Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSymptomsCausesTreatmentComplicationsWhen to See a ProviderPreventionFAQ

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Table of Contents

Symptoms

Causes

Treatment

Complications

When to See a Provider

Prevention

FAQ

Diarrhea, with its urgent, loose, or watery stools, can be unpleasant and worrisome at any time of day. Nocturnal diarrhea occurs when you experience diarrhea at night, with symptoms that awaken you from your sleep.

Nocturnal diarrhea can have many causes and can last from a day or two to more than a month, depending on the underlying reason. In some cases, it is a sign of a serious health condition.

This article will talk about the symptoms, causes, and treatments for nocturnal diarrhea and when you should speak with your healthcare provider about your symptoms.

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Woman has painful stomachache lying in bed at night

Symptoms of Nocturnal Diarrhea

Nocturnal diarrhea happens at night and may include the following symptoms:

Severe diarrhea includes many of the same symptoms but lasts for at least four days and, in some cases, weeks. Severe diarrhea and the conditions that may cause it require treatment, often including fluids because dehydration can occur. Symptoms of dehydration include:

Types of Diarrhea

Diarrhea is generally categorized into types based on how long it lasts:

Causes of Nocturnal Diarrhea

Some causes of nighttime diarrhea are similar to those thatcause mild daytime diarrhea. These cases are usually acute and tend to go away on their own. They include:

Which Antibiotics Cause Diarrhea?

What Medical Conditions Can Cause Nocturnal Diarrhea?

In cases of more persistent or chronic diarrhea, another medical condition may be to blame. Below are some medical conditions that might be a possible cause of diarrhea at night.

Secretory Diarrhea

Secretory diarrheais a type of diarrhea that occurs when water and electrolytes are increased in the intestinal passage. This results in increased secretion and decreased absorption of water and sodium.

These diarrheas are common. Their causes can include bacterial or viral infections, as well as allergens. The secretory diarrhea also can be a side effect of medication (including antibiotics), or due to the dysfunction of bile acids released from the liver.

Symptoms of secretory diarrhea include high volumes of diarrhea that persist at night.

Understanding Diarrhea Caused By Bile Acid Malabsorption

Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Irritable bowel syndrome(IBS) is a functional gastrointestinal tract (GI) disorder in which the muscles in thecolon(large intestine) are especially sensitive to certain triggers. Symptoms may include:

The severity of symptoms varies from mild to debilitating. Most people with IBS do not experience nocturnal diarrhea while sleeping, but it can occur when they are woken from sleep due to anxiety or stress. Usually, loose watery stools occur during the day. People with IBS who experience nighttime symptoms, including diarrhea, should contact their healthcare provider for medical attention.

What causes IBS is unclear, however, medical experts think causes may include stress, anxiety, or depression, GI bacterial infections, bacterial overgrowth in the small intestines, food intolerances or sensitivities, or genetics.

Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Inflammatory bowel disease(IBD) involves chronic inflammation in all or part of your digestive tract and refers to several conditions, includingCrohn’s disease(CD),ulcerative colitis(UC), andindeterminate colitis(IC).

The main symptoms of IBD are:

Some people with IBD experience nocturnal diarrhea in addition to daytime diarrhea. They may experience severe symptoms at times or have periods of remission when they are getting treatment.

The exact cause of IBD is unknown, though risk factors include having a family history of inflammatory bowel conditions, being a smoker, and taking certain medications, such asnonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs).

Microscopic Colitis

Symptoms of microscopic colitis may include:

The exact cause of microscopic colitis is unknown, though it is more common in females and in older adults. Other risk factors include having certain immune disorders, being a smoker, or taking certain medications.

Diabetes

Diabetesis a condition in which the body is unable to properly use glucose (sugar), resulting in high blood glucose levels.

Though experts are unsure why it is so common, some people with diabetes may experience diarrhea, including at night, if theirblood glucose levelsare poorly controlled, and if they depend oninsulin.Other medications used to treat diabetes, like metformin and acarbose, have been linked to causing diarrhea as a side effect.

Additionally, people with diabetes may be more likely to experience nocturnal diarrhea if they have nerve damage in the GI tract known asdiabetic neuropathy.

