What causes diarrhea and how can it be treated. When should you see a doctor for diarrhea. What over-the-counter medications are effective for diarrhea relief. How can you prevent diarrhea while traveling. What dietary changes can help alleviate diarrhea symptoms.

Common Causes of Diarrhea: From Infections to Lifestyle Factors

Diarrhea can be caused by various factors, ranging from infections to dietary choices. Understanding the root cause is crucial for effective treatment. Here are some of the most common culprits:

• Infections (bacterial, viral, or parasitic)
• Dietary factors (food intolerances, artificial sweeteners)
• Stress and anxiety
• Menstruation
• Physical activity (e.g., runner’s diarrhea)
• New medications

How long have you been experiencing diarrhea? If it’s been less than 14 days, it’s likely due to one of these common causes. However, persistent diarrhea lasting more than two weeks may indicate an underlying health issue that requires medical attention.

Infections and Travel-Related Diarrhea: Prevention and Management

Infections are a leading cause of diarrhea, especially during travel. Common culprits include:

• Viruses: Norwalk virus and rotavirus
• Bacteria: E. coli, salmonella, and campylobacter
• Parasites

To minimize your risk of infection-induced diarrhea while traveling, follow these precautions:

1. Wash your hands frequently, especially before eating and after using the restroom
2. Drink only bottled water, carbonated beverages, or beer
3. Avoid ice cubes in drinks
4. Peel your own fruit
5. Consume only well-cooked, hot food
6. Steer clear of shellfish and street vendor food

Are you planning an international trip soon? By following these guidelines, you can significantly reduce your chances of experiencing traveler’s diarrhea and enjoy your journey without digestive discomfort.

Dietary Factors and Overindulgence: The Food-Diarrhea Connection

Your diet plays a crucial role in digestive health. Certain foods and eating habits can trigger diarrhea:

• Artificial sweeteners (e.g., mannitol and sorbitol) in diet or “sugar-free” foods
• Food allergies and intolerances (e.g., lactose or gluten)
• Spicy foods
• Foods high in sugar
• Excessive alcohol consumption

Have you noticed a pattern between eating certain foods and experiencing diarrhea? Keeping a food diary can help identify potential triggers. Remember, moderation is key when it comes to maintaining digestive balance.

The Impact of Artificial Sweeteners on Digestion

Artificial sweeteners can cause diarrhea by pulling extra water into your bowels, resulting in watery stools. If you frequently consume diet or sugar-free products, consider reducing your intake to see if it improves your symptoms.

Stress, Menstruation, and Exercise: Unexpected Diarrhea Triggers

Sometimes, diarrhea can be triggered by factors unrelated to diet or infection:

• Stress and anxiety
• Menstrual cycle changes
• Intense physical activity (e.g., runner’s diarrhea)

Do you notice a correlation between these factors and your digestive issues? Understanding these connections can help you better manage your symptoms and take preventive measures.

The Stress-Diarrhea Connection

Stress can accelerate bowel movements, leaving less time for water reabsorption and resulting in watery stools. Implementing stress-reduction techniques like meditation or deep breathing exercises may help alleviate stress-induced diarrhea.

Medications and Diarrhea: Identifying the Culprits

Certain medications can cause diarrhea as a side effect. Common offenders include:

• Antibiotics
• Diabetes medications
• Heart medications
• Cancer treatments
• HIV medications

Are you taking any new medications? If you suspect your diarrhea is medication-induced, consult your doctor or pharmacist. They can help determine if your medication is the cause and suggest alternatives if necessary.

