What are the primary causes of diarrhea. How can you effectively treat diarrhea at home. When should you seek medical attention for diarrhea. What are the potential complications of untreated diarrhea. How can you prevent diarrhea through lifestyle changes.

Understanding Diarrhea: Symptoms and Causes

Diarrhea is a common digestive condition characterized by loose, watery stools occurring more frequently than usual. While it’s typically not serious and resolves on its own within a few days, understanding its symptoms and causes is crucial for proper management and knowing when to seek medical attention.

Common Symptoms of Diarrhea

• Loose, watery stools
• Frequent bowel movements
• Abdominal cramps or pain
• Bloating
• Nausea
• Urgent need to use the bathroom

In some cases, diarrhea may be accompanied by more severe symptoms such as fever, bloody stools, or signs of dehydration. These symptoms warrant immediate medical attention.

Common Causes of Diarrhea

Diarrhea can be triggered by various factors, including:

1. Viral infections (often referred to as “stomach flu”)
2. Bacterial infections
3. Parasitic infections
4. Food intolerances or allergies
5. Medications (e.g., antibiotics)
6. Digestive disorders (e.g., irritable bowel syndrome, inflammatory bowel disease)
7. Stress or anxiety

Understanding the underlying cause of diarrhea is essential for effective treatment and prevention of future episodes.

Home Remedies and Over-the-Counter Treatments for Diarrhea

For mild cases of diarrhea, several home remedies and over-the-counter treatments can provide relief and help manage symptoms.

Hydration: The Key to Managing Diarrhea

Why is staying hydrated crucial when experiencing diarrhea? Diarrhea can lead to significant fluid loss, potentially resulting in dehydration. To prevent this, it’s essential to consume plenty of fluids throughout the day. Aim for at least six 8-ounce glasses of clear liquids daily.

Effective hydration options include:

• Water
• Clear broths
• Electrolyte replacement drinks
• Caffeine-free sodas
• Herbal teas with honey

It’s advisable to sip small amounts of fluids frequently rather than consuming large quantities at once. This approach helps prevent overwhelming your digestive system and reduces the likelihood of triggering more diarrhea.

Dietary Modifications for Diarrhea Relief

What foods should you eat or avoid when experiencing diarrhea? Following the BRAT diet can be helpful:

• Bananas
• Rice
• Applesauce
• Toast

These foods are easy to digest and can help firm up stools. Additionally, incorporating probiotic-rich foods like yogurt can help restore beneficial gut bacteria.

Foods to avoid during a bout of diarrhea include:

• Dairy products (except for yogurt with live cultures)
• Fatty or greasy foods
• Spicy foods
• Caffeine and alcohol
• High-fiber foods

Over-the-Counter Medications for Diarrhea

Several over-the-counter medications can help alleviate diarrhea symptoms in adults:

• Loperamide (Imodium)
• Bismuth subsalicylate (Pepto-Bismol, Kaopectate)

These medications work by slowing down bowel movements and reducing fluid secretion in the intestines. However, it’s important to use them as directed and avoid them if you have bloody stools or a high fever.

When to Seek Medical Attention for Diarrhea

While most cases of diarrhea resolve on their own, certain situations require medical intervention. Recognizing these scenarios is crucial for preventing complications and ensuring proper treatment.

Red Flags: When Diarrhea Becomes Serious

Seek immediate medical attention if you experience any of the following:

• Severe abdominal or rectal pain
• Blood in your stool
• Black, tarry stools
• High fever (above 101°F or 38.3°C)
• Signs of severe dehydration (e.g., extreme thirst, dry mouth, little or no urination, severe weakness, dizziness)
• Diarrhea lasting more than 2 days in adults or 24 hours in children
• Recent travel to a developing country and experiencing diarrhea

These symptoms may indicate a more serious underlying condition that requires professional medical evaluation and treatment.

Diagnostic Approaches for Persistent Diarrhea

If diarrhea persists or is accompanied by concerning symptoms, your healthcare provider may recommend various diagnostic tests to determine the underlying cause.

Common Diagnostic Tests for Diarrhea

• Stool culture: Identifies bacterial or parasitic infections
• Blood tests: Checks for signs of infection, inflammation, or other systemic issues
• Colonoscopy or sigmoidoscopy: Examines the colon for abnormalities or signs of inflammatory bowel disease
• Imaging studies: Such as CT scans or ultrasounds to evaluate abdominal organs

These tests help healthcare providers determine the most appropriate treatment plan based on the specific cause of your diarrhea.

Treating Chronic Diarrhea: Long-term Management Strategies

Chronic diarrhea, defined as loose stools lasting for more than four weeks, often requires a comprehensive management approach. Treatment strategies may include:

Medications for Chronic Diarrhea

• Antidiarrheal agents: To reduce bowel movement frequency
• Antibiotics: If a bacterial infection is identified
• Anti-inflammatory drugs: For conditions like inflammatory bowel disease
• Bile acid binders: For bile acid malabsorption

Lifestyle and Dietary Changes

Managing chronic diarrhea often involves long-term dietary modifications and lifestyle adjustments:

• Identifying and avoiding trigger foods
• Incorporating more soluble fiber into the diet
• Stress management techniques
• Regular exercise
• Probiotics to support gut health

Working closely with a healthcare provider or registered dietitian can help develop a personalized management plan for chronic diarrhea.

Preventing Diarrhea: Hygiene and Lifestyle Tips

While not all cases of diarrhea are preventable, adopting certain hygiene practices and lifestyle habits can significantly reduce your risk.

Essential Hygiene Practices

• Wash hands thoroughly with soap and water, especially before eating and after using the bathroom
• Use hand sanitizer when soap and water aren’t available
• Clean and disinfect surfaces regularly, particularly in the kitchen and bathroom
• Avoid sharing personal items like towels or eating utensils

Food Safety Measures

Proper food handling and preparation can prevent many cases of foodborne diarrhea:

• Wash fruits and vegetables thoroughly before consumption
• Cook meats to safe internal temperatures
• Refrigerate perishable foods promptly
• Avoid consuming unpasteurized dairy products
• Be cautious with food and water when traveling to areas with poor sanitation

Lifestyle Factors for Diarrhea Prevention

Certain lifestyle choices can contribute to a healthier digestive system and reduce the risk of diarrhea:

• Manage stress through relaxation techniques or exercise
• Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water throughout the day
• Maintain a balanced diet rich in fiber, fruits, and vegetables
• Exercise regularly to promote overall digestive health
• Get adequate sleep to support immune function

Special Considerations: Diarrhea in Children and Older Adults

Diarrhea can be particularly concerning in certain populations, such as young children and older adults. These groups may be more susceptible to complications like dehydration and require special attention.

Managing Diarrhea in Children

Children, especially infants and toddlers, can become dehydrated quickly when experiencing diarrhea. Key considerations include:

• Offering frequent small sips of oral rehydration solutions
• Continuing to breastfeed or formula-feed infants
• Avoiding sugary drinks or sports drinks, which can worsen diarrhea
• Monitoring for signs of dehydration (e.g., dry mouth, fewer wet diapers, lethargy)
• Seeking medical attention promptly if diarrhea persists or is accompanied by fever or vomiting

Diarrhea in Older Adults: Special Precautions

Older adults may be more vulnerable to complications from diarrhea due to underlying health conditions or medications. Important considerations include:

• Monitoring fluid intake closely to prevent dehydration
• Being aware of potential interactions between antidiarrheal medications and other prescribed drugs
• Paying attention to electrolyte imbalances, which can be more severe in older adults
• Seeking medical attention promptly if diarrhea persists or is accompanied by other concerning symptoms

Understanding these special considerations can help ensure appropriate care and prevent complications in vulnerable populations.

The Impact of Diarrhea on Overall Health and Well-being

While often viewed as a temporary inconvenience, diarrhea can have significant effects on overall health and quality of life, especially when chronic or recurrent.

Physical Health Implications

Persistent or frequent diarrhea can lead to various health issues:

• Nutrient deficiencies due to malabsorption
• Weight loss
• Weakened immune system
• Electrolyte imbalances
• Increased risk of other infections

Psychological and Social Impact

The effects of diarrhea extend beyond physical health:

• Anxiety about experiencing symptoms in public
• Social isolation due to fear of symptoms
• Disrupted sleep patterns
• Reduced work productivity
• Impaired quality of life

Addressing both the physical and psychological aspects of diarrhea is crucial for comprehensive management and improved overall well-being.

By understanding the causes, symptoms, and management strategies for diarrhea, individuals can take proactive steps to prevent episodes, manage symptoms effectively, and know when to seek medical attention. While most cases of diarrhea are self-limiting, being informed about potential complications and red flags ensures timely intervention when necessary. Remember, maintaining good hygiene practices, following a balanced diet, and staying hydrated are key components in promoting digestive health and reducing the risk of diarrhea.

15 Common Causes and How To Treat It

What Is Diarrhea?

When you have diarrhea, your bowel movements (or stools) are loose and watery. It’s common and usually not serious.

Many people get diarrhea a few times a year. It normally lasts 2 to 3 days. Some people get it more often. It could be because they have irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) or other conditions.

What Causes Diarrhea?

Usually, diarrhea happens because of a virus that gets into your gut. Some people call it “intestinal flu” or “stomach flu.”

Other causes include:

Diarrhea may also follow constipation, especially for people who have irritable bowel syndrome.

Symptoms of Diarrhea

You may have:

• Bloating in your belly
• Cramps
• Thin or loose stools
• Watery stools
• An urgent feeling that you need to have a bowel movement
• Nausea and throwing up

More serious symptoms include:

If you have watery stools more than three times a day and you’re not drinking enough fluids, you could become dehydrated. That can be a serious problem if it’s not treated.

When Should I Call My Doctor?

Call your doctor right away if you have:

• Blood in your diarrhea or black, tarry stools
• A fever that is high (above 101 F) or that lasts more than 24 hours
• Diarrhea lasting longer than 2 days
• Nausea or throwing up that prevents you from drinking liquids to replace lost fluids
• Severe pain in your belly or rear end
• Diarrhea after coming back from a foreign country

Also, call your doctor right away if you have diarrhea and any of these signs of dehydration:

Diarrhea Diagnosis

Your doctor will ask about your medical history and what medications you take, as well as what you’ve eaten or had to drink recently. They will give you a physical exam to look for signs of dehydration or belly pain.

