How can I stop diarrhea fast at home? What are the most effective diarrhea remedies? Learn 5 proven ways to relieve diarrhea quickly and naturally.

Understanding Diarrhea: Causes and Symptoms

Diarrhea is a common digestive issue that most people experience at some point in their lives. It is characterized by frequent, watery stools, accompanied by abdominal cramping and bloating. Diarrhea can have various underlying causes, such as viral infections, bacterial infections, food poisoning, or recent antibiotic use. Acute diarrhea, which lasts less than 2 weeks, is often the body’s way of dealing with disruptions in the gastrointestinal system.

Importance of Hydration During Diarrhea

Maintaining proper hydration is crucial when dealing with diarrhea, as the condition can lead to dehydration, which can be particularly dangerous for young children and older adults. Breastfeeding or formula-feeding infants should continue during diarrhea episodes. For children, over-the-counter oral pediatric hydration solutions, such as Pedialyte, are the recommended fluids of choice. Adults can opt for sports drinks or over-the-counter rehydration solutions, which have been shown to be equally effective for mild diarrhea symptoms. It’s important to avoid alcohol, milk, soda, and other carbonated or caffeinated drinks, as they may worsen the symptoms.

The Role of Probiotics in Relieving Diarrhea

Probiotics are “good” bacteria that work in the intestinal tract to create a healthy gut environment. These live microorganisms can be found in various fermented foods, such as aged soft cheeses, kefir, kimchi, and yogurt. Probiotics can help with diarrhea by restoring the balance of bacteria in the gut, which can be disrupted by antibiotics, unhealthy bacteria, or viruses. Saccharomyces boulardii, a yeast probiotic, in particular, may be effective in improving antibiotic-associated diarrhea and providing relief for traveler’s diarrhea. It’s important to consult with a healthcare provider before taking probiotic supplements to treat diarrhea.

Over-the-Counter Medications for Diarrhea

For adults with acute diarrhea, certain over-the-counter medications can provide relief, but they should be used with caution. Common options include bismuth subsalicylate (Pepto-Bismol and Kaopectate) and loperamide (Imodium). While these drugs can help alleviate the symptoms of diarrhea, they do not address the underlying cause. It’s crucial to seek medical advice, especially for children, as dehydration can be a serious complication of diarrhea in young children. Over-the-counter medications are generally not recommended for the treatment of diarrhea in children.

Natural Remedies for Diarrhea Relief

In addition to probiotics and hydration, there are several natural remedies that may help provide relief for diarrhea. These include:

• Ginger: Known for its anti-inflammatory properties, ginger can help soothe the digestive system and reduce abdominal discomfort.
• Chamomile tea: The anti-spasmodic and anti-inflammatory properties of chamomile may help ease diarrhea symptoms.
• Bananas: High in potassium, bananas can help replace electrolytes lost through diarrhea and provide a bland, easy-to-digest food option.
• Rice water: Sipping on the starchy water from boiled rice can help bind loose stools and provide a source of carbohydrates.

When to Seek Medical Attention

While many cases of acute diarrhea can be managed at home, there are certain situations where medical attention is necessary. If you have bloody diarrhea, a fever, diarrhea lasting more than seven days, or severe dehydration, it’s important to consult a healthcare provider. Infants under 3 months old with diarrhea should be taken to the doctor immediately, as dehydration can be life-threatening in young children.

Preventing Diarrhea

To help prevent diarrhea, it’s important to practice good hygiene, such as handwashing, and be cautious when traveling to areas with potentially contaminated water. Proper food handling and storage can also reduce the risk of food-borne illnesses that can lead to diarrhea. Maintaining a healthy gut through a balanced diet and probiotic intake can also help strengthen the immune system and prevent disruptions in the gastrointestinal system.

5 Effective Diarrhea Remedies

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• Evaluate ingredients and composition: Do they have the potential to cause harm?
• Fact-check all health claims: Do they align with the current body of scientific evidence?
• Assess the brand: Does it operate with integrity and adhere to industry best practices?

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Was this helpful?