When to Seek Medical Attention: Red Flags for Diarrhea

While most cases of diarrhea can be managed at home, certain symptoms warrant immediate medical attention. Seek medical help if you experience:

• Fever over 38.5°C or 101.3°F
• Severe stomach pain
• Bloody diarrhea or black stools
• Soft, yellow stools
• Grey, white, or greasy stools
• Inability to keep fluids down due to vomiting
• More than 6 loose stools per day
• Signs of dehydration (weakness, thirst, dizziness, dry mouth, decreased urination)
• Diarrhea lasting more than 48 hours (or 24 hours for babies)

Do you recognize any of these symptoms? If so, it’s crucial to consult a healthcare professional promptly to prevent complications and receive appropriate treatment.

Special Considerations for Children with Diarrhea

Children require extra vigilance when it comes to diarrhea. Seek medical attention if your child:

• Exhibits any of the above symptoms
• Has been vomiting for more than 4 hours
• Is under 6 months of age

Home Management of Diarrhea: Effective Strategies for Relief

If your diarrhea doesn’t require immediate medical attention, you can manage it at home using the following strategies:

1. Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of clear fluids
2. Consume easily digestible foods (e.g., bananas, rice, toast, applesauce)
3. Avoid dairy products, caffeine, and fatty or spicy foods
4. Consider over-the-counter treatments like loperamide (IMODIUM™) or attapulgite
5. Use probiotics to restore gut balance
6. Get plenty of rest

Have you tried any of these methods before? Remember, while these strategies can provide relief, it’s essential to monitor your symptoms and seek medical help if they persist or worsen.

The BRAT Diet: A Time-Tested Approach to Diarrhea Relief

The BRAT diet (Bananas, Rice, Applesauce, Toast) has long been recommended for managing diarrhea. These foods are easily digestible and can help firm up stools. However, it’s important to gradually reintroduce a balanced diet as your symptoms improve to ensure proper nutrition.

Over-the-Counter Treatments: Options for Quick Diarrhea Relief

Several over-the-counter medications can provide effective relief from diarrhea symptoms:

• Loperamide (IMODIUM™): Slows down bowel movements
• Attapulgite: Absorbs excess fluid in the intestines
• Bismuth subsalicylate (Pepto-Bismol™): Reduces inflammation and kills bacteria

Which of these treatments have you found most effective? Always read the label and follow the recommended dosage. If symptoms persist despite using these medications, consult a healthcare professional.

The Role of Probiotics in Diarrhea Management

Probiotics can help restore the balance of good bacteria in your gut, potentially reducing the duration and severity of diarrhea. Consider incorporating probiotic-rich foods like yogurt or kefir into your diet, or taking a probiotic supplement during bouts of diarrhea.

Preventing Diarrhea: Proactive Measures for Digestive Health

While it’s not always possible to prevent diarrhea, you can take steps to reduce your risk:

• Practice good hygiene, especially handwashing
• Be cautious with food and water when traveling
• Identify and avoid personal food triggers
• Manage stress through relaxation techniques
• Stay hydrated and maintain a balanced diet
• Exercise regularly, but avoid overexertion

Which of these preventive measures do you already incorporate into your daily routine? By adopting these habits, you can significantly reduce your chances of experiencing frequent bouts of diarrhea.

The Importance of Proper Food Handling and Storage

Proper food handling and storage can prevent many cases of food-borne diarrhea. Always wash fruits and vegetables thoroughly, cook meats to the recommended internal temperature, and refrigerate leftovers promptly. These simple steps can go a long way in protecting your digestive health.

Understanding the causes, symptoms, and treatment options for diarrhea empowers you to take control of your digestive health. By recognizing warning signs, implementing effective home remedies, and knowing when to seek medical attention, you can manage diarrhea more effectively and minimize its impact on your daily life. Remember, while occasional diarrhea is common, persistent or severe symptoms should always be evaluated by a healthcare professional to rule out underlying health conditions.

Diarrhea – Northwell Health | Digestive Health Center of Huntington

If you’re suffering from diarrhea, you may be wondering what is causing it. Understanding what is causing your diarrhea is the key to finding relief. In many cases, the way that diarrhea is treated depends on the cause.

