5 simple home remedies for diarrhea

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Home remedies for diarrhea include drinking plenty of water, avoiding fatty foods, and trying probiotics. But, a person should seek medical advice for severe or persistent diarrhea, or if there are other symptoms.

Diarrhea is a digestive problem that causes loose, watery bowel movements. It can be uncomfortable for a few hours or days, after which the symptoms should improve. In some instances, they last longer.

While diarrhea often goes away on its own, several home remedies can ease symptoms and speed up recovery.

Share on PinterestDiarrhea causes a deficit of fluids, making it vital to rehydrate.

Hydrating the body is essential to recovering from diarrhea.

Diarrhea causes a deficit of fluids, including water. This causes the body to lose electrolytes such as sodium and chloride.

To support recovery, it is vital to restore fluids. Otherwise, a person may become dehydrated.

Dehydration can be dangerous in children and older adults, so it is crucial to encourage them to drink water if they are experiencing diarrhea.

Drinking water is the first step to rehydrating. A person can also to create an oral rehydration solution by mixing 1 liter of water with half a teaspoon of salt and 6 teaspoons of sugar.

Consuming sugar and salt with water helps the intestines to absorb fluids more efficiently. This solution more effectively rehydrates the body after a bout of diarrhea than water alone.

Other drinks can also be beneficial. For example, drinking sports drinks can help rehydrate the body and restore potassium and sodium. Fruit juices can also help restore potassium.

Avoid drinking anything that will further irritate the digestive tract, such as:

• caffeinated drinks
• alcohol
• carbonated beverages
• very hot drinks

A diet of small, frequent meals can be better than eating three larger meals a day when recovering from diarrhea. A good diet for someone with diarrhea may involve:

• foods rich in pectin, such as fruit
• foods high in potassium, such as potatoes and sweet potatoes
• foods with electrolytes, such as miso soup and sports drinks
• cooked, soft vegetables
• adequate amounts of protein

Some people find that having a liquid diet for the first 24 hours of diarrhea helps settle the digestive system. This may include salty broths, bland soups, and drinks.

Adopting this diet for the first 24 hours may prevent the bowels from working too hard.

Another option for people with diarrhea is the BRAT diet. This consists of:

• Bananas
• Rice
• Apple sauce
• Toast

This diet combines bland foods that are low in fiber and high in starch, which may help produce more solid bowel movements. It also contains helpful nutrients, such as potassium and pectin.

It is essential to note that the BRAT diet is highly restrictive and does not provide balanced nutrition. People should only follow this diet until they are feeling better and not any longer than 2 days.

Share on PinterestA person with diarrhea should avoid eating greasy foods.

It can help to avoid foods that could irritate or put pressure on the gastrointestinal tract, such as:

• high-fat foods
• greasy foods
• spicy foods
• foods containing artificial sweeteners
• foods with high levels of fructose

Some doctors recommend avoiding dairy products, as they may worsen diarrhea in some people. While general evidence for this claim is limited, people with lactose intolerance should avoid these products.

Probiotics are microorganisms that can benefit the digestive system. They can support the workings of the gut and help fight off infection.

Probiotics are live bacteria and yeasts in some yogurts and other fermented foods. People can also buy probiotic supplements in health stores or online.

In 2010, researchers conducted a large systematic review of 63 studies on probiotics, with over 8,000 participants.

They found that probiotics significantly shortened the duration of recovery from diarrhea. They also found probiotics to be safe, without any major side effects.

The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) do not regulate probiotic supplements, so be sure to purchase them from a reputable source and ask a doctor or pharmacist if in doubt.

Share on PinterestOver-the-counter drugs, such as Imodium, can help reduce symptoms and speed up recovery time.

Several over-the-counter medications are available for treating diarrhea.

Antimotility drugs can help reduce symptoms and speed up recovery time. A common example of this type of drug is loperamide (Imodium).

However, these medications are not always appropriate. People with bloody bowel movements or a fever should refrain from taking antimotility drugs and speak to a doctor instead.

In most cases, it is possible to treat diarrhea at home without consulting a doctor. However, if diarrhea lasts for more than 2 days, seek medical advice to avoid complications.

Other reasons to see a doctor for diarrhea include:

• blood or pus in bowel movements
• a fever
• signs of dehydration, such as extreme thirst and dry mouth
• chronic diarrhea
• diarrhea during sleep
• significant weight loss
• severe abdominal pain

People at risk of complications, such as young children and older adults, should also see a doctor for treatment if diarrhea does not improve with time and home 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.

Nutrition for indigestion and diarrhea

Author, editor and medical expert – Zavgorodnyaya Ekaterina Alexandrovna.

Editor and medical expert – Harutyunyan Mariam Harutyunovna.

Number of views: 242 942

Date last updated: Contents:

Take care of your digestive system
Good eating habits
Foods and drinks that cause diarrhea
How to avoid food triggers
Keep a food diary
Eliminate foods that are not suitable for you
Do you have a food intolerance?
Is fiber a problem for you?

To normalize digestion, you need to watch not only what you eat, but also how you do it.

