pain

Co-ordinate to the Crohn'due south and Colitis Foundation, there is no clear cause of Crohn'due south affliction, though genetic and environmental factors are probable to play a office.

The handling for more than frequent pooping depends on the underlying cause. If a person has an underlying medical condition, a doc volition need to treat this to alleviate symptoms.

However, people may also benefit from more than general treatments.

For example, the following options could help someone with acute diarrhea:

  • over-the-counter (OTC) anti-diarrheal medications
  • sports drinks, or rehydration solutions to help preclude dehydration
  • avoiding alcohol, caffeine, and sweeteners
  • fugitive fat, spicy, or dairy foods

A person who suspects their diet causes them to poop more frequently may wish to keep a nutrient diary. This can help them recognize foods that may affect their bowel habits. Once a person identifies their trigger foods, they should avoid or limit those foods.

A need to poop more frequently than usual is not necessarily a crusade for concern. However, a person should see a md if they experience any of the following symptoms:

  • abdominal hurting
  • diarrhea that lasts more 2 days
  • pooping 6 times or more in 24 hours
  • poop that is blackness or contains blood
  • nausea or vomiting
  • a fever of 102oF or higher
  • symptoms of dehydration

These symptoms could indicate a serious underlying medical problem.

It is non e'er possible to terminate the triggers of more than frequent bowel movements. Nonetheless, the post-obit tips may help reduce the take chances of digestive problems.

Increasing cobweb intake

A person who consumes enough of fiber can promote more regular bowel movements. People should swallow more vegetables, whole grains, and pulses.

It is of import to increase dietary cobweb intake gradually and drink plenty of water. This will help prevent constipation.

Reducing stress

People who experience stress-induced bowel issues may benefit from the following activities:

  • exercise
  • meditation
  • relaxation therapy
  • talking therapy

Practicing good hygiene

The following tips tin reduce a person's gamble of contracting bacteria and viruses that tin can crusade gastric upset and diarrhea:

  • washing hands thoroughly later on bathroom visits
  • washing hands thoroughly earlier preparing and eating food
  • cooking meats thoroughly
  • fugitive sharing personal items, such as:
    • eating utensils
    • toothbrushes
    • razors
    • towels

A modify in nutrition, exercise, or stress levels can brand people need to poop more than often. This should not exist of business concern if they are otherwise healthy. Typically, a person's bowel habits should return to normal within a few days.

However, people should come across a dr. if the demand to poop more often accompanies other symptoms, such as abdominal hurting, diarrhea, or fever. These could indicate an underlying medical condition that requires treatment.