If you’ve been having diarrhea for 14 days or less, then the most likely culprits are an infection, something in your diet, stress, menstruation, running, or starting a new medication.

Infections and travel:

Infections with bacteria, viruses, or parasites are a common cause of diarrhea, especially during travel. Diarrhea caused by a viral infection is also called the “stomach flu,” although it’s not actually caused by a flu virus. Common diarrhea-causing viruses include Norwalk virus and rotavirus. Bacteria that often cause diarrhea include E. coli, salmonella, and campylobacter. You can become infected through contaminated food or drinks, by touching contaminated surfaces, or by close contact with an infected person. To protect yourself from infection, wash your hands before you eat or touch your face, and after you go to the washroom. When traveling, avoid ice cubes; drink only bottled water, pop, or beer; peel your own fruit; eat only food that is well-cooked and piping hot; and avoid shellfish and street vendor food.

Food and overindulgence:

As you’ve already seen, food can carry infections that can cause diarrhea. But did you know that you can also get diarrhea from the food itself? Artificial sweeteners (e.g., mannitol and sorbitol) found in diet or “sugar-free” foods can lead to diarrhea if you eat too much of them. These sweeteners pull extra water into your bowels, which makes your stools more watery, leading to diarrhea. Food allergies and intolerances, such as lactose or gluten intolerance, can also cause diarrhea. You may have a food allergy if you often have diarrhea after eating a certain type of food. As well, overindulgence in food, especially spicy foods, foods high in sugar, and foods containing artificial sweeteners (such as sorbitol), can cause diarrhea. Overindulgence in alcohol can also lead to diarrhea. Remember, it is better to have everything in moderation.

Stress:

Stress and nervousness can cause diarrhea. What’s the connection between stress and diarrhea? Stress can make the bowels move faster. This leaves less time for water to be reabsorbed into your body, leading to watery stools.

Menstruation: Sometimes, diarrhea can be linked to a woman’s menstrual cycle. Diarrhea may appear just before or during menstruation.

Running:

Runners may experience “runner’s diarrhea” – loose bowel movements that happen during or just after a run. We don’t know exactly what causes runner’s diarrhea, but it’s believed that the action of running may stimulate bowel activity or make food pass more quickly through the digestive system.

Medications:

Sometimes a new medication can cause diarrhea. Antibiotics can often cause diarrhea that starts a couple of days after you start the medication and stops when you finish taking it. Certain medications for diabetes, heart conditions, cancer, and HIV can also lead to diarrhea. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about which of the medications you are taking may be associated with diarrhea.

If you’ve been having diarrhea for 2 weeks or less, think about recent changes or new things in your life. This can help you pinpoint the cause.

Diarrhea lasting more than 2 weeks may be a sign of an underlying health problem. See your doctor to find out what may be causing your diarrhea. Possible suspects include irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), inflammatory bowel disease, poor blood flow to the bowels, problems absorbing nutrients, a long-standing infection, or a food allergy or intolerance. Long-standing diarrhea can also be caused by chemotherapy and radiation.

What can you do to find diarrhea relief?

The first step is to decide whether you need to see a doctor or not.

You should see a doctor if:

• you have a fever over 38.5°C or 101. 3°F
• you have severe stomach pain, bloody diarrhea, or black stools
• your stools are soft and yellow
• your stools are grey, white, or greasy
• you’re taking an antibiotic or another new medication
• you can’t keep fluids down because of vomiting
• you’re having more than 6 loose stools each day
• you are dehydrated (weak, thirsty, dizzy, dry mouth, decreased urination)
• your diarrhea has lasted more than 48 hours (or 24 hours for babies)

Children should be brought to a doctor if they have any of the symptoms above, or if they have been vomiting for more than 4 hours or are under 6 months of age.

Otherwise, you can treat your own diarrhea at home.

