A person can develop bloating and diarrhea in connection with a wide range of conditions. However, some of the most common causes of bloating and diarrhea include gastrointestinal illnesses caused by viruses, bacteria, and parasites. A person may also have bloating and diarrhea because they have a long-term condition, such as irritable bowel syndrome or Chrohn's disease. In some cases, a person may even suffer from these symptoms because they are lactose intolerant; you have eaten a food that was irritating to your digestive system; or have taken medications that caused abdominal gas and loose bowels.
One of the most common causes of bloating and diarrhea is an acute gastrointestinal illness. An acute illness is short-term, so a person with an acute gastrointestinal illness may have bloating and diarrhea for only a few days. However, it is also possible for an acute gastrointestinal illness to last for a couple of weeks. This type of illness can be caused by a variety of viruses, bacteria, or parasites and is often referred to as a stomach virus.
Sometimes the cause of bloating and diarrhea is a long-term condition, often referred to as chronic. One type of chronic condition that a person can develop is called irritable bowel syndrome. It is marked by abdominal cramps, bloating, diarrhea, and passing gas. Chrohn's disease can cause a person to experience not only bloating and diarrhea, but also blood in the stool, mouth sores, and intestinal ulcers.
An individual may also develop bloating and diarrhea because they are lactose intolerant or take a medication that causes diarrhea and gas. If an individual is lactose intolerant, he cannot digest lactose, which is a type of natural sugar found in dairy products. When you consume dairy products, you may develop diarrhea, bloating, and nausea. Also, there are some medications that have diarrhea and bloating as a side effect.
In the case of acute diarrhea, a person may have to let it run its course, as taking medication to stop it could allow the virus, bacteria, or parasite that caused it to build up in the body. However, chronic gastrointestinal conditions are often treated with prescription medications and dietary changes. People with lactose intolerance can take supplements to help them digest dairy products or consume special dairy products that do not contain lactose.