Certain tests can help pinpoint the cause of your diarrhea, including:

• Blood tests to look for certain diseases or disorders
• Colonoscopy, in rare cases, in which your doctor looks inside your colon with a thin, flexible tube that holds a tiny camera and light. They can also use this device to take a small sample of tissue. Or your doctor might need to do only a sigmoidoscopy, which looks at just the lower colon.
• Stool tests to look for bacteria or parasites

Treatment for Diarrhea

If your case is mild, you may not need to take anything. Adults can take an over-the-counter medicine such as bismuth subsalicylate or loperamide, which you can get as liquids or tablets.

You also need to stay hydrated. You should drink at least six 8-ounce glasses of fluids each day. Choose electrolyte replacement drinks or soda without caffeine. Chicken broth (without the fat), tea with honey, and sports drinks are also good choices. Instead of drinking liquids with your meals, drink liquids between meals. Sip small amounts of fluids often.

How Can I Feel Better?

Your rectal area may become sore because of all the bowel movements that diarrhea brings. You may have itching, burning, or pain when you go to the bathroom.

For relief, take a warm bath. Afterward, pat the area dry (don’t rub) with a clean, soft towel. You may also try using a hemorrhoid cream or petroleum jelly on the affected area.

When Are They Something More Serious?

Diarrhea can be a temporary thing, or it can signal something more serious. If you have diarrhea, how can you tell whether you should wait it out or see a doctor?

Run-of-the-Mill Symptoms

Diarrhea makes its presence known with several urgent trips to the bathroom in a short time. You know it’s diarrhea when you pass loose, watery stool two or more times a day.

You may also have:

Even without medicine, diarrhea usually goes away on its own within 48 hours. The most important things you can do in the meantime are:

• Stay hydrated while the diarrhea runs its course.
• Avoid foods that will make your symptoms worse.

Avoid Dehydration

It can follow close on the heels of diarrhea, especially when symptoms linger, or if you vomit.

As soon as you realize diarrhea is on its way, make fluids a top priority.

When you have diarrhea, drink plenty of water. Also get fluids that will boost your sodium and electrolyte levels. Examples include:

• Broth
• Soup
• Fruits and fruit juices

When Symptoms Get Serious

Most cases of diarrhea are nothing more than a brief inconvenience. But sometimes, they warn of a serious condition.

Talk with your doctor if your child has diarrhea for more than 24 hours. If you have it for more than 3 days, make an appointment.

Call your doctor right away if you have:

These can be warning signs of things like:

Also, be sure to let your doctor know about your diarrhea if you have cancer, or have had recent treatment for it.

When Diarrhea Won’t Go Away

If you still have diarrhea after 4 weeks, then you have chronic diarrhea.

To figure out the cause, your doctor will want to know your symptoms and medical history. You’ll get the most out of your appointment if you can tell them:

• How long you’ve had diarrhea
• Whether your diarrhea comes and goes, or is continuous
• If you think certain foods and situations make things better or worse
• If your stool looks bloody, oily, fatty, or watery
• Other symptoms you have and how long you’ve had them
• If you have a family history of chronic diarrhea
• Places you’ve traveled to recently
• Unusual foods you’ve tried in the last little while
• Any medication or supplements you’re taking
• If you’ve lost a lot of weight

Why Is My Pee Brown? 10 Causes of Brown or Dark Urine

If your urine is brown, your first thought is probably, “I need to drink more water.” It’s true that dehydration can sometimes be the cause. But if you drink extra fluid and your pee is still brown, then something else is going on.

A number of different things, including some medical conditions, can lead to brown urine. While some are harmless, others need a doctor’s attention.

Blood in Urine

In some cases, bloody urine can look brown.

Doctors call bloody urine hematuria, and there are many different causes. These include:

If you think your urine is brown due to blood, and you are not menstruating, you should have a doctor check it out.

Hepatitis

Brown urine is one of the first and most common signs of hepatitis, which is another name for liver inflammation. There’s more than one type of this disease, including hepatitis A, B, and C.

When you have it, your liver can’t clean your blood properly. This can lead to a buildup of an orange-yellow substance called bilirubin in your blood and urine, and can turn urine brown.

If hepatitis is behind your brown urine, you might also have symptoms like:

If you think you could have hepatitis, call your doctor. The treatment for the condition depends on the type of the disease you have.

Cirrhosis

Brown urine can also be a symptom of cirrhosis. That is the name for scars on the liver that form after you’ve been living for years with hepatitis or other types of liver disease.

Early cirrhosis might not cause symptoms, but in advanced stages, it can cause brown urine as well as:

• Difficulty concentrating
• Trouble sleeping
• Poor memory
• Water retention in your belly or legs
• Yellow skin or eyes
• Muscle weakness

Brown urine, especially along with yellow skin or eyes, can also be a sign of many other liver problems. If you have these symptoms, see your doctor.

Kidney Disease

Some kidney diseases can cause brown urine. For example, a kidney infection called post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis (PSGN) can turn your pee a reddish-brown color. This infection happens after strep throat and most often in children.

If kidney disease is the cause of your brown urine, you might also have symptoms like:

• Swelling in your face, around your eyes, and in your hands and feet
• Less of a need to pee, or less urine when you do go
• Feeling tired

You should see a doctor if you have symptoms. Doctors will diagnose the cause and suggest the right treatment.

Intense Exercise

In rare cases, intense exercise can cause muscle cells to burst and leak into the bloodstream. This condition is called rhabdomyolysis, or “rhabdo,” and it can turn your urine brown.

If you have brown urine because of rhabdo, you might also notice:

Rhabdo can cause serious kidney damage and can be life-threatening. If you think you have it, get medical attention.

Anemia

One form of anemia called “hemolytic anemia” destroys red blood cells. This can turn your urine brown

Some people get this type of anemia from their parents. Others develop it after another condition, such as autoimmune disorders like lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, or ulcerative colitis.

Besides brown urine, hemolytic anemia can cause symptoms like:

• Abnormally pale skin
• Yellow skin or eyes
• Fever
• Weakness
• Dizziness
• Confusion
• Difficulty doing physical activities
• Faster heart rate

If you have these symptoms, see a doctor. Treatment depends on your health and the cause of the anemia.

Skin Cancer

Melanoma can sometimes cause skin pigment to leak into the bloodstream, though it’s rare. This can lead to brown urine.

The more common signs of melanoma are changes to moles. You should see a doctor for any skin abnormality that is growing or changing quickly and doesn’t go away.

Tick-Borne Disease

Some ticks carry a bacteria that causes a serious infection called babesiosis. One of the symptoms is dark urine.

Other symptoms include:

Ticks in the Upper Midwest and Northeastern U.S. are most likely to carry the bacteria that causes babesiosis.

Babesiosis doesn’t make most people sick enough to need treatment, but there are drugs that can help if you need. If you get sick after a tick bite, see a doctor.

Medications

Some prescription drugs can cause brown urine.

These include:

The color should go back to normal after you’ve finished your prescription.

Your Diet

Fava beans, rhubarb, and aloe can cause your urine to turn brown if you eat a lot of them in a short period of time. Beets can cause red urine. Your pee will lighten up when the food is out of your system.

How to Stop Diarrhea: Causes, Risk Factors and Treatment

Fact Checked

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This Dr. Axe content is medically reviewed or fact checked to ensure factually accurate information.

With strict editorial sourcing guidelines, we only link to academic research institutions, reputable media sites and, when research is available, medically peer-reviewed studies. Note that the numbers in parentheses (1, 2, etc.) are clickable links to these studies.

The information in our articles is NOT intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional and is not intended as medical advice.

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This article is based on scientific evidence, written by experts and fact checked by our trained editorial staff. Note that the numbers in parentheses (1, 2, etc.) are clickable links to medically peer-reviewed studies.

Our team includes licensed nutritionists and dietitians, certified health education specialists, as well as certified strength and conditioning specialists, personal trainers and corrective exercise specialists. Our team aims to be not only thorough with its research, but also objective and unbiased.

The information in our articles is NOT intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional and is not intended as medical advice.

By Jillian Levy, CHHC

August 21, 2018

Diarrhea is a common type of gastrointestinal upset or infection. It causes frequent and excessive discharging of the bowels in the form of abnormally watery stools and stomach pains. If you or one of your children has recently developed diarrhea, the first question you’re likely asking is “Can you tell me how to stop diarrhea fast?”

If you’re experiencing any of the symptoms described above, you might be affected by an acute case of diarrhea. Acute diarrhea lasts one or two weeks while you’re temporarily sick. Or you might have chronic diarrhea, which persists for longer than several weeks. You have diarrhea is you have very loose or watery stools three or more times within 24 hours.

Believe it or not, acute diarrhea can be one of your body’s best defense mechanisms against a temporary infection or virus. Although they’re uncomfortable and unpleasant to deal with, short-term diarrhea symptoms help rapidly expel harmful substances out of your GI tract before they have a chance to cause even more trouble or complications. (1)

Chronic diarrhea symptoms, on the other hand, are a bit different. They tend to come and go depending on other dietary and lifestyle factors. This includes the state of your immune system and the level of stress you’re dealing with.

Research shows that chronic/persistent diarrhea occurs in approximately 3 percent of people traveling to developing countries (also known as traveler’s diarrhea). Acute diarrhea is usually easy to treat without medication or serious intervention.

However, chronic diarrhea is more problematic. It can cause dehydration and nutrient deficiencies if it isn’t properly addressed. (3) What causes chronic diarrhea? Digestive diseases such as irritable bowel syndrome, Crohn’s disease, SIBO (a disorder of the small intestine) and ulcerative colitis often cause chronic diarrhea.

The good news is there are several steps you can take to naturally treat both types of diarrhea. Below you’ll learn about steps you can take to thicken your stool, rehydrate and overcome symptoms of diarrhea.

Causes

Diarrhea is a natural reaction to dehydration, infection or toxins that need to be expelled from the digestive system. Examples include certain types of bacteria, parasites, food allergies or other microbes. One of the risks associated with diarrhea is that it can make you even more dehydrated and ill if you’re already sick. This is because it makes the body lose too much water and minerals, including electrolytes like sodium, too quickly.

