Is Morning Diarrhea Normal? Causes, Treatment, And Prevention

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Medical News TodaySubscribeWhat could be the cause of morning diarrhea?

Medically reviewed by Kelsey Trull, PA-C — Written by Lana Burgess — Updated on May 14, 2024

Causes
Treatment
Prevention
Complications
Contacting a doctor
Summary

Morning diarrhea is when a person passes a loose or watery stool first thing in the morning. Potential causes include alcohol or caffeine, temporary illness, certain medications, stress, or a chronic condition.

Many people experience diarrhea at some point. Occasional morning diarrhea may not be a sign of anything serious. It could result from lifestyle choices or a short-term virus, such as stomach flu.

However, having morning diarrhea on a regular basis may be a sign of an underlying condition that requires medical treatment.

Read on to learn more about what might cause diarrhea in the morning.

Causes of morning diarrhea

A woman drinking coffee while sat on a bed. — Guido Mieth/Getty Images

Diarrhea in the morning may occur due to:

Caffeine or alcohol

Caffeine is a stimulant and speeds up bowel movements. Drinking many caffeinated beverages, such as coffee or tea, may cause diarrhea.

Alcohol can also cause loose stools. Drinking in the evening may lead to hangover symptoms — including diarrhea — the following morning.

Laxatives

Laxatives are medications that increase bowel movements. People take them to help treat constipation, but some also misuse them in an attempt to lose weight, which is unsafe.

Taking a laxative before bed may result in diarrhea in the morning. Some foods can have a similar effect when a person eats them in high enough quantities. This includes foods that are high in polyols, such as:

some fruits, including prunes, apricots, and pears
sugar-free mints, chewing gum, or candies
low calorie sweeteners
cough syrups or lozenges

Medications

In addition to laxatives, many other medications can also cause diarrhea as a side effect. This includes, but is not limited to:

antibiotics
antacids that contain magnesium
digoxin
colchicine
chemotherapy agents

The diarrhea may stop when treatment is over or a person stops the medication, but it is important not to change any medications without a doctor’s supervision.

Infections

An infection may cause diarrhea in the morning, which may continue throughout the day. Many types of infection can cause diarrhea, including:

viruses, such as norovirus and flu
bacteria, such as Salmonella and Escherichia coli
parasites, such as Giardia

These infections may also cause:

nausea or vomiting
abdominal cramps
fever

Minor stomach bugs can resolve on their own, but others may require medical treatment.

Pregnancy

Although constipation is more common in pregnancy, some people can experience diarrhea instead. A 2022 study states this may occur for several reasons, including:

hormonal changes
dietary changes
the side effects of prenatal vitamins
pre-existing conditions

Anyone who could be pregnant can test for this by purchasing an over-the-counter pregnancy test. Alternatively, they can ask a doctor.

Stress

For some people, stress or anxiety can trigger diarrhea. Digestive symptoms are a common physical symptom of mental health conditions. Other physical signs of stress may include:

loss of appetite, or eating more than usual
nausea
indigestion
tense muscles
faster heart rate
difficulty sleeping

Learn more about stress and how to manage it.

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)

IBS is a long-term condition that causes diarrhea, constipation, or both. Scientists do not fully understand the causes, but some people find that certain foods or stress can trigger symptoms.

In addition to diarrhea and constipation, IBS may cause:

bloating
gas
abdominal pain and cramping

People who have IBS and eat trigger foods in the evening may experience diarrhea overnight or the following morning.

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)

IBD is an umbrella term for various autoimmune conditions that cause inflammation in the gut, including Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.

The symptoms of IBD can include:

diarrhea
mucus or blood in the stool
abdominal pain
bowel urgency

Learn more about IBD.

Food allergies or intolerances

People who eat foods they are allergic to may develop irritation of the gut, leading to morning diarrhea. Other potential symptoms of a food allergy include:

skin flushing
hives
runny or blocked nose
sneezing
nausea
abdominal pain
vomiting

Some of the most common food allergies include milk, nut, and egg allergies. A doctor can test for food allergies to determine what a person might be allergic to.

A similar possibility is a food intolerance. This is different from an allergy, but can also result in diarrhea because the body is unable to digest a particular food. Lactose intolerance is one example.

Treating morning diarrhea

Treatment for morning diarrhea depends on the cause. Some causes may not need any treatment. Most cases of short-term diarrhea occur due to infections and often resolve on their own.

