Download ArticleDownload ArticleThis article was medically reviewed by Shari Forschen, NP, MA. Shari Forschen is a Registered Nurse at Sanford Health in North Dakota. Shari has worked in healthcare since 1996 and her expertise lies in acute care bedside nursing on a medical oncology floor. She received her degree from Medcenter one College of Nursing in 2003 and her Family Nurse Practitioner Masters from the University of North Dakota in 2014. Shari is a member of the American Nurses Association.
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Diarrhea is loose watery stool. It happens to everyone at some point and can really make you miserable, especially if it prevents you from sleeping. Diarrhea can be caused by many different things including bacterial infections, parasites, viral infections, digestive disorders, intestinal diseases, and reactions to particular foods or medicines. Most cases go away after a few days, but while it is happening, there are a few things you can do to improve the quality of your sleep and feel better.[1][2]
Steps
Sip on a cup of chamomile tea. Chamomile tea can help to reduce the inflammation that diarrhea causes and it is also well-known as a natural sleep aid. Try sipping cup of chamomile tea about one hour before you go to bed.- To brew a cup of chamomile tea, steep one tea bag or 1 teaspoon of dried chamomile flowers in one cup of boiling water. Then remove the tea bag or strain the tea. Drink the tea after it has cooled down a little bit.
Try a relaxation technique. People who suffer from chronic intestinal problems such as irritable bowel syndrome are often encouraged to use relaxation techniques on a daily basis. Regular use of relaxation techniques is recommended because feeling stressed can worsen intestinal problems, such as diarrhea. To reduce your diarrhea symptoms, try using a relaxation technique for about 10 to 15 minutes before you go to bed. Some good options include:[3]Advertisement
Take a dose of anti-diarrheal medicine right before bed. Over the counter anti-diarrheal medicines such as attapulgite, loperamide, and bismuth sub-salicylate may make it easier for you to sleep by stopping your symptoms for a few hours. Try taking a dose right before you go to bed to make it easier to fall asleep and stay asleep.- Keep in mind that over-the-counter medications should not be used on children unless the doctor approves.
- If your diarrhea is due to a bacterial or parasitic infection, preventing bowel movements may make you sicker. In these cases, you need antibiotics. If you are unsure about whether or not to try over-the-counter anti-diarrheal medications, consult your doctor.[4][5]
Treat pain. Diarrhea can be painful enough to prevent you from sleeping. If this is occurring to you, you may want to consider taking an over-the-counter painkiller to help you fall asleep at night. These medications will not treat the diarrhea, but they may give you the pain relief you need to sleep:[6]- Try taking a dose of acetaminophen or ibuprofen. Read and follow the instructions on the packaging. Be aware that over-the-counter medications can interact with prescription medications, herbal remedies, and dietary supplements. If you are unsure whether these medications are safe for you, consult your doctor.
- Aspirin should never be given to children due to the risk of Reye's syndrome. This is a serious condition that some children develop after taking aspirin and it can be life threatening.
Consider sleeping closer to a bathroom. Since it may not be possible to avoid having to get up during the night when you have diarrhea, you may want to consider spending the night closer to a bathroom. This will make getting to the bathroom less of a hassle and the security of knowing that a bathroom is nearby may make it easier for you to sleep through the night.- For example, if your bathroom is at the other end of your house or apartment, then you might consider sleeping on the sofa or in a spare bedroom that is closer to the bathroom.
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Stay hydrated. You lose water and electrolytes when you have diarrhea. The symptoms of dehydration, such as thirst, headaches and nausea are uncomfortable enough that they alone will make it harder to sleep. Stay hydrated by drinking, not just water, but also fluids with electrolytes. This includes both sugary and salty fluids such as:[7]- Fruit juices. Fruit juice may make diarrhea worse in children. If your child prefers juice, try diluting it with water.
- Sports drinks
- Decaffeinated sodas. Fizzy drinks may aggravate diarrhea in children.
- Broth
- Oral rehydration solutions such as Pedialyte, Naturalyte, Infalyte, and CeraLyte. These are given to children. Consult with your doctor or pharmacist to determine the correct dosage for your child. Read and follow the instructions on the packaging. If you are breastfeeding a child with diarrhea continue doing it as usual.
Avoid caffeine. Not only will it keep you up at night, but it may stimulate your bowels and make your diarrhea worse. Beverages and foods with caffeine include:[8]- Coffee
- Black or green teas
- Many sodas
- Many energy drinks
- Chocolate
Don't eat a heavy supper. Foods that are difficult to digest are more likely to aggravate your diarrhea and cause you to have to run to the bathroom at night. Foods to avoid include:[9]- Greasy or fatty foods. This includes a lot of fast food like fries, donuts, oily pizza, and fried and breaded meats and vegetables.
- Spicy foods. Some people find that spicy or heavily seasoned foods are more likely to upset their digestion. Even if you really enjoy cooking with spices, try leaving them out until you feel better.
- High-fiber foods. High-fiber foods include whole-grain bread, whole-wheat breads and pasta, bran, and whole-grain cereals.
- Cut down on milk products. Both adults and children may have difficulty digesting milk during or after a case of diarrhea. It takes some children over a month to be able to digest milk after having diarrhea.