If you’re not already familiar with symptoms that are typical of diarrhea, here are the most common:

• Frequent bowel movements, including going to the bathroom more than one to two times daily
• Watery feces, or “loose” stools
• Abdominal pains, cramping and sometimes stomach bloating
• Sometimes nausea and vomiting
• Stomach pains and sometimes loss of appetite, trouble eating enough and/or weight loss
• Increased thirst, due to losing more water than usual when going to the bathroom frequently
• Sometimes symptoms of a fever depending on what’s causing diarrhea (such as an infection or illness)
• Symptoms of dehydration, which can include weakness, brain fog, upset stomach, dizziness and blood pressure changes

The key to learning how to stop diarrhea symptoms once they’ve started, and also preventing them returning in the future, depends on the underlying causes of the condition. Diarrhea can develop for various reasons, including dehydration, illnesses or food poisoning. Children, infants, adults and the elderly may all develop diarrhea for different reasons.  This includes difficulty digesting foods properly, leaky gut syndrome, emotional stress linked to IBS, or not drinking enough water.

Risk Factors

What causes watery diarrhea in adults most often? Causes and risk factors for diarrhea in adults include: (4)

• Bacterial infection. This can be passed from person to person, or picked up from contaminated surfaces.
• Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO), which means that due to an imbalance of good and bad bacteria in the small intestine the body can’t digest and absorb nutrients properly.
• Food allergies, such as lactose intolerance (a type of sugar found in dairy). Experts believe that lactose intolerance is one of the most common reasons both children and adults suffer from diarrhea, especially when it’s chronic. What’s tricky about lactose intolerance is that it might not start until your adult years, or emerge due to hormonal changes like pregnancy.
• Drinking contaminated water, which can contain parasites, bacteria, etc.
• Food poisoning, due to eating a food contaminated with some type of harmful microbe.
• Dehydration (not drinking enough water or losing too much water from vomiting/illnesses or other causes).
• Poor digestion and related conditions like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), or autoimmune diseases like Crohn’s disease.
• Overeating or drinking lots of liquids too quickly.
• Eating too much unripe or overripe fruit.
• Eating too much greasy food that is difficult to digest properly.
• Excessive caffeine or alcohol consumption, which can lead to dehydration and indigestion.
• Emotional stress and anxiety.
• Due to side effects of taking certain medications, especially antacids. Experts think that antacids are the most common cause of drug-related diarrhea because they contain magnesium, which can make stool too watery. If you take these meds to control acid reflux symptoms, it’s best to try and tackle the underlying causes of indigestion. Or if you must take medications, try those that don’t contain magnesium and lower your dose. Motility medications — medications to help stimulate the intestines in order to relieve constipation — may result in diarrhea.
• Other supplements and medications including antibiotics, quinidine, lactulose and colchicine can also cause diarrhea. Taking too much vitamin C and magnesium in supplement form can do the same. (5)

And what is the cause of diarrhea most often in children and infants? Causes can include: (6)

• Rotavirus, also known as viral gastroenteritis or stomach flu, which is the most common cause of diarrhea in children ages 2 and younger. However, viral gastroenteritis can also affect adults.
• Food allergies, including an allergy to milk (lactose intolerance) or other common culprits like peanuts, eggs, etc.
• Reactions to formula, or sometimes from breastfeeding if the mother consumed something that is hard to digest.
• Not consuming enough liquids, or consuming too much (such as juice).
• Bacterial infection, such as from touching dirty surfaces, toys, or other people and then putting their hands into their mouths. Infants in day care centers have been found to have a higher risk of contracting bacteria that can cause intestinal infections that lead to diarrhea.
• Taking antibiotics, which can cause changes in the gut/digestive system due to killing off healthy bacteria.

Remember that it’s normal for infants and babies to have bowel movements that are softer than those of adults. Their stool might also become different colors at times and their bowel movements may happen more than once daily (especially in infants), but this usually isn’t cause for concern. Talk to your doctor if your baby’s diarrhea lasts for more than several days, especially if you also notice signs of dehydration like: fewer wet diapers, dry eyes when crying, dry mouth, sunken eyes or lethargy, an usual foul odor in three or more diarrhea stools, rectal bleeding or blood in the stool, or severe diarrhea while taking antibiotics. (7) Babies with diarrhea may also have a fever, seem very fussy, or seem disinterested in eating.

How to Stop Diarrhea: Conventional Treatments

Unless you’ve had diarrhea symptoms for more than one to two weeks, especially if you aren’t sure why they’re happening and they don’t seem to be getting any better from treatments described above, it’s usually not necessary to see a doctor. If you do decide to get a professional opinion, your doctor will likely recommend some of the following treatments for diarrhea:

• Anti-diarrheal medications: These medications, also known as anti-motility medicines, can help shut down diarrhea symptoms quickly, but this isn’t necessarily always a good thing. Because diarrhea is one of your body’s natural mechanisms for shedding toxins or microbes that have made their way into your GI tract, not allowing this “purge” to happen might mean that harmful bacteria stay inside your body longer. For this reason many doctors are now recommending that you “wait out” acute cases of diarrhea without taking anti-motility medications if you can, as long as you’re not at risk for complications and try to combat dehydration naturally.
• Following an elimination diet: If you’re suffering from chronic diarrhea symptoms, then your doctor will likely recommend you try pinpointing which foods are problematic for you to digest by following an elimination diet. This means you avoid certain foods, such as dairy products, for a given period of time to determine if symptoms get better. Once you add the suspected food back into your diet you can track whether symptoms return and then make a judgement call about whether you should avoid the food for good.
• Staying hydrated and eating light, bland foods until you feel better (more on these treatments below).

How to Stop Diarrhea Naturally: 5 Home Remedies

1. Eat Soothing Foods and Those That Are Easy To Digest

What do you eat when you have diarrhea? Here are some of the top foods that can help you stop diarrhea symptoms:

• Eat lightly — the more food you consume, the harder your digestive organs have to work. You likely won’t have too much of an appetite while you have diarrhea, so try to eat small amounts spread throughout the day.
• Simple foods that are easy to digest — stick with a diet of bland foods like simple whole grains, apples, bananas and rice the first few days. These foods are easy on the digestive system and can provide some fiber to help add bulk to stools.
• Flaxseed oil — this has been shown to reduce the duration of diarrhea.
• Fruits and vegetables — these provide water, fiber and electrolytes. Try making a smoothie or sorbet with fruit, and steaming veggies to make them easier to digest. Monitor your symptoms to make sure they don’t get worse, however, as some people react badly to too much natural sugar.
• Raw honey and ginger — some people find that a small amount of honey and ginger root added to herbal tea (see below) helps soothe their stomach and reduce irritation.

What foods cause diarrhea? The following are foods to avoid when you have acute diarrhea, or suffer from chronic symptoms that keep returning:

• Conventional Dairy — Processed dairy can be hard to digest and can make diarrhea worse.   However, raw cultured dairy, such as yogurt or kefir, is high in probiotics which can support bowel function.
• Any potential allergens — As mentioned above, diarrhea can result from food allergies like gluten, nuts, shellfish and dairy. (8)
• Processed fats and oils — Too much fat can upset your sensitive stomach and make the diarrhea worse. This can include fats from packaged products with refined vegetable oils, fast foods, cheesy foods, processed meats or fried foods.
• Added sugar and artificial sweeteners — Bacteria love to eat sugar, and sugar reduces immune system and digestive functioning in many cases.
• Caffeine — Caffeine can stimulate muscles in the digestive tract, increasing bowel movements and cramping.
• Carbonated, sugar drinks
• Alcohol
• Potentially foods with FODMAP carbohydrates, if they make your symptoms worse. Reactions vary from person to person, but problematic foods might include: pears, oats, beans/legumes, wheat, corn, soy, potatoes and any type of bran.

2. Stay Hydrated

Want to know how to stop diarrhea symptoms like dizziness or weakness that are tied to dehydration? Drinking enough water is critical when you’re losing so much in your stool. To keep dehydration symptoms from getting worse when you have diarrhea, try to drink 16 ounces of fluids about every hour. You can also get fluids through drinking homemade bone broth, which will additionally provide many nutrients you’re in need of (like amino acids and electrolytes). Herbal teas including ginger, peppermint, oat bark, licorice/fennel or pomegranate tea (non-caffeinated) may also help soothe your stomach.

Although it’s not a good solution for everyone, drinking coconut water (a natural source of electrolytes), fresh vegetable juice or sucking on homemade fruit ice pops can also be a good way to get more water and nutrients into your system. However, don’t consume too much juice, or too much liquid too quickly, if you notice this worsens the diarrhea. You can judge if you’re losing too much water by paying attention to the color of your urine, as well as how thirsty you are. If you’re not having to urinate often, but when you do your urine is very dark yellow, drink more water. Drink so that your thirst seems about normal and your urine is light yellow.

3. Get Enough Rest

Avoid too much exercise or strenuous physical activity when you’re dealing with diarrhea. Chances are you will feel weak and a bit run down and you might not be sleeping well while your symptoms persist. Give your body a chance to recover by getting enough sleep (8 hours per night or more), taking it easy, and trying to keep your stress levels down.

4. Try These Supplements

Certain supplements can help improve overall gut and digestive health, allow you to process the foods and nutrients you’re consuming more easily, and soothe an upset stomach. I recommend trying some of the following:

• Probiotics (50 billion units daily): Probiotics help fight infection and can help re-colonize the gut with healthy bacteria. These are available in supplement form and also in cultured/fermented foods.
• Digestive Enzymes (2 before each meal): These enzymes will help with nutrient absorption.
• Glutamine powder (5 grams 2x daily): Glutamine is an amino acid that helps repair the digestive tract, especially important for people with chronic diarrhea. It’s available in supplement form and also naturally in bone broth.
• Aloe Vera Juice (1/2 cup taken about 3x daily): Aloe is healing to the lining of the digestive system and easy to break down.
• Raw Sprouted Fiber from Flax and Chia seeds (2-3 tablespoons daily): Soluble fiber found in seeds can help thicken stools and reduce the frequency of diarrhea.