Here’s how to manage your diarrhea:

Try an over the counter treatment. There are a number of over the counter treatments available for diarrhea relief. They include loperamide (IMODIUM™), attapulgite (KAOPECTATE®), and bismuth subsalicylate (PEPTO-BISMOL®). For relief of diarrhea as well as the symptoms of gas, cramps and bloating, loperamide plus simethicone (IMODIUM™ ADVANCED) is available. Loperamide helps with the diarrhea, while simethicone helps with the gas.

How do these medications work? Normally, water is reabsorbed as food passes through your bowels. With diarrhea, the bowels are moving too quickly for enough water to be reabsorbed, so the liquid stays in the stools, making them loose and watery. Each diarrhea medication works on this process in a slightly different way. Loperamide works by bringing the movement of the bowels back to a more normal level. This is important because diarrhea often reduces your ability to reabsorb water and absorb nutrients. Attapulgite absorbs the extra liquids in the bowel, which helps make stools more solid. It can be used for up to 2 days. Bismuth works by decreasing inflammation, killing certain bacteria that can cause diarrhea, and blocking the body from releasing more fluid into the bowels.

Don’t get dehydrated.

Dehydration is one of the dangers of diarrhea. If severe enough, diarrhea can lead to fainting, an irregular heartbeat, and other complications. Rehydrating yourself when you have diarrhea is an essential part of treating your diarrhea to lower your risk of dehydration. Dehydration happens because your body loses water and important salts called electrolytes more quickly when you have diarrhea. You can stay hydrated by drinking plenty of clear fluids. Children and seniors are at a higher risk of getting dehydrated, so it’s very important that they stay well hydrated when they have diarrhea. Children and seniors may need a special rehydration drink (such as Gastrolyte® or Pedialyte®), available from your local pharmacy or grocery store. Talk to your pharmacist to find out how much of the rehydration drink (also called rehydration solution) they need to consume each day.

Call your doctor if things don’t improve. Usually, your diarrhea will improve in a day or two. But if things change and you notice any of the symptoms listed above (such as high fever, bloody stools, or severe stomach pain), if you can’t seem to drink enough fluid to stay hydrated, or if the treatments you have tried do not seem to be working, contact your doctor as soon as possible. Depending on your situation, your doctor may recommend other treatments, including prescription medications.

Facts about diarrhea and your digestive system

People with diarrhea caused by certain infections can lose up to 20 liters of fluids per day.
A bout of diarrhea typically lasts for 1 to 2 days. But some people can have diarrhea that lasts much longer, due to underlying health conditions.
The average human intestine is about 8 meters long.
Facts about diarrhea causes:

You may have heard about recent hospital outbreaks of a serious type of diarrhea called C. difficile colitis, which can cause fever, abdominal pain, and severe dehydration. But did you know that although it does not usually affect healthy people, healthy people can still spread the infection if they do not wash their hands properly?
If you suffer from frequent diarrhea, you may have a food allergy. Allergies to milk products (lactose intolerance) and wheat (gluten intolerance) can cause diarrhea.
Facts about diarrhea treatments:

You may have heard it’s better to let diarrhea run its course rather than treating it. But except in a few cases where you should see your doctor (see “How to find diarrhea relief” for more information), you can treat your diarrhea at home with nonprescription medications.

“Colon cleansing” is often touted as a cure for all kinds of illnesses, including diarrhea. But colon cleansing regimens often contain large amounts of laxatives that can lead to severe diarrhea and dehydration. They are generally not recommended unless you need to clean out your bowel before a surgery or medical test.

If you have questions about diarrhea or how to treat it, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.

How To Stop Dog Diarrhea Fast

Your dog is a walking garbage disposal! He’s designed to eat some pretty gross things … but every once in a while, the digestive system meets something it can’t handle.   Most of the time, diarrhea passes fairly quickly … but sometimes it can be difficult to treat or can be a sign that something serious might be going on. So if you’ve found yourself cleaning up your rugs, this quick guide will help you stop dog diarrhea fast … and tell you when it’s time to see the vet.

