DIARRHOEA

DIARRHOEA

Establishing Cause And Cure - Managing Diarrhoea And Loose Stools

Last year, I noticed a sudden increase in the number of people seeking help for diarrhoea and loose stools. The distress and inconvenience of having to plan your life around unpredictable bowel movements can take a significant toll on both physical and emotional well-being.

For many, symptoms can be worse in the morning and are sometimes linked to foods consumed the previous evening. Prolonged diarrhoea can lead to malabsorption of essential nutrients, including fats, proteins, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals. Electrolytes such as sodium, potassium, chloride, magnesium, calcium, and phosphate can also be depleted. This makes staying hydrated and maintaining adequate water intake critical, as diarrhoea can quickly lead to dehydration.

Whether you experience frequent diarrhoea or occasional loose stools, addressing the underlying cause is essential for effective treatment.

Identifying the Cause

Diarrhoea can be triggered by a wide range of factors, including but not limited to:

• Infections and Imbalances:
o Food poisoning, parasites, or bacterial infections (e.g., Salmonella, E. coli, or C. difficile)
o Viruses such as norovirus
o Dysbiosis or overgrowth of yeast (Candida)
• Diet and Intolerances:
o Trigger foods: peanuts, soya, eggs, cow's milk, excess fibre
o Fructose intolerance or certain high-fibre fruits and vegetables
o Fatty, spicy, or processed foods
• Medical Conditions:
o Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
o Ulcerative Colitis
o Coeliac Disease
o Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO)
• External Factors:
o Antibiotic use and antibiotic-induced colitis
o Medications or supplements (as was the case for one of my patients)
o Caffeine, alcohol, or excessive sugar intake
o Emotional stress or anxiety
• Other Causes:
o Electrolyte imbalances
o Vitamin B12 deficiency

If diarrhoea persists for more than seven days, it is essential to consult a doctor to rule out more serious underlying conditions.
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A Patient Success Story

One of my patients had been struggling with diarrhoea multiple times daily for over two years. It had progressively worsened, significantly disrupting his life. During our follow-up consultation, we uncovered a key detail: he had been taking a supplement regularly for just over two years. Upon my recommendation, he stopped taking the supplement, and his symptoms resolved entirely. This highlights the importance of a thorough review of all potential triggers, including medications and supplements.
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Strategies for Managing Diarrhoea

Once the underlying cause is identified, targeted strategies can help alleviate symptoms and promote recovery. Consider the following:

Foods to Avoid:
• Trigger foods: Dairy products, fatty and spicy foods, alcohol, and caffeine (reduce caffeine gradually to avoid withdrawal symptoms).
• Gas-producing foods: The brassica family (broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower) can worsen bloating and discomfort.
• Processed foods: These can aggravate symptoms due to additives and unhealthy fats.
Gut-Friendly Foods

Incorporating gentle, easy-to-digest foods can help soothe the gut during diarrhoea episodes:

• Potatoes (without skins)
• Bananas
• Dry crispbreads or crackers
• Applesauce
• White rice
• Bone broth

Hydration and Electrolyte Balance

Maintaining hydration is crucial. In addition to water, electrolyte-replenishing drinks or home-made oral rehydration solutions can help restore balance.
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Healing the Gut

Addressing diarrhoea isn't just about symptom relief; it's also about long-term gut health. Supporting the microbiome with:
• Probiotics: Foods like yogurt (if tolerated) or supplements can help restore healthy gut bacteria.
• Prebiotics: Fibre-rich foods (introduced gradually) support beneficial bacteria growth.
• Targeted Supplements: Depending on individual deficiencies or imbalances, personalized supplementation may aid recovery.

Diarrhoea and loose stools are symptoms, not stand-alone conditions. To truly resolve the issue, it is vital to identify and address the root cause. Whether it is a dietary trigger, an infection, or a reaction to a medication, a targeted approach is key.

If you are struggling with chronic or severe diarrhoea, seek professional advice to develop a tailored treatment plan. With the right steps, you can regain control of your health and your life.
© Ann Shaw Clinic Of Nutritional Medicine 2025

Thank you so much for your work with my son. He was 4 when I brought him to you and had recently been doing longer days at Nursery. He had seemed run down, darker under the eyes and colds were harder to shift. His whole back and the back of his knees were covered in extremely dry skin, it was like sandpaper. He also had impetigo developing around the corner of one side his mouth. We had tried antibiotics to my regret, as they only seemed to make matters worse. Then we came to you. Within 2 days…

Mrs S R - Surrey

I wanted to take this opportunity to thank you for helping me come off anti-depressants and for treating my depression in a natural way. Thanks to your precise diagnosisrecommendations, I feel back to my old self! The depression lifting is the most obvious positive outcome from your advice. However, I have also experienced an increase to my energy levels, a boost to my digestive system, relief from itchy skin and no more mouth ulcers! Family and friends have also commented on how healthy I look. So thank you very much for helping me get back on…

Mrs J S - Surrey

For several years I have suffered from Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (Lupus) and for the last three years I have been under the care of a consultant rheumatologist. I am delighted to tell you that after six months of following your advice, my consultant rheumatologist has just said that I have no need to visit her again as my latest set of blood tests have proved that the diet is controlling the Lupus and I am now symptom-free. I am very pleased with the result and grateful for all your help!