5. Use Essential Oils

Studies have found that peppermint essential oil can reduce bowel inflammation and soothe the digestive tract, reducing loose stools. Studies have also found that peppermint oil has active ingredients including menthol or monoterpine, which has anti-spasmotic properties due to its ability to block calcium channels within the intestinal smooth muscles. This helps stop cramping, frequent elimination and pains.

One review found that 8 out of 12 placebo-controlled studies showed statistically significant positive effects in favor of peppermint oil compared to control groups/placebo. (9) Certain studies have found that use of peppermint oil seems to be most effective in relieving abdominal pain in diarrhea in people with diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome, which is often caused by multiple factors and can be hard to treat. One double blind randomized placebo-controlled study involving 74 patients with IBS found that after six weeks of using peppermint oil three times daily, abdominal pain and quality of life was markedly improved compared with a placebo group not using peppermint. (10)

How to Stop Diarrhea in Infants and Children

Infants are especially susceptible to dehydration that can happen along with diarrhea. Plus, they’re more likely to have diarrhea due to allergies or illnesses since their immune systems aren’t yet fully developed or strong. It’s estimated that 3 percent of infants are allergic to proteins found in dairy. This includes the dairy found in most formulas, as well as dairy obtained from breast milk if the mother is consuming dairy. Symptoms to look out for that indicate a milk protein allergy include vomiting and developing a rash, in addition to diarrhea. It’s not safe to give infants or young children anti-diarrheal medications that are meant for adults. Rather, it’s recommended you try these treatment methods instead:

• Give the infant/baby more liquids that normal. Offer lots of liquids. Try to offer breast milk or a bottle with water more often; however, remember that sugary drinks like juice can make diarrhea symptoms worse, so avoid these.
• Most pediatricians now recommend trying to give infants/babies a source of electrolytes when they’re experiencing diarrhea, especially lost sodium.
• Give them probiotic foods. Cultured or fermented foods like kefir, yogurt, cultured veggies or supplements and even oral drops all contain probiotics. They help restore healthy bacteria in the digestive tract and can be useful for reducing many forms of digestive upset.
• If your baby develops skin irritation and diaper rash due to you having to change their diaper often, be very gentle. Use a washcloth and warm water to clean them, instead of wipes and lots of drying soap. Let their skin air dry. Then apply an ointment or moisture barrier for protection, like petroleum jelly or zinc oxide.
• Diarrhea should go away within one to three days if the child starts to get better. If it does not go away, call their doctor. You’ll want to rule out other health problems and make sure they aren’t suffering from an intestinal or yeast infection.

Precautions

It’s usually best to try treating acute diarrhea on your own for several days, tracking if your symptoms improve with help from the recommendations above while you wait it out. However, visit your doctor if diarrhea occurs in infants or young children for more than several days in a row, the elderly, anyone who is underweight and already suffering from health problems, or someone who develops more serious symptoms including: (11)

Pay attention to signs that you’re becoming dehydrated and take steps to drink more water and obtain electrolytes. If you become dizzy, very weak or confused, then consult with your doctor to avoid complications.

Final Thoughts

• Diarrhea is a common problem that occurs when your bowel movements (or stools) become very loose, frequent and/or watery. It can be either acute (short term) or chronic, lasting more than two to three weeks.
• Diarrhea is caused by factors including food allergies, an infection or virus, dehydration, stress and certain medications.
• Natural ways to help get rid of diarrhea include drinking enough fluids, consuming bland foods and getting enough rest.

Treatment for Diarrhea | NIDDK

In this section:

How can I treat my acute diarrhea?

In most cases, you can treat your acute diarrhea with over-the-counter medicines such as loperamide (Imodium) and bismuth subsalicylate (Pepto-Bismol, Kaopectate). Doctors generally do not recommend using over-the-counter medicines for people who have bloody stools or fever—signs of infection with bacteria or parasites. If your diarrhea lasts more than 2 days, see a doctor right away.

In most cases, you can treat acute diarrhea with over-the-counter medicines.

When you have acute diarrhea, you may lose your appetite for a short time. When your appetite returns, you can go back to eating your normal diet. Learn more about eating when you have diarrhea.

How can I treat my child’s acute diarrhea?

Over-the-counter medicines to treat acute diarrhea in adults can be dangerous for infants, toddlers, and young children. Talk to a doctor before giving your child an over-the-counter medicine. If your child’s diarrhea lasts more than 24 hours, see a doctor right away.

You can give your child his or her usual age-appropriate diet. You can give your infant breast milk or formula as usual.

How do doctors treat persistent and chronic diarrhea?

How doctors treat persistent and chronic diarrhea depends on the cause. Doctors may prescribe antibiotics and medicines that target parasites to treat bacterial or parasitic infections. Doctors may also prescribe medicines to treat some of the conditions that cause chronic diarrhea, such as Crohn’s disease, irritable bowel syndrome, or ulcerative colitis. How doctors treat chronic diarrhea in children also depends on the cause.

Doctors may recommend probiotics. Probiotics are live microorganisms, most often bacteria, that are similar to microorganisms you normally have in your digestive tract. Researchers are still studying the use of probiotics to treat diarrhea.

For safety reasons, talk with your doctor before using probiotics or any other complementary or alternative medicines or practices. If your doctor recommends probiotics, talk with him or her about how much probiotics you should take and for how long.

How can I prevent diarrhea?

You can prevent certain types of diarrhea, such as those caused by infections—including rotavirus and traveler’s diarrhea—and foodborne illnesses.

Infections

You can reduce your chances of getting or spreading infections that can cause diarrhea by washing your hands thoroughly with soap and warm water for 15 to 30 seconds

• after using the bathroom
• after changing diapers
• before and after handling or preparing food

Rotavirus, which causes viral gastroenteritis, was the most common cause of diarrhea in infants before rotavirus vaccines became available. The vaccines have reduced the number of cases of rotavirus and hospitalizations due to rotavirus among children in the United States.¹

Two oral vaccines are approved to protect children from rotavirus infections:

• rotavirus vaccine, live, oral, pentavalent (RotaTeq). Doctors give infants this vaccine in three doses: at 2 months of age, 4 months of age, and 6 months of age.
• rotavirus vaccine, live, oral (Rotarix). Doctors give infants this vaccine in two doses: at 2 months of age and at 4 months of age.

For the rotavirus vaccine to be effective, infants should receive all doses by 8 months of age. Infants 15 weeks of age or older who have never received the rotavirus vaccine should not start the series.

Parents or caregivers of infants should discuss rotavirus vaccination with a doctor.

Travelers’ diarrhea

To reduce the chances of getting travelers’ diarrhea when traveling to developing countries, avoid

• drinking tap water
• using tap water to make ice, prepare foods or drinks, or brush your teeth
• drinking juice or milk or eating milk products that have not been pasteurized—heated to kill harmful microbes—viruses, bacteria, and parasites
• eating food from street vendors
• eating meat, fish, or shellfish that is raw, undercooked, or not served hot
• eating raw vegetables and most raw fruits

You can drink bottled water, soft drinks, and hot drinks such as coffee or tea made with boiling water.

If you are worried about travelers’ diarrhea, talk with your doctor before traveling. Doctors may recommend taking antibiotics before and during a trip to help prevent travelers’ diarrhea. Early treatment with antibiotics can shorten a case of travelers’ diarrhea.

Foodborne illnesses

You can prevent foodborne illnesses that cause diarrhea by properly storing, cooking, cleaning, and handling foods.

How can I treat or prevent dehydration caused by diarrhea?

To treat or prevent dehydration, you need to replace lost fluids and electrolytes—called rehydration therapy—especially if you have acute diarrhea. Although drinking plenty of water is important in treating and preventing dehydration, you should also drink liquids that contain electrolytes, such as the following:

• broths
• caffeine-free soft drinks
• fruit juices
• sports drinks

If you are an older adult or have a weak immune system, you should also drink oral rehydration solutions, such as Pedialyte, Naturalyte, Infalyte, or CeraLyte. Oral rehydration solutions are liquids that contain glucose and electrolytes. You can make oral rehydration solutions at home (PDF, 184KB) .

How can I treat or prevent my child’s dehydration caused by diarrhea?

To treat or prevent dehydration, give your child liquids that contain electrolytes. You can also give your child an oral rehydration solution, such as Pedialyte, Naturalyte, Infalyte, or CeraLyte, as directed. Talk to a doctor about giving these solutions to your infant.

References

[1] Rotavirus in the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. www.cdc.gov. Updated May 12, 2014. Accessed November 21, 2016.

Diarrhea, Age 12 and Older

How old are you?

11 years or younger

11 years or younger

12 to 55 years

12 to 55 years

56 years or older

56 years or older

Are you male or female?

Why do we ask this question?

The medical assessment of symptoms is based on the body parts you have.

• If you are transgender or non-binary, choose the sex that matches the body parts (such as ovaries, testes, prostate, breasts, penis, or vagina) you now have in the area where you are having symptoms.
• If your symptoms aren’t related to those organs, you can choose the gender you identify with.
• If you have some organs of both sexes, you may need to go through this triage tool twice (once as “male” and once as “female”). This will make sure that the tool asks the right questions for you.

Are you pregnant?

Yes, you know that you’re pregnant.

Pregnancy

No, you’re not pregnant, or you’re not sure if you’re pregnant.

Pregnancy

Do you have moderate or severe belly pain?

This is not the cramping type of pain you have with diarrhea.

Are you having trouble drinking enough to replace the fluids you’ve lost?

Little sips of fluid usually are not enough. You need to be able to take in and keep down plenty of fluids.

Yes

Unable to maintain fluid intake

No

Able to maintain fluid intake

Have you had:

At least 1 stool that is mostly black or bloody?

At least 1 stool mostly black or bloody

At least 1 stool that is partly black or bloody?

At least 1 stool partly black or bloody

Streaks of blood in your stool?

Streaks of blood in stool

Do you think you may have a fever?

Did you take your temperature?

How high is the fever? The answer may depend on how you took the temperature.

High: 40°C (104°F) or higher, oral

High fever: 40°C (104°F) or higher, oral

Moderate: 38°C (100.4°F) to 39.9°C (103.9°F), oral

Moderate fever: 38°C (100.4°F) to 39.9°C (103.9°F), oral

Mild: 37.9°C (100.3°F) or lower, oral

Mild fever: 37.9°C (100.3°F) or lower, oral

How high do you think the fever is?

