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Causes of diarrhea: stress and anxiety

Summary

We know that the pressures of modern life can have a real impact on our day-to-day lives and be a common trigger for diarrhea.

How your mood can affect diarrhea

We conducted an in-depth study with over 2000 sufferers of frequent acute diarrhea from over 14 different countries and they shared their experiences with us.1

  • 42% said they put their diarrhea down to stress and anxiety
  • 78% said they felt generally stressed
  • 53% said they were more stressed today than a decade ago2

It seems certain stress can take its toll on digestion. After all, if your life and routine are out of their normal rhythm, your body could be knocked out of rhythm too.

When you experience stress and get anxious or nervous, your body produces adrenaline and other hormones, which speed up the function of your nervous system. This can make some of your muscles work too fast. If the muscles in your intestines speed up, the natural rhythm of your digestion will speed up too.

Faster digestion means your intestines absorb less fluid, making your stools more frequent and watery - what we know as diarrhea. Just a small reduction in the fluid you absorb can be enough to bring on a bout of diarrhea. 

Common causes of stress

Here are just a few things that might make you stressed, anxious or nervous:

  • Public speaking
  • Exams and interviews
  • Important social events
  • Personal problems
  • Being overly busy
  • Work

How to deal with stress

We all get stressed now and then. Sometimes, diarrhea can be your body’s way of telling you that you’re under pressure. But it can of course make life even more difficult. So it’s best to deal with the causes of your stress first.

Read our tips on how to deal with stress

How to treat diarrhea

Having diarrhea can be stressful in itself, especially if you’re already under pressure. So don’t hesitate in treating it straight away. IMODIUM™ works in harmony with your body to help restore the digestive system to its normal pace, giving you one less thing to feel anxious about.

Find out more about IMODIUM™

Click here for references.

Feeling the pressure?

Read up on ways to help cope with life’s nerves and worries.

IMODIUM™ capsules have been a trusted remedy in helping to restore your body’s natural rhythm for more than 40 years.
Doctor recommended Imodium™ gives fast and effective relief; it can stop diarrhea in just one dose and in just one hour.