Diarrhea is a condition where one will have three or more loose or watery stools in a day. It causes them to have more frequent stools than usual. Diarrhea is common and goes away on its own within a few days or a week.
Even though it can be unpleasant and distressing, it is nothing to worry about. Various reasons cause diarrhea and it is important to drink more fluids, eat small meals, avoid certain foods, and get enough rest.
It is recommended to eat simple foods that are easy to digest and help absorb water from the stool. You should seek medical help if diarrhea lasts longer than two days or is accompanied by other symptoms.
What Is Diarrhea?
Diarrhea causes loose or watery stools more frequently than usual and various reasons can cause it. It can also be a sign of a serious health condition. The symptoms of diarrhea include belly cramps, bloating, urgency to go to the bathroom, loss of control of bowel movements, nausea, fever, lightheadedness or dizziness, and abdominal pain. There are mainly three types of diarrhea, and they are acute, persistent, and chronic diarrhea.
Acute diarrhea mostly lasts one to two days. It is the common type and goes away without needing any treatment. Persistent diarrhea can last up to two to four weeks and chronic diarrhea lasts more than four weeks. Chronic diarrhea comes and goes regularly over a long period and it indicates a more serious condition. Ensure you get treatment soon if you have chronic diarrhea. The causes of diarrhea include;
- Food poisoning:
Food or water that is contaminated with bacteria or parasites causes food poisoning. If you ingest harmful toxins and pathogens or are exposed to bacteria, they lead to diarrhea. This usually occurs when traveling in a new environment with poor hygiene or sanitation.
- Infections:
A mild infection or stomach flu causes diarrhea which usually goes away within a few days. Pathogens like bacteria, viruses, and parasites cause infection, which leads to diarrhea.
- Certain medications:
Certain medications can cause side effects and diarrhea is one of the most common side effects. For example, antibiotics help kill harmful bacteria that make one sick but they can also destroy good bacteria in the process. Chemotherapy drugs for cancer and laxatives containing magnesium can cause diarrhea.
- Medical disorders:
Diseases affecting the bowels such as inflammation, functional bowel disorder, and irritable bowel syndrome can result in diarrhea.
- Food intolerance:
Foods that upset the digestive system can cause diarrhea. Those with lactose intolerance will get diarrhea because the body struggles to digest lactose, the sugar in dairy. Some people have trouble digesting fructose, which is the sugar in honey and fruits. Also, those with celiac disease are prone to diarrhea, as their body struggles to break down gluten, a protein in wheat.
- Procedures on the bowels:
Post-bowel surgery can cause diarrhea as the digestive tract will need more time to absorb the nutrients from the foods and create firmer stools from the waste.
- Other causes:
Other causes like anxiety, emotional stress, overconsumption of alcohol, or tropical diseases like cholera and typhoid can cause diarrhea.
Best Foods For Managing Diarrhea
When you have diarrhea, drink more fluids and keep the body hydrated, eat smaller meals to ease digestion, avoid certain foods that can worsen diarrhea, and take plenty of rest. Here are some foods and drinks you can eat and drink if you have diarrhea:
- White rice
- Bananas
- Toast made from white bread
- Applesauce
- Baked or boiled potatoes
- Soda crackers
- Cooked cereal like oatmeal and cream of wheat
- Clear broths, like chicken beef, or vegetables
- Baked chicken with skin removed
These foods are low in fiber and are easy to digest and do not aggravate the digestive system. They help firm up the stools and you can combine these ingredients for best results.
You should drink plenty of liquids to replace the lost fluids and keep the body hydrated. Ensure you avoid fluids with too much sugar content. You can try the following options:
- Water or sucking ice cubes
- Apple juice ( with low added sugar)
- Weak, decaffeinated tea
- Coconut water
- Solutions like Pedialyte
Foods To Avoid When You Have Diarrhea
Preventing certain food items is the first and most important step in treating diarrhea. You should avoid the following foods and drinks if you have diarrhea:
- Spicy food
- Milk and dairy products
- Alcohol
- Coffee and other caffeinated drinks
- Fried, greasy, or fatty foods
- Citrus fruits (limes, lemon, oranges, and grapefruits)
- Sugary sweet foods and artificial sweeteners
- Carbonated beverages
- Raw vegetables
- Corn
- Pork and veal
- Sardines
- Processed foods
How To Relieve Diarrhea?
Some of the home remedies to relieve diarrhea include;
- Being hydrated:
Having diarrhea can cause the body to be dehydrated. So, the first and foremost is to keep the body hydrated. Drink plenty of water, diluted fruit juices, sports drinks, caffeine-free sodas, and births. Rice water is also recommended to bind the stools and provide enough nutrients the body needs.