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Take care of your digestive system

Just because you have a sensitive gut doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy life. Just follow some rules in order to help your digestive system.

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Good Eating Habits

• Eat more slowly. Your stomach needs 20 minutes to signal to your brain that it is full. Therefore, if you eat slowly, you can eat less food and, accordingly, reduce the load on the digestive system.

• Chew your food. When you chew food thoroughly, you not only slow down the intake of food, but also help the digestive system, providing it with small pieces to digest.

• Do not swallow food quickly. When you swallow food quickly, you also swallow air, which can lead to bloating and poor digestion.

• Eat smaller and lighter meals. Large volumes of heavy food take longer to digest, making it harder for the digestive system to work.

• Do not eat late at night. Your digestive system is less efficient at the end of the day, so try to eat at least 3 hours before bed.

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Foods and Drinks that Cause Diarrhea

Everyone is unique, so our body reacts differently and at different times. Foods that can cause diarrhea in one person may not cause it in another. You may also find that a product that did not cause a reaction yesterday is causing a problem today.

Check out some foods that can cause diarrhea.

• Alcohol. Your favorite wine or other alcoholic drink can be a stomach irritant. But drinks affect everyone differently, so try not to drink those that do not suit you.

• Spicy food. Recent studies show that fatty and spicy foods, such as Indian and Chinese dishes, may exacerbate abdominal pain in patients with irritable bowel syndrome.

• Fried and fatty foods. Such food may increase the contraction of the intestinal muscles during digestion and cause diarrhea.

• Fibrous food. Many products are rich in insoluble fiber. For example, bran and wheat are difficult to digest and can lead to diarrhea. Look on the back of a cereal package to see what types of fiber it contains and may not be right for you.

• Too many fruits and vegetables in the diet. Eating large amounts of plums, kiwi, beans, broccoli and cabbage can cause diarrhea in some people.

• Dairy products. Milk, cheese, sour cream and other dairy products are known to cause diarrhea. Look for non-dairy alternatives such as almond or soy milk.

• Coffee and tea. Caffeine causes digestive problems in many people who often suffer from diarrhea. Try to limit your caffeine intake and drink herbal and green teas instead.

• Sweeteners. Artificial sweeteners (eg sorbitol and fructose) found in diet drinks and sweets may cause diarrhea. This is partly because they are poorly absorbed in the small intestine. Pay attention to the information on the packaging and try to choose natural analogues.

Remember that symptoms may not be caused by the food you just ate, but by the food you ate the day before. Also, not the food itself, but the speed, time and amount of food eaten may be to blame for their appearance.

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How to Avoid Food Provocateurs

If your diarrhea is caused by certain foods, you can identify them by keeping a diary of the foods you eat each day and when your diarrhea episodes occur.

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Keep a Food Diary

• Get a notebook and make entries daily.

• Record absolutely everything you eat, including seasonings, spices (if possible), and drinks.

• Specify the degree of stress during the day. You will be surprised how powerful the impact of stress on the digestive system can be.

• Study the composition of food. Pasta, pizza, and sandwiches are different foods, but they can all contain wheat.

• Start with a general approach and then look at the ingredients. This way, by learning first about the products that are not suitable for you, you will be able to determine which individual ingredients you should avoid.

• Keep a diary for a long time. At first, you may not notice the connection, but over time everything will become clear, and you can discuss the problem with your doctor.

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Eliminate Unhealthy Foods

You may have found that eating pasta with tomato sauce causes diarrhea, but you don’t know which ingredient is causing the problem. To identify it, try eating pasta without tomato sauce, and vice versa. This applies to all types of food.

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Do you have a food intolerance?

The most common causes of food intolerance are:

• gluten, a protein found in many types of grains, including wheat, barley, and oatmeal;

• lactose is a sugar found in milk and other dairy products.

If you think you have a food allergy or intolerance, talk to your doctor.

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Is fiber a problem for you?

A high-fiber diet may cause or worsen diarrhea in some people. But keep in mind that there are two types of fibers.

Soluble dietary fiber. It is found in most citrus fruits and vegetables such as potatoes and legumes. This fiber can be helpful for diarrhea as it absorbs water and makes the stool firmer.

Insoluble fibre. It can be found in bran, whole grains, rice, and the skins of some fruits and vegetables. It can help with constipation, but worsen the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome and recurrent diarrhea. This does not mean that you should avoid insoluble fiber when you have diarrhea. Just be mindful of what you eat and what effect these foods have on you.

The information in this article is for reference only and does not replace professional medical advice. For diagnosis and treatment, contact a qualified specialist.

causes, treatment of disorders in children and adults

Diarrhea is an acute condition in which the stool becomes frequent, loose. Against the background of the disorder, the intestinal walls lose their ability to absorb nutrients, water. In most cases, diarrhea resolves on its own without complicated medical treatment. It is enough to eat right, take a rehydration solution.

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There are many causes of diarrhea: most often the body reacts in this way to an infection. Toxins, irritants are simply flushed out of the body. This is why some doctors call diarrhea a natural defense mechanism. But if diarrhea persists for several days, severe dehydration may develop and medical attention may be required.

