Diarrhoea

Signs and Symptoms Of Diarrhoea

Diarrhoea is one of those things nobody enjoys talking about, but almost everyone goes through at some point. It usually starts unexpectedly when you wake up thinking the day is normal, and suddenly your stomach feels a little too active, almost like it’s sending early warning signals. A twist here, a small cramp there, and before you know it, you’re rushing to the washroom, wondering what on earth you ate or what went wrong inside.

Some people feel completely fine the night before, and by the next morning, their stomach acts like it has its own separate mood. For others, it begins slowly with a bit of rumbling after food, that uneasy heaviness, the kind of discomfort where you can’t sit still properly because something inside feels unsettled. Diarrhoea is basically the body saying, “Hey, something isn’t okay. I need this out. Now.”

How Diarrhoea Actually Feels

It’s not just loose stools. It’s the whole combination of sensations that show up around it:

• that sudden urge you can’t ignore
• stomach feeling light yet uncomfortable
• cramps that come in waves, small ones first, then slightly stronger
• noisy intestines (gurgling, rumbling, weird bubbling sounds)
• feeling like the stomach is empty, but not in a nice way
• weakness creeping in, even if it’s only been a few hours
• slight shakiness or tiredness after each washroom visit

It’s messy, unpleasant, and it drains your energy in a way only people who’ve had it understand.

Common Signs You’ll Notice

Most people can tell diarrhoea is coming because the body gives subtle hints:

• Frequent, urgent need to defecate
• Loose or watery stools
• Abdominal cramps (they come suddenly and disappear just as suddenly)
• Bloating or a stretched feeling in the belly
• Mild fever or body heat
• Dehydration signs like dry mouth, tiredness, and dullness
• Nausea is that uncomfortable sensation just before an episode
• Loss of appetite, because the stomach feels too sensitive

Sometimes there’s also:

• slight soreness around the abdomen
• Dizziness after multiple episodes
• faint, rolling pain that disappears after going to the washroom

Why Diarrhoea Happens 

There’s no single reason as the stomach gets upset for many different causes:

1. Stale or contaminated food: Food left out too long or street food that wasn’t as clean as it looked.
2. Infections: Viruses, bacteria, anything that irritates the gut lining.
3. Sudden diet changes: Too much spicy food after eating bland food for days, or vice versa.
4. Lactose or food intolerance: Your stomach literally refuses to digest certain things.
5. Stress or anxiety: The brain and gut talk constantly, and stress hits the stomach first.
6. Antibiotics: They kill infections but also disturb gut bacteria.
7. Poor digestion or weak Agni (Ayurvedic view): When digestive fire is low, food doesn’t process properly and flushes out too fast.

Ayurvedic View 

Ayurveda usually links diarrhoea to Agni becoming weak and Pitta getting disturbed. When digestion goes off-track, food doesn’t break down the way it should, so the intestines speed everything up to clear it. This leads to watery stools and cramps. Certain foods worsen it:

• too many fruits at once
• cold drinks
• leftover rice or reheated food
• fried and spicy meals
• excessive milk or curd
• eating at random times

Ayurveda sees diarrhoea not as a disease but as the stomach trying to reset itself.

Home Remedies People Actually Use 

Some classic home remedies, practical things families have done for decades:

1. Warm water sips: Keep the body hydrated and calm stomach spasms.
2. Moong dal khichdi: Soft, simple, easy to digest and exactly what the gut needs.
3. Pomegranate juice (fresh): Known to help slow down bowel movements.
4. Buttermilk with roasted cumin: Balances digestion gently.
5. Bael (wood apple) sherbet: A very old remedy for soothing irritated intestines.
6. Ginger water: Helps with bloating and mild nausea.
7. Rice gruel or kanji: Light and easy for weak digestion. You should avoid-

• milk
• heavy dairy
• coffee
• oily food
• raw salads
• cold water
• packaged juices

because they irritate the gut even more.

Ayurvedic Treatments If It Doesn’t Improve

Doctors usually check if it’s Pitta or Vata-driven diarrhoea and may suggest:

• Kutaj preparations
• Bilva-based formulas
• Isabgol in warm water (for certain types)
• Digestive herbs to restart Agni
• Hydrating herbal solutions for weakness

It’s all about stabilising digestion and stopping excess fluid loss.

When to See a Doctor Immediately

Some signs shouldn’t be ignored:

• blood in stools
• high fever
• diarrhoea lasting more than 2–3 days
• severe dehydration
• intense stomach pain
• vomiting plus diarrhoea
• dizziness or inability to keep fluids down

These mean the body needs more support.

Conclusion

Diarrhoea may seem simple, but it’s the stomach’s way of saying something isn’t agreeing with you, like food, stress, heat, or even routine. Most times, rest, fluids, and gentle foods are all your body needs. Once digestion settles, the body naturally returns to its normal rhythm. It’s uncomfortable, yes, but also one of the body’s fastest ways of clearing whatever doesn’t belong inside.

FAQs

1. How long does diarrhoea usually last?
   Most mild cases clear in 1–2 days.
2. Can stress cause diarrhoea?
   Yes, emotional stress affects gut movement a lot.
3. What should I drink?
   Warm water, electrolytes, light soups, buttermilk.
4. Should I take antibiotics?
   Only if a doctor confirms an infection that needs them.
5. Is it okay to drink milk?
   No, avoid it until digestion stabilises.