Other medical conditions that can cause nocturnal diarrhea include:

How Stress and Anxiety Cause Diarrhea

How to Treat Nocturnal Diarrhea

In many cases, diarrhea goes away on its own after a few days, usually without any treatment. However,some treatments may be appropriateto help decrease symptoms of mild diarrhea and prevent complications from occurring. These include the following:

Stay Hydrated

As with any type of diarrhea, it’s important to stay hydrated. Drink plenty of fluids at the first signs of diarrhea to prevent dehydration, including water and other beverages that have nutrients and electrolytes (minerals that carry an electric charge), such as sports drinks, fruit juices, and broth.

Foods and Beverages to Avoid

Research has shown that, in most diarrhea cases, restricting your diet does not help to treat it. Additionally, most experts do not recommend fasting when you have diarrhea. However, avoiding certain types of foods and beverages might help, including:

Medications

Short-term diarrhea usually goes away on its own and does not require any medication. If you are experiencing persistent, chronic diarrhea, talk to your healthcare provider about possiblemedicationsto help ease symptoms.

In some cases, medications such as antidiarrheal drugs or antibiotics may be recommended, while other medications might be more suitable if the cause is due to a medical condition.

Manage Stress

Practicing relaxation techniques, meditation, or walking are all examples of how someone might manage stress.

Can IBD Be Treated?

Inflammatory bowel disease can be treated, but the approach will depend on the individual. It also will depend on whether the IBD treatment aligns withCrohn’s diseaseorulcerative colitis.

Over-the-counter products, including anti-diarrheal drugs, are used along with prescription medications to treat IBD. Diet and lifestyle changes also are part of a treatment plan. In more serious cases, surgeries likeproctocolectomymay be needed.

Can Microscopic Colitis Be Treated?

Treatment for microscopic colitis may be needed in cases where the symptoms don’t get better on their own, or changes like stopping the use of NSAIDs haven’t worked. Fiber supplements or anti-diarrheal drugs may help.

In more serious cases, medication is used, with budesonide being the primary treatment. Prednisone or anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF) drugs may be used if budesonide doesn’t work.

Complications Associated With Nocturnal Diarrhea

Bouts of diarrhea can lead to complications:

When to See a Healthcare Provider

Seek medical help if you experience any of the following symptoms associated with nocturnal diarrhea:

How Is Nocturnal Diarrhea Prevented?

Yoga and meditation may help to reduce stress levels related to diarrhea.You also can avoid exercising late in the day (try the morning) and try not eating a few hours before it’s time to sleep.

Summary

Nocturnal diarrhea is a condition of loose, watery stools that occurs at night and can disrupt your sleep. It may simply be a bout of mild diarrhea that clears up within a day or two.

Acute, mild cases can often be safely treated at home and will go away on their own. However, if you experience nocturnal diarrhea on an ongoing basis, you may have a serious medical condition.

If your nighttime diarrhea doesn’t go away and you notice other symptoms, contact your healthcare provider to determine the root cause of your health problems. They can provide an accurate diagnosis and help you to find the best treatment for your symptoms and condition.

Frequently Asked Questions

However, sometimes the cause of ongoing nocturnal diarrhea is due to a chronic medical condition, such as irritable bowel syndrome, inflammatory bowel disease, microscopic colitis, or diabetes.

Learn MoreCauses and Risk Factors of Diarrhea

In general, symptoms occur between half an hour to a couple of hours after eating dairy products and tend to coincide with the amount of lactose consumed.

If consumed in the evening or close to bedtime, symptoms, including diarrhea, can occur during the night.

Learn MoreAn Overview of Lactose Intolerance

Acute (sudden onset) nocturnal diarrhea will usually go away on its own within a day or two. If your nocturnal diarrhea lasts several days to weeks, it’s best to visit with your healthcare provider to determine the exact cause and create an individualized treatment plan to ease or resolve symptoms.Treatment may include avoiding certain foods or beverages, taking medication, and managing stress.Learn MoreWhat to Eat When You Have Diarrhea

Acute (sudden onset) nocturnal diarrhea will usually go away on its own within a day or two. If your nocturnal diarrhea lasts several days to weeks, it’s best to visit with your healthcare provider to determine the exact cause and create an individualized treatment plan to ease or resolve symptoms.Treatment may include avoiding certain foods or beverages, taking medication, and managing stress.

Acute (sudden onset) nocturnal diarrhea will usually go away on its own within a day or two. If your nocturnal diarrhea lasts several days to weeks, it’s best to visit with your healthcare provider to determine the exact cause and create an individualized treatment plan to ease or resolve symptoms.

Treatment may include avoiding certain foods or beverages, taking medication, and managing stress.