A bout of diarrhea is never fun. Plenty of options, from anti-diarrheal medication to dietary changes that soothe your digestive system, can help you find relief.

Overview

We’ve all experienced bouts of diarrhea at some point in our lives. Common symptoms of diarrhea include frequent, watery stools, abdominal cramping, and bloating.

Diarrhea is often your body’s way of dealing with disruptions in your gastrointestinal system. Acute diarrhea lasts less than 2 weeks and can come from many sources, such as:

• a viral infection
• a bacterial infection
• food poisoning
• recent antibiotic use
• water contaminated with an infectious agent

Infectious diarrhea is common in young children and is often caused by a virus. Traveler’s diarrhea can occur if you travel to underdeveloped areas with contaminated water. Bacteria from improperly stored or cooked food are typical causes of food poisoning.

Read on for some of the most effective ways to manage acute diarrhea.

Hydration is very important when you have diarrhea. Dehydration from diarrhea can be fatal in young children and older adults. Continue breastfeeding or formula feeding infants who are experiencing diarrhea. Over-the-counter oral pediatric hydration solutions, like Pedialyte, are the recommended fluids of choice for children with diarrhea. Small amounts of hydration solutions should be given frequently. These formulas also come in popsicle preparations.

Studies have shown that for adults with mild symptoms of diarrhea, sports drinks and over-the-counter rehydration solutions are equally effective.

Alcohol, milk, soda, and other carbonated or caffeinated drinks should not be used for hydration, as they may make your symptoms worse.

Probiotics are sources of “good” bacteria that work in your intestinal tract to create a healthy gut environment. They’re essentially live microorganisms that exist in certain foods, including:

• aged soft cheeses
• beet kvass
• cottage cheese
• dark chocolate
• green olives
• kefir
• kimchi
• kombucha
• sauerkraut
• miso
• natto
• pickles
• sourdough bread
• tempeh
• yogurt

Probiotics also come in powder or pill form.

The good bacteria that live in your intestinal tract are necessary for the normal functioning of your gastrointestinal system. They play an important role in protecting your intestines against infection. When your system is changed by antibiotics or overwhelmed by unhealthy bacteria or viruses, you can get diarrhea. Probiotics can help with diarrhea by restoring the balance of bacteria in your gut.

Saccharomyces boulardii is a yeast probiotic. While it’s not a bacterium, it acts like one. S. boulardii may improve antibiotic-associated diarrhea. It also seems to provide relief for traveler’s diarrhea. Studies suggest it may help your intestines fight off unwanted pathogens and ensure they’re absorbing nutrients properly. Because it is yeast, it should be used with caution in people with inadequate immune systems.

It’s important to receive proper medical care in cases of acute diarrhea. Talk with your health care provider before taking probiotic supplements to treat your diarrhea.

With your doctor’s supervision, several over-the-counter medications can help with acute diarrhea if your symptoms are not severe. Common over-the-counter medications include:

• bismuth subsalicylate (Pepto-Bismol and Kaopectate)
• loperamide (Imodium)

While these drugs can relieve the symptoms of diarrhea, they don’t treat the underlying cause.

If you have chronic diarrhea, you shouldn’t use these drugs without your doctor’s consent. Chronic diarrhea is diarrhea that lasts more than 14 days. It often has different causes.

You should be especially cautious if your child has diarrhea. Dehydration resulting from diarrhea can be dangerous and can occur quickly in young children. Severe dehydration can be life-threatening. Over-the-counter medications are not recommended for treatment in children, so it’s important to talk to your doctor. Infants under 3 months old who have diarrhea should be taken to the doctor right away.

If you have bloody diarrhea, a fever, more than seven days of symptoms, intense abdominal pain, or diarrhea that is getting worse, you should seek medical attention.

