Most people know that exercise is good for overall health, but when diarrhea accompanies your exercise routines, it can make working out lose its value. Diarrhea occurs when the food that is in your large intestine is being pushed quickly out of the body before the intestine has the opportunity to absorb much water. When this happens, the number of your stools increases, and they become more watery or loose. You might also experience abdominal pain and cramping or you may feel excessively thirsty, and when this occurs while working out, you might need to temporarily discontinue your exercise routine.
Recognition
Diarrhea that is associated with exercise typically involves loose stools that occur more than three times per day for a period of less than four weeks. The Uniformed Services University reports that between 20 percent and 50 percent of athletes who are considered "high performance" experience gastrointestinal symptoms related to exercise. For many athletes, diarrhea is severe enough to cause discomfort and an alteration in exercise routines, but not significant enough to cause dehydration or an imbalance in electrolytes. As you continue to work out and develop your overall fitness level, you might experience less diarrhea with exercise.
Runner's Diarrhea
A condition known as runner's diarrhea sometimes occurs in people who are distance runners. Runner's diarrhea causes gas, flatulence, cramping and diarrhea either during or after a long period of running. Marathon runners and those who train to run long distances are often susceptible to runner's diarrhea, which can occur when the body shunts blood flow away from the intestinal tract during extensive periods of exercise, according to MayoClinic.com.
Prevention
You can follow some tips to avoid developing diarrhea when you exercise. You might want to monitor your fiber intake and cut back on foods that are high in fiber before you work out, such as beans, dried fruits, split peas or lentils. These foods could contribute to gas and flatulence and can increase your bowel movements. If you exercise daily, try to eat these types of foods after your workout, rather than before. You might also limit high-fat and greasy foods in your diet, particularly within three hours of your exercise routine. Avoid eating for at least one hour before you work out.
Considerations
Diarrhea can become serious if it is left untreated. Your body is already losing water through the gastrointestinal tract when you have diarrhea. This situation, paired with frequent exercise, which further depletes your bodily fluids, can quickly lead to dehydration. Drink plenty of water before, during and after your exercise regime to combat dehydration. See your doctor if you notice blood in your diarrhea, it lasts for longer than four weeks or it is significant enough that it disrupts your exercise and activity levels.
