A condition like diarrhea if left untreated then it might become chronic, lasting for weeks. Usually, it goes away within two to three days and your gut health gets restored. The problem may arise when it does not stop even after a few days and continues to remain for weeks. Chronic diarrhea can lead to severe dehydration. It is necessary to treat the condition and prevent it from getting any worse.
Here are some ways, that can be beneficial for the treatment of diarrhea and its associated symptoms:
Oral rehydration therapy (ORT)
When a person is having diarrhea, they tend to lose body fluids and electrolytes excessively, which might lead to dehydration along with several other symptoms such as dizziness, fatigue, weakness, fever, and dry mouth. The constant loss of fluids through the stools can be extremely dangerous, especially in infants, children, and older individuals.
To restore these lost fluids and electrolytes in the body, one must increase their intake of water. Oral rehydration solution (ORS) can be an excellent therapy, by which one can restore the fluids as well as salts (electrolytes) that left the body due to the passing of loose and watery stools. ORS is an effective way of treating diarrhea by alleviating its symptoms and preventing any health risks owing to the loss of fluids and electrolytes from the body.
Anti-diarrheal drugs
Such drugs work by slowing down your bowel movements and making the food stay for longer in the gut. As bowel movements happen less frequently because of the drugs, the stools become less loose and watery. These drugs can be bought over the counter without any prescription; however, it is still risky to try such medications on your own. They might produce several other side effects or interact with other medications that you’re already taking. So, it is better to be careful and read and follow the instructions that are provided on the label of such drugs, before using them.
See your physician
Your doctor can help you in fixing your gut issue. You may get fast relief from diarrhea. Those suffering from it will be able to bounce back to their normal digestive system function within a day or so. The doctor may suggest some anti-diarrheal drugs or some treatments for alleviating the symptoms of diarrhea.
In case diarrhea has been persistent, and difficult to get rid of, then the doctor may suggest some tests such as a blood test, stool test, hydrogen breath test, upper endoscopy, or flexible colonoscopy. Through these tests, they will be able to identify the exact cause of persistent diarrhea and prescribe treatments based on that.
Choose the right foods
You cannot eat just anything during this condition. Certain types of foods can irritate the linings of your gut and aggravate the symptoms of diarrhea. Especially foods that are high in fiber must be avoided for a few days until your condition recovers fully. You must stay away from foods such as green leafy vegetables, collard greens, milk, dairy products, peppers, alcohol, berries, chickpeas, prunes, etc. These foods are sources of high fiber, that can enhance your bowel movements and worsen your condition. Also, fatty, and oily meals can add to your problem, so, it is better to abstain from such foods for some time.
Instead, one must consume only low-fiber foods, that help in slowing down the bowel movement and does not cause loss of body fluids and salts. Such foods might include boiled potatoes, bananas, toast, white rice, oatmeal, broth, and chicken soup. One must consume these foods continuously until their condition improves.
Consider taking probiotics
Probiotics such as yogurt contain millions of live cultures or micro bacteria that can aid in the treatment of diarrhea. It alleviates the irritation that is happening in the linings of the gut, and slows down the bowel movement, thereby preventing the frequent urge to run to the toilet for passing watery stools.
Probiotics kill off the bad bacteria in the gut that are contributing to diarrhea. It increases the number of good bacteria in the gut, which helps in alleviating gut malfunction and restoring intestinal health. Yogurt is an excellent source of good bacteria. There are other probiotic foods including kefir, sour pickles, cottage cheese, kvass, etc. You can also get your hands on probiotic drugs that can obtain you great results.
Tips to prevent diarrhea
- Diarrhea occurs due to stomach flu or intestinal flu, which is a result of consuming some foods or beverages that are contaminated with infectious pathogens. Therefore, it is necessary to wash the vegetables or fruits before preparing food. Avoid eating foods that are prepared in unhygienic conditions.
- Indigestion or malabsorption can give rise to diarrhea. To avoid this, consume foods that are high in fiber and low in carbs. Such food can easily be digested.
- Sometimes the cause of diarrhea can be a food intolerance. So, try to avoid foods that are not appropriate for you.
- Maintain proper hygiene. Stay clean and keep your surroundings dirt-free and hygienic.