If you're a diarrhoea sufferer, you're probably fed up with rushing to the nearest loo the whole time. We all know how embarrassing making a 'quick dash' can be but, the good news is, you really don't have to let diarrhoea disrupt your daily routine. In this section, you can find out practical advice to help you take control of the problem. We'll explain exactly what diarrhoea is and why it happens; we'll also suggest ways of coping with it - and how to treat it effectively.

Your digestive system is actually a complex piece of precision 'machinery' with finely-tuned workings. With today's hectic lifestyles, it's hardly surprising that you occasionally do something to upset it. So don't feel you're alone if you get diarrhoea regularly - over 20% of sufferers experience a bout more than once a month. (Taylor Nelson Consumer Survey).

If you have diarrhoea, you'll find you pass loose, unformed or liquid stools when you go to the toilet. This may be accompanied by abdominal pain or cramps or a bloated stomach. You'll probably also find you have an urgent need to rush to the loo several times during the course of a day.

Although the symptoms are superficially the same, it is important to differentiate between acute and chronic diarrhoea.

ACUTE diarrhoea starts with little or no warning and will usually clear up of its own accord in 1 to 3 days. It may, but need not, be accompanied by cramping pains, bloating or wind. In the UK and other industrialised Western nations, a doctors advice is seldom required for simple, acute diarrhoea. However an increasing number of people choose to treat their symptoms rather than take time off work or social activities.

CHRONIC diarrhoea is persistent, prolonged or recurrent. It either comes and goes or never really clears up. Medical advice should always be sought as chronic diarrhoea is debilitating, possibly dehydrating and may signal the presence of a potentially serious health problem.

As you read this, there will be an estimated 100,000* people in the UK suffering from a bout of diarrhoea today. If you're one of them, don't feel it's a problem that has control over you. Because it can be easy to beat diarrhoea: just continue below to find out how.

*Source: Taylor Nelson Consumer Survey

Diarrhoea is caused by something upsetting the normal process of your intestines. This will make your system go into overactive mode and speed the whole digestive process up.

When food leaves the stomach it has already been broken down and mixed with digestive juices to a porridge like consistency. As the mixture travels through the small and large intestine, water and nutrients should be absorbed into the body through the walls of the large intestine. If this process is speeded up for whatever reason, less fluids, vitamins, minerals and salts are absorbed. As a result, your bowel movement will be frequent and liquidy – it is important that children, the frail and the elderly drink plenty of fluids as they can easily suffer from dehydration if the lost fluids are not replaced.

So it’s a myth that you should let diarrhoea continue in order to flush out your system. Diarrhoea is not your body’s natural way of cleansing or getting rid of bacteria or other 'nasty things’. So by resolving the problem, rather than letting it take its natural course, you will feel better sooner.

Your digestive system is highly 'tuned’ and just a 2% change in the speed at which the intestines process food can lead to an attack of diarrhoea. So by understanding what’s actually happening to your body, it’s much easier to take control when you DO get a bout.

There can be a number of reasons why your intestines become irritated and speed up. This could include a virus or bacteria; an excess of food or alcohol; a hormonal imbalance; or too much adrenaline pumping around your system. All of these are quite common causes of diarrhoea and mostly it’s a sign that your body is out of balance.

Many people who have diarrhoea assume they must have picked up food poisoning and they're in for a nasty time. However, many conditions which lead to a bout of the 'runs' have nothing to do with contaminated food or water. Nearly all the causes of diarrhoea listed below are easy to treat and quick to sort out - leaving you free to get on with your day.

Nerves and anxiety: if you feel nervous just before an important exam, interview or other big event then your body will often react physically to this mental stress. That's because the adrenaline that's pumping around your body speeds everything up - and that includes the rate at which food passes through your system. This is sometimes referred to as PAD – Performance Anxiety Diarrhoea. Also, many people find that extended periods of stress and tiredness can upset the balance of their digestive system, leading to diarrhoea.

Over indulging: when you eat and drink to excess, you can easily irritate the lining of your gut. The main culprits here are rich or spicy foods, too much alcohol, excess fibre and large amounts of acidic fruit or fruit drinks.

Food intolerances: a bout of diarrhoea could be triggered if you are sensitive to certain foods. The three most common problems are:

1. Gluten intolerance (a sensitivity to a substance in wheat, barley and oats)
2. Lactose intolerance (when you don't have enough of the enzyme 'lactase' which digests milk sugar)
3. Allergic reactions (especially to foods such as shellfish and eggs)

Menstruation: it's fairly common to experience diarrhoea once a month when you have your period. The reason for this is a hormonal imbalance which makes your gut more sensitive than normal.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) : at least 20% of the UK population is affected by IBS at some point in their lives. If you suffer from IBS, you may experience diarrhoea as one of the symptoms. Other symptoms include abdominal cramps, nausea or constipation. If you'd like to find out more about this ongoing condition, click here to take you to the IBS section of this site.