When morning diarrhea persists, it may help to address lifestyle factors that could be causing it. For example, people can try:

reducing caffeine intake
limiting alcohol
limiting consumption of foods high in polyols, such as xylitol and sorbitol
reducing stress

If this does not help, a person should seek advice from a doctor. They will be able to perform tests to identify the cause.

They can also assess the medications a person is taking to check whether they could be causing diarrhea and suggest alternatives.

Depending on test results, a doctor may suggest:

dietary changes to help avoid trigger foods or allergens
short-term medications that may stop or reduce diarrhea when it happens
long-term medications to help manage ongoing conditions, such as IBD

Sometimes, people with IBD can also require surgery.

Preventing morning diarrhea

Many factors can influence digestion, so what helps prevent morning diarrhea will depend on what is causing it. It may help to reduce:

caffeine
alcohol consumption
stress

People can also help reduce the risk of getting stomach infections or food poisoning by following safety guidelines. These include:

avoiding contact with people who are unwell with an infection
washing the hands with soap and water after using the bathroom, before and after handling food, and after contact with someone who is sick
using alcohol hand gel when soap and water are not available
preparing, cooking, and storing foods safely

Complications

Occasional or mild diarrhea usually does not cause complications. However, persistent diarrhea that results in the loss of fluids or nutrients can become serious. A person may develop:

dehydration
electrolyte imbalances
nutritional deficiency anemia

Getting enough fluids and electrolytes is important during persistent diarrhea.

When to contact a doctor

Some causes of morning diarrhea are temporary and may pass on their own. However, people should speak with a doctor if the diarrhea does not go away, is severe, or contains blood. This may make the stool red or tarry and black.

Seek immediate help if a person begins showing signs of significant dehydration. The symptoms include:

tiredness or lethargy
confusion
lack of urination
lack of saliva or tears
weak or rapid pulse
fast breathing
in babies, a sunken spot on the top of the head
difficulty staying awake
loss of consciousness

Summary

Occasional morning diarrhea may be caused by a minor, temporary condition, such as a stomach bug or food poisoning. It could also be due to drinking a lot of caffeine or consuming alcohol the night before.

If the diarrhea is more persistent, it may be the result of something a person is eating or could indicate a chronic condition. A doctor can evaluate the symptoms and run tests to identify the cause. They will also be able to recommend treatments.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome
GastroIntestinal / Gastroenterology
Nutrition / Diet
Smoking / Quit Smoking

How we reviewed this article:

SourcesMedical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We only use quality, credible sources to ensure content accuracy and integrity. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.

Common causes of chronic diarrhea. (n.d.).https://iffgd.org/gi-disorders/lower-gi-disorders/diarrhea/common-causes
Controlling the spread of infections in evacuation centers. (2019).https://www.cdc.gov/disasters/disease/infectevac.html
Gotfried J. (2023). Drug-related gastroenteritis and chemical-related gastroenteritis.https://www.msdmanuals.com/en-gb/professional/gastrointestinal-disorders/gastroenteritis/drug-related-gastroenteritis-and-chemical-related-gastroenteritis
How to calm an anxious stomach: The brain-gut connection. (2018).https://adaa.org/learn-from-us/from-the-experts/blog-posts/consumer/how-calm-anxious-stomach-brain-gut-connection
Lenhart A, et al. (2017). A systematic review of the effects of polyols on gastrointestinal health and irritable bowel syndrome.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5508768/
Lopez CM, et al. (2023). Food allergies.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK482187/
McDowell C, et al. (2023). Inflammatory bowel disease.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK470312/
Menees SB, et al. (2022). Fecal incontinence and diarrhea during pregnancy.https://journals.lww.com/ajg/fulltext/2022/10001/Fecal_Incontinence_and_Diarrhea_During_Pregnancy.5.aspx
Nemeth V, et al. (2022). Diarrhea.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK448082/
Symptoms & causes of irritable bowel syndrome. (2017).https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/digestive-diseases/irritable-bowel-syndrome/symptoms-causes

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Medically reviewed by Kelsey Trull, PA-C — Written by Lana Burgess — Updated on May 14, 2024

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Tag » Why Do I Poop Every Morning When I Wake Up

Is Morning Diarrhea Normal? Causes, Treatment, And Prevention

Causes of morning diarrhea

Caffeine or alcohol

Laxatives

Medications

Infections

Pregnancy

Stress

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)

Food allergies or intolerances

Treating morning diarrhea

Preventing morning diarrhea

Complications

When to contact a doctor

Summary

How we reviewed this article:

Latest news

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