What Causes Dog Diarrhea?

The majority of cases of acute diarrhea are caused by dietary indiscretion, bacteria, viruses and parasites. Here are the most common causes of dog diarrhea:

• Getting into the garbage or over-eating
• Changes in diet
• Food intolerance or food allergies
• Leaky gut and poor gut health
• Parasites (such as giardiasis and coccidia)
• Bacterial infections
• Bowel diseases (like inflammatory bowel disease and colitis)
• Antibiotics and drugs
• Stress and anxiety
• Exercise

How Serious Is Diarrhea In Dogs?

Most cases of dog diarrhea are self-limiting and will resolve on their own in a day or two. Many dogs with diarrhea act and feel fine so there’s no need to worry in most cases. Stopping diarrhea is usually as simple as fasting your dog and returning to a bland diet.

But if the bout of diarrhea lasts for more than a couple of days, the most common risk is dehydration. If your dog doesn’t drink enough fluids to replace what her body loses through watery stools or vomiting, she will become dehydrated. To test if your dog is dehydrated, pinch the skin at the back of her neck then let go. It should bounce right back again. If the pinch of skin takes a second or more to return to normal, your dog might be dehydrated. Dehydration can be hard on your dog’s heart and kidneys, especially if there’s loss of appetite, so it’s a good idea to check with your holistic vet if your dog fails the pinch test.

Why Does My Dog Have Diarrhea?

Your dog’s poop can teach you a lot about what’s going on inside her. Here are the common colors of diarrhea and what they can mean: 

Yellow Stool

 The most common causes of yellow diarrhea are:

• Coccidia
• Bacteria overgrowth
• Liver disease
• Not enough bile

Green Stool

The most common causes of green diarrhea are:

• Gastrointestinal (GI) hypermotility
• Gall bladder disease 
• Eating grass or greens

Blue Stool

Treat blue diarrhea as an emergency.  It could mean your dog has eaten rat poison (which is usually blue) or a toy. Save the stool in a baggie … then take the baggie and your dog to the vet. 

Black Stool

Black or very dark brown stools often mean there’s old blood in the stool. Common causes of black stools include:

• Kidney disease
• Pancreatitis
• Parasites
• Bleeding in the upper digestive tract

Grey Stool

The most common causes of grey, greasy stools are:

• Pancreas issues such as exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI)
• Gall bladder issues
• Parasites 

Bloody Stool

A small streak of red is often seen with diarrhea. If blood is consistently in the stools, you might want to check with your vet … but if your dog is bright, active and acting normal, it’s probably not a cause for concern. Causes of bloody diarrhea include:

• Parvovirus (especially in puppies)
• Bacterial or viral infection
• Hemorrhagic gastroenteritis or colitis

What If There’s Mucus In The Poop?

Mucus can be a normal part of your dog’s stools. Mucus coats the digestive tract and allows waste to slip through the digestive tract more easily. But if there’s sudden mucus with diarrhea or there are excessive amounts, it could be caused by: 

• Bacterial infections
• Parasites
• Changes in diet
• Inflammatory bowel disease (usually accompanied by vomiting)
• Hemorrhagic gastroenteritis or colitis

Overall,  if your dog is acting normally, mucus and diarrhea aren’t typically a cause for concern. But if your dog isn’t looking like himself, it’s best to make an appointment with your holistic vet. If your dog is otherwise feeling fine, it’s safe to manage most cases of dog diarrhea with home remedies. Next, let’s look at what to do if your dog has diarrhea.

Home Remedies For Diarrhea In Dogs

Dog diarrhea treatment is often quite simple. Some cases of diarrhea may be more stubborn to manage, but understanding the causes of diarrhea is key to knowing how to stop dog diarrhea. Here are the simple steps you can take …

Fast Your Dog

If your dog develops sudden diarrhea, stop feeding him for 12 to 24 hours. This may seem cruel, but it’s an important step. Young puppies should not be fasted … it’s always important to see your vet if your puppy develops diarrhea.