Learn MoreWhat to Eat When You Have Diarrhea

18 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Burgers K, Lindberg B, Bevis ZJ.Chronic diarrhea in adults: evaluation and differential diagnosis.AFP. 2020;101(8):472-480.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Diarrhea.American College of Gastroenterology.Diarrheal diseases—acute and chronic.Keely SJ, Barrett KE.Intestinal secretory mechanisms and diarrhea.Am J Physiol Gastrointest Liver Physiol. 2022 Apr 1;322(4):G405-G420. doi:10.1152/ajpgi.00316.2021.International Foundation For Gastrointestinal Disorders - About IBS.Changes you should not ignore if you have ibs.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Symptoms & causes of irritable bowel syndrome.Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation of America.The facts about inflammatory bowel diseases.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Definition and facts of microscopic colitis.Krishnasamy S, Abell TL.Diabetic gastroparesis: principles and current trends in management.Diabetes Ther. 2018;9(1):1-42. doi:10.1007%2Fs13300-018-0454-9Joslin Diabetes.Diabetic nerve damage.Chang YM, El-Zaatari M, Kao JY.Does stress induce bowel dysfunction?Expert Rev Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2014 Aug;8(6):583-5. doi:10.1586/17474124.2014.911659.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Eating, diet, & nutrition for diarrhea.Bonetto S, Fagoonee S, Battaglia E, Grassini M, Saracco GM, Pellicano R.Recent advances in the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome.Pol Arch Intern Med. 2021;131(7-8):709-715. doi:10.20452/pamw.16067M’Koma AE.Inflammatory Bowel Disease: Clinical Diagnosis and Surgical Treatment-Overview.Medicina (Kaunas). 2022 Apr 21;58(5):567. doi:10.3390/medicina58050567.Shor J, Churrango G, Hosseini N, Marshall C.Management of microscopic colitis: challenges and solutions.Clin Exp Gastroenterol. 2019;12:111–120. doi:10.2147/CEG.S165047Sleep Advisor.Nocturnal Diarrhea: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment.Korzenik J.Don’t Worry, Be Happy: Psychological Interventions in Inflammatory Bowel Disease.Gastroenterology. 2019;156(4):856-857. doi:10.1053/j.gastro.2019.02.013National Institutes of Health.Lactose Intolerance.

18 Sources

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Burgers K, Lindberg B, Bevis ZJ.Chronic diarrhea in adults: evaluation and differential diagnosis.AFP. 2020;101(8):472-480.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Diarrhea.American College of Gastroenterology.Diarrheal diseases—acute and chronic.Keely SJ, Barrett KE.Intestinal secretory mechanisms and diarrhea.Am J Physiol Gastrointest Liver Physiol. 2022 Apr 1;322(4):G405-G420. doi:10.1152/ajpgi.00316.2021.International Foundation For Gastrointestinal Disorders - About IBS.Changes you should not ignore if you have ibs.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Symptoms & causes of irritable bowel syndrome.Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation of America.The facts about inflammatory bowel diseases.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Definition and facts of microscopic colitis.Krishnasamy S, Abell TL.Diabetic gastroparesis: principles and current trends in management.Diabetes Ther. 2018;9(1):1-42. doi:10.1007%2Fs13300-018-0454-9Joslin Diabetes.Diabetic nerve damage.Chang YM, El-Zaatari M, Kao JY.Does stress induce bowel dysfunction?Expert Rev Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2014 Aug;8(6):583-5. doi:10.1586/17474124.2014.911659.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Eating, diet, & nutrition for diarrhea.Bonetto S, Fagoonee S, Battaglia E, Grassini M, Saracco GM, Pellicano R.Recent advances in the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome.Pol Arch Intern Med. 2021;131(7-8):709-715. doi:10.20452/pamw.16067M’Koma AE.Inflammatory Bowel Disease: Clinical Diagnosis and Surgical Treatment-Overview.Medicina (Kaunas). 2022 Apr 21;58(5):567. doi:10.3390/medicina58050567.Shor J, Churrango G, Hosseini N, Marshall C.Management of microscopic colitis: challenges and solutions.Clin Exp Gastroenterol. 2019;12:111–120. doi:10.2147/CEG.S165047Sleep Advisor.Nocturnal Diarrhea: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment.Korzenik J.Don’t Worry, Be Happy: Psychological Interventions in Inflammatory Bowel Disease.Gastroenterology. 2019;156(4):856-857. doi:10.1053/j.gastro.2019.02.013National Institutes of Health.Lactose Intolerance.