- Following a healthy diet to firm the stools:
Eating a recovery diet is important to treat diarrhea naturally. You can follow the BRAT diet, bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast. It is a great choice for those with diarrhea. Ensure you eat small, frequent meals for quick recovery. Try eating basic foods that are easy to digest, such as boiled or baked potatoes, oatmeal, and baked chicken.
- Taking probiotics:
Probiotics are the microorganisms that create a healthy gut environment by producing good bacteria. So, eating foods rich in probiotics can help improve diarrhea. Probiotics are found in food items such as cottage cheese, aged soft cheese, and beet kvass.
- Drinking chamomile tea:
Drinking tea, especially chamomile tea can help relieve diarrhea. Studies show that it can help treat a viral infection or stomach flu, which helps ease symptoms of diarrhea.
- Avoiding certain food items:
Along with following a healthy diet and being hydrated, one should avoid certain food items to treat diarrhea. Avoiding certain foods can help prevent it from getting worse. Avoid fruits (berries and prunes), fried foods, greasy foods, vegetables (corn, beans, peas, and peppers), and full-fat dairy products.
- Taking ginger:
Ginger has been widely known to treat all kinds of stomach discomfort and irritations. It helps relieve nausea, diarrhea, and other digestive problems like gas, stomach cramps, and heartburn.
- Stopping exercise:
Avoid exercising if you have diarrhea, as you will lose fluids while exercising. The body needs rest and if you exercise, it can worsen the symptoms of diarrhea.
Some of the medical treatments for diarrhea include;
- Over-the-counter medications:
If you have diarrhea, your healthcare provider may suggest medications like Imodium, Pepto-Bismol, Tylenol, and more. These supplements ease symptoms of diarrhea and prevent it from getting worse.
- Probiotic supplements:
Probiotics supplements are easily available and they help treat various conditions like diarrhea. Taking probiotic supplements can help restore a balanced, healthy gut and digestive system. However, before taking any supplement or probiotic pills, consult a healthcare professional first.
When To Consult A Doctor?
Most diarrhea lasts one to two days and sometimes a few weeks. In most cases, it can be treated at home. However, you will need to consult a doctor if you experience severe pain, discomfort, or other symptoms. Seek medical help if you notice the following symptoms:
- High fever
- Black, tarry stools
- Stools with blood or pus
- Severe abdominal or rectal pain
- Signs of dehydration
- Diarrhea that lasts more than two days in adults or 24 hours in children
Conclusion
Diarrhea is a condition where one will have three or more loose or watery stools in a day. It causes them to have more frequent stools than usual. Even though diarrhea is common and goes away on its own within a few days, it can be unpleasant and distressing and might need medical treatment if it lasts more than two days.
The symptoms of diarrhea include belly cramps, bloating, urgency to go to the bathroom, loss of control of bowel movements, nausea, fever, lightheadedness or dizziness, and abdominal pain. The causes of diarrhea include food poisoning, infections, certain medical conditions, medical disorders, food intolerance, and procedures on bowels. Drink more fluids, eat small meals, avoid certain foods, and get enough rest to treat diarrhea.
Foods that are low in fiber are easy to digest and do not aggravate the digestive system. They help firm up the stools and ease symptoms of diarrhea. Also, drink plenty of liquids to replace the lost fluids and keep the body hydrated.
Ensure you avoid fluids with too much sugar content. Along with following a healthy diet and keeping the body hydrated, avoid consuming spicy foods, processed foods, fried foods, milk and dairy products, alcohol, coffee and other caffeinated products, corn, sugary sweet foods, and raw vegetables, as they can worsen diarrhea.
You can easily treat diarrhea at home by keeping the body hydrated, taking probiotics, following a healthy diet to firm the stools, drinking chamomile tea, avoiding certain food items, stopping exercise, and taking ginger.
There are supplements that help treat diarrhea but consult a doctor before taking them. Do not delay treatment if diarrhea is accompanied by other symptoms such as high fever, signs of dehydration, severe abdominal pain, black, tarry stools, or stools with blood or pus.
Frequently Asked Questions
The BRAT diet (bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast) is the most recommended food that helps diarrhea go away. Also, other foods like yogurt, ginger, fruit juices, boiled potatoes, and probiotics-rich foods help improve diarrhea.
Avoid consuming spicy foods, processed foods, fried foods, milk and dairy products, alcohol, coffee and other caffeinated products, corn, sugary sweet foods, and raw vegetables, as they can worsen diarrhea.
Yes, yogurt is considered great for treating diarrhea, as it contains probiotics that can help fight infection in the digestive tract.
You can drink water, sports drinks, orange juice, sweet lime juice, and ORS if you have diarrhea.
Limit or avoid milk and other dairy products during diarrhea, as it can worsen the condition by causing gas and bloating.
ORS does not stop diarrhea but can help treat and prevent dehydration caused by diarrhea. ORS can help replace water and salts which helps speed up recovery.
