What is Bile Acid Diarrhea?
Bile acid diarrhea occurs when excess bile acids enter the colon, also known as the large intestine. This causes both increased colonic motility and increased water and electrolyte secretion in the colon. Colonic motility refers to the movement of contents through the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Electrolytes are minerals in the body that have an electric charge when they are dissolved in the body’s fluids. Electrolytes help the body balance fluid and pH levels. These minerals also provide nutrients and remove waste from the body’s cells. Sodium, calcium, potassium, chloride, phosphate, and magnesium are all electrolytes the body receives through foods and fluids you take in. Diarrhea results from these changes in the colon.