Once the diarrhea has stopped or slowed, you can offer small sips of water. If you see signs of improvement after 6 hours of water only, you can give your dog some broth. 

Give Probiotics

Probiotics are beneficial microorganisms that can be used to naturally prevent and treat a wide range of health problems, including diarrhea. Probiotics provide your dog with valuable postbiotics like butyrate and lactic acid. These help regulate the immune system that lives in your dog’s gut. They help reduce inflammation, one of the core causes of diarrhea.  The best probiotics for dogs with diarrhea are:

• Saccharomyces boulardii: S boulardii is a beneficial yeast that has been shown to be effective in antibiotic-associated and viral diarrhea. 
• Bacillus subtilis: B subtilis help the colon absorb more water, which helps control diarrhea. Combined with Enterococcus faecium, it can also reduce the severity of symptoms in more chronic cases of diarrhea … including inflammatory bowel disease and colitis.
• Pediococcus acidilactici: Combined with B subtilis and other probiotics, P acidilactici was shown to significantly shorten the recovery time in dogs with gastroenteritis.
• Lactobacillus acidophilus: This tried and tested probiotic is another staple for treating diarrhea in dogs. 

Make sure your dog’s probiotics contain at least two of these strains. S boulardii and B subtilis should be at least 1 billion CFU (colony forming units). L acidophilus and Bifidobacterium probiotics should be at least 30 billion CFU.

For more chronic diarrhea, a probiotic with anti-inflammatory herbs and proteins will help repair your dog’s gut damage.

Start your dog on probiotics as soon as you see symptoms and continue the probiotics for several weeks after symptoms resolve. They can also be given long-term to help prevent future episodes of dog diarrhea. 

Diarrhea Soup Recipe

Transitioning back to a regular diet is an important part of dog diarrhea treatment at home. Once the diarrhea has resolved, introduce food slowly to help prevent further tummy upset. You may have heard that white rice and boiled chicken help with sensitive stomachs … but soup or broth is a gentler way to smooth your dog’s transition back to his regular diet. You can purchase soup or bone broth at your natural supermarket, but make sure it’s low in sodium and has limited ingredients (with no onion). Here is a simple recipe you can make at home:

1. Place three to four chicken thighs in six cups of water.
2. Add chopped celery and carrot if you like.
3. Bring to a boil and simmer for 1½ to 2 hours.
4. Remove the skin and bones and set the meat aside.
5. Strain the broth and let it cool before serving.

Give your dog small portions of the soup … a few teaspoons for very small dogs, and ½ to one cup for larger dogs. Wait 4 to 6 hours and watch for diarrhea or vomiting before offering more. Don’t feed the soup if there’s still diarrhea present … wait until the diarrhea resolves. Don’t worry, adult dogs can easily go days without eating, as long as they can keep water down.

More Home Remedies For Diarrhea

There are many safe and effective herbs you can give your dog to speed up the healing. Diarrhea is usually the result of an inflamed and irritated intestinal lining. These herbs and foods can help solve the cause of both acute and long-standing dog diarrhea.

Slippery Elm

Slippery elm is a gentle herb that soothes the mucous membranes. It’s safe and effective … and gentle on your dog’s sore digestive tract. Give slippery elm with food. Give ¼ tsp powder for every 10 lbs body weight. 

L-Glutamine

L-Glutamine is an amino acid that heals intestinal cells. You can give it alone or with other supplements.  Give 500mg per 25 lbs of body weight daily.

Marshmallow Root

This is another useful herb for soothing the gastrointestinal tract and decreasing inflammation.  Give 1/2 to 1.5 ml per 20 pounds body weight, twice daily.