Moderate

Feels fever is moderate

Mild or low

Feels fever is mild

How long have you had a fever?

Less than 2 days (48 hours)

Fever for less than 2 days

At least 2 days but less than 1 week

Fever for at least 2 days but less than 1 week

1 week or more

Fever for 1 week or more

Do you have a health problem or take medicine that weakens your immune system?

Yes

Disease or medicine that causes immune system problems

No

Disease or medicine that causes immune system problems

Do you have shaking chills or very heavy sweating?

Shaking chills are a severe, intense form of shivering. Heavy sweating means that sweat is pouring off you or soaking through your clothes.

Yes

Shaking chills or heavy sweating

No

Shaking chills or heavy sweating

Does the fever come and go?

Have you travelled to another country in the past 6 weeks?

Is your diabetes getting out of control because you are sick?

Yes

Diabetes is affected by illness

No

Diabetes is affected by illness

Is the plan helping get your blood sugar under control?

Yes

Diabetes illness plan working

No

Diabetes illness plan not working

How fast is it getting out of control?

Quickly (over several hours)

Blood sugar quickly worsening

Slowly (over days)

Blood sugar slowly worsening

Have you had diarrhea for more than 1 week?

Yes

Diarrhea for more than 1 week

No

Diarrhea for 1 week or less

Do you think that a medicine could be causing the diarrhea?

Think about whether the diarrhea started after you began taking a new medicine or a higher dose of a medicine.

Yes

Medicine may be causing diarrhea

No

Medicine may be causing diarrhea

Many things can affect how your body responds to a symptom and what kind of care you may need. These include:

• Your age. Babies and older adults tend to get sicker quicker.
• Your overall health. If you have a condition such as diabetes, HIV, cancer, or heart disease, you may need to pay closer attention to certain symptoms and seek care sooner.
• Medicines you take. Certain medicines and natural health products can cause symptoms or make them worse.
• Recent health events, such as surgery or injury. These kinds of events can cause symptoms afterwards or make them more serious.
• Your health habits and lifestyle, such as eating and exercise habits, smoking, alcohol or drug use, sexual history, and travel.

Try Home Treatment

You have answered all the questions. Based on your answers, you may be able to take care of this problem at home.

• Try home treatment to relieve the symptoms.
• Call your doctor if symptoms get worse or you have any concerns (for example, if symptoms are not getting better as you would expect). You may need care sooner.

If you’re not sure if a fever is high, moderate, or mild, think about these issues:

With a high fever:

• You feel very hot.
• It is likely one of the highest fevers you’ve ever had. High fevers are not that common, especially in adults.

With a moderate fever:

• You feel warm or hot.
• You know you have a fever.

With a mild fever:

• You may feel a little warm.
• You think you might have a fever, but you’re not sure.

Temperature varies a little depending on how you measure it. For adults and children age 12 and older, these are the ranges for high, moderate, and mild, according to how you took the temperature.

Oral (by mouth) temperature

• High: 40°C (104°F) and higher
• Moderate: 38°C (100.4°F ) to 39.9°C (103.9°F )
• Mild: 37.9°C (100.3°F) and lower

A forehead (temporal) scanner is usually 0.3°C (0.5°F) to 0.6°C (1°F) lower than an oral temperature.

Ear or rectal temperature

• High: 40.5°C (104.9°F) and higher
• Moderate: 38.5°C (101.3°F) to 40.4°C (104.7°F)
• Mild: 38.5°C (101.3°F) and lower

Armpit (axillary) temperature

• High: 39.8°C (103.6°F) and higher
• Moderate: 37.8°C (100°F) to 39.7°C (103.5°F)
• Mild: 37.7°C (99.9°F) and lower

Symptoms of serious illness may include:

• A severe headache.
• A stiff neck.
• Mental changes, such as feeling confused or much less alert.
• Extreme fatigue (to the point where it’s hard for you to function).
• Shaking chills.

Certain health conditions and medicines weaken the immune system’s ability to fight off infection and illness. Some examples in adults are:

• Diseases such as diabetes, cancer, heart disease, and HIV/AIDS.
• Long-term alcohol and drug problems.
• Steroid medicines, which may be used to treat a variety of conditions.
• Chemotherapy and radiation therapy for cancer.
• Other medicines used to treat autoimmune disease.
• Medicines taken after organ transplant.
• Not having a spleen.

• Severe diarrhea means having more than 10 loose, watery stools in a single day (24 hours).
• Moderate diarrhea means having more than a few but not more than 10 diarrhea stools in a day.
• Mild diarrhea means having a few diarrhea stools in a day.

You can get dehydrated when you lose a lot of fluids because of problems like vomiting or fever.

Symptoms of dehydration can range from mild to severe. For example:

• You may feel tired and edgy (mild dehydration), or you may feel weak, not alert, and not able to think clearly (severe dehydration).
• You may pass less urine than usual (mild dehydration), or you may not be passing urine at all (severe dehydration).

Severe dehydration means:

• Your mouth and eyes may be extremely dry.
• You may pass little or no urine for 12 or more hours.
• You may not feel alert or be able to think clearly.
• You may be too weak or dizzy to stand.
• You may pass out.

Moderate dehydration means:

• You may be a lot more thirsty than usual.
• Your mouth and eyes may be drier than usual.
• You may pass little or no urine for 8 or more hours.
• You may feel dizzy when you stand or sit up.

Mild dehydration means:

• You may be more thirsty than usual.
• You may pass less urine than usual.

Many prescription and non-prescription medicines can cause diarrhea. A few examples are:

• Antibiotics.
• Antidepressants.
• Antacids.
• Proton pump inhibitors, such as omeprazole (Prilosec) and lansoprazole (Prevacid).
• Medicines used to treat cancer (chemotherapy).

It is easy for your diabetes to become out of control when you are sick. Because of an illness:

• Your blood sugar may be too high or too low.
• You may not be able take your diabetes medicine (if you are vomiting or having trouble keeping food or fluids down).
• You may not know how to adjust the timing or dose of your diabetes medicine.
• You may not be eating enough or drinking enough fluids.

An illness plan for people with diabetes usually covers things like:

• How often to test blood sugar and what the target range is.
• Whether and how to adjust the dose and timing of insulin or other diabetes medicines.
• What to do if you have trouble keeping food or fluids down.
• When to call your doctor.

The plan is designed to help keep your diabetes in control even though you are sick. When you have diabetes, even a minor illness can cause problems.

Blood in the stool can come from anywhere in the digestive tract, such as the stomach or intestines. Depending on where the blood is coming from and how fast it is moving, it may be bright red, reddish brown, or black like tar.

A little bit of bright red blood on the stool or on the toilet paper is often caused by mild irritation of the rectum. For example, this can happen if you have to strain hard to pass a stool or if you have a hemorrhoid.

Certain medicines and foods can affect the colour of stool. Diarrhea medicines (such as Pepto-Bismol) and iron tablets can make the stool black. Eating lots of beets may turn the stool red. Eating foods with black or dark blue food colouring can turn the stool black.

If you take aspirin or some other medicine (called a blood thinner) that prevents blood clots, it can cause some blood in your stools. If you take a blood thinner and have ongoing blood in your stools, call your doctor to discuss your symptoms.

Seek Care Today

Based on your answers, you may need care soon. The problem probably will not get better without medical care.

• Call your doctor today to discuss the symptoms and arrange for care.
• If you cannot reach your doctor or you don’t have one, seek care today.
• If it is evening, watch the symptoms and seek care in the morning.
• If the symptoms get worse, seek care sooner.

Seek Care Now

Based on your answers, you may need care right away. The problem is likely to get worse without medical care.

• Call your doctor now to discuss the symptoms and arrange for care.
• If you cannot reach your doctor or you don’t have one, seek care in the next hour.
• You do not need to call an ambulance unless:
  • You cannot travel safely either by driving yourself or by having someone else drive you.
  • You are in an area where heavy traffic or other problems may slow you down.

Make an Appointment

Based on your answers, the problem may not improve without medical care.

• Make an appointment to see your doctor in the next 1 to 2 weeks.
• If appropriate, try home treatment while you are waiting for the appointment.
• If symptoms get worse or you have any concerns, call your doctor. You may need care sooner.

Call 911 Now

Based on your answers, you need emergency care.

Call 911 or other emergency services now.

Sometimes people don’t want to call 911. They may think that their symptoms aren’t serious or that they can just get someone else to drive them. But based on your answers, the safest and quickest way for you to get the care you need is to call 911 for medical transport to the hospital.

Abdominal Pain, Age 12 and Older

Pregnancy-Related Problems

Diarrhea, Age 11 and Younger

Travelers’ Diarrhea | Travelers’ Health

Travelers’ diarrhea is the most common travel-related illness. It can occur anywhere, but the highest-risk destinations are in Asia (except for Japan and South Korea) as well as the Middle East, Africa, Mexico, and Central and South America.

In otherwise healthy adults, diarrhea is rarely serious or life-threatening, but it can make a trip very unpleasant.

You can take steps to avoid traveler’s diarrhea

• Choose food and drinks carefully
  
  Eat only foods that are cooked and served hot. Avoid food that has been sitting on a buffet. Eat raw fruits and vegetables only if you have washed them in clean water or peeled them. Only drink beverages from factory-sealed containers, and avoid ice because it may have been made from unclean water.
• Wash your hands
  
  Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after using the bathroom and before eating. If soap and water aren’t available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer. In general, it’s a good idea to keep your hands away from your mouth.

Learn some ways to treat traveler’s diarrhea

• Drink lots of fluids
  
  If you get diarrhea, drink lots of fluids to stay hydrated. In serious cases of travelers’ diarrhea, oral rehydration solution—available online or in pharmacies in developing countries—can be used for fluid replacements.
• Take over-the-counter drugs
  
  Several drugs, such as loperamide, can be bought over-the-counter to treat the symptoms of diarrhea. These drugs decrease the frequency and urgency of needing to use the bathroom, and may make it easier for you to ride on a bus or airplane while waiting for an antibiotic to take effect.
• Only take antibiotics if needed
  
  Your doctor may give you antibiotics to treat traveler’s diarrhea, but consider using them only for severe cases. If you take antibiotics, take them exactly as your doctor instructs. If severe diarrhea develops soon after you return from your trip, see a doctor and ask for stool tests so you can find out which antibiotic will work for you.

