What is causing my watery diarrhea after meals for a week without stomach pain or fever?

Watery diarrhea without accompanying pain, fever, or blood can often be attributed to a few potential causes. Considering that this began before you took antibiotics, it’s less likely to be antibiotic-associated diarrhea, though it’s still worth considering if the timing overlaps closely. One possibility is a viral gastroenteritis, which can be caused by viruses like norovirus, commonly responsible for short-lived diarrhea. Your symptoms might also fit with post-infectious functional diarrhea, where the gut temporarily becomes a little more sensitive or active following a mild infection or irritation. Another to consider is dietary factors, like ingesting excessive caffeine, artificial sweeteners, or certain foods you’ve become suddenly sensitive to.

To manage your situation at home, stay hydrated, drinking clear fluids like water, oral rehydration solutions, or broth to replace lost fluids and electrolytes. Try a bland diet – think BRAT diet (bananas, rice, applesauce, toast) for a few days to see if symptoms improve. Avoid diary and greasy or spicy foods, which can irritate the gut even more right now. However, be alert for red flags like persistent hydration, rapid weight loss, severe abdominal pain or blood in stools, which would warrant an evaluation by a healthcare professional. If your symptoms persist beyond a week or two, or worsen significantly, it might be worth exploring with your doctor to rule out other causes such as irritable bowel syndrome or inflammatory bowel conditions, even though these are less likely given your current presentation.