Question:

Pardon the topic, but I’m serious about this. Lately it seems that *every* time I go hiking/backpacking I’m getting diarrhea during the trip. Before: fine. After: fine. During: don’t ask…. The only thing I can conclude is that the pounding and jarring of scrambling over talus and scree is "loosening" things in my digestive tract.  I haven’t changed what I’ve been eating lately, but I have considered adding a lot of cheese to my trail snacks.  I’ve recently increased my mileage so is this common, or at least not unusual?  Any ideas besides Imodium AD in the pack?

Response:

Pardon the topic, but I’m serious about this. Lately it seems that *every* time I go hiking/backpacking I’m getting diarrhea during the trip. Before: fine. After: fine. During: don’t ask….

It is not uncommon (but still rare) for people involved in a physically demanding sport to experience "uncontrolled evacuations".  Specifically, marathoners and long distance swimmers.  I read an article years ago talking about this.  I think it said that the exertion levels are so high, and that many body chemicals get exhausted, that the body simply is unable to cope. BUT, you seem to have a particular sensitivity to it.  Have you considered talking with your doctor about this?  It may be something simple, or easily treated before you hit the trail. You also said "lately".  Take a look at what has changed in your life recently that may have been a factor.  And not just food or digestion related changes.  Stress can cause all sorts of problems with digestion. Have you looked at your eating habits from 24-48 hours pre-trip?  That may provide a clue as well. Good luck. P.S.  I’m reminded of the SNL skit for adult diapers called "Oops, I Crapped My Pants". P.P.S.  OK, sorry about that.

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One thing that hasn’t been mentioned, I don’t believe – do you love getting out to hike so much that you get excited? That mood of joy mixed with the stress relief that accompanies hiking could cause the loosening you mention. As far as unwashed hands go, on daytrips I don’t think the effect would occur so quickly. However, I do heartily recommend carrying your gorp in nalgene bottles from which it must be poured, rather than reaching into a baggie. A truly great way to collectively enjoy diarrhea is to pass your bag of gorp around, with every one shoving a hand in to grab some. You may be careful with your hygiene, but not everyone is. -d

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see that’s why I have a hard time understanding this – most of the time I’ve got a cast iron stomach.  nothing bothers me no matter what i eat… until i go on a serious hike The only thing I can conclude is that the pounding and jarring of scrambling over talus and scree is "loosening" things in my digestive tract.

This happens to me every time I run if I don’t have a BM right before I head out the door. Even if I don’t feel the pressing need before I run, I make myself sit down to go. Otherwise, I end up squatting behind the bushes, wishing I had something besides leaves :-/ You might try making yourself have a BM right before you go for your hike and see if that gets you through. Do you drink massive amounts of gatorade, or anything high in vitamin C?  Either of these can cause your problem.  Moreover, perhaps you’re simply *really* getting hydrated when you hike.

I don’t think you can drink too much water. Cheers, Jeff — I’m not a vegetarian because I love animals. I’m a vegetarian because I hate vegetables.

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see that’s why I have a hard time understanding this – most of the time I’ve got a cast iron stomach.  nothing bothers me no matter what i eat… until i go on a serious hike Some people notice blood in their urine when they go for a rigorous hike. I’ve known quite a few runners, and the experience of the sudden, URGENT need to pinch a loaf is apparently a common phenomenon.  You indicate that you are a step beyond this–diarrhea.  Do you drink massive amounts of gatorade, or

can’t stand the stuff – just pure, filtered water for me anything high in vitamin C?  Either of these can cause your problem. Moreover, perhaps you’re simply *really* getting hydrated when you hike.

Now THERE’S a thought…  I wear a camelback and, due to our dry climate, I try to make sure I’m well hydrated – hadn’t thought of that one!   Actually I didn’t know you COULD drink too much water?

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petty, hateful little thing, aren’t you?

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Did you read any posts by Peter Bucy, Keyton or Ruger9 just before your hike? Pardon the topic, but I’m serious about this. Lately it seems that *every* time I go hiking/backpacking I’m getting diarrhea during the trip. Before: fine. After: fine. During: don’t ask…. The only thing I can conclude is that the pounding and jarring of scrambling over talus and scree is "loosening" things in my digestive tract.  I haven’t changed what I’ve been eating lately, but I have considered adding a lot of cheese to my trail snacks.  I’ve recently increased my mileage so is this common, or at least not unusual?  Any ideas besides Imodium AD in the pack?