Treatment options for diarrhea

The method of therapy directly depends on the causes of the disorder and the severity of the symptoms. Some over-the-counter medications will help stop the discharge, while others will help manage the symptoms that come along with diarrhea.

“Acute” diarrhea usually develops suddenly. If there are no complications, and the main cause is an intestinal infection, then after 2-3 defecation sessions, normal stools will be restored. Usually it takes 1-2 days.

Much more dangerous is chronic diarrhea, which can last two weeks or longer. The causes of the disorder may be related to food intolerances, allergies, tumors in the gastrointestinal tract, or long-term medication. In this case, a gastroenterologist should treat diarrhea.

If diarrhea has developed in a child for the first time, then before proceeding with treatment, it is better to consult a pediatrician. In the future, it will be possible to use already prescribed medications. Adults do not necessarily need to see a doctor with acute diarrhea. To get started, you can try the following general recommendations.

1. Drink plenty of fluids.

Even if there is no thirst, after the first attack of diarrhea, you should drink a glass of water. Any other clear liquid will do (green tea, apple juice, chicken broth). Milk can be useful, but only in cases where food poisoning has ended in diarrhea. Milk removes toxins from the body, but with lactose intolerance, the condition will only worsen.

2. Take an electrolyte solution.

With diarrhea, the body of both adults and children quickly loses natural trace elements. To restore balance, it is recommended to drink a pharmaceutical solution of electrolytes. But sports isotonics should not be drunk: due to the high sugar content in the composition, diarrhea can become more intense.

3. Drink probiotics.

The bacterial cultures found in Greek yogurt, kefir, and sauerkraut may help relieve symptoms and shorten the duration of diarrhea attacks. Pharmaceutical probiotic supplements have a similar effect. A course of probiotics is recommended for people who have diarrhea caused by antibiotics, acute gastroenteritis (“stomach flu”). But taking probiotic cultures from food is not a complete treatment. Moreover, the use of yogurt with fruit additives and kefir with sugar, on the contrary, can provoke diarrhea. As a minimum, it is recommended to choose those brands that contain “live” or “active” cultures in the composition.

4. Temporarily switch to a “soft” diet.

While diarrhea has not been stopped, it is necessary to exclude the entry of new irritants into the body. For this, a “soft” diet was invented from products that rarely provoke allergies. You can remember the allowed products by the abbreviation BRAT. People with diarrhea can eat ripe bananas, well-cooked rice, apples (mashed), and toasted whole grain toast. This diet is especially good for gastric flu, gastritis. Pectins in combination with fiber allow you to “form” watery stools into soft ones.

The inclusion of the above products in the diet can be extremely beneficial not only for adults, but also for children. If within 48 hours after the first attack, you managed to cope with diarrhea, you need to switch to a standard diet consisting of fruits, vegetables, meat, fish and complex carbohydrates. Otherwise, you should consult your doctor.

Which drugs are recommended for diarrhea

It is better to keep several packages of antidiarrheal drugs in the home first aid kit. Specific names will be suggested by a pharmacist or family doctor. Preparations based on bismuth subsalicylate, loperamide will help to quickly stop diarrhea. The first active ingredient relieves inflammation, normalizes the amount of fluid in the intestines. When taken regularly, bismuth subsalicylate quickly stops the reproduction of viruses and bacteria that are a potential cause of diarrhea.

Loperamide acts more delicately, slows down the movement of food through the gastrointestinal tract, and activates the production of gastric mucus. Thanks to this, the chair has time to form at least into a soft mass.

But alcohol, alcohol tinctures for diarrhea are strictly prohibited. Alcohols activate intestinal motility, reduce the transit time of masses through the colon. Even a small amount of alcohol that has entered the bloodstream will worsen the situation. Regular consumption of alcoholic beverages can cause chronic diarrhea.

When to seek medical help?

Maintaining water and electrolyte balance, proper nutrition will help to cope with mild bouts of diarrhea. But if the following symptoms appear, you should seek medical help:

• vomit;

• watery diarrhoea, lasting more than three days;
• bloody, black or oily stools;
• abdominal pain that does not go away with a bowel movement;
• dizziness;
• headache;
• decreased urine output;
• high temperature over 38. 5 degrees.

You should also see a doctor if diarrhea has occurred after a recent foreign trip, coincided with the start of a new medication, and also if other family members, colleagues also developed similar symptoms.

Long-term side effects of untreated diarrhea

Some chronic conditions and certain types of treatments cause loose stools on a permanent basis. Doctors usually prescribe a special diet and medications to help you live with the problem. Ignoring treatment leads to the fact that the urge to defecate occurs suddenly and is very difficult to contain. Building a life in such a way that there is always a toilet room within the radius is very difficult. In the long run, such a life leads to unexpected negative psychological consequences. Chronic diarrhea can negatively affect self-confidence.

From a physical point of view, the lack of treatment is no less dangerous. A person will have to constantly fight dehydration, monitor the level of electrolytes.