Is pooping during stressful situations normal? 

Welcome to Doctor's Corner, where medical experts from Makati Medical Center will answer health questions from readers! Got a question? Send them over to lifestyle@gmanews.tv.

Can't stop thinking of the Hyrox athlete who pooped during the competition. Why do elite athletes often soil themselves?

Elite athletes may experience what we call Runner’s Diarrhea, or the sudden and urgent need for a loose or watery bowel movement during or right after endurance exercise.

Athletes may also experience gas, acid reflux, nausea, and cramping, even without suffering from diarrhea.

Runner's Diarrhea happens not only to runners, but also to those who engage in multisport events like triathlon as well as other high-intensity and endurance activities like Hyrox, which combines running and functional workouts. This is why marathons and triathlons have portable toilets along race routes.

Runner’s Diarrhea occurs because engaging in intense or prolonged exercise can redistribute blood flow from the gut to the muscles, skin, heart, and lungs.

This can irritate intestinal lining, increase gut permeability, and disrupt fluid and nutrient absorption. Not to mention, pre-race anxiety or stress may also contribute to gastrointestinal distress.

It’s important to point out that athletes may experience exercise-induced diarrhea without losing complete control over their bowel movements. Most usually have time to run to the toilet and relieve themselves.

Depending on their hydration status, diet, and stress levels, they may suffer from fecal incontinence and soil themselves in the middle of an activity.

But the accidental passing of solid or liquid can also be triggered by an infection, food sensitivity, or medication, or completely caused by an underlying medical condition like weakened or damaged muscles, nervous system disorders, or digestive conditions like irritable bowel syndrome.

Is it safe to say that pooping is a natural bodily reaction to something stressful? Why or why not?

There is something that we call the gut-brain connection. This is why we have expressions like “butterflies in the stomach” or we feel our stomachs “dropping” or “turning” or “losing our appetite” when we’re nervous or anxious. We don’t need to be an elite athlete to understand what these things mean.

When faced with a stressful situation, our body releases stress hormones that can impact how our digestion works and lead to all these digestive sensations and issues.

It's completely common and normal to poop when you feel stressed, but experiencing all these things at once can be challenging and overwhelming especially if you’re competing, trying to break records, or chasing a new personal best.

Your training should include finding ways to prevent and manage stress and incidents by taking care of your gut, mind, and overall health.

Fortunately, small adjustments make a massive difference. Stay well-hydrated, time your meals carefully, and try cutting back on hard-to-digest carbs (like onions, apples, and wheat) in the days before a big race.

Ease into new exercise intensities, use the bathroom before you start, and practice your race-day nutrition during training to "train your gut."

Regular, moderate exercise is fantastic for digestion. While runner's diarrhea is an annoying feature of pushing hard for a long time, it shouldn't stop you from moving. Just remember to consult a doctor if you experience severe or persistent symptoms, blood in your stool, disproportionate belly pain, fever, dizziness, or unexpected weight loss. With a few smart tweaks, you can keep your focus on the finish line, not the bathroom. — LA, GMA News