Bonus Recipe: Slippery Elm Healing Mixture

Combine equal parts of:

• Slippery elm powder
• FOS (fructo-oligosaccharide) powder
• L-Glutamine powder

Small dogs … 1 tsp twice daily  Medium dogs … 2 tsp twice daily  Large dogs … 3 tsp twice daily

When Should I Be Concerned About My Dog’s Diarrhea?

If your dog is healthy and has a strong immune system, the diarrhea should resolve in 2 or 3 days. If your dog still has diarrhea and seems sick … work with your holistic vet to find out how to treat dog diarrhea. Your vet may want to:

• Change your dog’s diet
• Run a fecal exam to rule out parasites
• Check blood work to rule out concerns with organ functions
• Do X-rays or an abdominal ultrasound to rule out foreign objects, obstruction  and cancer
• Do an endoscopy to view the stomach and intestinal mucosa

Luckily, most cases of diarrhea are self-limiting. With this simple dog diarrhea home remedy, you’ll be able to help your dog get back to normal quickly.

References

Herstad HK et al. Effects of a probiotic intervention in acute canine gastroenteritis–a controlled clinical trial. 

Blaabjerg S et al. Probiotics for the Prevention of Antibiotic-Associated Diarrhea in Outpatients—A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. J Small Anim Pract. 2010 Jan;51(1):34-8.

Paap PM et al. Administration of Bacillus subtilis C-3102 (Calsporin®) may improve feces consistency in dogs with chronic diarrhea. Antibiotics (Basel). 2017 Dec;6(4): 21.

B Mounika et al. Effect of probiotic formulation containing Bacillus spp. on diarrhoea in dogs. The Pharma Journal 2019; 8(6): 81-85

activated carbon, prebiotics and probiotics

Medicine and health

09.09.21

Medical attention for food poisoning is needed if a person has severe stomach pain, a temperature of 38 ° C or more lasts for more than a day, and blood appears in the vomit or stool. In all other cases, food poisoning usually resolves in 2-3 days, most often without treatment. We tell you what you can and cannot do with food poisoning in order to feel more comfortable during the recovery period.

💧 Water

Needed. The body reacts to poisoning by trying to let all the free fluid into the intestinal lumen in order to mechanically flush out the pathogen or remove toxins. A person loses a large amount of fluid, which can lead to dehydration. Drinking plenty of water will help prevent it. You need to drink enough water so that the urine is light yellow or clear.

The ideal option is to drink not ordinary water, but with the addition of an oral rehydration agent, such as Regidron. You will get water plus some salt and sugar. In such a solution, water will move into the bloodstream and will not immediately pour into the intestines

💩 Medicine for diarrhea

You can. If you need to stop the diarrhea for a while, you can take an antidiarrheal such as Imodium.

Antidiarrheals should only be used in people with mild poisoning symptoms. If the temperature is elevated, and there is blood in the stool, antidiarrheal should not be taken. The drug is safe for children over 6 years old, but before giving medicine to a child, it is better to consult a pediatrician

💊 Prebiotics and probiotics

Not required. Probiotics are beneficial bacteria, and prebiotics are what they eat. The difficulty is that it is not yet very clear which bacteria are the most useful and whether there is a universal recipe for everyone. According to studies, probiotics do not affect the duration of symptoms of poisoning.

Probiotics can be taken as a food poisoning prophylaxis when traveling to other countries to avoid getting diarrhea from unfamiliar food: there is some evidence that they help here. It is not forbidden to take them for mild disorders like bloating, when you can do nothing, but a person wants to

🍽 Fasting

Not necessary. The fact that in case of poisoning it is necessary to observe fasting or switch to broth with crackers is a myth. Sometimes only caffeinated drinks, sugary drinks, high-fat foods, milk, and dairy products can make vomiting and diarrhea worse.

Other than that, there are no restrictions, fasting will not speed up recovery. If eating makes you sick, you need to drink water in small sips. But once the nausea subsides, the person can return to a normal diet, even if they have not yet had diarrhea

⚫️ Activated carbon

Not allowed. Activated charcoal cannot absorb and remove bacteria, only simple inorganic substances, and even then it must be drunk in huge doses. For example, in case of an overdose of drugs, activated charcoal is prescribed in a dose of 50 grams – this is about 200 tablets of domestic activated charcoal.

On the other hand, activated charcoal will make the diagnosis more difficult if a person has bleeding from a stomach ulcer. You can find the source of bleeding and stop the blood with the help of gastroscopy, but after taking activated charcoal, you will not be able to see anything in the stomach. Will have to rinse it before the procedure

🥤 Coca-Cola

Not allowed. There is an opinion that Coca-Cola helps to cope with poisoning, but this is not so. The only thing that can be achieved by drinking Coca-Cola with food poisoning is to aggravate the situation. As mentioned above, the caffeine in Coca-Cola can increase vomiting and diarrhea.

Doctors also do not recommend drinking Coca-Cola in case of poisoning because it attracts water to itself and does not allow it to be absorbed in the intestines – in other words, it has a high osmolarity. This again aggravates the diarrhea. In addition, there is too little sodium in Coca-Cola, which is needed for the normal functioning of the body, so it is a poor substitute for water and Regidron

🌻 How to be healthy⁠⁠⁠⁠

We tell in our free newsletter twice a month. These are letters about how not to overpay, communicate properly with doctors and avoid scammers

Go to the doctor. Our articles are written with love for evidence-based medicine. We refer to authoritative sources and go to doctors with a good reputation for comments. But remember: the responsibility for your health lies with you and your doctor. We don’t write prescriptions – we make recommendations. Relying on our point of view or not is up to you.

What else to read about the health of the stomach and intestines:

1. How to cure gastritis.
2. What to do with constipation.
3. How to treat colic in a child.

90,000 causes and treatments. BAK-SET forte will help stop diarrhea in adults. Multi-probiotic BAK-SET

Diarrhea after every meal in an adult is called functional diarrhea. The mechanism of this phenomenon is quite simple: due to increased intestinal peristalsis, food literally “flies” through the digestive system and comes out in the form of a liquid slurry or water. This is not only unpleasant, but also a dangerous condition. The body does not have time to get nutrients and fluid, exhaustion and dehydration develop.

Causes of diarrhea after meals in adults

Functional diarrhea often accompanies a person in stressful situations, when the release of adrenaline has a stimulating effect on peristalsis. However, if gastric upset is observed for a long time, then the following causes are most likely:

• pancreatitis;
• allergic reaction;
• certain diseases of the liver and gallbladder;
• TFR, or irritable bowel syndrome;
• intestinal infections;
• dysbacteriosis.

Before going to a gastroenterologist, try to analyze your condition.

• Do you experience sharp pains? What area of ​​the abdomen?
• Do all foods cause diarrhea?
• Have you recently taken antibiotics?
• How much food do you usually eat?
• Is there blood or mucus in the stool?
• Do you feel bitterness in your mouth or heartburn?

This will help to quickly establish a diagnosis and begin therapy.

Management of functional diarrhea

Treatment of postprandial diarrhea in adults depends on the diagnosis. In addition to drug therapy, it usually includes a diet. But often this condition returns after a course of treatment. The fact is that a number of diseases leave behind dysbacteriosis, i.e. imbalance of beneficial and pathogenic microorganisms in the intestines. Its mucous membrane swells and is no longer able to absorb electrolytes and fluid, synthesize vitamins and transport nutrients into the blood.

How to restore the intestinal microflora after diarrhea? Taking probiotics will help. These are live lactobacilli and bifidobacteria that are present in a healthy intestine. They will restore balance and establish a normal digestion process.

BAK-SET forte contains 14 types of probiotic bacteria in high concentration. They are distinguished by high acid resistance, which protects them from dissolution in gastric juice. After just a few doses, you will feel that debilitating diarrhea is gradually fading away.