Treating Gas and Diarrhea at the Same Time

Why You Could Have Both at Once

Medically reviewed by Robert Burakoff, MD

Gas and diarrhea are common symptoms of gastrointestinal illness and conditions. They tend to be self-limiting, resolving on their own. However, severe gas and diarrhea may be caused by an underlying health condition or illness that needs medical attention.

This article will discuss the causes, symptoms, and treatment of gas and diarrhea. It will also cover when someone should contact a healthcare provider.

Causes of Excessive Gas and Diarrhea

Excessive gas and diarrhea can be painful and interfere with daily activities. There are several causes, some of which are temporary, while others are lifelong. Below is a list of some of the causes, with explanations of each one.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)

IBS is a common cause of chronic diarrhea and gas. It occurs in about 15% of the U.S. population and it affects women twice as much as men. IBS may be caused by hypersensitivity of the nerves in the gut or a change in how the gut and brain communicate and interact.

Symptoms include abdominal cramping, gas, and changes in bowel patterns. Bowel pattern changes tend to be diarrhea but can also include constipation.

Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO)

SIBO occurs when there is an increase in the number of or type of bacteria in the small intestine. The extra bacteria produce gas and can cause diarrhea. It is typically found in people who have had abdominal surgery or who have other health conditions like Crohn's disease, celiac disease, or a weakened immune system.

Celiac Disease

Celiac disease is a chronic immune condition that causes damage to the small intestine. It is triggered by eating a protein called gluten found in wheat flour and other sources. People with celiac disease can experience several different symptoms. They include:

• Diarrhea

• Gas

• Bloating

• Constipation

• Abdominal pain

• Loose, greasy, bad-smelling stool

Food Intolerance

Food intolerance is a difficulty digesting certain foods or drinks, which then causes excessive gas and diarrhea.

Lactose intolerance is a common food intolerance that is caused by eating or drinking products that contain milk when you lack enough of the enzyme lactase to digest it.

Fructose intolerance is a type of food intolerance in which people get gas and diarrhea after consuming products that contain fructose. Fructose is a type of sugar found in fruits, fruit products, soft drinks, and foods that contain high-fructose corn syrup.

Infections

Infections are another common cause of gastrointestinal problems like gas and diarrhea. Types include:

• Bacterial infections: Bacteria that enter the body through food or other sources can cause diarrhea and gas. These bacteria include Campylobacter, Escherichia coli (E. coli), Salmonella, and Shigella.

• Viral infections: Several viruses cause diarrhea and gas, like SARS-CoV-2, (causes COVID-19), norovirus, rotavirus, and other causes of viral gastroenteritis (sometimes referred to as the stomach flu).

• Parasitic infections: Parasites are tiny, sometimes, microscopic, organisms. Ones that cause diarrhea and gas symptoms include Entamoeba histolytica, Cryptosporidium enteritis, and Giardia lamblia.

Gas and Types of Diarrhea

Diarrhea symptoms will vary based on the infectious or noninfectious cause of the illness. Below are lists of different types of gas and diarrhea along with the corresponding symptoms.

Noninfectious Diarrhea Symptoms

Noninfectious diarrhea symptoms will vary based on the cause. The causes can range from medical conditions like Crohn's disease and celiac disease to food intolerances.

Symptoms may include:

• Nausea and vomiting

• Abdominal cramping

• Loose, watery stool

People with noninfectious diarrhea tend to not have a fever or other signs of an infection.

Infectious Diarrhea Symptoms

Infectious diarrhea is broken up into two categories, inflammatory and noninflammatory. Inflammatory infectious diarrhea is more invasive with toxin-producing bacteria that produce more severe symptoms. Noninflammatory infectious diarrhea symptoms are typically from a virus and produce milder symptoms.

Noninflammatory infectious diarrhea symptoms include:

• Nausea and vomiting

• No fever

• Abdominal cramps

• Watery stool

• Large amounts of stool

• No blood in the stool

Inflammatory infectious diarrhea symptoms include:

• Fever

• Abdominal pain

• Bloody stool

• Smaller amount of stool

• Tenesmus (urge to have a bowel movement without being able to pass one)
  

Diarrhea Diagnosis

Viral infections are the most common cause of diarrhea. In most cases, there does not need to be a formal diagnosis to determine the exact cause. But when the diarrhea is severe, determining the cause is important.

A healthcare provider will take a health history to find if there has been any recent travel, types of foods and drinks consumed, and look at other symptoms.

Tests performed could include:

• Fecal occult blood

• Stool culture

• Clostridioides difficile (C. diff) testing

• Parasite testing

Treatment: Relief for Gas and Diarrhea Symptoms

Gas and diarrhea tend to resolve on their own without treatment. However, if the symptoms persist or are severe then treatment is needed. People with underlying conditions should talk to their healthcare provider for a specific treatment plan. The treatments may include:

• Rehydration: The first treatment for diarrhea should be rehydration, returning fluids to the body. The best way to rehydrate is with a liquid that contains some salt and sugar. Avoid sugary sports drinks and look for products like Pedialyte that are made for rehydration.

• Antidiarrheal medication: Medications like Imodium (loperamide) and Pepto-Bismol (bismuth subsalicylate) can be used to relieve gas discomfort and reduce the duration of diarrhea. It will not cure the underlying cause of diarrhea and gas.

• Antibiotics: In most cases of diarrhea, antibiotics are not an effective treatment and can worsen symptoms. However, antibiotics may be effective when the cause is Shigella, Campylobacter, C. diff, or parasitic infections.

• Probiotics: Taking probiotics (friendly bacteria normally present in a healthy gut) may reduce the severity and duration of diarrhea and gas symptoms.

When Gas and Diarrhea Warrant a Provider Visit

Most incidences of gas and diarrhea will resolve on their own without treatment from a healthcare provider. However, when there are signs of dehydration along with diarrhea, contact a healthcare provider. Other symptoms that warrant a healthcare provider visit include:

• Stools that contain mucus or blood

• Black stool

• Fever

• Diarrhea for more than 48 hours

• Severe abdominal pain during a bowel movement

Summary

Gas and diarrhea are two common gastrointestinal symptoms that can be caused by several underlying health conditions or illnesses. Many cases resolve on their own without treatment from a healthcare provider. However, severe cases will need to be seen by a provider to help determine the underlying cause, which will guide treatment.

Read the original article on Verywell Health.