Stomach bug/food poisoning: a number of different viruses and bacteria can infect your bowel and give you diarrhoea. In most cases this is due to food that's either contaminated, gone off, or not cooked properly. Rarer and more serious cases are caused by cholera or dysentery.

Travelling: travellers' diarrhoea is a very common complaint, but it's not always due to poor hygiene or contaminated food and water. It could simply be triggered by a change in the climate or a different diet. To avoid having to hover close to the bathroom next time you travel, here are a few easy precautions you can take:

• Drink bottled, boiled or purified water
• Avoid salad, raw vegetables and unpeeled fruit
• Avoid ice cubes, ice cream and unpasteurised milk
• Avoid snacks from roadside vendors
• Always make sure food is served piping hot
• Avoid food exposed to flies or to the sun
• Pack a diarrhoea remedy - just in case the problem does occur.

Bowel disease: there are three types of bowel disease which also result in diarrhoea. These are ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease and bowel cancer. Other symptoms associated with these diseases include weight loss, blood in your motions and severe abdominal pain. These conditions are rare but serious and you should seek immediate professional advice if you think you are suffering from one of them.

If you suffer regularly from diarrhoea, you may find you're actually bringing it on yourself. By taking one or two simple steps, you can take control of the problem. And you might find you avoid diarrhoea altogether. Here are a few tips you might find helpful:

• Don't eat too many spicy, exotic meals - or overdo food which contains lots of fibre (such as fruit).
• Avoid eating to excess. Not many of us have cast iron guts, so we can't normally cope too well with over-indulging.
• Don't drink too much alcohol.
• If you find that stress or nerves bring on a diarrhoea attack, try and learn to relax. For example, just before a big event such as an interview, a presentation or an important match, breathe deeply and slowly to calm yourself. Also, make sure you have prepared well so you are sure of your facts.
• If you have a food intolerance or allergy, steer clear of all the foods that adversely affect you. It sounds like stating the obvious but it's surprising how many people forget - especially if they are eating out or away on holiday.
• If you need to take a laxative because you're constipated, always follow the recommended dosage on the packet. Take too many and you'll end up with diarrhoea.

Because their digestive system is still developing, babies and young infants dehydrate very quickly. So, if they get diarrhoea, it's crucial to treat it promptly. They will need to be given an oral rehydration solution which will replace lost fluids, glucose and salts. If not, this can rapidly lead to dehydration, low blood pressure and shock. So do see your pharmacist or doctor immediately, if your baby or small child develops diarrhoea symptoms.

If your child is over 5 years, contact your pharmacist or doctor for advice if their diarrhoea symptoms last for more than a day. However, if they develop a high temperature, abdominal pain, pass blood or become excessively drowsy, see your doctor straight away.

Drinking plenty of water and taking a diarrhoea remedy should usually be sufficient to recover from a diarrhoea attack. Diarrhoea is seldom serious but there may be occasions when you need to seek medical help. So, you should consult your doctor immediately if:

• the diarrhoea has lasted longer than a couple of days (48 hours) without sign of improvement
• the diarrhoea contains blood or mucus
• the diarrhoea is accompanied by fever
• the diarrhoea is chronic (persistent or recurring)

If you have any of the above, don't worry too much, but it could be a symptom that you have some other illness, so do go and see your doctor.

Diarrhoea is seldom something nasty but it can seriously disrupt your daily routine or your holiday. Treating it at the first sign of symptoms means you will get over it more quickly and will reduce the risk of dehydration.

There are many natural remedies and alternative therapies thought to aid diarrhoea but the scientific evidence for their effectiveness is unclear. If you want to try a natural alternative consult a homeopath or a natural remedy retailer for further advice.

The British Digestive Foundation (The Charity for Research and Information on all Digestive Disorders) PO Box 251 Edgware, Middlesex, HA8 6HG Tel: 0207 487 5332 www.digestivedisorders.org.uk*

IBS Network. St John House, Hither Green Hospital, Hither Green, London SE13 6RU Members can receive a quarterly newsletter – Gut Reaction - which is written and read by sufferers of IBS. Members can also receive a Can’t Wait Card Tel: 0114 261 1531 (answerphone) general Enquiries 0208 698 4611

British Society of Gastroenterology. 3 St Andrew's Place, London, NW1 4LB. Tel: 0207 935 2815. Fax: 0207 487 3734 www.bsg.org.uk*

Incontact: an organisation for people with bladder and bowel problems Doughty Street, London, WC1N 2PH Telephone Helpline : 0191 213 0050

NACC The National Association for Colitis and Chron’s Disease Tel: 01727 844296

Spinal Injuries Association 76 St James Lane, London N10 3DF. Tel: 0208 444 2121. A factsheet is provided on bowel and bladder management for the disabled.

*Selecting any of the listed links will take you to a Web site to which the McNeil Products Ltd. Privacy Policy, Legal Notice and content ownership do not apply. You are solely responsible for your interactions with that Web site. We encourage you to read the Privacy Policy and Legal Notice of every Web site that you visit.