Do you know how to deal with diarrhea?
From time to time, we all struggle with diarrhea. That feeling when the cramps kick in and we instantly know that it’s time to visit the bathroom. This is not a pleasant sensation, but hopefully, you can take care of it at home.
It’s important to be aware that not all types of diarrhea can be treated with home remedies. Depending on the context, you can try these tricks for three to four days, but if nothing works, you should visit your doctor.
The main symptoms are frequent, watery stools, abdominal cramping, and bloating. Diarrhea is the normal response your body uses to fight back against changes and disruptions in your gastrointestinal system.
Acute diarrhea generally lasts less than two weeks and can be caused by food poisoning, viral infection, bacterial infection, recent antibiotic use, or a parasitic infection.
Read on and discover the best home remedies you can use right now!
Probiotics
Probiotic foods are the best source of “good bacteria.” Your gut is full of bacteria, and the good ones are there to help it function properly. Generally, when an imbalance takes place and diarrhea appears, it means that your GI also lacks good bacteria. This is why it is so important to eat the right foods and make sure you give your body what it needs.
If you don’t know where to start, these are the most recommended probiotic foods: pickles made with salt, miso, green olives, dark chocolate, kefir, sourdough bread, beet kraut, aged soft cheeses, and kimchi.
But don’t worry, because if nothing on this list sounds appealing to you, there are also probiotics that come in powder or pill form. The good bacteria in your gut protect it from infections, so you need it. The way probiotics work in cases of diarrhea is that they restore the balance, and then the gut has more power to fight viruses and bacteria.
Saccharomyces boulardii is a strain of yeast that contains probiotics. While it is not a bacteria, it behaves as one. S. boulardii may help with antibiotic-associated diarrhea. It also appears to be effective for treating travelers’ diarrhea. According to studies, it may help your intestines fight off harmful bacteria and maintain optimal nutritional absorption.
Drink a lot of water
If you have diarrhea, it is incredibly important to stay hydrated because you are losing a lot of liquids, and if you are not careful, this can greatly affect your body. For example, dehydration from diarrhea can be legal for seniors and young kids.
If you are struggling and don’t know what to do, studies show that sports drinks and over-the-counter rehydration solutions are ideal for adults who need extra hydration. But you should remember that sports drinks are formulated primarily for athletes, and this means they can have some types of sugar and flavors that can sometimes be harsh on sensitive stomachs.
This is why it might be a better idea to stick to the counter rehydration solutions since they are specifically balanced for those who need extra hydration when they suffer from various conditions, such as diarrhea.
Now, you should also make sure you avoid alcohol, milk, soda, and caffeinated drinks because they irritate your digestive system, and this is the last thing you want since it can aggravate the symptoms you already have.
Over-the-counter medication
This is probably the first thing that crosses your mind when diarrhea appears. You need some over-the-counter drugs that will get the job done. And this is actually a great idea since it is a home remedy that can truly help.
Common OTC medications like bismuth subsalicylate (found in Pepto-Bismol and Kaopectate) and loperamide (Imodium) can reduce the symptoms. The important thing you should be aware of is that these medications don’t treat the cause of your diarrhea but only its symptoms. This means this is just a temporary solution.
If you have chronic diarrhea that lasts for more than 14 days, it means it can be a more complex cause, and you should visit a doctor.
Chronic diarrhea can be an indication of many different kinds of medical conditions, ranging from gastrointestinal problems to infections that may need focused treatment. Using over-the-counter drugs in these circumstances without expert supervision might delay the right diagnosis and ultimately worsen the condition.
You should avoid these foods.
Probably one of the best ways to manage diarrhea at home is to be very careful about what you eat. The food you choose can greatly affect how your GI tract reacts, and it can reduce the symptoms or make them worse.
For example, fried and greasy foods are poorly tolerated, especially when you are experiencing diarrhea, because they can slow digestion and worsen gastrointestinal discomfort.
Also, foods that are very high in fiber, even if they are generally amazing for your digestion; in this case, they aggravate bloating and increase the frequency of bowel movements. So, reduce the consumption of certain vegetables and fruits.
But besides these foods, there are also some specific irritants you should avoid at all costs. Alcohol is one of them, and it can disrupt gut balance and dehydrate the body, making your symptoms worse. Artificial sweeteners, found in many sugar-free products, also have a laxative effect and should be avoided. Legumes such as beans, chickpeas, and peas are high in fiber and might produce gas, which makes them a bad choice for your diarrhea diet.
Try foods that are safe to eat
As important as it is to avoid some specific foods, you should also know what foods you are allowed to eat. You might feel afraid to eat, but you need to do it for proper nutrition.
Some low-fiber foods can be very effective at firming up stools and calming the digestive system. If you are confused and don’t know where to start, the “BRAT” diet is what most doctors recommend.
Bananas, white rice applesauce, and toast—this is the BRAT diet. These foods are ideal because they are gentle on your stomach and are amazing at absorbing the excess water from your intestines.
Another good thing about bananas is that they are rich in potassium, and when you are suffering from diarrhea, this is the main electrolyte that is getting lost. Also, they contain pectin, which is a special type of fiber that slows down stool production because it absorbs the water well.
Even if chicken soup is not a part of the BRAT diet, it is still one of the most well-tolerated foods when you have an upset stomach. It’s light and offers you nourishment and rehydration.
Eating the right foods can accelerate your recovery more than anything else, so always make sure you make the best choices and follow the safest diets.
Have you ever struggled with diarrhea? If yes, have you tried any of these remedies? Tell us in the comments what was your experience and what you think is the most effective one.
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