Diarrhea is a condition that causes frequent bowel movements with a loose, watery stool. It can have many causes. Unless it is a severe condition caused by an infection or an underlying disease, a patient can treat it by making a few dietary changes and taking OTC medications.
Causes of diarrhea
Several factors can lead to diarrhea
There are other causes of diarrhea as well. Your doctor will get all the details of your condition, consider the medicines you are consuming, and check for any underlying ailment that could cause diarrhea. They may also ask you to go for blood and stool tests if you have severe diarrhea.
Treatment of diarrhea
Most of the times, diarrhea goes away on its own after three or four days. Some over-the-counter medicines like bismuth subsalicylate and loperamide can help.
If you have severe diarrhea due to a bacterial infection, you may have to take antibiotics for treating the condition. If some other ailment like celiac disease or IBS is the cause, you may have to consult a gastroenterologist who will provide you with a treatment plan for chronic diarrhea.
What should diarrhea patients eat and drink?
When you have diarrhea, you have frequent bowel movements, and this causes dehydration. So, you should drink a lot of water. Your doctor may also suggest some special drinks like a sports drink to replace the electrolytes lost from your body.
Stick to a balanced diet and avoid spicy foods. Usually, the diet plan followed for treating diarrhea is called BRAT. It consists of bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast.
Bananas contain pectin, which is a water-soluble fiber that helps to bind and thicken the liquids in the intestine. Rice is well known for its soothing and binding effect. Applesauce also contains pectin which helps to firm up the stools. Dry toast helps to satiate your appetite and does not cause any irritation.
Probiotics as a treatment for chronic diarrhea
For treating chronic diarrhea, take your doctor’s advice before starting a course of probiotic supplements. Probiotics contain good bacteria that help to contain the growth of bad bacteria that harm your health. These beneficial bacteria also help to clean up your gastrointestinal system and maintain good gut health.
Here are some natural sources of good bacteria:
Most fermented foods are good sources of beneficial gut bacteria. Hence, the food items mentioned above can help treat diarrhea.
Other natural treatments for diarrhea
Prevention measures
When you are traveling:
Diarrhea treatments can range from the simple to complex. Treatments for severe diarrhea may include antibiotics and diet restrictions. To treat chronic diarrhea, you must identify the underlying cause.
You may also have to make permanent changes in your diet like avoiding wheat or milk products, or foods rich in unhealthy fat. There are over-the-counter medicines you can try, but never use these on children. Always consult a doctor before taking any medication. Many traditional home remedies can aid in the treatment of severe diarrhea and chronic diarrhea.