Runner’s diarrhea (also known as exercise-induced gastrointestinal syndrome) is a common condition that affects runners and other endurance athletes. It is characterized by frequent, loose stools and abdominal pain or cramping. Runner’s diarrhea is caused by a number of factors, including the jostling of the intestines during exercise, increased blood flow to the intestines, and changes in gut motility. While runner’s diarrhea is not usually serious, it can be uncomfortable and disruptive, especially during long runs or races.
There are a number of things that runners can do to avoid runner’s diarrhea, including: