Bowel movements differ from person to person. People may poop a few times per week or several times per day. A sudden modify in bowel motion frequency tin occur due to stress, a alter in nutrition or exercise, or an underlying illness.

If bowel movements return to normal within a few days, this should non be a cause for business concern. However, persistently pooping much more than than normal could signal an underlying medical status that may require treatment.

This article outlines nine potential causes of needing to poop more oftentimes. It also provides information on treatment options and when to see a md for gastrointestinal discomfort.

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Dietary changes and alcohol consumption may affect a person'south bowel movement.

Below are some potential causes of pooping more often than normal.

Dietary changes

A change in nutrition can lead to a modify in bowel movements. For case, consuming more cobweb helps food move through the digestive organisation. As such, a person who adds more fruit, vegetables, and whole grains to their diet may find they need to poop more than often.

Alcohol consumption

Booze tin have an immediate result on the amount a person poops. Drinks with a higher alcohol content may slow downward the digestive system, and depression-alcohol beverages may speed it upwardly.

Drinks with a lower booze content include beer and wine. Afterward consuming these drinks, people may find they need to poop more frequently or more than urgently. This effect should get away afterwards the booze leaves their organisation.

Exercise

A 2017 review suggests low-intensity practise may subtract the time it takes for food to move through the gut. This could event in more regular bowel movements.

Some people written report a need to poop during or immediately later physical activity. Strenuous exercise has a greater touch on on the torso and may crusade the following symptoms:

  • diarrhea
  • stomach pain
  • nausea

Stress

Stress tin can accept a significant bear upon on gut function and wellness. It speeds upwardly the movement of food through the big intestine, while persistent stress could trigger a need to empty the bowels more often.

People may besides report a greater need to employ the bathroom if they experience acute stress or anxiety. This is due to the trunk's gut-brain centrality — the network that connects the fundamental nervous system with the gastrointestinal (GI) tract nerves. The gut-brain axis is responsible for the "butterflies" a person feels in their breadbasket when they are broken-hearted.

Diarrhea

The definition of diarrhea is 3 or more loose, watery stools per day. Other symptoms may include:

  • an urgent need to use the bathroom
  • loss of control of bowel movements
  • abdominal pain
  • nausea

Diarrhea can occur as a effect of a viral, bacterial, or parasitic infection. The exact cause may not be obvious in some cases.

Nearly cases of diarrhea should get abroad within four days. In the meantime, a person should rest and drink plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration.

Menstruation

According to a 2014 study, people are more than likely to experience intestinal pain and diarrhea in the days leading up to a flow.

People who study emotional symptoms and fatigue before or during their menses were more likely to feel multiple GI symptoms. The researchers conclude this may exist due to shared pathways between the brain, gut, and hormones.

These symptoms that people experience typically disappear once their flow finishes.

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a chronic GI disorder that may crusade the following symptoms:

  • tummy cramps
  • bloating
  • diarrhea
  • constipation

The crusade of IBS is unclear, though some possible reasons include:

  • hypersensitivity of the nerves within the gut
  • food passing through the gut too speedily or as well slowly
  • stress
  • genetic factors

Mutual nutrient triggers for IBS include:

  • caffeine
  • dairy
  • carbonated drinks

Food intolerances

Food intolerances occur when a person is unable to digest certain foods properly. Symptoms include:

  • diarrhea
  • intestinal pain or discomfort
  • nausea
  • vomiting

Some examples of food intolerances include:

  • lactose intolerance, where a person is unable to break downwardly lactose in milk and dairy products
  • fructose intolerance, in which a person is unable to break down the fruit sugar fructose
  • non-celiac gluten sensitivity, where a person has symptoms after consuming gluten containing foods

Crohn'south illness

Crohn's disease is an inflammatory bowel affliction (IBD) that causes chronic inflammation of the GI tract.

The symptoms vary from person to person, partially depending on the function of the GI tract affected. Some of the most mutual symptoms include:

  • an urgent need to empty the bowels
  • a feeling of incomplete bowel elimination
  • persistent diarrhea
  • constipation
  • rectal bleeding
  • abdominal cramps and pain

Co-ordinate to the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation, there is no clear cause of Crohn's disease, though genetic and environmental factors are likely to play a role.

The treatment for more frequent pooping depends on the underlying crusade. If a person has an underlying medical condition, a doctor will need to treat this to alleviate symptoms.

Nevertheless, people may also benefit from more general treatments.

For example, the post-obit options could help someone with acute diarrhea:

  • over-the-counter (OTC) anti-diarrheal medications
  • sports drinks, or rehydration solutions to help prevent aridity
  • fugitive booze, caffeine, and sweeteners
  • avoiding fat, spicy, or dairy foods

A person who suspects their diet causes them to poop more than frequently may wish to keep a food diary. This can help them recognize foods that may affect their bowel habits. Once a person identifies their trigger foods, they should avoid or limit those foods.

A need to poop more often than usual is not necessarily a cause for concern. However, a person should encounter a doctor if they feel whatever of the following symptoms:

  • abdominal pain
  • diarrhea that lasts more than 2 days
  • pooping 6 times or more in 24 hours
  • poop that is black or contains blood
  • nausea or airsickness
  • a fever of 102oF or college
  • symptoms of dehydration

These symptoms could indicate a serious underlying medical problem.

It is not always possible to terminate the triggers of more frequent bowel movements. However, the following tips may help reduce the chance of digestive issues.

Increasing fiber intake

A person who consumes plenty of cobweb can promote more regular bowel movements. People should consume more vegetables, whole grains, and pulses.

It is important to increment dietary fiber intake gradually and drinkable enough of water. This will aid preclude constipation.

Reducing stress

People who experience stress-induced bowel issues may do good from the following activities:

  • exercise
  • meditation
  • relaxation therapy
  • talking therapy

Practicing good hygiene

The following tips can reduce a person'south take chances of contracting bacteria and viruses that can cause gastric upset and diarrhea:

  • washing hands thoroughly after bathroom visits
  • washing hands thoroughly before preparing and eating food
  • cooking meats thoroughly
  • fugitive sharing personal items, such equally:
    • eating utensils
    • toothbrushes
    • razors
    • towels

A modify in diet, exercise, or stress levels can brand people need to poop more than often. This should not be of concern if they are otherwise healthy. Typically, a person's bowel habits should render to normal within a few days.

However, people should see a physician if the demand to poop more ofttimes accompanies other symptoms, such as abdominal hurting, diarrhea, or fever. These could indicate an underlying medical condition that requires treatment.