Why You Have Watery Stools: Causes of Watery Diarrhea

Hello, this is Choi Yeon-seung, a Traditional Korean Medicine doctor at Baengnokdam Korean Medicine Clinic.

“They say there's nothing wrong with my intestines, so why is it coming out like water?” “My endoscopy results and blood tests are all normal... but every morning, it's just a gush of water in the bathroom.”

This is the first thing people say when they cross the threshold of my examination room. Tests are clear, but their body sounds an alarm several times a day. Just before commuting, on the subway, five minutes before a meeting—when their stomach gurgles, all plans halt. They've even heard, “It’s not exactly painful, so just try to live with it.”

But while enduring it, they lose water and electrolytes, causing dizziness in the afternoons, postponed meal plans, and a constant need to scout escape routes in cars or elevators before feeling at ease.

Normal test results bring a sense of relief, "It's not a major illness." But life remains 'dysfunctional'. Why do medical devices fail to capture this symptom, where water seems to leak from the middle of the intestines? What's leaking, and what's blocked, causing the stool to flow out without form?

Hidden Causes of Chronic Watery Stools

“My tests are normal, but could chronic watery stools be due to an imbalance in gut bacteria?” “My endoscopy and blood tests are all fine, so why do I just expel water every morning?”

These are frequently asked questions in the examination room. There are no visible wounds or inflammation, yet the intestines gush out water all at once, like a shower hose that's come loose—behind this phenomenon often lies a 'microscopic disturbance.'

Imbalance of Gut Bacteria

First, thousands of species of bacteria live in the intestines, maintaining a balance to ferment food waste and help absorb nutrients. However, when events that shock the intestines—like antibiotics, antacids, irregular eating, or extreme diets—recur, this order collapses.

Traditional Korean Medicine Approach

In Traditional Korean Medicine, this state is described as “dampness and phlegm covering the intestinal walls, clouding the Spleen and Stomach.” The Spleen and Stomach (*Biwi*) are originally supposed to extract clear essence from food and send it upwards, while moving turbid waste downwards. However, when gut bacteria and inflammation are mixed, this separation process becomes indistinct.

Lifestyle Checklist

• You need to go to the bathroom less than 30 minutes after eating.
• Your stool contains a lot of foam or has an oily sheen floating on it.
• Taking probiotics actually worsens gas.

Other Causes of Watery Stools

The Influence of Cold Beverages

“Why does it come out like water immediately after I drink iced coffee?” You've probably experienced your stomach gurgling and having to rush to the bathroom right after swallowing just one sip of cold coffee on an empty stomach, haven't you?

The Connection Between Nerves and Intestines

“Why do I immediately look for a bathroom whenever I get nervous?” If your stomach reacts like clockwork and expels water just five minutes before a meeting, when the phone rings, or the moment a bus is about to depart, that's a reaction from your nervous system.

The Relationship Between Sleep and Intestines

“I go to the bathroom all night long—does sleep affect diarrhea?” Even if things are calm during the day, your stomach might rumble around two or three in the morning, and after one or two trips to the bathroom while half-asleep, you wake up utterly exhausted in the morning.

Electrolyte Replenishment Methods

If watery stools persist for weeks or months, dizziness often appears even before you get out of bed in the morning. What's needed then is electrolyte replenishment.

The Necessity of Colonoscopy

“What signs indicate I should get another colonoscopy?” The absence of abnormalities in a test might alleviate major worries, but it often plants the seed of anxiety.

The Role of Traditional Korean Medicine

“What kind of Traditional Korean Medicine can help with watery stools—can I distinguish my body constitution myself?” If hospital tests, dietary adjustments, and electrolyte replenishment have been tried to some extent, but stool still flows out like water, people eventually ask, “Would Traditional Korean Medicine be different?”

Consultation-Related Information

- Consultation Hours: Mon-Fri 10:00 AM - 7:00 PM

Lunch Break: 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM

※ Individual consultations are not conducted via blog.

For reservations and inquiries related to consultations, please check Naver Place or our official website.

Baengnokdam Korean Medicine Clinic, Songdo Dream City 3rd Floor, 81 Convensia-daero, Yeonsu-gu, Incheon