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see that’s why I have a hard time understanding this – most of the time I’ve got a cast iron stomach.  nothing bothers me no matter what i eat… until i go on a serious hike

Some people notice blood in their urine when they go for a rigorous hike.  I’ve known quite a few runners, and the experience of the sudden, URGENT need to pinch a loaf is apparently a common phenomenon.  You indicate that you are a step beyond this–diarrhea.  Do you drink massive amounts of gatorade, or anything high in vitamin C?  Either of these can cause your problem.  Moreover, perhaps you’re simply *really* getting hydrated when you hike. Boycott products manufactured in or built with components from communist China

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Did you read any posts by Peter Bucy, Keyton or Ruger9 just before your hike? – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Pardon the topic, but I’m serious about this. Lately it seems that *every* time I go hiking/backpacking I’m getting diarrhea during the trip. Before: fine. After: fine. During: don’t ask…. The only thing I can conclude is that the pounding and jarring of scrambling over talus and scree is "loosening" things in my digestive tract.  I haven’t changed what I’ve been eating lately, but I have considered adding a lot of cheese to my trail snacks.  I’ve recently increased my mileage so is this common, or at least not unusual?  Any ideas besides Imodium AD in the pack?

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– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I only ask that if you use that term, it can’t be anything trivial. It must be really bad. On the few times when my GI system has decided to loosen up too much, I have increased my electrolyte intake slightly (salt or Gatorade). If things get worse, then Pepto-Bismol will slow things down even more. Then break out the Imodium when things get bad. —Bob Gross— I also find that heavy exertion can do this to me, although my stomach can be more sensitive than average.

see that’s why I have a hard time understanding this – most of the time I’ve got a cast iron stomach.  nothing bothers me no matter what i eat… until i go on a serious hike

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I only ask that if you use that term, it can’t be anything trivial. It must be really bad. On the few times when my GI system has decided to loosen up too much, I have increased my electrolyte intake slightly (salt or Gatorade). If things get worse, then Pepto-Bismol will slow things down even more. Then break out the Imodium when things get bad. —Bob Gross—

I also find that heavy exertion can do this to me, although my stomach can be more sensitive than average. Using an electrolyte replacement drink half strength (i.e. use twice as much water) is helpful, as well as making sure I get enough to drink. Instead of stopping to drink occasionally and then drinking a lot of water, I try to sip small amounts frequently. Happy trails, Gary "In three words I can sum up everything I’ve learned about life: it goes on." -Robert Frost- Gary D. Schwartz, Needham, MA, USA Please reply to: garyDOTschwartzATpoboxDOTcom

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I only ask that if you use that term, it can’t be anything trivial. It must be really bad. On the few times when my GI system has decided to loosen up too much, I have increased my electrolyte intake slightly (salt or Gatorade). If things get worse, then Pepto-Bismol will slow things down even more. Then break out the Imodium when things get bad. —Bob Gross—

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Pardon the topic, but I’m serious about this. Lately it seems that *every* time I go hiking/backpacking I’m getting diarrhea during the trip. Before: fine. After: fine. During: don’t ask…. The only thing I can conclude is that the pounding and jarring of scrambling over talus and scree is "loosening" things in my digestive tract.  I haven’t changed what I’ve been eating lately, but I have considered adding a lot of cheese to my trail snacks.  I’ve recently increased my mileage so is this common, or at least not unusual?  Any ideas besides Imodium AD in the

pack?

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That’s Irritable Bowel Syndrome… that could be it. Probably the extra miles you have added on are enough to set it off. Maybe some strange symptom of Altitude Sickness? Also you mention "even on trips using no utensils" – but – you still use your HANDS, don’t you? How and when are you washing your hands and with what? Improper hand washing can cause "trots" too… – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I am a severe sufferer of I.B.S.  I have found that taking Immod. AD 24+ hours before a trip I am much more "controlled".    I have had prescription medicine and the problem I have is after 2-3 days on the trail I have severe abdominal pain. Pardon the topic, but I’m serious about this. Lately it seems that *every* time I go hiking/backpacking I’m getting diarrhea during the trip. Before: fine. After: fine. During: don’t ask….