Eat bland foods. Eating bland foods will help to settle your stomach while you have diarrhea and prevent it from becoming worse. Good foods to try include:- Bananas
- White rice with no sauce or seasoning
- Boiled potatoes
- Boiled carrots
- Baked chicken with the fat and skin removed
- Crackers
- Plain toast
- Eggs
Replenish your gut bacteria. A healthy community of gut bacteria is necessary for proper digestion and can help reduce diarrhea. This method may benefit you if your diarrhea is a result of a recent course of antibiotic medications. Two ways of balancing your gut bacteria include:[10][11]- Eating live culture yogurt. The yogurt contains bacteria that aid digestion.
- Taking probiotics. Probiotics are available as supplements which contain bacteria that are similar to those that are found in a healthy digestive tract. These bacteria aid the breakdown of food. Contact your doctor before starting probiotic supplements to be sure that they will be safe for you.
- 6Take activated charcoal. Activated charcoal can absorb toxins in your intestinal tract, preventing your body from absorbing them, which makes it a suitable treatment for diarrhea. There are not many side effects of taking activated charcoal, so this may be a good solution for you. Be sure to follow the directions on the package, and don't take more activated charcoal, or take it more often, than directed.[12]
Call your doctor if diarrhea is interfering with your sleep. Sleep is essential for your body to heal itself, so tell your doctor if diarrhea is making it hard for you to sleep. Your doctor may be able to prescribe something to help you sleep. If your diarrhea is chronic (lasts more than four weeks), then you may need to take medication or make lifestyle changes to help get it under control.[13]- You may also need to see a specialist called a gastroenterologist if your diarrhea is chronic and often interferes with your sleep.
See a doctor if your diarrhea doesn't go away. Diarrhea is unpleasant, but most of the time it is not an indication of a serious condition. However, you should go to the doctor if you have:[14]- Diarrhea that lasts over two days
- Symptoms of dehydration like infrequent urination, dark or cloudy urine, dry skin, exhaustion, headache, nausea, and dizziness
- Serious pain your belly or rectum
- A fever of 102 F or greater
- Bowel movements that include blood or pus
- Black or tarry stool
Bring your child to the doctor if they have severe diarrhea. Children, particularly infants, are very vulnerable to dehydration. Get your child checked by a doctor if you observe:[15]- Diarrhea that continues for more than a day
- Signs of dehydration such as dry mouth, dry tongue, no tears during crying, no urination for 3 hours, fever, listlessness, irritability, or sunken eyes, cheeks, or soft spot in the skull
- A fever of 102 F or greater
- Stool that has blood or pus or is black and tarry
Expert Q&A
Tips
Tips from our Readers 
- I sleep sitting up after bouts of nighttime diarrhea with big, comfy couch pillows all around me. I get a few extra hours of sleep that I wouldn't have if I were on the toilet or lying in bed.
- You can wear a diaper to bed no matter what age you are. This can give you some peace of mind in case anything happens while you're asleep.
- If you're on the toilet for a long time, bring something to entertain you (like a book, a magazine, or your phone).
- I've noticed that sleeping on my side makes me need the toilet again, so I tend to sleep on my back instead.
References
- ↑ https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/4108-diarrhea
- ↑ https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/digestive-diseases/diarrhea
- ↑ https://www.helpguide.org/articles/stress/relaxation-techniques-for-stress-relief.htm
- ↑ https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/diarrhea
- ↑ https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/diarrhea.html
- ↑ https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/diarrhea
- ↑ https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/dehydration.html
- ↑ https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/digestive-diseases/diarrhea
- ↑ https://www.sleepfoundation.org/physical-health/diet-exercise-sleep
- ↑ https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/21820-small-intestinal-bacterial-overgrowth-sibo
- ↑ https://www.pcrm.org/health-topics/gut-bacteria
- ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29231746
- ↑ https://medlineplus.gov/diarrhea.html
- ↑ https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/diarrhoea
- ↑ https://www.healthychildren.org/English/health-issues/conditions/abdominal/Pages/Diarrhea.aspx
About This Article
Medical Disclaimer
The content of this article is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, examination, diagnosis, or treatment. You should always contact your doctor or other qualified healthcare professional before starting, changing, or stopping any kind of health treatment.
Sleeping when you have diarrhea can be difficult and unpleasant, but you can make it easier by using natural sleep aids and making dietary changes. Try sipping on a cup of chamomile tea before bed. Chamomile tea is a natural sleep aid and can reduce the inflammation diarrhea causes. You could also try deep breathing or another relaxation technique for 10 to 15 minutes, since feeling stressed can worsen intestinal problems. If you’re in pain, consider taking an over-the-counter painkiller to help you get to sleep. Drink plenty of water and fruit juices throughout the day to replenish your electrolytes and stay hydrated. Additionally, eat bland foods, such as boiled potatoes or white rice without sauce, to reduce any potential irritation caused by the food you eat. Remember to see your doctor if the diarrhea lasts longer than 2 days, since it may be a symptom of another condition. For tips from our Medical co-author on how to treat diarrhea in your child, keep reading!
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