Diarrhoea & Urgency
Loose stools and dashing to the loo - causes and help.
About this topic
When you can't be far from a loo, we've gut you!
If you're feeling like you're losing a battle with your gut - with loose stools or a sudden, cannot-wait urge to go… then we can help. When your gut is out of sync, it can chip away at your confidence to leave the house, travel, eat out or sit through a meeting. And the worry about what your gut is going to do next often makes the whole thing worse.
Diarrhoea and bowel urgency have a long list of possible causes, from a passing bug or something you ate to IBS, stress, medication, travel or eating at unusual times.
These guides explain what's most likely going on, the practical steps that settle things down, and the warning signs that mean you should see a doctor rather than wait it out. We cover bowel urgency specifically, because it's the symptom people find hardest to talk about and the one that most affects daily life when your gut is upset.
Start with Why Do I Have Diarrhoea All the Time? or, if urgency is the main problem, why do you keep urgently needing the toilet. Persistent diarrhoea can leave you dehydrated, so please do not push through it alone if it is not easing.
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All articles in Diarrhoea & Urgency
Good to know
Frequently asked questions
Why do I have diarrhoea all the time?
Ongoing diarrhoea can be down to IBS, a food intolerance, stress, or an underlying condition. Once you've tried the usual things to get back on track, it's one to discuss with your GP if it persists. We suggest bringing a diary of symptoms to help identify patterns.
What causes sudden bowel urgency?
That cannot-wait feeling is often linked to IBS-D, inflammation, or the gut moving things through too fast. While it's common, there's often shame and embarrassment from talking about it. But it is manageable.
When should I see a doctor about diarrhoea?
See a doctor if it lasts more than a few days, you cannot keep fluids down, or you notice blood, severe pain, weight loss or a fever.
Can stress cause diarrhoea?
Yes. The gut and brain are closely linked, so anxiety and stress can genuinely speed things up and trigger urgency.
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