While it might sound counterintuitive to eat if you have diarrhea, eating certain foods can help alleviate your diarrhea symptoms and ensure your health doesn’t worsen from not eating. Stick to low-fiber “BRAT” foods that will help firm up your stool. These include:

• bananas
• rice (white)
• applesauce
• toast

Other foods that are usually well-tolerated when experiencing diarrhea include:

• oatmeal
• boiled or baked potatoes (with skins peeled)
• baked chicken with skin removed
• chicken soup (which also aids in rehydration)

Fried and greasy foods are usually not well-tolerated in people who have diarrhea. You should also consider limiting high-fiber foods like bran as well as fruits and vegetables that can increase bloating. Foods to avoid include:

• alcohol
• artificial sweeteners (found in chewing gum, diet soft drinks and sugar substitutes)
• beans
• berries
• broccoli
• cabbage
• cauliflower
• chickpeas
• coffee
• corn
• ice cream
• green leafy vegetables
• milk
• peas
• peppers
• prunes
• tea

5 Effective Diarrhea Remedies

We include products we think are useful for our readers. If you buy through links on this page, we may earn a small commission Here’s our process.

Healthline only shows you brands and products that we stand behind.

Our team thoroughly researches and evaluates the recommendations we make on our site. To establish that the product manufacturers addressed safety and efficacy standards, we:

• Evaluate ingredients and composition: Do they have the potential to cause harm?
• Fact-check all health claims: Do they align with the current body of scientific evidence?
• Assess the brand: Does it operate with integrity and adhere to industry best practices?

We do the research so you can find trusted products for your health and wellness.

Read more about our vetting process.

Was this helpful?

A bout of diarrhea is never fun. Plenty of options, from anti-diarrheal medication to dietary changes that soothe your digestive system, can help you find relief.

Overview

We’ve all experienced bouts of diarrhea at some point in our lives. Common symptoms of diarrhea include frequent, watery stools, abdominal cramping, and bloating.

Diarrhea is often your body’s way of dealing with disruptions in your gastrointestinal system. Acute diarrhea lasts less than 2 weeks and can come from many sources, such as:

• a viral infection
• a bacterial infection
• food poisoning
• recent antibiotic use
• water contaminated with an infectious agent

Infectious diarrhea is common in young children and is often caused by a virus. Traveler’s diarrhea can occur if you travel to underdeveloped areas with contaminated water. Bacteria from improperly stored or cooked food are typical causes of food poisoning.

Read on for some of the most effective ways to manage acute diarrhea.

Hydration is very important when you have diarrhea. Dehydration from diarrhea can be fatal in young children and older adults. Continue breastfeeding or formula feeding infants who are experiencing diarrhea. Over-the-counter oral pediatric hydration solutions, like Pedialyte, are the recommended fluids of choice for children with diarrhea. Small amounts of hydration solutions should be given frequently. These formulas also come in popsicle preparations.

Studies have shown that for adults with mild symptoms of diarrhea, sports drinks and over-the-counter rehydration solutions are equally effective.

Alcohol, milk, soda, and other carbonated or caffeinated drinks should not be used for hydration, as they may make your symptoms worse.

Probiotics are sources of “good” bacteria that work in your intestinal tract to create a healthy gut environment. They’re essentially live microorganisms that exist in certain foods, including:

• aged soft cheeses
• beet kvass
• cottage cheese
• dark chocolate
• green olives
• kefir
• kimchi
• kombucha
• sauerkraut
• miso
• natto
• pickles
• sourdough bread
• tempeh
• yogurt

Probiotics also come in powder or pill form.

The good bacteria that live in your intestinal tract are necessary for the normal functioning of your gastrointestinal system. They play an important role in protecting your intestines against infection. When your system is changed by antibiotics or overwhelmed by unhealthy bacteria or viruses, you can get diarrhea. Probiotics can help with diarrhea by restoring the balance of bacteria in your gut.

Saccharomyces boulardii is a yeast probiotic. While it’s not a bacterium, it acts like one. S. boulardii may improve antibiotic-associated diarrhea. It also seems to provide relief for traveler’s diarrhea. Studies suggest it may help your intestines fight off unwanted pathogens and ensure they’re absorbing nutrients properly. Because it is yeast, it should be used with caution in people with inadequate immune systems.

It’s important to receive proper medical care in cases of acute diarrhea. Talk with your health care provider before taking probiotic supplements to treat your diarrhea.

