Diarrhea is the gastrointestinal excretion of watery, loose stool that is a stimulated response to a number of acute and chronic conditions. Some of these conditions are benign without any known cause, and the diarrhea will typically pass without other significant side effects. Chronic diarrhea, when accompanied by other symptoms, may be a sign of more serious health conditions, such as colon cancer. Diarrhea following the consumption of a meal may be a sign of other conditions that can usually be treated and managed with professional medical help.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Chronic diarrhea after eating meals may be the result of irritable bowel syndrome, or IBS. Sufferers of IBS may also experience rotating bouts of diarrhea followed by constipation and a return to diarrhea. No direct cause of IBS is known, although it is suspected that 20 percent of all adults suffer from some form of IBS, according to MayoClinic.com. Because no specific biological markers are available to diagnose IBS, the distinction is usually made through deduction and elimination of other potential diseases with similar, yet different symptoms. Successful treatment of IBS is usually achieved through a combination of medications or supplements and dietary and lifestyle changes.
Gastroenteritis
Gastrointestinal infection by microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses or parasites may cause diarrhea and is associated with a generalized condition called gastroenteritis, according to The Merck Manual of Medical Information. Gastroenteritis is defined by the inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract, caused by an infection that is typically diagnosed by a stool culture test. Contamination may result from improper hygiene, unsanitary food preparation, contact with infected individuals or consumption of contaminated or spoiled foods. Since dehydration and fatigue are the major complications associated with chronic diarrhea and gastroenteritis, adequate hydration and bed rest are the typical treatment regimens. For more serious bacterial and parasitic infections, medications like antibiotics and antiparasitics are often prescribed to fight off the infection.
Autoimmune Disorders
Chronic diarrhea after eating may be caused by gastrointestinal autoimmune disorders, including Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. These disorders are characterized by inflammation of the entire gastrointestinal tract, from the esophagus to the rectum, as an inappropriate immune response to food ingestion. Genetic and lifestyle factors have been identified as potential causes for the development of these autoimmune disorders, notes the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America. Disease treatment and management strategies for both Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis include the use of medications and dietary restrictions.
