When does diarrhoea occur? Diarrhoea is usually a reaction to food poisoning. You have eaten food which is full of bugs; the body's defence mechanism is engaged and the food is expelled from the body as fast as possible.

Diarrhoea may also occur when you are tense or scared. Ancient man was born with a flight or fight response. What this means is that when ancient man faced dangers that could kill him, the body produced adrenaline which either helped man run away or have the courage to face the danger. Humans today still have this defence response. These days it is stress, pace of life and the like that causes us to produce adrenaline rather than facing Woolly Mammoths. The effect of adrenaline on the body is to speed up bodily functions including the gut; remember exam time or your driving test? You may also notice that your breathing is quicker, that you can't relax as easily as you used to or that you're more rushed to fit everything in. If your bowel is reacting to stress then you need more than a change in diet. You would need to relax more. This could mean taking up yoga, meditation, hypnosis or a more physical activity such as running.

If your stool is frequent and loose then it might be an idea to take a break from food and just drink fluids [not tea or coffee] for a day. It is thought that over cooking white or brown rice until it is a pulp is also easy on the digestion. Rice is a very mild food on the bowel, which is why you will find that on any exclusion diet, rice is still allowed. Linseed is also useful in reducing diarrhoea as it acts as sponge by absorbing excess fluid in the bowel.

Turning to medicines should be a last resort. Medicines have their place in the treatment of illnesses but an eastern philosophy is useful to adopt here which is cure the cause not the symptom. If you are suffering diarrhoea, then your body is telling you that it is using diarrhoea to heal itself. Taking medicines now, like Imodium, may block the healing process. In addition it is possible that by taking a drug that prevents diarrhoea you end up with constipation.

If you suffer alternating bouts of constipation and diarrhoea then seek a cure for the constipation first as the diarrhoea maybe a by product of constipation. The lining of a constipated bowel maybe contaminated with toxins such that the body uses watery stools to flush the toxins away.

If your bowel symptoms persist, you must see your medical doctor. Do not self diagnose as your pain may be a sign something more dangerous.