Your body may lose potassium if you have frequent diarrhea due to irritable bowel syndrome, or IBS. As an electrolyte, this essential mineral plays crucial roles in fluid balance, nerve conduction, heart function and muscle contraction. The frequent, watery bowel movements that often characterize IBS may lead to low potassium levels. To avoid the health complications of low potassium, work with your doctor to form a treatment plan to reduce your episodes of diarrhea.
IBS and Diarrhea
IBS does not cause permanent damage to your intestinal tract; however, the irregular bowel contractions of IBS can cause complications that lead to more serious health problems. Muscle spasms in your colon, or large intestine, may interfere with your body's absorption of fluids from your digestive wastes, leading to either diarrhea or constipation. Diarrhea is one of the most common causes of low potassium levels, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Nausea, a low energy level, weakness, an irregular pulse or muscle cramps may indicate that you have low potassium, or hypokalemia, a condition that requires immediate medical attention.
Diarrhea Triggers
Consuming certain foods or beverages or eating large meals may trigger bowel spasms, abdominal pain and diarrhea if you have IBS. Although food sensitivities vary from one individual to another, caffeine, alcohol, milk, chocolate and high-fiber foods are common dietary triggers. Changes in daily routines, stress and anxiety can also provoke diarrhea in people who suffer from this condition.
Fluid and Potassium Replacement
When you're having a flare-up of diarrhea, increase your intake of fluids and potassium-rich foods. Bananas, peach or apricot nectar and avocados are rich in potassium and may thicken loose stools, according to the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. Drink plenty of fluids at room temperature, mostly between meals. Water, low-sodium broth, non-acidic juices and electrolyte replacement drinks will help you stay hydrated. Because excessive levels of potassium may be as dangerous as low levels of this mineral, you should not take potassium in supplement form without a doctor's prescription.
Prevention
Eating smaller meals and avoiding spicy, greasy or thermally hot foods may help reduce bowel spasms and prevent potassium loss. Toast, crackers, white rice and other starchy foods may slow diarrhea. Foods that contain soluble fiber, a form of fiber that absorbs fluids from digestive wastes, may solidify loose, watery stools. Dried beans, bananas, apples, oranges and grapefruit and oatmeal are high in soluble fiber. If dietary modifications don't correct your bowel patterns, your doctor may recommend psyllium, an herbal soluble fiber supplement. Your doctor may also prescribe antispasmodic or antidepressant medications that reduce diarrhea to prevent loss of fluids and electrolytes.
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