In our lives, we face several health problems, some lasting for a shorter duration, and diarrhea is one of them. In this case, your stool will be in a liquid form, and you will lose a lot of water, but this situation lasts for a few days.
But, if it remains for 3-4 weeks, then you may face severe health issues because of nutrient deficiencies and dehydration. Now, the question arises, is there any relation between diarrhea and weight loss, or does the former affect the latter?
Well, the answer is Yes, because several factors are associated with it that will reduce weight, and here, you will get to know about the same.
How Are Diarrhea And Weight Loss Linked?
Diarrhea is a gastrointestinal problem in which the affected person has frequent pooping in a day that is in a liquid form, which results in water weight loss.
So, the primary weight loss that you feel during this problem is because of dehydration, and once it is cured, you will be back to your normal weight.
Now, another scenario that connects diarrhea and weight loss is the loss of nutrients and appetizers. To understand this concept, you will have to go through the broader dimension, i.e., the absorption of nutrients by the intestine in the body.
In general, the food that you intake breaks down in the digestive system, and the absorption part takes place in the intestine.
If there is an irregular bowel movement due to diarrhea, then the intestine will fail to absorb the nutrients essential for the body, and everything will come outside via stool.
So, in this case, there is weight loss because your body fails to absorb the essential nutrients, and once you get cured, then you will have to focus on your diet to maintain your weight.
The third case is about the loss of appetizer, which mostly happens with everyone in which they don’t like to eat anything.
In the second case, there is already a loss of nutrients and if you don’t eat food, then there will be a sharp drop in your weight.
So, in this case, you must have a liquid diet that is rich in nutrients to allow your body organs to function effectively.
Is It A Sign Of Worry In Losing Weight Because Of Diarrhea?
In modern times, everyone wants to remain fit, but at the same time, they can’t leave junk foods, which offer high calories.
The imbalance between food and exercise results in weight gain; for instance, if you are consuming 2500 calories a day and burning only 200 calories, then excess calories will be stored in adipose tissue and will become fat.
The fats around the belly are not considered good, and they should be removed by doing regular exercise for 30 minutes and also by controlling diet.
However losing weight via diarrhea is not considered a healthy option, as it may affect your gastrointestinal tract, and you may face other health issues.
So, it’s better to lose weight by applying healthy techniques, i.e., regular exercise, including walking, running, swimming, cycling, and others. In addition, you must consume healthy foods that are rich in protein, fiber, and essential nutrients.
However, it is quite hard to do these activities during diarrhea, so you must get cured first and then apply these techniques. Below, some effective remedies are provided that will help you maintain your weight during diarrhea.
How To Control Your Weight Loss During Diarrhea?
Before losing weight, you must go through a proper channel, and at first, you must measure your BMI and if it is above 25, then you must move one step ahead to reduce weight.
But in case of diarrhea, it’s very difficult, but, you can maintain your weight by adding some healthy foods and probiotics elements to your diet.
Some foods can be consumed during this period, and one such is probiotic foods, such as yogurt. It is a food that contains good bacteria and is essential for your gut health, especially at the time of diarrhea.
You need to keep your gut healthy, and yogurt is the best food for the same, as it will reduce the severity of diarrhea and will give you some relief from frequent pooping.
In the case of diarrhea where you are losing weight, you must avoid insoluble fiber foods because they will give negative results.
So, you must add some soluble fiber to your diet, such as bananas, oatmeal, and boiled potatoes, as these foods will increase the water content in your body.
In diarrhea, there is water weight loss, so you must remain hydrated and also need to retain the nutrients. So, you should include electrolytes in your diet as the same will help you to fill the gap of sodium, potassium, and other minerals that are required for your body.
However, if you want some DIY remedy for electrolytes, then you can take a glass of water, mix a half tablespoon of salt and sugar, and then drink the solution. So, to maintain your weight, you must drink this solution two to three times a day.
How Can You Figure Out You Are Losing Weight Because Of Diarrhea?
The most common symptoms that are found in diarrhea are dehydration and loss of appetite. If this case arises, then you won’t feel to eat food, and also frequent vomiting will take place. In this condition, you will feel a loss of weight.
Now coming to the cause of diarrhea mostly arises because of the attack of microbes in the gastrointestinal tract, medication side effects, and excessive use of alcohol.
On the off chance, if your condition becomes severe and losing more weight, then you must consult a doctor immediately.
Conclusion
Diarrhea cause weight loss because of dehydration and loss of nutrients via stool. If you are going through this phase, then you must retain your weight, and for that, follow the diet that is prescribed above and ensure you remain hydrated by drinking plenty of water.
Moreover, you must add electrolytes to your diet to maintain the essential minerals in your body. Once you are cured, then you will regain your body weight after consuming healthy foods.
In case of diarrhea, you must avoid some foods, such as dairy products, processed foods, fatty meats, and sugar-based products.
These foods will create a negative impact on your intestines, and your condition will become severe, including sudden weight loss.
References:
- Behera DK, Mishra S. The burden of diarrhea, etiologies, and risk factors in India from 1990 to 2019: Evidence from the global burden of disease study. BMC Public Health. 2022;22:92. –
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35027031/ - O’Brien L, Wall CL, Wilkinson TJ, Gearry RB. What are the pearls and pitfalls of dietary management for chronic diarrhea? Nutrients. 2021;13:1393. –
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8143080/