Ms J P - Surrey

After 18 months of sleepless nights and tears and fights at mealtimes and little help from the doctors, we turned to Ann. She allergy tested our daughter and found that she was intolerant to dairy and soya and also deficient in Zinc. We followed Ann's advice and within 3 nights our daughter was sleeping through, her appetite has improved considerably and we now have a much healthier, happier little girl.

Ms C H - Surrey

I suddenly had loads of energy, no diarrhoea and I lost a stone in weight. I feel better now than I've felt in years. I have a full time job as a teacher and live a normal, busy, active life - all of which is down to my change of diet and ultimately to Ann Shaw. Thank you!

Ms S G - London

Thank you so much for what you have done for me. Goodness knows what I'd be like now if I hadn't come to see you. The weight is still coming off, slowly but surely, and my strength and willpower amaze me!

Ms A B - Shropshire

I am writing to let you know of my miraculous improvement! On the 30th December I developed a cold/healing crisis which I managed to overcome without any chest infection, antibiotics or steroids. I feared the worst when the cold started as my chest had been full of mucus for eight months and I just dreaded to think what I would be like. It cleared and it was better than it had been since last March! I have been able to cut down the Ventolin and hope to cut it out completely…

Mrs J C - Yorkshire

I feel much better without the dairy products. All the pain in my legs disappeared after just a couple of days. I'm very glad I met you - it has helped me (and my boyfriend), more than we ever thought.

Ms N A - Surrey

I really had several problems when I first saw you, ranging from lethargy to most upsetting skin erruptions. Having followed the detoxification programme these problems were resolved and, as a bonus, I lost a stone in weight! Not bad for someone over sixty.

Mrs J P - Surrey

I had to write to tell you I am feeling wonderful - "the works". Just want to say a big thank you. (This patient suffered Irritable Bowel Syndrome).

Mrs S D - Surrey

I had visited several doctors with many symptoms, before I stumbled across your leaflet. I had been offered anti-depressants and counselling and I was really starting to believe it was all in my head. I dread to think where I would have been now, if I hadn't made that first appointment with you. Only a few months ago I was sick, depressed and confused. It was obvious to you that I had a problem with candida, yet so many doctors before had failed to see it. A simple diet with vitamin and mineral supplements was all I needed for…

Ms A A - Wimbledon (via Bali)

My problem was constipation. I am 27 years old and have had the disorder for at least 10 years. I was overweight, felt tired all the time, listless, unmotivated, my skin was in poor condition and mentally I was drained. Doctors kept prescribing 'Fybogel' to relieve my symptoms and told me I would have to take it for life.... Over three months later I have no more problems going to the toilet, have lost over one stone in weight and maintained it. I feel a new person. I have started circuit training, running and weight training and still have…

Ms L L - Ashford

My daughter and I visited you in sheer desperation as she had had M.E. for two and a half years. She was so tired and depressed I wanted to try one more thing. After visiting you we excluded many things including wheat. Two days later she started to improve. One month later she was so well we agreed to let her go back-packing to Australia. She is back now, well and happy. On the odd occasion she eats wheat she becomes tired and lethargic until the wheat leaves her system. In September she will be able to take up…

Mrs J L - Surrey

As a teenager I had continuous problems with Anorexia and so to a certain extent, food and my stomach have always been the centre of my world. My symptoms included regular diarrhoea and abdominal pains (Irritable bowel Syndrome), faintness, acute thirst, fatigue and lack of energy, all of which eventually resulted in depression and a series of panic attacks. When I first met Ann Shaw, I had dark circles under my eyes, pale skin (which had a hint of green!) and absolutely no energy. She immediately tested me for various food intolerances and we discovered that dairy products, wheat…

Ms S G - London

Thank you so much for helping me clear up my long term acne problem. The de-toxing diet that you put me on worked so well. After the first week I decided to be brave and come off the antibiotics that I have been taking for some four years, and to my great pleasure, my skin looked better than ever. This is the first time for about fourteen years that I have not treated my face with some form of tablet or cream. I am so happy! Thanks once again for your help…

Ms A H - Middlesex