Is it Oops I Crapped My Pants in here, or is that just me?

May 12, 2011 2:27 PM

Is there such a thing as heat-induced diarrhea, is it a cause for alarm, and is there anything I can do to thwart it?

I searched on google, but wasn't able to find anything definitive (except for a bunch of Chinese healing "wet heat" hooey).

The other day I went out for a walk (about 2.5 miles/~30 minutes, standard pace for me) on a hot (~85 F) evening. I was properly hydrated, didn't feel overly exhausted or overheated, and hadn't eaten anything suspect that day.

About a half a mile from home, I got that intestinal woosh feeling, and barely made it home without crapping myself (the deluge started as soon as I stepped inside the door). Obviously, this was a horrible experience, and I'd rather not repeat it.

This has happened before (out, happily walking around in hot weather, boom diarrhea). It's not a common experience, but it's happened maybe a handful of times in my life (mid-20s). But it's never been such a close call before.

A few questions:

1) Is this normal?
2) Is this something to be worried (i.e. see a doctor) about?
3) If it is normal, what can I do to prevent this from happening in the future?

Thank you.

posted by anonymous to Health & Fitness (12 answers total)

Exercise can do this to you, heat or no. Totally normal.
posted by killdevil at 2:30 PM on May 12, 2011

As a runner the only remedy I've ever found is to wait a couple hours after eating, or alternatively, to eat very moderately prior to exercise.
posted by killdevil at 2:32 PM on May 12, 2011

Totally normal. Google "runner's trots".
posted by bonobothegreat at 2:36 PM on May 12, 2011

I've been dealing with the same thing for four weeks now. Every day.
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 2:37 PM on May 12, 2011

I don't know if it's normal or not, but it happens to me whenever the temperature gets uncomfortably hot (which for me is anything over 90). I keep a supply of Imodium at hand whenever a heat wave threatens.
posted by ErikaB at 2:51 PM on May 12, 2011 [1 favorite]

It seems to happen to me - overheat, stomach gurgles, then a rapid reassessment of priorities.
posted by BinaryApe at 2:53 PM on May 12, 2011 [3 favorites]

it's runners' trots. i have some triathlon maniac pals who take their pre-competition dump very seriously and they all have horrifying stories of befouling some innocent something.
posted by patricking at 3:02 PM on May 12, 2011

Besides purely mechanical jostling, sodium levels can be an issue. If your sodium levels go low in proportion to your water, I believe your gut's osmosis reverses and it sheds water rather than absorbing it. Look at paragraph #3 under "administration". Especially if your recent meal(s) in transit happen to have sugar and salt in the right (wrong) proportions.
posted by gjc at 3:14 PM on May 12, 2011 [1 favorite]

This can happen. It also happens to me when I go from a too-hot environment to a much chillier environment.
posted by infinitewindow at 3:23 PM on May 12, 2011

Indeed, this has happened to me quite a few times. Quite unpleasant to be a mile from home when an attack of the sh*ts happens. I don't know if there's anything that can prevent it. Exercise in general gets everything all worked up in there, so maybe just try to wait awhile after eating before heading out for a walk.
posted by Sal and Richard at 3:42 PM on May 12, 2011

Walking in the heat is more stressful than walking in normal temps, plus you sweat, so maybe that has something to do with it.
posted by serena15221 at 10:33 AM on May 13, 2011

The situation that infinitewindow mentioned happens to me from time to time. An abrupt change from hot to cold provokes a certain "sense of urgency". (That said, I have colitis, so I have er... issues... in this area anyway. And is something you should go get checked for if this continues to happen more than every once in a while.)
posted by MsMolly at 10:59 AM on May 13, 2011