Why Do You Have Diarrhea Every Morning?
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Medically reviewed by Jay N. Yepuri, MD
Experiencing occasional diarrhea is fairly common. But some people might feel as though they have diarrhea every morning. Diarrhea every morning could be caused by a variety of factors, including infection, health condition, or medication side effect.
In addition to having loose stools, you might have stomach pain or cramps. You might also feel a sudden, urgent need to use the bathroom or lose full control of your bowels. Morning diarrhea is not an ideal way to start your day.
To put an end to the loose stools, you have to first figure out what's causing your diarrhea every morning. Here are some possible reasons for morning diarrhea.
Infection
Getting sick from a viral, bacterial, or parasitic infection commonly leads to diarrhea.
Most cases of acute diarrhea—which is diarrhea that lasts less than two weeks—are from a virus. Common viruses that can cause diarrhea include norovirus, rotavirus, and adenovirus.
Norovirus is the most common cause of diarrhea in the U.S. The virus is very contagious and can spread through direct contact with someone who has it or an object, food, liquid, or feces that has been contaminated with the virus.
If your diarrhea is more severe, a bacterial infection might be causing it. You can acquire a bacterial infection by coming into contact with bacteria through contaminated food or water. Bacteria that most commonly cause diarrhea include Escherichia coli (E. coli), Shigella, Salmonella, and Campylobacter.
For instance, many people experience what is known as travelers' diarrhea when they travel internationally. The travel-related illness is most often caused by E.coli bacteria.
You can also experience diarrhea in the morning if you've been infected with a parasite. This can happen if you drink or eat something that has been contaminated with a parasite. Diarrhea from a parasitic infection can be more chronic, meaning it lasts more than a month.
One type of parasitic infection is giardiasis, caused by the parasite Giardia. Its first signs are having two to five loose stools a day.
Diet
Dietary choices or changes can trigger morning diarrhea.
Food, drink, or gum that contains sugar substitutes like sorbitol and fructose can cause diarrhea because the body does not absorb the sugars well.
If you drink coffee or tea, the caffeine may be to blame. That's because caffeine prompts stomach acid while relaxing the digestive tract, leading to loose stools. Drinking your coffee first thing in the morning may lead to morning diarrhea shortly after.
People who consume dairy products but are actually lactose intolerant (meaning the body doesn't process the ingredient lactose well) can experience diarrhea in the morning, too.
Related: Sugar-Free Gum Can Cause Diarrhea—Here's How
Stress
Morning diarrhea could be the body's response to stress and anxiety.
When stress hormones are released into the gut, they can interfere with the digestion process. As a result, some people may experience stomach-related symptoms like stomach pain, nausea, bloating, or diarrhea.
Medication Side Effects
Many medications can have diarrhea as a side effect.
For example, if you're taking antibiotics, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), antacids, medications to treat high blood pressure (hypertension), or medications for an irregular heart beat (arrhythmia) before going to sleep, you might wake up with diarrhea in the morning.
The reason for why these medications cause diarrhea varies.
In the case of antacids (medication that neutralizes stomach acid so your heartburn or indigestion feels better), it's because it contains magnesium. Medication that contains magnesium could lead to or worsen diarrhea since higher doses of this mineral can cause diarrhea.
In the case of antibiotics, the medication can allow for too much C. diff bacteria grow in the gut, which can cause diarrhea.
Besides medicine, supplements, vitamins, and minerals can also cause diarrhea.
Chronic Health Conditions
Certain chronic (long-lasting) health conditions can trigger morning diarrhea. Two of the most common include Crohn's disease and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
Crohn's disease is an autoimmune disorder that causes digestive tract inflammation. IBS is a group of gastrointestinal symptoms thought to be caused by an imbalance in the way the gut and brain interact.
With these conditions, you may also notice symptoms like bloating, abdominal pain that's relieved after having a bowel movement, and a feeling like you haven't fully eliminated stool.
In addition, diabetes—particularly if it's not properly controlled or treated—may prompt morning diarrhea due to potential bacterial overgrowth in the gut.
When To See a Healthcare Provider
Having occasional diarrhea may not be a cause for concern. But consider checking with a healthcare provider if you experience:
Diarrhea that seems to be getting worse or doesn't get better after five days
Nausea and vomiting
Stool that has an abnormal color or odor
Fever
Stomach pain
To get to the bottom of why you're having morning diarrhea, a healthcare provider will likely perform a physical exam, ask about your symptoms and any current medications, and inquire about your diet. Stool, blood, or other tests may also be performed to check for bacteria, parasites, or signs of an underlying condition.
Treatments for Diarrhea
Specific treatment plans for morning diarrhea will depend on the underlying cause.
In general, a short-term bout of morning diarrhea may be treated with some of the following options:
Staying hydrated: Replenishing lost fluid and replacing lost electrolytes (minerals that keep the body regulated) with fluids that have sugar and salt, like Pedialyte or Gatorade, can help the intestines absorb the fluids so the body can function properly.
Avoiding milk and dairy products: Limiting these foods and drinks for up to 48 hours can be helpful as they can make diarrhea worse. Instead, consider eating bland foods like toast, soups, bananas, or rice.
Taking over-the-counter medication: Anti-diarrheal medications that help control bowel movements fairly quickly include Imodium (loperamide) and Pepto-Bismol (bismuth subsalicylate).
Using prescribed medication: If it's determined that the cause of the diarrhea is a bacterial infection, a healthcare provider may prescribe antibiotics.
How To Prevent Morning Diarrhea
Once you know the cause of your morning diarrhea, there may be some steps you can take to help prevent it.
To avoid morning diarrhea that's caused by a virus or bacteria, practice good hand hygiene to prevent infections. This includes regularly washing your hands. You'll want to steer clear of eating or drinking raw or contaminated foods and beverages to mitigate any foodborne illnesses that cause diarrhea.
Diet-related morning diarrhea can be managed by avoiding the foods that tend to make loose stools worse, like dairy, caffeine, and some artificial sweeteners. You might try cutting back on one ingredient at a time to determine which is the cause.
Because the way that the gut and brain interact together, taking steps to prevent or reduce stress could help manage stress-related morning diarrhea. Finding ways to incorporate mindfulness techniques like meditation or deep breathing before upcoming stressful events could be useful for preventing stress-related morning diarrhea.
And if you're experiencing a chronic digestive condition like IBS, check with a healthcare provider about staying on top of your particular treatment plan. In instances where morning diarrhea is frequent, they may recommend antidiarrheal medications or other prescription options to slow the movement of stool through the digestive tract.
Complications of Daily Diarrhea
Diarrhea causes the body to lose fluids quickly—which can lead to dehydration.
While dehydration can be mild, it can turn into a serious issue when the body doesn't have enough fluids to fully function—particularly for older adults, children, and people with weak immune systems.
Talk with your healthcare provider about whether your morning diarrhea poses a dehydration risk for you. It's typically three or more loose, watery stools a day that puts you at risk for dehydration. So if your diarrhea happens more than in just the morning, the risk for dehydration is likely greater.
Having diarrhea each morning can also complicate your daily life. You might have to spend more time in the bathroom than you planned or wake up earlier to set time aside to go to the bathroom. Diarrhea in the morning can make you late to school or work, making you start each day in stress.
A Quick Review
Having diarrhea every morning may be the sign of an infection, dietary issue, medication side effect, stress, or underlying health issue. Diarrhea can make your morning less pleasant and negatively affect your morning routine. If diarrhea persists throughout the day in the short or long term, you could be at risk for dehydration. Figuring out what is causing the diarrhea can help you treat and prevent it so that you can have a better morning.
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