– C’ya Lee

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     Have you been feasting on those delicious MRE’s?

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Not to get all "serious" on your or anything but do you notice any blood in the stool?  Changes in bowel movements can be a signal of cancer, but if you say it’s only happening while on a good hike, it’s probably not much to worry about—— as long as your significant other does the laundry!             Jerry

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And don’t forget to throw the bleach on the ground to kill all the little bugs there and be sure to rinse them off in the creek so the water will be pure for all the little fishies. Dumb!!!! – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – bleach rinse and air dry the dishes. ps

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I am a severe sufferer of I.B.S.  I have found that taking Immod. AD 24+ hours before a trip I am much more "controlled".    I have had prescription medicine and the problem I have is after 2-3 days on the trail I have severe abdominal pain.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Pardon the topic, but I’m serious about this. Lately it seems that *every* time I go hiking/backpacking I’m getting diarrhea during the trip. Before: fine. After: fine. During: don’t ask…. The only thing I can conclude is that the pounding and jarring of scrambling over talus and scree is "loosening" things in my digestive tract.  I haven’t changed what I’ve been eating lately, but I have considered adding a lot of cheese to my trail snacks.  I’ve recently increased my mileage so is this common, or at least not unusual?  Any ideas besides Imodium AD in the pack?

Response:

I myself have this problem when distance running.  It slowly appeared a couple of years ago during the peak of my college racing and ultimately affected my senior year on a daily basis.  My only safe remedy was to make sure I did enough warmup runs

ew-w-w-w! (sorry, couldn’t help myself – yes, I have frequent flashbacks to pre-adolesence) My case works like this: – I go to the restroom beforehand, nothing unusual. – After 15min of running, I might feel a bit bloated, and things start moving around in my intestines.  Not uncomfortable yet. – After a variable amount of time (never long enough to turn around and get home, it seems), it develops into an desperate urge.  The longer I attempt to resist, the worse it becomes.  Walking helps but only delays the inevitable need.

sounds like the same symptoms/cycle, though not as quickly onset as your case – if I discover something that works, I’ll let you know – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I have tried working with diet (avoid dairy, avoid high-fructose juices, eat more vegetables, more fiber, less fiber, vary my meal schedule, eat fewer+bigger meals, more+smaller meals, extra hydration) and none have worked.  I’ve tried different muscle toning and adjustments in my running posture and training on different surfaces.  It’s happened while I eat at dining halls, food I cook myself, food cooked for me by different people, living in Delaware, PA, and Ontario.  I had my stool tested twice at one point and they found no bacterium or abnormalities then.

Something else I’ve tried (with no evident effect) was Acidopholus (sp?) culture suppliments.  The theory being that maintaining a proper balance of intestinal flora would help.

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I myself have this problem when distance running.  It slowly appeared a couple of years ago during the peak of my college racing and ultimately affected my senior year on a daily basis.  My only safe remedy was to make sure I did enough warmup runs before a big performance so that anything in my digestive system that could move, had moved and was gone.  Some days I’m fine.  Most days I’m at least troubled by it, and a few days are horribly uncomfortable and I have to quit my workouts and find a public restroom or walk home. My case works like this: – I go to the restroom beforehand, nothing unusual. – After 15min of running, I might feel a bit bloated, and things start moving around in my intestines.  Not uncomfortable yet. – After a variable amount of time (never long enough to turn around and get home, it seems), it develops into an desperate urge.  The longer I attempt to resist, the worse it becomes.  Walking helps but only delays the inevitable need. I have tried working with diet (avoid dairy, avoid high-fructose juices, eat more vegetables, more fiber, less fiber, vary my meal schedule, eat fewer+bigger meals, more+smaller meals, extra hydration) and none have worked.  I’ve tried different muscle toning and adjustments in my running posture and training on different surfaces.  It’s happened while I eat at dining halls, food I cook myself, food cooked for me by different people, living in Delaware, PA, and Ontario.  I had my stool tested twice at one point and they found no bacterium or abnormalities then.  The jarring seems to be a big effect, but it seems to be something different that I can’t put things on. Since then I’ve given up running with any consistency.  If you find anything about it, I would love to hear about it.  Email me directly to share or discuss. Dave – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Pardon the topic, but I’m serious about this. Lately it seems that *every* time I go hiking/backpacking I’m getting diarrhea during the trip. Before: fine. After: fine. During: don’t ask…. The only thing I can conclude is that the pounding and jarring of scrambling over talus and scree is "loosening" things in my digestive tract.  I haven’t changed what I’ve been eating lately, but I have considered adding a lot of cheese to my trail snacks.  I’ve recently increased my mileage so is this common, or at least not unusual?  Any ideas besides Imodium AD in the pack?

