Things to help diarrhea: 5 Effective Diarrhea Remedies

26.07.202214.07.2023 by alexxlab

5 Effective Diarrhea Remedies

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Plus Causes and Prevention Tips

Treatment to get rid of diarrhea fast can depend on the cause but typically involves taking anti-diarrheal medications or antibiotics. Certain food and drinks may also help you manage your symptoms.

Diarrhea, or watery stools, can be embarrassing and strike at the worst times, such as during a vacation or special event.

But while diarrhea often improves on its own within two to three days, a few remedies can help promote firmer stools faster.

Keep reading to learn about five fast-acting methods, along with what typically causes diarrhea and prevention tips.

Some people see diarrhea as nothing more than a mild nuisance and let it run its course, especially since some bouts lasts less than 24 hours.

You might stay close to home or a bathroom, and load up on fluids and electrolytes to prevent dehydration.

But what if you can’t stay home?

In this case, taking an anti-diarrheal medication may reduce or completely eliminate loose stools after the first dose. Look for over-the-counter products like Imodium or Pepto-Bismol, which have the ingredients loperamide and bismuth subsalicylate, respectively.

The active ingredient in Imodium works swiftly because it slows the movement of fluid through the intestines. This can quickly restore normal bowel function. Pepto-Bismol, on the other hand, helps kill diarrhea-causing bacteria in your intestines.

Rice water is another fast, effective remedy for diarrhea. Boil 1 cup of rice and 2 cups of water for about 10 minutes, or until the water becomes cloudy.

Strain the rice and preserve the water for consumption. Rice water not only provides your body with fluid to prevent dehydration, it can also reduce the duration of diarrhea. Rice water has a binding effect in the digestive tract, resulting in firmer, bulkier stools.

Taking a probiotic supplement or eating probiotic foods like some brands of yogurt may also stop diarrhea.

Sometimes, diarrhea results from an imbalance of bacteria in the gut. Probiotics help restore balance by providing a higher level of good bacteria. This can promote normal bowel function and shorten the duration of diarrhea.

Diarrhea from bacteria or a parasite may need an antibiotic. In this case, diarrhea can occur after coming in contact with contaminated food or water, often while traveling.

Keep in mind that antibiotics are ineffective when viral infections cause diarrhea. This type of diarrhea must run its course.

A diet known as BRAT may also quickly relieve diarrhea.

BRAT stands for bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast. This diet is effective due to the bland nature of these foods, and the fact that they’re starchy, low-fiber foods.

These foods have a binding effect in the digestive tract to make stools bulkier. And since they’re bland, they’re less likely to irritate your stomach or worsen diarrhea.

Along with these items, you could also eat (similarly bland) saltine crackers, clear broth, and potatoes.

Understanding the cause of diarrhea can help you avoid future bouts. Common causes include:

Stomach virus

Viral gastroenteritis (stomach flu) is one cause of diarrhea. Along with watery stools, you may have:

stomach pain
nausea
vomiting
low-grade fever

These viruses include norovirus and rotavirus, which can develop after eating or drinking contaminated food, or sharing personal items with an infected person.

Medication

Sensitivity to certain medications can also trigger bouts of diarrhea. This may happen after taking antibiotics, pain relievers, or cancer-fighting drugs.

Foodborne illness

Also called food poisoning, diarrhea can develop if you eat food contaminated by bacteria, parasites, or toxins. Food-borne illnesses can include those caused by the following bacteria:

Salmonella
E. coli
Listeria monocytogenes
Clostridium botulinum (botulism)

Food allergy or sensitivity

If you’re lactose intolerant, diarrhea may develop after eating dairy products. These include milk, cheese, ice cream, and yogurt.

Having a food allergy or sensitivity may also trigger diarrhea. For example, you may have diarrhea after eating foods containing gluten — wheat, pasta, or rye.

Artificial sweeteners

This is a lesser known cause of diarrhea. But if you’re sensitive to artificial sweeteners, you may have a bout of diarrhea after eating foods or drinks containing these sweeteners. Artificial sweeteners are found in diet drinks, sugar-free products, chewing gum, and even some candy.

Digestive problems

Diarrhea is sometimes a symptom of digestive disorders. You might have frequent bouts of loose stools if you’re diagnosed with Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis. Also, irritable bowel syndrome can cause alternating bouts of diarrhea and constipation.

Diarrhea caused by a virus or bacterial infection is contagious. You can protect yourself by:

washing your hands frequently
avoiding sick people
disinfecting commonly touched surfaces
not sharing personal items

If you have diarrhea after starting a new medication, ask your doctor about an alternative drug or possibly lowering your dosage.