With your doctor’s supervision, several over-the-counter medications can help with acute diarrhea if your symptoms are not severe. Common over-the-counter medications include:

• bismuth subsalicylate (Pepto-Bismol and Kaopectate)
• loperamide (Imodium)

While these drugs can relieve the symptoms of diarrhea, they don’t treat the underlying cause.

If you have chronic diarrhea, you shouldn’t use these drugs without your doctor’s consent. Chronic diarrhea is diarrhea that lasts more than 14 days. It often has different causes.

You should be especially cautious if your child has diarrhea. Dehydration resulting from diarrhea can be dangerous and can occur quickly in young children. Severe dehydration can be life-threatening. Over-the-counter medications are not recommended for treatment in children, so it’s important to talk to your doctor. Infants under 3 months old who have diarrhea should be taken to the doctor right away.

If you have bloody diarrhea, a fever, more than seven days of symptoms, intense abdominal pain, or diarrhea that is getting worse, you should seek medical attention.

While it might sound counterintuitive to eat if you have diarrhea, eating certain foods can help alleviate your diarrhea symptoms and ensure your health doesn’t worsen from not eating. Stick to low-fiber “BRAT” foods that will help firm up your stool. These include:

• bananas
• rice (white)
• applesauce
• toast

Other foods that are usually well-tolerated when experiencing diarrhea include:

• oatmeal
• boiled or baked potatoes (with skins peeled)
• baked chicken with skin removed
• chicken soup (which also aids in rehydration)

Fried and greasy foods are usually not well-tolerated in people who have diarrhea. You should also consider limiting high-fiber foods like bran as well as fruits and vegetables that can increase bloating. Foods to avoid include:

• alcohol
• artificial sweeteners (found in chewing gum, diet soft drinks and sugar substitutes)
• beans
• berries
• broccoli
• cabbage
• cauliflower
• chickpeas
• coffee
• corn
• ice cream
• green leafy vegetables
• milk
• peas
• peppers
• prunes
• tea

Diarrhea – home treatment

09/13/2021

Diarrhea , in other words, diarrhea is a very serious phenomenon. In vain, many believe that this is a common reaction of the intestines , forcing to be chained to the house for an indefinite period. First of all, it is dehydration of the body, leaching of all useful substances from it. And the main goal is to prevent this by all means.

Diarrhea – home treatment

In the first days of diarrhea you can try to cope with the ailment on your own. The main thing is to prevent dehydration of the body, namely, buy Regidron saline solution at the pharmacy, dilute it with water and take 100 ml every half an hour. The solution can be prepared at home. To do this, you need to mix half a liter of boiled water, sugar – 2 tbsp, salt – tsp, soda – tsp, mix thoroughly and you’re done, take it like a pharmacy Regidron.

Also an excellent solution in the fight against diarrhea is a remedy with boiled salty and sweet water, dilute them in different containers and take one at a time sip from each with an interval of 15 minutes.

You can brew tea with chamomile, it has an anti-inflammatory effect. And tea containing the tannin component has astringent properties. It will not be superfluous to use juices, but not necessarily those that can have a laxative effect or cause fermentation intestines – for example, grape juice. It will be better pomegranate, pear , mixed in half with water, compotes with the addition of rice water and raisins.

Apples, their juices, compotes give a fixing effect . You need to drink only the liquid itself, boiled fruits, it is better to throw away the pulp of apples, they are poorly tolerated by the body during this period of weakening of the body. And ordinary foods – rice and carrots – create an excellent fixing effect.

Tactics for home treatment of diarrhea are as follows:

• destroy all toxins
• restore the water-salt balance in the body
• remove inflammation
• restore intestinal microflora .

And for the microflora, first of all, useful lactobacilli contained in yoghurts are needed, better home-made, without additives.

Along with traditional medicine, diarrhea can be cured in ways that have stood the test of time and the people themselves.

Rice water
1. 1 glass of rice is poured into 6 glasses of water.
2. Rice is boiled until completely boiled and filtered through a sieve, and the remaining liquid is consumed in 150-200 ml every 2 hours.