More Information

90,000 Diarrhea: Causes and Treatment | Aktoflor-C

Contents

Diarrhea (diarrhea or loose stools) is frequent bowel movements, usually with an increase in the amount of stool and a change in its consistency (liquefaction). We will figure out what to do and what kind of treatment is needed if we find symptoms in ourselves.

Along the course, diarrhea can be acute or chronic [1].

Acute diarrhea – a sudden increase in stool up to 3 times / day, usually accompanied by a change in its consistency.

Chronic diarrhea – increased stool more than 3 times / day, lasting more than 1 month.

The causes of acute and chronic diarrhea can be various conditions [1]:

Causes of acute diarrhea-]

• Acute intestinal infections (viral, bacterial, parasitic)
• Food poisoning
• Poisoning with certain substances or drugs
• Neuropsychiatric disorders (“bear disease”)
• Intoxication caused by internal factors (uremic diarrhea)

Causes of chronic diarrhea

• Inflammatory bowel disease (ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease)
• Taking certain medications (laxatives, antibiotics, glandular preparations, etc.))
• Malignant tumors of the gastrointestinal tract
• Hyperthyroidism, AIDS
• Infection (giardiasis)
• Variants of malabsorption syndrome (celiac disease, pancreatic disease, etc.)
• Functional disorders of motility (irritable bowel syndrome)

Treatment of diarrhea depends on the underlying disease [2].

If the cause was an infection

Treatment of infectious diarrhea includes the management of dehydration with rehydration therapy.At initial degrees of dehydration used:

• tea
• mineral water
• with more pronounced dehydration, special solutions are used

For acute infectious diarrhea, it is recommended to follow a diet including:

• rice
• toasted bread
• salted crackers

90,021 eggs, etc.

When treating diarrhea, avoid eating foods rich in plant fiber, dairy products, spicy and fatty foods, coffee, alcohol.If necessary, a specialist can prescribe antibacterial drugs, adsorbents (pectins, tannin, albumin, attapulgite), as well as drugs to restore microflora [2].

A suitable remedy for diarrhea can only be found by a doctor.

If diarrhea has a non-infectious origin

Treatment of non-infectious diarrhea may include loperamide, as well as drugs with a predominantly adsorbing and enveloping effect (smectite, attapulgite) [2].

Diarrhea may be accompanied by an imbalance in the human microflora [3]. The new generation metabiotic “Aktoflor-S” can help to correct these disorders and activate its own beneficial intestinal microflora. The complex of bacterial metabolites and amino acids, which is part of this drug, helps in the treatment of the intestines: it helps to eliminate the symptoms of diarrhea and intestinal disorders [4].

It is important to remember that in order to correctly diagnose the cause of the development of diarrhea and choose the right treatment, you need to see a specialist.

References:

1. Mukhin N.A., Moiseev V.S. Propedeutics of internal diseases: textbook. 2nd ed., Add. And reworked. – M .: GEOTAR-Media, 2012.-848s.: Ill.

2. Gastroenterology. National leadership. Short edition / ed. V.T. Ivashkina, T.L. Lapina.-M .: GEOTAR-Media, 2012.-480s.

3. Ardatskaya MD et al. Dysbiosis (dysbiosis) of the intestine: current state of the problem, complex diagnostics and therapeutic correction // Experimental and Clinical Gastroenterology.- 2015. – No. 5 (117).

4. According to the instructions for use of the drug Aktoflor-S.

90,000 Diarrhea in adults – causes, examination and treatment | Symptoms

Gastroenteritis due to viruses, bacteria or parasites
Signs: Often vomiting. In rare cases, fever or blood in the stool. No pain or minimal abdominal pain (except in cases of vomiting).

Food poisoning
Signs: Diarrhea that starts suddenly, often with vomiting, within 4-8 hours after eating contaminated food.Often present in other people. It usually lasts 12-24 hours.

Drug side effects
Signs: Recent use of a drug that causes diarrhea.
There are often no other symptoms.

Nutritional factors

• Cow’s milk intolerance
• Excess consumption of certain fruits or juices (such as pears, apples, or plums)

Signs: Diarrhea only after consuming a substance that can cause diarrhea.Bloating and gas (flatulence). Paroxysmal diarrhea.

Irritable bowel syndrome
Signs: Recurrent diarrhea associated with abdominal pain. Often diarrhea alternating with constipation. No bleeding, weight loss, or fever. Symptoms are usually present for more than 12 weeks. Changes in stool frequency or stool consistency.

Inflammatory bowel disease

• Crohn’s disease
• Ulcerative colitis

Signs: Blood in stools, abdominal cramps, weight loss and loss of appetite.
Sometimes arthritis, rashes, mouth ulcers, and tears in the rectum.

Suction problems

• Celiac disease
• Tropical sprue
• Pancreatic insufficiency
• Syndrome of overdevelopment of microflora

Signs: Light, soft, large and unusually foul-smelling stools that may be oily in appearance. Bloating and flatulence, weight loss.

Certain tumors

• Colon cancer or villous adenoma
• Endocrine tumors (such as vipoma, gastrinoma, carcinoid, mastocytosis, or medullary thyroid cancer)
• Lymphoma

Signs: Sometimes blood in stool, decreased stool diameter and weight loss, abdominal pain or cramps, flushing, and profuse watery diarrhea.

Hyperthyroidism
Signs: Often nervousness, difficulty tolerating heat, fatigue, palpitations, weight loss, and heart palpitations.

Surgery on the stomach or intestines
Signs: Obvious recent surgery.

How to treat diarrhea and constipation, symptoms

Stool can tell a lot about a person’s lifestyle and health. Therefore, disgust, shame, or a feeling of awkwardness are inappropriate here.If you are worried about a stool disorder, there is a high probability that you cannot do without the help of a gastroenterologist or proctologist. Our experts will approach the solution of the problem with all delicacy and responsibility – you just need to trust them.

What is the norm and what is not?

The feces of a healthy person have the shape of a sausage (that’s why they say “shaped”) and a soft, but rather dense consistency. The color is brown, there should be no impurities or pieces of undigested food visible to the eye.However, the appearance of feces largely depends on the food eaten the day before or the medications taken. For example, after the beets, the color will not be the same as usual.

The frequency of bowel movements may also vary. Ideally, a person should relieve a great need once a day, but this rule is not always followed. Someone has a bowel movement twice or even three times a day, and someone – three to four times a week. This does not mean at all that a person has problems with a chair, just such is his individual feature.

You know better than any doctor what is normal for your body. And if something went wrong, do not ignore these changes, but take a closer look at them.

Constipation

Gastroenterologists talk about constipation when a person has recovered less than three times in a week. There are other signs:

• small amount of feces
• hard and dry consistency
• feeling of not completely emptying the intestines.

The reason for such changes can be diseases or malfunction of any organ of the gastrointestinal tract.Constipation is often the result of excess production of digestive juices. In this case, you may also be concerned about pain due to the fact that acid-rich foods irritate the intestinal walls. As a rule, constipation is a symptom of the following diseases :

• gastroptosis (prolapse of the duodenum and stomach)
• hyperacid gastritis
• stomach ulcer
• irritable bowel syndrome
• hemorrhoids
• proctitis
• anal fissure.

Diarrhea

Diarrhea is a condition when a person has a bowel movement more than three times a day. In this case, the feces are mushy or generally liquid, watery, and the process of defecation itself and the urge to it are accompanied by pain, abdominal cramps. Diarrhea often occurs when there is a deficiency of gastric juice – for this reason, food enters the intestines almost undigested.

Frequent bowel movements and loose stools can be signs of :

• intestinal infection
• acute or hypoacid gastritis
• chronic enteritis
• stomach cancer
• pancreatitis
• aggravated colitis
• Zollinger-Ellis syndrome.

Other stool disorders

If the amount of stool increases sharply , this may indicate an exacerbation of pancreatitis, intestinal problems.
Stool with mucus is most often observed with inflammation of the colon.
The presence of undigested pieces of food in the feces indicates that the body lacks the enzymes necessary to break down this very food. That is, the work of the pancreas is disrupted.
Light or almost white stool is a sign that there are problems with the gallbladder or liver.
If chair , on the contrary, black , there is a high probability of internal bleeding. However, the feces can also darken due to the intake of certain medications, vitamins, as well as the use of a number of foods.
Scarlet blood in the feces most often appears with hemorrhoids, anal fissures, bleeding from the rectum.

When to ask for help?

If you know for sure the reason for the change in stool (poisoning, change in diet on a business trip, medication), then you can limit yourself to means that eliminate discomfort.And when the cause of constipation or diarrhea is not clear and the appropriate drugs do not give the desired effect, it is worth visiting our doctor.

Black or light stool is also a signal that you should seek the help of our clinic specialists. And of course, you should not delay your visit to the doctor if there are blood impurities in the stool.

Examination

First of all, our specialist will perform an external examination and palpation of the abdomen, if necessary – a rectal digital examination.For a more accurate diagnosis, you will have to pass some tests (blood, urine and, of course, feces), as well as undergo an ultrasound of the abdominal organs.

If the doctor of our clinic suspects a specific disease, there may be a need for additional research in the diagnostic center. In particular, you may be prescribed:

• gastroscopy
• computed tomography of the abdomen and pelvic organs
• colonoscopy
• ERCP
• Irrigoscopy
• sigmoidoscopy.

Thanks to the use of new generation equipment and the professionalism of our doctors, the discomfort from the procedures is minimized.

See also : Make an appointment with a gastroenterologist.

Self-isolation and diarrhea. What to do?

Diarrhea (diarrhea) is a pathological condition in which the patient has frequent bowel movements, while the stool becomes liquid. Stool frequency in adults up to 3 times a day is considered physiological.Children of the first year of life breastfed can normally empty their bowels 7 or more times a day, and diarrhea at this age should be considered an increase in stool frequency more than 10 times a day.

TYPES AND CAUSES OF DIARRHEA

Infectious . In most cases, diarrhea is caused by bacteria, less commonly by viruses (such as rotavirus). It includes the following types:

Food poisoning. Develops not only when eating stale (expired food), but also contaminated food (eating unwashed raw vegetables and fruits, poor heat treatment of foods).