You can also protect yourself by thoroughly cooking food and washing fruits and vegetables before preparing. Also, make sure you know the proper way to wash your hands.

Use warm, soapy water and wash your hands for at least 20 seconds. If water isn’t available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.

To identify possible food allergies or sensitivities, keep a food journal and write down everything you eat for a few weeks. Make a note of days that you have diarrhea.

Keeping a food journal can help determine whether you have a lactose intolerance or a gluten sensitivity. You can then try an elimination diet. Remove suspected problem foods from your diet and see if your symptoms improve.

For a digestive disorder, talk to your doctor if you feel that your current therapy isn’t working. You may need to adjust your medication.

See a doctor for diarrhea that lasts longer than three days, or if you show signs of dehydration. This can include extreme thirst, decreased urination, and dizziness.

You should also see a doctor if you have:

a fever above 102°F (38.9°C)
bloody or black stools
abdominal pain

Diarrhea can come and go within 24 hours. Or it can last for days and disrupt your plans. But between medication, low-fiber foods, and avoiding foods that irritate your digestive system — such as dairy or artificial sweeteners — you can quickly relieve symptoms and enjoy diarrhea-free days.

What to do with diarrhea – Lifehacker

Likbez

Health

July 18, 2019

Sometimes even healthy habits, such as running, cause it.

Diarrhea is normal. Sooner or later, absolutely everyone faces it, and in most cases, diarrhea safely passes by itself – within a day or two. But sometimes diarrhea can become a serious problem.

When to see a doctor urgently

Most of the time, you don’t have to worry about diarrhea. But see your doctor as soon as possible or, depending on the severity of your symptoms, call 911 if:

You have not only loose stools, but also blood in them. Or it is black – this is a sign of clotted blood.
You have a high temperature (above 38.3°C) along with diarrhea.
You have severe nausea or vomiting that prevents you from drinking to replace lost fluids.
You feel severe pain in your abdomen or anus.
Diarrhea appeared after you returned from abroad.
Your urine is very dark in color.
Your heart rate has increased.
Diarrhea is accompanied by severe headache, irritability, clouding of consciousness.

These symptoms indicate either an acute inflammatory process associated with an infection or severe dehydration. Both situations are equally dangerous – even fatal. Therefore, do not rely on home remedies and do not delay in contacting a doctor.

If there are no ominous signs, diarrhea can be managed with simple methods.

Where does diarrhea come from

Diarrhea is called the disease of unwashed hands, and it’s true: most often diarrhea catches up with those who are not too concerned about hygiene. But it happens otherwise. Here are the most common causes of diarrhea.

1. Viral infections

They didn’t wash their hands, they swallowed water from a river or a warm sea, they bit an unwashed apple. And got, for example, a rotavirus infection. Or maybe viral hepatitis. From the same sources – the Norwalk virus, cytomegalovirus and other gastrointestinal filth, accompanied by liquefaction of the stool.

2. Bacteria and parasites

They come from about the same place as viral infections – from the careless habit of dragging something poorly washed or filtered into the mouth. Diarrhea caused by bacteria and parasites often overtakes people in unfamiliar countries, which is why it has the “romantic” name of traveler’s diarrhea.

3. Taking certain medications

Diarrhea is often caused by:

antibiotics;
antacid preparations, especially those containing magnesium;
certain drugs for the treatment of cancer.

4. Artificial sweeteners

Sorbitol, mannitol, aspartame – the human digestive system is not always ready to deal with these sweet synthetic substances. They are poorly digested, sometimes causing bloating and diarrhea.

5. Fructose or lactose intolerance

Lactose is a natural sugar found in dairy products. Fructose is the same, but comes from fruits or honey. Despite the natural origin of these simple carbohydrates, the body of some people does not know how to process them. Hence the digestive problems, including diarrhea.

By the way, the number of enzymes that help digest lactose decreases with age. Therefore, intolerance to milk sugars is often manifested in older people.

6. Digestive disorders

Here is a list of diseases that can provoke diarrhea from time to time (not necessarily on a permanent basis):

ulcerative and microscopic colitis;
celiac disease;
irritable bowel syndrome;
Crohn’s disease is an inflammatory disease of the gastrointestinal tract.

7. Alcohol abuse

A large amount of alcohol can damage the intestinal mucosa and disturb the composition of its microflora.

