Causes of diarrhoea

The most common causes of diarrhoea

Sometimes, as in the case of food poisoning, the cause of diarrhoea may be quite obvious, but it can be worrying when you don’t understand what’s behind those frequent sprints to the bathroom. Here are some of the most common causes of acute (short) bouts of diarrhoea:

• Viral or bacterial infection
• Travellers’ diarrhoea
• Allergy or intolerance to certain foods
• Eating too much spicy or oily food
• Drinking too much alcohol
• Menstruation (many women suffer from diarrhoea just before or after their periods)
• Stress
• Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)

Once you pinpoint the cause, you can regain control over your body and your day-to-day life.