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Improving Bowel Movements through Running

Running and bowel movements are also said to be conducive to each other as running helps in the maintenance of regular bowel movements. In fact it has been observed that those who run often have a lower risk of colon cancer. However, some people who run often also tend to suffer from GI distress as well as bouts of diarrhea which is also known as the runner’s trots. In fact research has shown that almost 20-40% of long distance runners tend to suffer from the symptoms of runner’s trots. The most commonly observed symptoms of this medical condition are nausea, cramping, flatulence and diarrhea before, after or even during exercise or running. This in turn results in painful cramping in the individual thus bringing about the need to defecate. One of the theories as to why some people suffer from runner’s trots is that the constant up and down motion associated with running tends to stir up the bowels of the individual. This in turn causes the flow of blood to get diverted to the legs from the intestines which may then trigger diarrhea or cramping. Additionally some people may also suffer from irregular bowel movements whole running on account of the added stress of exercise. Running and bowel movements go hand in hand. One could take some preventive steps against runners’ trot by avoiding eating anything at least two hours before one exercises, as the presence of food in the stomach while running or exercising will worsen the problem. One should also avoid drinking any beverages that contain caffeine or any other warm fluids as they tend to speed up the movements of wastes through ones intestines. Similarly, runners should also limit their intake of dairy products especially is they are prone to diarrhea. Those suffering from runners trot and the associated symptoms should in fact drink plenty of water about an hour before they workout and then give the excess fluids sufficient time to pass out of one’s system and then start the run or the exercise program feeling well hydrated. One should also work towards regular bowel movements while running by increasing the intake of high fiber foods and lowering the intake of foods that are known to produce loose stools or cause flatulence. If these precautionary methods are still not helpful then one should ensure that the route they follow while running should have toilets readily available should the need to use one arise.

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