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Burgers K, Lindberg B, Bevis ZJ.Chronic diarrhea in adults: evaluation and differential diagnosis.AFP. 2020;101(8):472-480.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Diarrhea.American College of Gastroenterology.Diarrheal diseases—acute and chronic.Keely SJ, Barrett KE.Intestinal secretory mechanisms and diarrhea.Am J Physiol Gastrointest Liver Physiol. 2022 Apr 1;322(4):G405-G420. doi:10.1152/ajpgi.00316.2021.International Foundation For Gastrointestinal Disorders - About IBS.Changes you should not ignore if you have ibs.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Symptoms & causes of irritable bowel syndrome.Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation of America.The facts about inflammatory bowel diseases.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Definition and facts of microscopic colitis.Krishnasamy S, Abell TL.Diabetic gastroparesis: principles and current trends in management.Diabetes Ther. 2018;9(1):1-42. doi:10.1007%2Fs13300-018-0454-9Joslin Diabetes.Diabetic nerve damage.Chang YM, El-Zaatari M, Kao JY.Does stress induce bowel dysfunction?Expert Rev Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2014 Aug;8(6):583-5. doi:10.1586/17474124.2014.911659.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Eating, diet, & nutrition for diarrhea.Bonetto S, Fagoonee S, Battaglia E, Grassini M, Saracco GM, Pellicano R.Recent advances in the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome.Pol Arch Intern Med. 2021;131(7-8):709-715. doi:10.20452/pamw.16067M’Koma AE.Inflammatory Bowel Disease: Clinical Diagnosis and Surgical Treatment-Overview.Medicina (Kaunas). 2022 Apr 21;58(5):567. doi:10.3390/medicina58050567.Shor J, Churrango G, Hosseini N, Marshall C.Management of microscopic colitis: challenges and solutions.Clin Exp Gastroenterol. 2019;12:111–120. doi:10.2147/CEG.S165047Sleep Advisor.Nocturnal Diarrhea: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment.Korzenik J.Don’t Worry, Be Happy: Psychological Interventions in Inflammatory Bowel Disease.Gastroenterology. 2019;156(4):856-857. doi:10.1053/j.gastro.2019.02.013National Institutes of Health.Lactose Intolerance.

Burgers K, Lindberg B, Bevis ZJ.Chronic diarrhea in adults: evaluation and differential diagnosis.AFP. 2020;101(8):472-480.

Johns Hopkins Medicine.Diarrhea.

American College of Gastroenterology.Diarrheal diseases—acute and chronic.

Keely SJ, Barrett KE.Intestinal secretory mechanisms and diarrhea.Am J Physiol Gastrointest Liver Physiol. 2022 Apr 1;322(4):G405-G420. doi:10.1152/ajpgi.00316.2021.

International Foundation For Gastrointestinal Disorders - About IBS.Changes you should not ignore if you have ibs.

National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Symptoms & causes of irritable bowel syndrome.

Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation of America.The facts about inflammatory bowel diseases.

National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Definition and facts of microscopic colitis.

Krishnasamy S, Abell TL.Diabetic gastroparesis: principles and current trends in management.Diabetes Ther. 2018;9(1):1-42. doi:10.1007%2Fs13300-018-0454-9

Joslin Diabetes.Diabetic nerve damage.

Chang YM, El-Zaatari M, Kao JY.Does stress induce bowel dysfunction?Expert Rev Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2014 Aug;8(6):583-5. doi:10.1586/17474124.2014.911659.

National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Eating, diet, & nutrition for diarrhea.

Bonetto S, Fagoonee S, Battaglia E, Grassini M, Saracco GM, Pellicano R.Recent advances in the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome.Pol Arch Intern Med. 2021;131(7-8):709-715. doi:10.20452/pamw.16067

M’Koma AE.Inflammatory Bowel Disease: Clinical Diagnosis and Surgical Treatment-Overview.Medicina (Kaunas). 2022 Apr 21;58(5):567. doi:10.3390/medicina58050567.

Shor J, Churrango G, Hosseini N, Marshall C.Management of microscopic colitis: challenges and solutions.Clin Exp Gastroenterol. 2019;12:111–120. doi:10.2147/CEG.S165047

Sleep Advisor.Nocturnal Diarrhea: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment.

Korzenik J.Don’t Worry, Be Happy: Psychological Interventions in Inflammatory Bowel Disease.Gastroenterology. 2019;156(4):856-857. doi:10.1053/j.gastro.2019.02.013

National Institutes of Health.Lactose Intolerance.

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