We encounter many problems throughout the day, some being more complicated than others, and may have negative consequences if we don’t take precautions. We all have been in a situation where we felt uncomfortable sharing our problems with the other person, whether it’s our parents or the doctors, it just doesn’t feel right. However, it is important to share your problems with an appropriate person before things get out of hand. Today’s topic- How to tell your boss you have Diarrhea?
Egestion or commonly known as pooping is a natural body process and is as important as eating and breathing. However, it also happens to be the most notorious natural body process. People feel grossed out and embarrassed when talking about it, either in public or with the doctor. Problems associated with pooping are considered shameful and people have a hard time opening up to others about the conditions they are suffering.
The two most commonly suffered problems associated with pooping are Constipation and Diarrhea.
Constipation: Inconsistent and insufficient egestion of feces from the body.
Diarrhea: Excessive egestion of feces from the body.
Importance Of Healthy Pooping
Our poop may vary based on the diets we consume. However irregular or excessive pooping can be fatal. Let’s look at a few statistics:
Constipation:
Constipation is the most prevalent digestive disease, Over 2 million people in the United States suffer from it. Research on the association of constipation with other diseases, published by the Atherosclerosis journal in 2018 showed that patients suffering from constipation who used laxatives had a higher risk of incident coronary heart disease (CHD) and ischemic stroke.
Diarrhea:
The world health organization (WHO) has identified diarrhea as the second most fatal disease, among children who are five years old and less, all over the world. However, it can be cured and prevented using appropriate medications. It kills over half a million children who are five years old and less, every year.
Diarrhea, like any other disease, causes fatigue, drowsiness, dehydration, and nausea. However, it is a notorious disease and people avoid saying the word “diarrhea” due to the stigma attached to it. People consider it unprofessional to simply say “I have diarrhea”. As anyone could get diarrhea, it is important to know how to communicate your problem with others. Let’s look at a few ways to tell your boss that you have diarrhea without actually using the infamous term.
How to share your pooping problem with your boss
• Send him/her your medical report
If you think diarrhea should be treated just like any other disease but want to avoid saying the word diarrhea, or if your boss is too inquisitive and requires too many details, or you are close to your boss and you wish to be completely honest and tell him/her what’s really going on, you may get a medical report that evinces how severe your condition is and email it to your boss. Medical reports have biological terminologies and are very formally structured.
As you feel you are too sick to go to work the next morning try getting a medical report on your condition the night before and email it in the morning asking for the day off. It should be easier for you and your boss. This way you would have given your boss an honest report of your condition and its severity, without making it awkward or sounding unprofessional.
• Tell him/her you have (disease) whose symptom is diarrhea
Let’s say you are a bit shy and don’t want to give too much detail as it makes you just as uncomfortable. However you have to tell your employer your condition or at least give them an idea of what you are going through, You may use this as an alternative way to give him/her an idea of your condition without being too graphic.
I have a “stomach flu” or “intestinal flu” and therefore cannot come to work.
• Allergic Reaction
A very easy way of saying you have an upset stomach and most probably diarrhea is by saying you are having an allergic reaction to something you ate. It is quite explicable and your employer would surely get the idea. You may say:
I think I am having an allergic reaction to the (food) I ate last night. I don’t feel very well and can’t come to work.
• Use the term gastrointestinal.
“Gastrointestinal” is a medical terminology used to describe the diseases associated with the intestine and it also includes chronic diarrhea. You could use this term instead of “diarrhea” and your boss would understand. You can say
I am suffering from a gastrointestinal disorder. I do not have sufficient energy and won’t be able to come to work.
• Ask a co-worker
This may be the most inconvenient way to do the job. However if you are one of those very shy, introverted people, and your boss is as inquisitive as to the CIA. Taking a leave from work because you have diarrhea would be like a nightmare. In that case, talk to one of your closest colleagues one you feel the most comfortable with. You may explain your condition to them. Being your friend they would surely understand your situation and opt to help you.
As you take your day off. Be sure to inform your boss you are ill and won’t be coming to work. And then have your friend may give him the details if he asks.
• I ate something that was expired
Another very easy way of informing your boss that you have a problem related to the gut is by saying that the food you ate was either expired or undercooked. you could say
Hey, I don’t feel very well. I am not sure if it was the food or the drink which was expired. I have had a very tough night and won’t be able to come to work.
Hey, I don’t feel very well. I think the food I had last night was undercooked. I have had a very tough night and won’t be able to come to work.
• Upset stomach
The most commonly used phrase to describe stomach-related issues is simply by saying. You have an upset stomach; it is quite explicable and does not require any details. You could just say:
Hey, I won’t be able to come today as I have an upset stomach and don’t feel very well.
This small sentence is very commonly used and employers easily understand the situation without too much detail.
• Take a medical/sick leave
Medical leaves are legally approved documents saying that you should not be working in your condition. Most medical leaves do not cover the disease. You could just get a medical leave and send it to your employer without him even knowing what problem caused you to take the leave.
This is a very easy way of avoiding saying “I have diarrhea” however it comes with a cost. You have to visit the doctor and get diagnosed, pay for prescriptions, and may even have a follow-up.
Avoid Saying
Since the topic is critical try not to make it too graphic as it may come off as unprofessional and may gross out the person. Here are a few things you should avoid saying:
• I have runny poop or a watery stool.
• Describing the color, viscosity, or any other feature of your poop.
• My condition requires me to visit the bathroom very frequently.
• I have bloating, cramps, or gas.
Though these things are crucial to understanding your condition, You should only discuss them with your doctor.
How to prevent it
As fatal as diarrhea can be it is not very difficult to cure to prevent. With an appropriate diet and medication, you can easily cure the disease. Refer to a doctor to truly understand the cause as diarrhea is an autoimmune reaction of the body to something that is dangerous or it could be some other serious condition. It is important to discuss with your doctor before doing anything.
As this disease drains all the body water, minerals and nutrients, you feel fatigued, dehydrated, and nauseous. In such cases, it is important to drink plenty of mineral-rich waters to restore vital body salts. As for food do not consume high calories foods. Try eating light foods such as fruits like bananas. Other options include yogurt which is light on the stomach. Heavy foods that should be avoided are protein-based foods such as chicken, beef, pork, mutton.
Conclusion
Pooping problems such as constipation and diarrhea are very prevalent. Diarrhea is considered the second most fatal disease among children who are five years old and less, causing the death of over half a million children each year. Unlike any other disease, there is a stigma attached to the disease and people feel embarrassed sharing their problems with others. Assaying “I have diarrhea and can’t come to work” sounds unprofessional people have a hard time finding the appropriate words and often lie about their situation. There are a few ways to give your employer the idea without actually saying the word diarrhea. You can say ”I have an upset stomach”, “I am having an allergic reaction”, “email them a medical report”, ask a friend, or take a medical leave. Avoid describing your poop to the employer. Diarrhea can easily be prevented using the appropriate diet and medications.