Sage infusion
1. Add about 50 grams of dry leaves, pour boiling water over it and let it brew for 1 hour, it is better to do it in a thermos.
2. Then strain and drink the resulting liquid in half a glass every 2 hours.

Medicines for diarrhea

But not always traditional medicine can fully cope with traditional medicine. With diarrhea , and even more protracted, more than 4 days, one cannot do without drugs. In addition, if diarrhea does not stop within 4-5 days, and pain stomach constantly worried, you should immediately seek medical help. In addition, if diarrhea is accompanied by a high temperature, feces are excreted from the body with traces of blood . In any pharmacy now you can find drugs from diarrhea . For example:

Attapulgite, containing magnesium and aluminum substances, which literally absorb harmful substances that cause intestinal disorders , normalizes and restores microflora, relieves inflammation, eliminates spasms. To restore the microflora, Linex, Bifiform, Fertal, Normobat are used. Because it is important not only to eliminate the manifestations of diarrhea, but it is much more difficult to restore normal functioning intestine . It is better if the whole scheme is appointed by a competent specialist.

Published in Gastroenterology Premium Clinic

Diarrhea, home treatment for adults

Contents

• Need for treatment of diarrhea
• First aid for diarrhea
• Medical treatment 90 046
• Nutrition for diarrhea
• Treatment with folk remedies

Diarrhea it is customary to call loose stools for a certain time period. The duration depends on the form of diarrhea. Acute diarrhea lasts 3 days. If the stool does not return to normal within three weeks, then the condition has become chronic. Treating diarrhea at home in adults can be difficult. As a rule, diarrhea is not an independent disease, but a symptom of some internal pathology. To stop diarrhea at home, it is important to know what triggered this condition.

Need to treat diarrhea

Diarrhea can be treated at home once the causes are known. For this, it is recommended to undergo an examination. The attending physician will listen to complaints, examine and prescribe additional tests. Factors that provoke the appearance of diarrhea in adults can be different. The main ones are:

• indigestion;
• food poisoning;
• taking medicines;
• stress;
• climate change.

Certain foods can cause diarrhea. Indigestion develops. The stomach and intestines cannot fully function. Bacterial or viral infections can also cause diarrhea. Loose stools are a symptom of poisoning the body with the waste products of bacteria. Internal pathologies of the digestive system can cause diarrhea. These include Crohn’s disease, ulcers, gastritis, and hepatitis.

With diarrhea, there is a thinning of the feces, which is fraught with severe dehydration of the body. In this case, minerals are washed out. The person is rapidly weakening. For this reason, it is important to get rid of diarrhea, and after that, start looking for the causes that could cause diarrhea.

Diarrhea First Aid

Everyone needs to know what to do with diarrhea. First of all, it is necessary to compensate for the fluid lost by the body. The patient is shown to drink plenty of fluids. You can replace water with diarrhea with other drinks. Doctors usually recommend drinking chamomile tea or saline. It can be replaced with salted boiled water. This will eliminate the deficiency of minerals in the body.

Diarrhea may have been caused by food poisoning. For this reason, the patient should be limited in food. This will eliminate the effect of a provoking factor, and also reduce the load on the digestive tract.

Adults with signs of diarrhea should reduce physical activity. The body loses not only fluid, but also vitamins, minerals, and nutrients. To save strength, you need to ensure complete rest. When diarrhea occurs, home treatment in adults should be accompanied by a gentle regimen.

Medication

The most effective way to quickly stop diarrhea is to take medication. Any drug must be preliminarily agreed with the doctor. A gastroenterologist will tell you how to stop diarrhea. There are several types of drugs on the market that help fight intestinal upset.

Diarrhea can be cured with enterosorbents. These drugs are effective if the cause of loose stools is intoxication of the body. The principle of their work is based on the binding and removal of toxins and poisons.

