Can’t Stop Pooping? What If Your Gut Is Stuck in Overdrive

Experiencing urgent trips to the bathroom, loose or watery stools, and that nagging feeling of “I can’t stop pooping” is stressful. Whether it’s sudden and short-lived or a longer, more persistent problem, diarrhea can zap your energy and leave you worried. Instead of panicking, it helps to understand why your gut may be on overdrive—and when to seek help.

What Counts as Diarrhea?

Diarrhea generally means three or more loose or watery stools per day. Clinicians distinguish:

• Acute diarrhea: Lasts up to 2–4 weeks. Often due to infection or a new medication.
• Persistent diarrhea: Lasts 4–8 weeks.
• Chronic diarrhea: Persists beyond 8 weeks. May signal an ongoing underlying issue.

(Foxx-Orenstein & McFarland, 2010)

Key Mechanisms: Why Your Gut Races

Diarrhea happens when your intestines speed up or fail to absorb enough fluid. Major mechanisms include:

• Secretory: Gut cells actively dump water and electrolytes into the bowel.
• Osmotic: Unabsorbed substances (like certain sugars) pull water into your stool.
• Motility related: Food moves too quickly, giving your gut less time to absorb fluids.

Common Causes of “Can’t Stop Pooping”

1. Infections

   • Viruses (norovirus, rotavirus)
   • Bacteria (Salmonella, E. coli, C. difficile)
   • Parasites (Giardia)

2. Food-related Issues

   • Food poisoning or undercooked meats
   • Lactose intolerance or fructose malabsorption
   • Irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhea (IBS-D)

3. Medications & Substances

   • Antibiotics (can disrupt gut flora)
   • Magnesium-containing antacids or laxatives
   • Certain cancer treatments

4. Chronic Digestive Disorders

   • Inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis)
   • Celiac disease (gluten sensitivity)
   • Bile acid diarrhea (malabsorption of bile salts)
     • Up to 30% of people with chronic diarrhea have bile acid diarrhea (Camilleri, 2015)
   • Post-surgical changes (e.g., gallbladder removal, ileal resection)

5. Other Medical Conditions

   • Hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid speeds up metabolism)
   • Pancreatic insufficiency (poor fat digestion)
   • Diabetes-related nerve damage affecting motility

When to Worry

Most episodes of “can’t stop pooping” resolve in a few days. However, contact a doctor if you notice any of the following:

• Signs of dehydration: dizziness, dry mouth, dark urine
• Blood or pus in your stool
• Severe abdominal pain or cramping
• Fever above 102°F (39°C)
• Diarrhea persisting beyond 2 weeks

What You Can Do Right Now

• Hydration
  • Sip water, broths or oral rehydration solutions frequently
  • Avoid caffeine and alcohol, which can worsen fluid loss
• Diet Adjustments
  • Follow the BRAT approach: Bananas, Rice, Applesauce, Toast
  • Introduce low-fiber foods and bland proteins
  • Avoid dairy, high-fat foods and artificial sweeteners until you improve
• Over-the-Counter Relief
  • Loperamide (Imodium) to slow motility (unless you have bloody stools or high fever)
  • Bismuth subsalicylate (Pepto-Bismol) for mild relief
• Probiotics
  • Some evidence supports certain strains (e.g., Lactobacillus) for shortening duration

Diagnosing the Underlying Cause

If diarrhea is severe, persistent or recurring, your doctor may order:

• Stool studies: Look for infection, blood, fat or inflammatory markers
• Blood tests: Check thyroid function, electrolytes, markers of inflammation
• Breath tests: Detect lactose or fructose intolerance, small-intestinal bacterial overgrowth
• SeHCAT scan: Measures bile acid retention to diagnose bile acid diarrhea (Camilleri, 2015)
• Endoscopy or colonoscopy: Visualize inflammation, celiac changes or IBD

If you’re curious about what might be triggering your symptoms, consider doing a free, online symptom check for quick guidance on possible causes and next steps.

Treatment Options by Cause

• Infection
  • Viral: Supportive care, hydration
  • Bacterial: Antibiotics for specific bacteria (e.g., C. difficile)
• Bile Acid Diarrhea
  • Bile acid binders (e.g., colesevelam) can help trap excess bile salts (Camilleri, 2015)
• IBS-D
  • Diet changes (low-FODMAP)
  • Antispasmodics (e.g., hyoscine) or low-dose antidepressants
• Inflammatory Bowel Disease
  • Anti-inflammatory drugs (5-ASA, steroids)
  • Immunosuppressants or biologics
• Malabsorption Syndromes
  • Enzyme replacement (pancreatic enzymes)
  • Gluten-free diet for celiac disease

Preventing Future Episodes

• Practice good hand hygiene, especially when traveling or after antibiotic use
• Eat well-cooked foods and avoid questionable street vendors
• Keep your vaccines up to date (e.g., rotavirus for children)
• Work with your provider on long-term management if you have a chronic condition

When to Reach Out for Help

If diarrhea is severely impacting your life, or you spot red-flag symptoms (high fever, bleeding, dehydration), don’t wait. Speak to a doctor about anything that could be life threatening or serious. Early diagnosis and targeted treatment can get your gut back to a comfortable pace—and help you stop feeling like you can’t stop pooping.