How to get rid of diarrhea

Maybe there are just a few other health conditions that are as embarrassing as having “runs” or diarrhea. Loose bowel movements always spell disaster for people, especially those who are not in the comfort of their homes for long periods of time. Diarrhea is especially annoying when you’re on a bus or subway and you feel something wet and wild wanting to get out of your system in the most embarrassing way possible.

However, the severe and acute form of diarrhea is one of the common causes of death in children in developing countries. Every year about two million deaths are attributed to it. Diarrhea is also one of the leading causes of infant death worldwide.

Diarrhea is the movement of loose stools. People with diarrhea normally pass stool more than three to four times a day, eliminating more than a quarter of the waste products. Diarrhea is mainly caused by a viral infection, bacteria, or parasites. Rotavirus infections, for example, hospitalize an estimated 55,000 children in the United States alone. Other diseases such as botulism, cholera or dysentery have diarrhea as a symptom. That’s why it’s always important to monitor your condition whenever your diarrhea lasts longer than usual; diarrhea that lasts longer than three or four days is already cause for concern.

Diarrhea is usually accompanied by cramping, abdominal pain, nausea, or bloating. Depending on the cause of the diarrhea, a person may also have blood in their stool or have a fever. While diarrhea usually goes away on its own after the bacteria or cause has been cleared from your body, there are several things you can do to get rid of it or at least ease the discomfort it causes.

Drink plenty of fluids and electrolytes. Since most of you will be excreting a lot of fluids, you are at risk of dehydration. Dehydration is the main reason why children and babies are in particular danger when they suffer from diarrhoea; they are losing too much water and electrolytes so their body can’t function properly (electrolytes are the minerals and salts that affect muscle activity, water levels, and other important bodily functions). Drinking plenty of water regularly balances fluid loss.

Since water has no electrolytes, the next option is to get them from somewhere else. Electrolyte levels can be increased by consuming broths and soups that contain sodium and fruits and vegetables that contain potassium. Children can also benefit from over-the-counter rehydration products like Ceralyte and Infalyte.

For adults, drinking Gatorade will help replenish lost electrolytes and fluids.

Eliminate certain foods from your diet. There are certain foods that actually exacerbate your diarrhea problem. If you have diarrhea, it is recommended that you stay away from the following:

* milk and other products for daily use such as cheese or ice cream

* fatty foods or foods that are high in fat, such as fried foods

*fiber-rich foods like whole wheat, black beans, and peas

* sweet foods like cakes and cookies

* The spicy food

Dairy products and milk are very difficult to digest when you have diarrhea. The same goes for high-fat foods. Fiber, while normally useful to the human body, is not useful when suffering from diarrhea. Fiber aids in the movement of the intestines, keeping food moving through the intestines (which is why fiber is recommended when suffering from constipation, the exact opposite of diarrhea). When you have a condition that causes your bowel movements to speed up, fiber only exacerbates excretion from the intestines, including fluids and electrolytes. Spicy foods, meanwhile, will only irritate the intestinal walls, something you don’t want to happen while you have diarrhea.

Eat yogurt and bananas. Studies have shown that the probiotic agents found in yogurt are effective in cases of antibiotic-associated diarrhea. When you have diarrhea, along with the fluids and electrolytes you lose, you also lose some of the good bacteria in your digestive tract. Yogurt containing active cultures replenishes the good bacteria. However, keep in mind that you cannot buy any cheap yogurt that you can find in the market. The yogurt you need is one that contains active cultures such as Lactobacillus acidophilus or Streptococcus thermophilus. If you can’t find any yogurt that contains active cultures, you can ask your doctor if he can prescribe a probiotic agent instead.

Bananas normalize the colonic function of the large intestine by absorbing a large amount of water to help ensure proper bowel movement. They also have the useful ability to change the harmful bacteria in the intestine to the more useful acidophilus bacilli.

Start with low-fiber, semi-solid foods. Once your diarrhea starts to ease, start eating foods that are low in fiber and foods that can be easily digested. Chicken noodles, crackers, and rice will help you feel better after your bout of diarrhea. Do not start eating dairy products and greasy and high-fat foods until after you have fully recovered.

You can take medicines that help control diarrhea, such as Imodium or Pepto Bismol. However, if your diarrhea is diagnosed as bacterial, it’s almost always best to let it run its course. Remember that diarrhea itself is not a disease; it’s the body’s way of eliminating any toxins or bacteria found in your digestive system. Taking medicines can prevent the body from doing its natural job. In such cases, it is always good to consult your doctor first.

If your diarrhea lasts more than three days, seek a doctor’s opinion. Something may be wrong. Diarrhea shouldn’t last that long, no matter what infection caused it in the first place. In cases like these, diarrhea can be a symptom of something more serious, such as appendicitis or any other intestinal or digestive problem.