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Can Stress Cause Loose Stool?

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Posted on Mon, 14 Sep 2015
Question: I have diverticulosis. Recently had a death in the family,. and the stress was overwhelming for about a month. For the past 2 weeks or so, I have had loose, frequent bowl movements every morning, only in the mornings, not throughout the day, and at times I notice a slight burning sensation. always the same place, lower left ab area, I'm thinking this could be stressed induced, if I could get an opinion, as this issue is not present on a regular basis.
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Answered by Dr. Grzegorz Stanko (43 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
You may wait and see.

Detailed Answer:
Hello!

Thank you for the query.

Loose stool can be stress induced for sure. Brain can stimulate abdominal nerves and result with abdominal pain, nausea, lack of appetite, loose stool. However lower left abdominal pain is not characteristic for stress.
In case of stress induced pain, the pain is in the whole abdomen, not in one location. And it is usually like a cramp.
And stress can affect your diverticles. But from your description, it seems that there is no inflammation at the moment.
I suggest you to wait and see. If you get back to normal (so the stress will be gone), intestines should get back to normal as well.
You may try probiotic intake along with Magnesium supplementation.
If this wont help, please consult a doctor.

Hope this will help. Feel free to ask further questions.
Regards.
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Grzegorz Stanko

General Surgeon

Practicing since :2008

Answered : 5795 Questions

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Can Stress Cause Loose Stool?

Brief Answer: You may wait and see. Detailed Answer: Hello! Thank you for the query. Loose stool can be stress induced for sure. Brain can stimulate abdominal nerves and result with abdominal pain, nausea, lack of appetite, loose stool. However lower left abdominal pain is not characteristic for stress. In case of stress induced pain, the pain is in the whole abdomen, not in one location. And it is usually like a cramp. And stress can affect your diverticles. But from your description, it seems that there is no inflammation at the moment. I suggest you to wait and see. If you get back to normal (so the stress will be gone), intestines should get back to normal as well. You may try probiotic intake along with Magnesium supplementation. If this wont help, please consult a doctor. Hope this will help. Feel free to ask further questions. Regards.