8. Some hormonal disorders

Diarrhea is a common symptom of diabetes mellitus and hyperthyroidism (an overactive thyroid gland).

9. Running

For some people, this hobby also provokes diarrhea. It’s called runner’s diarrhea.

What to do if you have diarrhea

In most cases, diarrhea does not need to be treated because it resolves quickly on its own. To speed up this process:

Drink more liquids: water, broth, fruit drinks, compotes, juices. Avoid caffeine and alcohol.
Eat low fiber foods such as boiled eggs, boiled rice or chicken, white bread toast or crackers.
Avoid high-fat, high-fiber foods (raw fruits and vegetables, whole grain bread), and spices and condiments for a while.
Consider taking probiotics, substances that help restore normal intestinal microflora. It is best to choose the necessary drug with a therapist.

What to do if diarrhea persists

Diarrhea that lasts longer than two days is a direct indication for consultation with a physician. Probably, diarrhea is caused by some internal serious failure in the body.

Your doctor will ask about your symptoms and take a look at your medical history. You may need to take blood, urine, and stool tests. Depending on the results of the examination and tests, the doctor will make a diagnosis and prescribe treatment.

How to stop diarrhea quickly and reliably

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About the polyclinic
- 29. 01.2019
Views: 210495
There are several drugs traditionally used for diarrhea. The principle of their operation is different, although in 9In 0% of cases, diarrhea is caused by an infection. Therefore, the choice of a remedy for diarrhea should take into account that this condition is only a symptom, which must be dealt with by acting on the cause.
In an acute intestinal infection, choosing a drug that acts only on the symptom can be dangerous. For example, Imodium and its cheaper counterparts containing loperamide stop diarrhea by stimulating the gut’s opiate receptors. This leads to the fact that the tone of the locking sphincters increases, and the liquid from the feces is intensively absorbed back into the intestine. And this means that toxins, which are formed in excess as a result of infection with pathogens of intestinal infections, are also absorbed into the blood. Therefore, Loperamide is not so safe: it is forbidden to give it to children under 6 years of age.
The best choice for an intestinal infection is a drug that acts in the intestinal lumen and eliminates pathogens, doctors say. Therefore, for diarrhea in adults and children, drugs are used – derivatives of nitrofuran. Furazolidone, which is included in this series and has been quite popular for many years, despite its low cost, due to its side effects (toxic effects on the liver), has lost the palm to Nifuroxazide, a safe antiseptic that acts exclusively in the intestines, not being absorbed into the blood. Popular and recommended by doctors and pharmacists Nifuroxazide is the European drug Enterofuril. It has three forms (capsules of 100 and 200 mg, suspensions of 200 mg / 5 ml, which can be given to children from 1 month), so it is convenient to use. It has proven itself in the rapid treatment of diarrhea caused by bacteria, however, with viral diarrhea, its use is justified, doctors say: this drug prevents bacterial complications that almost always accompany viral diarrhea.
Foreign and Russian clinical studies have shown that the drug preserves the beneficial intestinal microflora, eliminating such common infectious agents as Salmonella, Escherichia coli, Shigella – the causative agent of dysentery. The effect has also been proven against the bacterium Helicobacter pylori, which plays a major role in the development of gastritis and stomach ulcers.
When choosing Nifuroxazide for a child, you need to be careful: the dosage of Nifuroxazide recommended by the Ministry of Health for a child is 100 or 200 mg, depending on age, and in the form of a suspension of 200 mg in 5 ml. In pharmacies, there is a suspension with a higher dosage of 220 mg / 5 ml from other manufacturers, which attracts a slightly lower cost. However, it is better to follow official recommendations and not take risks, because we are talking about the health of the child.
Nifuroxazide is important to have in the traveler’s first aid kit: a change in the usual water and food is very often the cause of “travelers’ diarrhea”, equally insidious for both children and adults. If your child is over 3 years old, then you can save money and take the universal dosage of Enterofuril 100 mg: an adult will take two capsules, and one is enough for a child. Additionally, it is recommended to use sorbents: they help to bind and remove toxins from the intestines.
Remember that in the case of a severe intestinal infection, accompanied by dehydration, intoxication and other serious symptoms, antibiotics may be required. Therefore, in any case, you must consult a doctor.
Attention should be paid to the prevention of diarrhea. Required:
– Observe personal hygiene, wash hands.
– Subject meat, milk, chicken eggs, fish to thorough heat treatment. Wash fruits and vegetables thoroughly before eating.
– If possible, boil water, especially the one that is in doubt.