Dirty hands disease. Most common in young children, but it can also be in adults if care is not taken in public toilets and transport.

Poisoning raw untreated water , for example when drinking water from rivers and other open bodies of water.

Viral diarrhea , which occurs in a number of acute respiratory viral infections.

According to the temporary guidelines of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation (prevention, diagnosis and treatment of new coronavirus infection (covid-19)) (version 5 of 08.04.2020), one of the first symptoms of Coronavirus infection may be diarrhea (while the incidence of this symptom is only 3%). Diarrhea at the onset of infection can also be observed in the absence of elevated body temperature (1). In case of the appearance of other characteristic symptoms (2), you should immediately consult a doctor for medical assistance.

Traveler’s diarrhea . One or more episodes occurs in 75% of tourists, mainly traveling to warm countries (Thailand, India (GOA), etc.)etc.).

Non-infectious . Diarrhea can also develop against a background of stress that develops with prolonged exposure to irritating emotionally negative factors, a stressful situation at work, negative information, taking antibacterial drugs without a doctor’s prescription, becoming a consequence of diseases of other organs and systems, such as the pancreas, liver and biliary tract, or taking a number of drugs that increase intestinal motility and accelerate the movement of feces.Sometimes the reason lies in some hereditary (Crohn’s disease, celiac disease, etc.) and chronic (pancreatitis, ulcerative colitis, lactose deficiency, etc.) diseases of the gastrointestinal tract.

GENERAL APPROACHES TO TREATMENT AND PREVENTION OF DIARRHEA

1

TREATMENT OF DIARRHEA

As with any other disease, with diarrhea, the main thing is to start treatment as early as possible, and therapy should not be aimed at eliminating the symptoms, but at eliminating the cause.

Diarrhea, both in adults and in children, is a potentially dangerous condition, therefore, treatment should be started as early as possible and be comprehensive in order to affect all provoking factors and exclude the development of complications. First of all, you need to eliminate the microbial pathogen of intestinal infection that caused diarrhea and restore your own healthy microflora. It is more preferable to use drugs that simultaneously affect several links of the disease.Such a remedy is “Ekofuril” – a modern OTC antimicrobial drug for the treatment of diarrhea in the composition with a prebiotic.

Ecofuril helps fight diarrhea and helps restore microflora.

Ecofuril begins to act after the first dose.

Suspension Ekofuril is approved for use from 1 month of age. Ekofuril capsules for children over 3 years old and adults.

After the end of Ekofuril , an additional course of pro- and prebiotics is not required (3).

“Ekofuril” contains nifuroxazide – an antibacterial drug that works inside the intestinal cavity (without having a general effect on the body), acting directly on the cause of the disease, does not affect the normal microflora and helps to restore the balance of microflora.

If necessary, additional symptomatic drugs can be used to alleviate the patient’s condition: sorbents that promote the absorption of microbial toxins and their excretion from the body and electrolytes to restore the water-salt balance.

2

HOW TO EAT WITH DIARRHEA?

In case of diarrhea, it is necessary to limit food intake, but fasting for more than 4 hours is unacceptable. Good nutrition is important to restore bowel function. Food intake should begin 4 hours after taking electrolyte solutions to restore water-salt balance.

Eat in small portions 5-6 times a day. Cook or steam all dishes, use pureed. Definitely not: there is spicy, fried and fatty foods, semi-finished products, sausages, canned food, pickles and sauces.Eliminate any fast food. Food and drinks should be warm at room temperature.

Can

Wheat bread rusks, crispbreads, thinly sliced ​​and toasted, not butter biscuits.

Low-fat meats: veal, beef, turkey, chicken, pike perch, perch.

Unleavened grated cottage cheese, acidophilus. A small amount of fresh butter is allowed.

Vegetables in the form of mashed potatoes, puddings, cutlets, baked or boiled.

Soft-boiled eggs, steam omelet.

Rice, buckwheat, oatmeal, semolina, boiled in water.

Applesauce, non-sour berry jelly and fruit drinks.

Green and black tea, pure still water, juices of non-acidic berries, diluted with water 1: 1.

Not allowed

Bakery and flour products, baked goods.

Fatty meats: pork, lamb, canned meat, salted fish and caviar.

Kefir, yogurt, sour cream, cream, cheese, milk.

Vegetables, raw and fried.

Hard boiled and fried eggs.

Millet, pearl barley, barley groats, pasta, legumes.

Fresh fruits, any dried fruits, compotes, honey, jam, sweets.

Freshly squeezed juice, coffee, milk, kvass, carbonated drinks.

3

HOW TO EAT WITH DIARRHEA?

Wash hands regularly with warm water and soap.

Do not eat unpasteurized dairy products.

Thoroughly wash vegetables and fruits before eating, if possible – peel them.

Ensure that food is stored in proper temperature conditions. Observe the sanitary rules for refrigerators, do not store together eggs, vegetables, fruits, raw meat and products that are not subject to heat treatment (butter, sour cream, cottage cheese, etc.).

Conduct sufficient heat treatment of egg, poultry and meat dishes. Wash kitchen boards and knives thoroughly.Wash hands after cutting raw meat.

Drink boiled or bottled water.

If diarrhea lasts more than 3 days, accompanied by a change in normal temperature, you should consult a doctor.

90,000 reasons, symptoms, how to quickly stop

Acute diarrhea is a multifactorial syndrome that is included in the list of symptoms of many infectious and non-infectious diseases. The main symptom of pathology is frequent loose stools. The feces become watery or mushy.With an exacerbated course of the primary disease, undigested food debris, mucus, and foam are present in the feces. The urge to defecate becomes more frequent and occurs with an interval of 2-3 hours.

General

Every year, two billion people worldwide are diagnosed with signs of diarrhea. Stool disorder remains the most common manifestation of pathological processes of the gastroenterological, proctological and infectious types.

The disease is characterized by a favorable course in the presence of adequate and timely treatment.Patients with acute intestinal infections are admitted to hospitals. Diarrhea of ​​other genesis can be treated on an outpatient basis.

Causes of the disease

Stool disorder develops in patients under the influence of various factors:

• Infections;

90,021 toxins;

90,021 medication intake;

90,021 inflammatory processes in the gastrointestinal tract;

90,021 acute diseases of the pelvic organs.

In countries with a high culture of personal hygiene, diarrhea is the result of infections entering the human body.Their causative agents are rotaviruses and adenoviruses. Bacterial infections remain an equally common cause of diarrhea. Stool disorder is provoked by salmonella, Escherichia coli, Shigella. In a similar way, helminthic invasions affect the condition of children and adults.

A common form of pathology is travelers’ diarrhea. It develops in people who move between countries with strict sanitation standards and countries with low levels of sanitation.

Symptoms

The clinical picture of the pathology is determined by the type of intestinal disorder identified in the patient. The secretory form of diarrhea occurs without abdominal pain. The daily volume of loose stools exceeds 1 liter. The mild course of the disease is explained by increased secretion of water in the intestine against the background of irritation of its mucous membrane with toxins. The frequency of the urge to defecate does not depend on the patient’s diet.

The aggravated course of diarrhea is accompanied by a number of nonspecific symptoms:

90 020 90 021 abdominal pain;

90,021 increase in body temperature;

90,021 bouts of nausea;

90,021 episodic vomiting.

Significantly increased frequency of stool provokes dehydration. Against this background, the patient is faced with dehydration and its manifestations in the form of drying out of the skin, an increase in blood pressure and tachycardia. The smell and color of feces changes – dark shades of green dominate. Pathological processes in the large intestine can lead to staining of the stool with blood, the appearance of mucus and foam.

Do you have symptoms of diarrhea?

Only a doctor can accurately diagnose the disease.Do not delay the consultation – call

+7 (495) 775-73-60

Diagnostics

The patient is examined by an infectious disease specialist, proctologist or gastroenterologist. The doctor collects data for anamnesis and clarifies the list of drugs that were used by a child or an adult before the onset of diarrhea. The main diagnostic criterion for the disease is loose stools, which are observed in humans at least three times a day. The duration of an intestinal disorder should not exceed three days.

Confirmation of the diagnosis is carried out after laboratory tests. General tests of blood and feces make sure that there is an inflammatory process in the body of a child or an adult. The coprogram contains information about the concentration of leukocytes and erythrocytes in the biomaterial. Based on these data, doctors differentiate between inflammatory and non-inflammatory types of pathology. Identification of signs of inflammation involves bacteriological culture. This technique makes it possible to determine the causative agent of the pathology that caused acute diarrhea.Occasionally, microbiological studies are ineffective. In this case, the patient is referred for apparatus tests, which are designed to establish the cause of the stool disorder.

Therapeutic measures

Diarrhea treatment is based on the relief of the main symptoms. Patients with stool disorder are prescribed diet, eubiotics and adsorbents. The diet includes foods that reduce intestinal motility and reduce the secretion of fluid in it. Adults and children should temporarily refuse meals that can irritate and damage the mucous membranes of the digestive tract.

Diarrhea is often accompanied by severe fluid and electrolyte loss. Restoring water balance is performed through rehydration therapy. A slight degree of dehydration is eliminated by oral administration of saline solutions. Severe forms of pathology require parenteral rehydration. Intravenous infusion of saline solutions quickly normalizes the condition of patients.

The appointment of antibacterial drugs is appropriate when pathogenic bacteria are detected in the analyzes of children or adults.Oral administration of medications continues until traces of infection from the biomaterials of patients disappear completely.

Preventive measures

It is relatively simple to prevent the development of acute diarrhea in an adult or a child – it is enough to eliminate the main causes of the entry of pathogens into the body. Personal hygiene remains a key element of prevention. Particular attention should be paid to the storage of perishable food. Meat, fish, unpasteurized milk and chicken eggs must be thoroughly cooked.Products in the refrigerator need regular revision – expired products must be disposed of. The same should be done with any purchases with damaged packaging.

Questions and Answers

What are the features of diarrhea diet?

Patients should consume water, light broths, tea. With the normalization of the condition (for 2-3 days), it is permissible to include steamed meat, slimy soups in the diet.High fiber foods should be avoided. Food should be taken in small portions at intervals of 2-2.5 hours.

