Everyone gets diarrhea sometimes. Usually, it’s caused by eating food that’s gone bad or doesn’t agree with you. But if you have migraine, you may suspect that cramping and watery stools are symptoms of this neurological condition. “Just wondering, does anyone else get diarrhea with a migraine?” asked a MyMigraineTeam member.

Some members have noticed that diarrhea happens before severe headaches strike. “Is diarrhea part of the prodrome (beginning) phase?” asked one member.

Another wrote, “My vestibular migraine starts with diarrhea and/or vomiting and dizziness. Sometimes, I think I have food poisoning, but then the headache starts.”

So, can migraine cause diarrhea? Here’s what you should know.

Diarrhea Can Be a Symptom of Migraine Attacks

Anyone with migraine knows that the condition involves more than just headaches. Studies show that many people who have migraine headaches also experience other symptoms related to the autonomic nervous system. The autonomic nervous system is responsible for body functions that happen without you thinking about them, such as your heart pumping blood or your body digesting food.

Symptoms like diarrhea, constipation, and frequent urination may strike before, during, or after a migraine episode. “It’s been building with the stress from earlier in the week,” said a MyMigraineTeam member. “I’ve had a number of diarrhea attacks with a headache. Now I’m adding nausea.”

One theory on this gut-brain connection is that people with migraine have different types of bacteria in their digestive systems compared to people who don’t have migraine. Perhaps these differences raise the chances of both migraine headaches and diarrhea. Unfortunately, experts don’t know enough about this issue yet to treat it effectively.

Gastrointestinal Disorders Can Happen With Migraine

“I have chronic migraine and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). My migraines always seem to come with diarrhea,” said a MyMigraineTeam member.

Research shows that certain gastrointestinal problems that cause diarrhea may be linked to migraine. These include irritable bowel syndrome and celiac disease. Experts aren’t sure why these relationship exists. It seems to be related to a connection between the gut and the brain.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome

IBS is a chronic condition that affects people’s bathroom habits. Symptoms often come and go and may include diarrhea, constipation, gas, bloating, weight loss, and stomach pain. IBS is managed with medication and diet changes.

Celiac Disease

Celiac disease comes with symptoms that are similar to IBS. However, the underlying cause is different. Celiac disease is an autoimmune disease. People with celiac disease have an overactive immune system that attacks their gut when they eat gluten, a protein found in wheat, barley, and rye. Following a strict gluten-free diet is necessary to manage celiac disease.

If you have diarrhea often, ask your healthcare provider if they think you should get tested for IBS, celiac disease, or another digestive disorder. Getting treatment could reduce your migraine symptoms and improve your quality of life.

Migraine Treatments May Cause Diarrhea

Diarrhea can be a side effect of certain migraine treatments. For example, calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) monoclonal antibodies have been linked to gastrointestinal issues. This type of migraine therapy blocks a specific chemical in the body. However, constipation is a more common side effect of this treatment option than diarrhea.

Magnesium May Cause Diarrhea

Magnesium is a safe, cheap, and effective supplement for people with migraine. It’s particularly helpful for those who have migraine with aura. However, it’s not unusual to get diarrhea from taking magnesium. It can be challenging to balance the benefits of magnesium with the side effect of diarrhea.

“I found out my diarrhea was due to too much daily magnesium,” shared a MyMigraineTeam member. “I cut back my dose but had an aura migraine attack.

Another member wrote, “As soon as I lower my dosage, the pain returns. I had to change the type of magnesium that I was taking, and it helped.”

It’s possible that a lower dose or a different form of magnesium will help you reap the benefits for migraine without getting diarrhea. “I wish I could take magnesium, but it gives me bad diarrhea. I use the magnesium spray that you rub into your skin,” explained another member.

Always discuss your medications and supplements with a medical professional before making changes. Your neurologist can help you adjust your treatment safely for the best results.

Abdominal Migraine May Be Causing Your Diarrhea

Migraine doesn’t just cause headaches. In fact, some people with migraine don’t have head pain at all. Instead, they experience abdominal pain, which lasts between one and 72 hours. This condition is known as abdominal migraine. It’s more common in kids and usually goes away by adulthood. However, kids with abdominal migraine may be more susceptible to other types of migraine conditions later in life.

Experts think people with abdominal migraine probably have a hypersensitive nervous system. If they’re exposed to a trigger like motion sickness or stress, their bodies release more chemical messengers, like serotonin. This reaction causes sudden stomach pain. Diarrhea isn’t necessarily a common symptom, but similar issues like nausea and vomiting are.

Treating Diarrhea With Migraine

For the occasional bout of diarrhea, over-the-counter drugs like bismuth subsalicylate (Pepto-Bismol or Kaopectate) can help get it under control. Your healthcare provider may also suggest probiotics, which are supplements to promote healthier bacteria in your digestive system.

Caffeine and alcohol can make diarrhea worse. Since they’re also common migraine triggers, it may be best to avoid them. If you have severe diarrhea, it’s crucial to stay hydrated. You can do this by drinking plenty of water and juices, broths, and sports drinks.

If your bottom hurts from diarrhea, try taking a warm bath. You can also apply petroleum jelly to areas of your skin near your anus to reduce irritation. While diarrhea isn’t always avoidable, it’s important to learn what’s causing it, especially if it happens regularly.

Getting Answers to Your Concerns

If you have diarrhea and migraine, it can take some time to figure out exactly what’s going on. There’s a chance that these two problems are related. But they could also be two separate issues.

If diarrhea is significantly affecting you, it’s worth having a conversation about it with your healthcare provider. You can:

• Ask them if diarrhea is a side effect of your medications or supplements
• Find out if your diarrhea is a cause for concern
• Review your migraine symptoms and how to manage them
• See if they think you might have a digestive disease
• Talk to them about your diet and lifestyle

Work on a plan together and discuss how you’ll monitor and follow up on your progress. Adding a new specialist to your healthcare team can also help. You may benefit from a referral to a registered dietitian, nutritionist, or gastroenterologist to determine why you’re getting diarrhea.

Talk With Others Who Understand

On MyMigraineTeam, the social network for people with migraine and their loved ones, more than 85,000 members come together to ask questions, give advice, and share their stories with others who understand life with chronic migraine.

Do you have diarrhea or other gastrointestinal symptoms with migraine attacks? If so, what are your best health and wellness tips for feeling better? Share your experience in the comments below, or start a conversation by posting on your Activities page.

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