RUNNERS DIARRHEA AND OTHER INTESTINAL PROBLEMS OF ATHLETES

Lower gastrointestinal tract, symptoms occur frequently in runners. Th e most common complaints are bowel urgency and diarrhea. Many etiologi es have been proposed, including enteric fluid and electrolyte imbalan ce, autonomic nervous system stimulation, ischemia and mechanical trau ma. The evaluation should include a review of the athlete's training p rogram and diet, as well as a review of any preexisting gastrointestin al disease. A stool examination for occult blood should be performed i n the athlete who complains of diarrhea. Treatment begins with a reduc tion in the intensity of workouts, followed by a gradual return to the previous level of training after the symptoms resolve. In most cases, symptoms do not recur. Dietary manipulation or antimotility agents ma y be helpful in some athletes. Bloody diarrhea, usually related to hem orrhagic gastritis, can be effectively treated with histamine H-2-rece ptor antagonists.