Your gut is telling you something is wrong when you've got diarrhea. It's your body's way of ejecting unwanted and possibly hazardous stuff from your digestive system. Diarrhea is usually triggered by an infection, but it can also be caused by certain medications, a food intolerance or allergy, or even stress.
With few exceptions, diarrhea should run its course in three days or less. While you could take an antidiarrheal medication to expedite the process, such medications can do more harm than good by leaving the infection -- or whatever is causing the diarrhea -- in your system longer. But if dehydration sets in, you may need urgent medical attention, so keep an eye on your symptoms and call your doctor if they don't improve after a day or two.
In the meantime, you can treat diarrhea at home and alleviate the symptoms with a few simple remedies. Here are some tips to help you get better faster:
What Helps Diarrhea
Simple remedies to alleviate symptoms:
- Drink plenty of fluids
- Eat bland foods
- Avoid caffeine and alcohol
- Take probiotics
- Use over-the-counter medications
- Get plenty of rest
- See a doctor if symptoms worsen
Most cases of diarrhea will resolve on their own within a few days. However, it's important to stay hydrated and to see a doctor if symptoms worsen or persist.
Drink plenty of fluids
When you have diarrhea, your body is losing a lot of fluids and electrolytes. This can lead to dehydration, which can be dangerous. That's why it's important to drink plenty of fluids to stay hydrated.
The best fluids to drink are water, oral rehydration solutions (ORS), and clear soups. Avoid sugary drinks like soda and juice, as these can worsen diarrhea. Alcohol and caffeine can also dehydrate you, so it's best to avoid these as well.
How much fluid you need to drink depends on how severe your diarrhea is. A good rule of thumb is to drink at least 8 glasses of fluids per day. If your diarrhea is more severe, you may need to drink more.
You can also get fluids from eating fruits and vegetables that are high in water content, such as watermelon, cucumber, and spinach.
Staying hydrated is essential for recovering from diarrhea. If you're not sure if you're drinking enough fluids, talk to your doctor.
Eat bland foods
When you have diarrhea, your digestive system is irritated and inflamed. Eating bland foods can help to soothe your digestive system and reduce diarrhea.
Bland foods are typically low in fiber, fat, and spice. They are also easy to digest and absorb.
Some examples of bland foods include:
- White rice
- Oatmeal
- Bananas
- Applesauce
- Yogurt
- Scrambled eggs
- Chicken or fish
- Mashed potatoes
- Soup
- Toast
It's important to avoid foods that are high in fiber, fat, and spice. These foods can irritate your digestive system and worsen diarrhea.
Eating a bland diet for a few days can help to improve your diarrhea. Once your symptoms have improved, you can start to add more variety to your diet.
Avoid caffeine and alcohol
Caffeine and alcohol can both worsen diarrhea.
- Caffeine
Caffeine is a stimulant that can increase the speed at which food moves through your digestive system. This can worsen diarrhea.
- Alcohol
Alcohol can irritate your digestive system and worsen diarrhea. It can also dehydrate you, which can make diarrhea worse.
It's best to avoid caffeine and alcohol altogether when you have diarrhea. Once your symptoms have improved, you can start to drink caffeine and alcohol in moderation.
Take probiotics
Probiotics are live bacteria that are similar to the beneficial bacteria that live in your gut. Taking probiotics can help to improve your gut health and reduce diarrhea.
- How do probiotics work?
Probiotics work by crowding out harmful bacteria in your gut and by producing substances that inhibit the growth of harmful bacteria. Probiotics can also help to improve the absorption of nutrients and reduce inflammation in your gut.
- What are the benefits of taking probiotics for diarrhea?
Taking probiotics can help to reduce the duration and severity of diarrhea. Probiotics can also help to prevent diarrhea caused by antibiotics.
- What are the best sources of probiotics?
Probiotics are found in fermented foods such as yogurt, kefir, kombucha, and sauerkraut. You can also take probiotic supplements.
- How much probiotics should I take?
The recommended dosage of probiotics varies depending on the strain of bacteria. Follow the dosage instructions on the product label.
Probiotics are generally safe to take, but they can cause side effects such as gas and bloating. If you experience any side effects, stop taking probiotics and talk to your doctor.
Use over-the-counter medications
If your diarrhea is severe or does not improve with home remedies, you may want to try an over-the-counter medication. There are two main types of over-the-counter medications for diarrhea: antidiarrheals and antimotility agents.
- Antidiarrheals
Antidiarrheals work by slowing down the movement of food through your digestive system. This can help to reduce diarrhea.
- Antimotility agents
Antimotility agents work by reducing the spasms in your intestines. This can also help to reduce diarrhea.
It is important to read the labels of over-the-counter diarrhea medications carefully before taking them. Some medications may not be appropriate for certain people, such as children, pregnant women, or people with certain medical conditions.
Get plenty of rest
When you have diarrhea, your body is working hard to expel the harmful bacteria or virus that is causing the diarrhea. This can take a lot of energy, so it's important to get plenty of rest so that your body can heal.
Aim for 8-10 hours of sleep per night. If you can, take a nap during the day as well. Resting will help your body to fight off the infection and recover from diarrhea more quickly.
