Ever found yourself wondering whether it’s diarrhoea or constipation? It may not be the most comfortable topic, but your bowel habits can reveal a great deal about your overall health. Watery diarrhoea followed by days of constipation is a confusing symptom. It can feel as though you are dealing with both at the same time. But this unusual symptom certainly deserves your attention. According to Dr Joseph Salhab, a board-certified gastroenterologist trained at Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine, this confusing symptom could signal a serious health issue that requires immediate medical attention.
The confusing symptom could be overflow diarrhoea
In a video shared on Instagram, Dr Salhab described this confusing symptom. “You can have diarrhoea, but actually be constipated.” The condition responsible for this paradoxical symptom is known as overflow diarrhoea. Despite its name, overflow diarrhoea is actually a form of constipation, not true diarrhoea. The doctor breaks down the reason behind this confusing bowel symptom: “This is when you have so much hard stool in your colon that hasn’t moved, and the only thing that’s actually making its way out and around that stool is water. Because this water has no form to it, it comes out feeling like diarrhoea, and this can happen after days of no bowel movements. Then all of a sudden, you feel like you have watery diarrhoea.”
Talk to your doctor
Dr Salhab emphasises that the symptom should not be dismissed. “You should always talk to your physician if you have this problem,” he said. This symptom can be accompanied by abdominal pain, bloating, nausea, leakage and frequent loose stools. This condition requires proper evaluation, as severe stool build-up may require supervised treatment. “In some cases, people require hospital evaluation, physical examination, abdominal X-rays, CT scans, blood work, enemas, bowel regimens, or even manual disimpaction, depending on severity and risk factors,” the gastroenterologist said.“What this is going to entail is clearing out your colon of impacted stool with either some enemas or laxatives, and then getting on a bowel regimen, which includes a high-fibre diet of about 25 to 30 grams a day, supplements like psyllium that can promote bowel movements, and scheduled toilet time,” he explained.
Colon cancer can cause this symptom
Colon cancer can sometimes manifest as overflow diarrhoea. One may experience alternating bowel habits; hence, this symptom should never be disregarded. “Colon cancer can sometimes masquerade as constipation or overflow diarrhoea by causing narrowing or blockage within the colon. That’s why persistent symptoms, weight loss, blood in the stool, anaemia, severe pain, vomiting, or worsening constipation should NEVER be ignored,” the doctor cautioned. He also emphasised that one should not self-treat this symptom. Always seek proper medical guidance, especially if symptoms are severe or persistent.