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Lately it seems that *every* time I go hiking/backpacking I’m getting diarrhea during the trip. Before: fine. After: fine. During: don’t ask…. The only thing I can conclude is that the pounding and jarring of scrambling over talus and scree is "loosening" things in my digestive tract.  I haven’t

More likely you’re changing your diet. Some possible culprits in loose bowels: 1. Milk. If you’ve middle aged, you’ve likely lost most of your capacity  to digest lactose. Thus if you bring powdered milk drinks with you, you’re  going to get diarrhea. 2. Fibre. If you change suddenly from a low-fibre diet to a high-fibre  diet, it can have some effect. If you’re going to eat a high fibre  diet on the trail (granola bars and beans and such), eat a high fibre  diet at home for at least a week before leaving on the trip. 3. Beans! Yes, they’re high in fibre, but they’re also high in  stuff that’s hard to digest. If you’re scrambling around, you aren’t  going to be able to digest that stuff — so the bacteria in your gut  will digest it for you. Result: flatulence and diarrhea. 4. Eating heavy during the day: While you are exerting yourself, you should eat easy-to-digest high-carbo foods, rather than stuff with lots of fat or protein. Eating hard-to-digest foods while you’re exerting yourself not only gives you a case of "the blahs", but can also result in your digestive system doing the same as #3. That’s just off the top of my head…                BadTux: http://www.badtux.org

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Pardon the topic, but I’m serious about this. Lately it seems that *every* time I go hiking/backpacking I’m getting diarrhea during the trip. Before: fine. After: fine. During: don’t ask…. It is not uncommon (but still rare) for people involved in a physically demanding sport to experience "uncontrolled evacuations".

i would say "uncontrolled" in my case…. marathoners and long distance swimmers.  I read an article years ago talking about this.  I think it said that the exertion levels are so high, and that many body chemicals get exhausted, that the body simply is unable to cope.

never bothered me when long distance cycling…. You also said "lately".  Take a look at what has changed in your life recently that may have been a factor.  And not just food or digestion

the only thing that’s changed that I can think of is that i’ve added mileage to my hikes related changes.  Stress can cause all sorts of problems with digestion.

stress – now *there’s* an idea Have you looked at your eating habits from 24-48 hours pre-trip?  That may provide a clue as well.

i’ve looked at what i eat the day before, but that’s about it.  i’ll add another day to my "pre-trip" meal planning and see if that helps P.S.  I’m reminded of the SNL skit for adult diapers called "Oops, I Crapped My Pants".

fortunately that hasn’t happened….

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Allergy to something that you’re eating on trail that you don’t eat off trail? Inadequate dishwashing and rinsing? —

Not the first one – there’s nothing special about what I eat on the trail that I don’t also eat normally. Not the second one – problem occurs even on day trips when I don’t use cookware

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– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Pardon the topic, but I’m serious about this. Lately it seems that *every* time I go hiking/backpacking I’m getting diarrhea during the trip. Before: fine. After: fine. During: don’t ask…. It is not uncommon (but still rare) for people involved in a physically demanding sport to experience "uncontrolled evacuations". i would say "uncontrolled" in my case….

that should be:   I wouldN’T say "uncontrolled" in my case…

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Pardon the topic, but I’m serious about this. Lately it seems that *every* time I go hiking/backpacking I’m getting diarrhea during the trip. Any ideas besides Imodium AD in the pack? bleach rinse and air dry the dishes.

problem occurs even during daytrips when i don’t use cookware

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I think it’s the exercise.  I know sometimes when I go on a good hike, my stomach gets worked up——gas and all.  Age may have something to do with it too, I don’t know.   Good luck and remember to pack out all your used paper!    :-)            Jerry

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Pardon the topic, but I’m serious about this. Lately it seems that *every* time I go hiking/backpacking I’m getting diarrhea during the trip.

Any ideas besides Imodium AD in the pack? bleach rinse and air dry the dishes. ps – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –

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