In addition to getting plenty of sleep, it's also important to avoid strenuous activity when you have diarrhea. Exercise can put stress on your digestive system and worsen diarrhea. Instead, focus on relaxing activities that will help you to rest and recover.
Some relaxing activities that you can try include:
- Reading
- Listening to music
- Taking a bath
- Meditating
- Spending time in nature
Getting plenty of rest is an important part of recovering from diarrhea. Make sure to get 8-10 hours of sleep per night and avoid strenuous activity. Focus on relaxing activities that will help you to rest and recover.
See a doctor if symptoms worsen
Most cases of diarrhea will resolve on their own within a few days. However, there are some cases where it's important to see a doctor. You should see a doctor if:
- Your diarrhea is severe or lasts for more than 2 days.
This could be a sign of a more serious underlying condition.
- You have a fever.
This could be a sign of an infection.
- You have bloody or black stools.
This could be a sign of a serious medical condition, such as inflammatory bowel disease or colon cancer.
- You are vomiting.
Vomiting can lead to dehydration, which can be dangerous.
If you experience any of these symptoms, it's important to see a doctor right away. Early diagnosis and treatment can help to prevent serious complications.
FAQ
Here are some frequently asked questions about diarrhea:
Question 1: What is diarrhea?
Answer 1: Diarrhea is a condition characterized by loose, watery stools. It can be caused by a variety of factors, including infection, food poisoning, and certain medications.
Question 2: How long does diarrhea usually last?
Answer 2: Most cases of diarrhea will resolve on their own within a few days. However, some cases can last for longer.
Question 3: What are the symptoms of diarrhea?
Answer 3: The most common symptom of diarrhea is loose, watery stools. Other symptoms may include abdominal pain, cramping, nausea, vomiting, and fever.
Question 4: How can I treat diarrhea at home?
Answer 4: There are a number of things you can do to treat diarrhea at home, such as drinking plenty of fluids, eating bland foods, and getting plenty of rest.
Question 5: When should I see a doctor about diarrhea?
Answer 5: You should see a doctor if your diarrhea is severe or lasts for more than 2 days. You should also see a doctor if you have other symptoms, such as fever, bloody stools, or vomiting.
Question 6: How can I prevent diarrhea?
Answer 6: There are a number of things you can do to prevent diarrhea, such as washing your hands frequently, cooking food properly, and avoiding contaminated food and water.
Question 7: What are some complications of diarrhea?
Answer 7: Diarrhea can lead to a number of complications, including dehydration, electrolyte imbalance, and malnutrition. In severe cases, diarrhea can be fatal.
Closing Paragraph for FAQ: If you have any questions about diarrhea, talk to your doctor. Diarrhea can usually be treated at home, but it's important to see a doctor if your symptoms are severe or do not improve.
In addition to the information in the FAQ, here are some additional tips for dealing with diarrhea:
Tips
Here are some tips for dealing with diarrhea:
Tip 1: Stay hydrated.
Diarrhea can lead to dehydration, so it's important to drink plenty of fluids. The best fluids to drink are water, oral rehydration solutions, and clear soups. Avoid sugary drinks like soda and juice, as these can worsen diarrhea.
Tip 2: Eat bland foods.
When you have diarrhea, your digestive system is irritated and inflamed. Eating bland foods can help to soothe your digestive system and reduce diarrhea. Some examples of bland foods include rice, oatmeal, bananas, applesauce, and yogurt.
Tip 3: Avoid caffeine and alcohol.
Caffeine and alcohol can both worsen diarrhea. Caffeine is a stimulant that can increase the speed at which food moves through your digestive system. Alcohol can irritate your digestive system and worsen diarrhea. It can also dehydrate you, which can make diarrhea worse.
Tip 4: Get plenty of rest.
When you have diarrhea, your body is working hard to expel the harmful bacteria or virus that is causing the diarrhea. This can take a lot of energy, so it's important to get plenty of rest so that your body can heal.
Closing Paragraph for Tips: Following these tips can help you to manage your diarrhea and recover more quickly. However, it's important to see a doctor if your diarrhea is severe or does not improve after a few days.
Diarrhea is a common problem, but it can be very uncomfortable. By following the tips in this article, you can help to reduce the severity and duration of your diarrhea.
Conclusion
Diarrhea is a common problem that can be caused by a variety of factors. While most cases of diarrhea will resolve on their own within a few days, it's important to take steps to stay hydrated and to treat the underlying cause of the diarrhea.
The main points of this article are:
- Diarrhea is a condition characterized by loose, watery stools.
- Diarrhea can be caused by a variety of factors, including infection, food poisoning, and certain medications.
- Most cases of diarrhea will resolve on their own within a few days.
- There are a number of things you can do to treat diarrhea at home, such as drinking plenty of fluids, eating bland foods, and getting plenty of rest.
- You should see a doctor if your diarrhea is severe or lasts for more than 2 days.
Closing Message: Diarrhea can be a nuisance, but it's usually not a serious condition. By following the tips in this article, you can help to reduce the severity and duration of your diarrhea. If you have any concerns about your diarrhea, talk to your doctor.