Frequent bowel movements

Frequent bowel movements

Frequent bowel movements is a condition in which a person defecates more often than usual. There are many possible causes, including eating spoiled food, bacterial infection, and side effects of medication.

The two main bowel movement conditions:

1. Constipation (fewer than three bowel movements per week)
2. Diarrhea (more than three movements of loose stools per day)

Symptoms and causes

Some cases of frequent bowel movements last for a short time only and are not a cause for concern. These can be caused by digestive upset from eating spoiled, fatty, or spicy food; a food that is not tolerated; or an intestinal “bug” that clears up in a day or two.

Other causes: increase in physical exercise, certain medications like antibiotics or metformin, or a change in diet (more fiber, water, fats, or sugars). Bowel movements may return to usual after the person adapts to these changes or makes modifications to his or her diet.

When the person has other symptoms along with the greater number of bowel movements, there may be other causes, including the following:

• Bacterial infection
• Viral infection
• Parasitic infection, such as from worms or protozoa
• Diverticulitis (the small pockets along the wall of the colon fill with stagnant fecal material and become inflamed)
• Inflammatory bowel disease (a group of disorders, including Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, that cause irritation and swelling of the digestive tract)
• Pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas)
• Celiac disease (an autoimmune disease that causes sensitivity to gluten, a protein found in grains such as wheat, rye, or barley)
• Cancer of the colon or elsewhere in the digestive tract

Diagnosis and tests

In cases in which a cause for frequent bowel movements is not known, the doctor will ask you the following:

• The time of your last bowel movement
• How often you urinate
• The consistency of stool (watery or shaped)
• If there is blood around or in the stool
• If you have bleeding from the rectum
• If you are dizzy or have cramps, pain, fever, or nausea
• What foods and drinks you consume
• If you have had any recent changes in your weight
• The medications you take
• If and when you have traveled recently

The doctor will conduct a physical examination and may order blood and stool tests, urinalysis, and X-rays.

Remedies (constipation)

• Triphala: Triphala is one of the most trusted and effective remedies to treat constipation. It is prepared using three important herbs: Amalaki (amla), Haritaki (Harad), and Bibhitaki (Baheda), all of which are known to help relieve constipation. Amalaki works on treating Pitta dosha, Bibhitaki on Kapha dosha, and Haritaki on Vata dosha. All three compounds help rejuvenate and strengthen the digestive system.

Application:

• 1 tablespoon Triphala powder daily with lukewarm water helps in easy bowel movement.

• Triphala tea can also be prepared with ¼ tsp. of Triphala powder, ½ teaspoon of coriander seeds, and ¼ teaspoon of cardamom seeds. Grind all the ingredients together and consume twice a day. Triphala comprises glycosides that contain laxative properties, whereas cardamom and coriander seeds are beneficial to relieve flatulence and indigestion.

• Haritaki, ghee, and milk: Consumption of all three ingredients is advised in warm milk at bedtime.

• Ghee with milk: It is one of the oldest and most effective remedies to treat constipation. Since ancient times, it was believed that the consumption of cow’s ghee with milk promotes gut health, eases bowel movements, and is a healthy source of nutrients for the body. For this reason, our grandmothers still advise and guide us to make it a part of our lives. Haritaki is one of the herbs present in Triphala that is known for reducing Vata and helping treat constipation. Haritaki when consumed with milk and ghee helps in early recovery and promotes easy bowel movement.

Application:

• In ½ cup of hot milk, add 1 tsp. of Haritaki and 1 tsp. of ghee.
• Stir until all the ingredients get completely blended.
• Let the mixture cool down and then add 1 tsp. of honey before consuming it.
• It even treats chronic constipation if taken daily for 30 minutes before going to bed.

Remedies for diarrhea and dysentery

• Water: Water is the first and foremost home remedy for dysentery. When you have dysentery, you will be passing watery stools. Your body will be losing all the water. You need to replace it regularly for recovery and also to keep yourself hydrated. Drink lots of water.

• Yogurt: Yogurt is the best one for dysentery. It has good and gut-friendly bacteria that fight against bad bacteria present in the colon. It helps produce lactic acid in the intestines, which kills the bad bacteria. When these bacteria get killed, your recovery will be faster. When you are suffering from dysentery, you will feel better once you start taking lots of yogurt. Like a typical Indian, you might also try taking yogurt with rice, adding a pinch of salt for taste.

• Curds and Buttermilk: Curds and buttermilk are said to be the best remedy in Ayurveda for all colon disorders. Like curds or yogurt, they help encourage intestinal-friendly bacteria in the stomach to grow well and help you recover from dysentery. Both buttermilk and curds contain acetic acid and destroy harmful bacteria in the stomach.

• Curd and turmeric: Make a concoction of 2 tablespoons of curd, ¼ teaspoon of turmeric powder, a pinch of asafoetida, curry leaves, and salt in water and boil them. Drink this warm concoction 2-3 times a day. Turmeric is known for its antimicrobial, antiseptic, and antibiotic properties.

• Medicated buttermilk: A glass of buttermilk should be taken with a pinch of rock salt (saindhava lavana), roasted cumin seed powder, and black pepper twice a day.

• Indigestion (dyspepsia): Dyspepsia is a term that includes a group of symptoms that come from a problem in your upper gut. The gastrointestinal tract is the tube that starts from the mouth and ends in the anus. The upper gut includes the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum. Dyspepsia is the persistent pain or discomfort centered in the upper abdomen of more than three months’ duration.

Symptoms of dyspepsia:

• Weight loss
• Progressive dysphagia
• Persistent vomiting
• Gastrointestinal bleed
• Unexplained anemia
• Jaundice
• Lymphadenopathy
• Palpable abdominal mass

Common causes:

1. Non-ulcer dyspepsia
2. Duodenal and stomach (gastric) ulcers
3. Duodenitis and gastritis
4. Acid reflux, esophagitis, and GERD
5. Hiatus hernia
6. Infection with H. pylori