1. Activated carbon. This is the most famous drug that is taken from diarrhea at home. Activated charcoal is a black tablet. Its surface absorbs poisons, which helps to stop diarrhea. The tool is considered non-toxic and safe.
2. Smecta. This effective remedy for diarrhea comes in the form of a powder that must be dissolved in water. Smekta binds the waste products of microorganisms. It helps with intestinal infections. The smectite contained in the preparation envelops the walls of the intestine. This stops the leaching of minerals from the body.
3. Enterosgel. This product based on methylsilicic acid is available in the form of a gel for internal use. It can quickly stop diarrhea due to its high adsorption capacity. The drug protects the mucous membranes of the stomach and intestines from the aggressive effects of toxins, and also helps to strengthen the immune system.
4. Polysorb. This is a silica powder that is used to make a solution. The tool quickly cleanses the body of poisons and accelerates the healing of damaged tissues of the digestive tract.

Despite the apparent safety of these drugs, they should not be used for a long time. This can provoke disturbances in the absorption of minerals in the intestine.

Antidiarrheal drugs can help stop diarrhea in an adult. One of the most effective is Loperamide. This product is available in the form of capsules and tablets. Loperamide will help with diarrhea that is a symptom of Crohn’s disease or allergies. Imodium or Lopedium have a similar effect.

Diarrhea caused by bacteria or fungi should not be self-treated. In this case, you will need to take antibiotics and antimycotics. Only a doctor can prescribe such medications.

Regardless of the cause that may be causing diarrhea, probiotics are required. These funds help to stop diarrhea by restoring normal microflora. Linex or Hilak-Forte drugs stimulate the growth of beneficial bacteria, which positively affects the body’s immunity.

Nutrition for diarrhea

Treatment of diarrhea is impossible without . In the presence of acute symptoms, doctors recommend to refrain from eating. The use of wheat crackers is allowed. If you have an appetite, you can drink tea or jelly.

A diet to help get rid of diarrhea involves eating certain foods. Allowed in case of diarrhea:

• cereals in water;
• steamed vegetables;
• rice water;
• lean meat;
• fish.

Avoid dairy products, sweets, fried and smoked foods. Vegetables that have not undergone heat treatment are also undesirable. Such food overloads the gastrointestinal tract.

Eating right will stop diarrhea. Compliance with these recommendations depends on how quickly the stool normalizes.

Treatment with folk remedies

If diarrhea occurs, it can be treated at home in adults with the help of folk remedies. There are many alternative medicine recipes. Many of them deal with diarrhea quickly and effectively.

1. Oak bark is considered an excellent remedy for diarrhea at home. It has astringent properties. Dried bark can be purchased at a pharmacy. 3 tablespoons are poured with water, the mixture is heated in a water bath. The resulting decoction must be consumed orally 3 times a day.
2. Starch solution can also be made at home. 2 teaspoons of the substance are dissolved in a glass of cold water. You need to drink the suspension three times a day when the first symptoms of intestinal upset appear.
3. Pomegranate drink will help stop diarrhea. Fruit peels are poured with boiling water and infused for 4-5 hours. This is a safe remedy, you can take it without restrictions.
4. Can be used to stop diarrhea in an adult at home. To enhance the effect, marshmallow and mountain ash are added. The collection is poured with water, boiled, cooled and filtered. The doctor will tell you how to treat diarrhea with herbs. It is usually recommended to drink a decoction of 1 tablespoon three times a day.
5. For acute diarrhea, you can drink strong black tea. You don’t need to add sugar to your drink. 100 ml twice a day is enough to normalize bowel function.
6. Dill seeds are often used for bowel disorders. Diarrhea is no exception. Dried or fresh seeds are poured with water and heated over low heat. The resulting decoction is taken orally.
7. Walnut tincture will help stop diarrhea. Chopped nuts with peel are poured with vodka and infused for 2-3 days. You need to take the remedy 2 times a day for a teaspoon. This recipe should be used with caution. Alcohol tincture is prohibited for ulcers or hepatitis.

When deciding how to treat diarrhea, you should consult a gastroenterologist. Even at home, therapy should eliminate the factor that causes loose stools. Folk remedies will help to quickly relieve unpleasant symptoms, and dietary adjustments will reduce the load on the digestive system.

Medications are designed to cleanse the intestines of toxins and protect the body from dehydration. An integrated approach to therapy will allow you to normalize bowel function in the shortest possible time.