How to prevent the development of diarrhea in a preschool child?

Parents should have a prophylactic conversation with their kids and tell them about the need to follow the rules of personal hygiene. The child should be aware of the dangers of eating unwashed vegetables and fruits, the main ways of transmission of viral and bacterial infections.You can consolidate the knowledge gained in game situations. Parents can show children by example how easy it is to follow all the rules.

90,000 Diarrhea: symptoms, causes and treatment

Diarrhea: Symptoms, Causes and Treatment

06/22/2018 12:06

The causes of diarrhea can range from food poisoning or chronic bowel disease to serious intestinal infection.

Diarrhea can be accompanied by abdominal pain, fever and dehydration.Moreover, the latter is fraught with the development of severe complications.

What is diarrhea?

Diarrhea is defined as loose stools with a frequency of more than three times a day.
Diarrhea can be infectious or non-infectious. Non-infectious disease is more often associated with chronic bowel diseases (ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease, irritable bowel syndrome). Such conditions are accompanied by frequent stools, while it is mostly not liquid, but mushy. In most cases, there is no high fever or severe abdominal pain.

Poisoning or intestinal infection?

The first symptoms of food poisoning can appear almost immediately after eating: from 30 minutes to 4 hours. With an intestinal infection, this period lasts longer – from 12 hours to 3 days.

Infectious diarrhea is accompanied by high fever, abdominal pain of various localization: in the umbilical region or in the lower lateral parts of the abdomen. In case of poisoning, as a rule, vomiting occurs first, sometimes quite severe.The pain is localized in the upper abdomen – in the stomach and small intestine. Diarrhea joins later, it is not as pronounced as with intestinal infections. The temperature in case of food poisoning immediately rises to high values, but then decreases. Infectious diarrhea in most cases is accompanied by a temperature of 37 to 40 ° C.

Alarm symptoms

Symptoms of anxiety include diarrhea that lasts more than three days, high fever that lasts more than one day, and the presence of pathological impurities in the stool: blood and mucus.Severe abdominal pain, which makes it difficult for a person to move, is also a reason to see a doctor.

Dehydration may occur with diarrhea. Together with water, vital macro- and microelements are washed out of the body: ions of potassium, chlorine, sodium, etc. At risk are children under 2 years of age and elderly people over 65.

In addition, it is not worth treating diarrhea at home:
patients taking glucocorticosteroids (for example, with rheumatoid arthritis) and cytostatics;
people after chemotherapy and radiation therapy;
people with malignant neoplasms;
patients after organ transplant.

The classic misconception is that you shouldn’t eat if you have diarrhea. It is imperative to take food, but often in small portions (preferably 5-6 times a day). Food should be free of intestinal irritants and fiber. So fruits and vegetables, even boiled and steamed, are not recommended.

It is necessary to replenish the loss of water and microelements. This is best done with special saline preparations, which can be bought at the pharmacy. Their composition is balanced in the right proportion.You need to drink a little, but often. An adult should drink about 2-3 liters of extra fluids per day. It is better to forget about juices during illness. It is also undesirable to drink carbonated drinks, including mineral water.

If you are concerned about abdominal pain, you can take drugs from the group of antispasmodics. Painkillers in this situation will not bring relief. At the same time, if after taking spasmolytics the pain did not go away, or after some time returned, or began to intensify, it is necessary to consult a doctor.This could be a symptom of a more serious medical condition!

In addition, experts recommend taking drugs that have an adsorbing effect two hours before any other drugs or two hours after.

No physical activity! You should also not take drugs that stop diarrhea.

It is possible to use preparations that are intestinal antiseptics – they do not remove diarrhea, but kill bacteria. However, it is better to consult a doctor before taking such medication.This rule also applies to intestinal antibiotics.
It will be useful for children to give drugs that contain probiotics and prebiotics. The former contain microorganisms useful for the intestines, the latter create conditions for their adequate growth.

As for folk remedies, such as a decoction of chamomile or oak bark, they are good for food poisoning. With intestinal infections, they are ineffective.

If there are no complications, diarrhea usually resolves in three days.

“Healthy people”

90,000 Diarrhea in a child and an adult: why does it occur and how is it treated?

Diarrhea is a pathology in the work of the digestive apparatus, characterized by impaired stool, increased frequency, the appearance of mucus, foam, undigested food residues in the feces.Answering the question: what is diarrhea (diarrhea), it is important to clarify that indigestion is not an independent disease and may indicate the presence of a viral infection, AEI or other pathological process.

Symptoms of diarrhea

The manifestations of the disease depend on the cause, the degree of damage to the digestive system and the aggressiveness of the pathogen.

Diarrhea – symptoms of viral infection:

• Sudden start. The disorder is not food-related.
• Diarrhea and fever. The urge occurs every 2-3 hours or more.
• Watery stools. Feces can change color.
• Generally severe malaise and severe weakness.
• In severe cases, signs of dehydration.

If the illness is caused by food poisoning or an intestinal infection, the following condition is observed:

• Nausea and diarrhea at the same time.
• Abdominal cramps. The pain stops temporarily after a bowel movement.
• Increased thirst, decreased amount of urine are warning signs indicating dehydration.

Diarrhea in infants has the following characteristics:

• Loose, often frothy stools.
• Temperature rise (not always).
• Lack of appetite, weight loss.
• Pallor and marked lethargy.
• Restless sleep.

Sensitive children, adolescents, and adults with a labile nervous system often have a stress-related disorder (diarrhea).It does not require treatment and goes away on its own.

Causes of diarrhea in children

Sometimes infants have frequent, greenish stools. If, at the same time, the child retains appetite and normal health, the cause in most cases is not related to the disease. Diarrhea can be caused by the use of certain foods by the nursing mother, as well as addiction to adapted milk formulas.

Diarrhea without fever can be caused by:

• In infants – the introduction of the first complementary foods.
• In young children – the use of unripe vegetables and fruits, sweets.
• In preschoolers and schoolchildren – dysbiosis after antibiotic treatment.
• Diarrhea, the causes of which are associated with stress, is observed before exams, control work, as a result of strong emotional experiences.

The peak of incidence, as a rule, falls on summer time, so you should know what the danger of early watermelons and melons is. They are grown using a lot of fertilizer.Above normal nitrate levels can cause severe diarrhea, so only laboratory-tested early vegetables and fruits should be purchased.

Why diarrhea is dangerous in children and adults

Diarrhea, which is caused by a violation of eating habits, can be eliminated at home. As a rule, it does not significantly change the state of health and, if the diet is followed, it disappears within 2-3 days. If loose stools are accompanied by cramps and abdominal pain, fever, nausea and vomiting, you should definitely see a doctor.Timely diagnostics and proper treatment will prevent complications such as loss of electrolytes and fluids, severe intoxication, and dysfunction of the intestines.

The greatest danger of diarrhea is for infants and children under 2 years of age. Deterioration and critical dehydration can occur rapidly, over several hours. To avoid serious consequences, it is necessary to consult a specialist at the first discomfort, and in case of a sharp deterioration in health, immediately call an ambulance.

Diarrhea treatment

Elimination of bowel disorders requires an integrated approach. First of all, it is necessary to eliminate the cause of the disease, namely, to neutralize pathogenic microorganisms and remove toxins. How to stop diarrhea and what medications should you take?

For diarrhea in children and adults requires:

• Replenish the water-salt balance. Prescribe means for oral rehydration – Rehydron solution and its analogues.It is necessary to drink plenty of drink in small portions (for children – a teaspoon every 5 minutes). In severe condition with persistent diarrhea, saline solutions are administered intravenously.
• Remove toxins and decay products. Sorbents (Smecta, Enterosgel) and activated carbon will be effective.
• Restore the intestinal microflora. For this, probiotics are used – preparations containing beneficial bacteria.

It is undesirable to take pills that inhibit peristalsis without consulting a doctor.These drugs reduce diarrhea, but prevent the elimination of toxins. They are not prescribed for intestinal flu and other infectious diseases. These drugs are symptomatic and can improve the well-being of diarrhea associated with stress and the use of fermenting foods.

Tablets for diarrhea if an intestinal infection is suspected, a doctor should select. These include antimicrobial drugs that act only in the intestinal lumen and do not have a systemic effect.

Treatment of diarrhea in children

If the baby has diarrhea, breastfeeding is continued. It is obligatory to consult a doctor, you cannot select medicines on your own, as it is dangerous for the child’s life! Children under 3 years old must be soldered with mineral water without gas, cool boiled water. Such drugs for diarrhea as Rehydron’s solution, enterosorbents are effective. If diarrhea is observed, treatment with folk remedies is possible in the absence of fever and mild symptoms.Chamomile and mint tea will be useful, relieving spasms and restoring fluid loss. The selection of antibacterial drugs is carried out on the basis of analyzes.

Diet for diarrhea

For severe diarrhea, hunger and plenty of drink are recommended. After improvement and stabilization of the condition, the diet for diarrhea includes:

• Sweet tea with croutons.
• Rice broth.
• Spoiled cereal soups on the water.

What you can eat with diarrhea in the future – low-fat cottage cheese, low-fat steamed meat, baked apples, dried fruit compote, vegetable puree.

It is necessary to expand the diet gradually, food for diarrhea should be dietary. The following dishes are excluded:

• Fresh bread and pastries.
• Milk.
• Raw vegetables and fruits.
• Juices.
• Sweets.
• Fatty and fried foods, smoked meats.

With proper treatment and adherence to diarrhea in children and adults, there is a rapid recovery without complications.

Questions to the doctor:

How to prevent the development of diarrhea in a small child?

Compulsory adherence to hygiene rules and careful selection of products for the baby’s diet significantly reduce the risk of intestinal infections.

How long should the diarrhea diet be kept on?

Dietary restrictions are necessary until complete recovery.

How to understand that an infant has diarrhea and how to deal with nutrition in this case?

The best protection against infections for a child under one year old is the preservation of breastfeeding. Breast milk is optimal nutrition for babies in case of diarrhea.

Is it true that store-bought yoghurts do not restore the necessary bacteria in the stomach?

Yoghurts and other fermented milk products are not medicinal and do not have a significant effect on the restoration of healthy microflora.