Diarrhea strips away too much body fluids, thereby causing dehydration. Sometimes, dehydration can be severe, which can lead to symptoms like dizziness, lightheadedness, dry mouth, tiredness, and headaches. Some symptoms such as confusion, irritability, nausea, vomiting, lethargy, and abnormal heart rate can also surface due to the loss of electrolytes, which happens due to the frequent passing of stools. Diarrhea is a manageable condition. This blog will help you explore some ways in which you can effectively deal with diarrhea.
Things you should do when you are down with diarrhea
A condition like diarrhea may be risky for infants, children, older adults, and those who have weak immune systems. Passing the stools more than three times a day can deprive the body of adequate fluids and electrolytes. This is why such individuals need to take utter care of their health by being careful of what they consume, and what they do to manage their condition. Let us see what you can do to alleviate the symptoms and cure diarrhea.
Consume plenty of fluids
Your body tends to lose excessive fluids and electrolytes during this condition. So, to prevent dehydration, you must increase your intake of water. Keep sipping water from time to time, to restore the lost fluids. Dehydration can be dangerous, as your body needs adequate fluids to carry out all essential functions. Lack of fluid can affect functions by causing an imbalance in the minerals and water content in the body.
You can include more liquid-based foods in your meals. This will help you in restoring the lost fluids. Note that your fluid intake must be equal to or greater than the amount you lose. Your body does not lose fluids only through diarrhea, it also loses it through breathing, urination, and sweating, so, staying hydrated during diarrhea must be your priority.
Take enough rest
For a few days until your complete recovery from diarrhea, take adequate rest, as your body needs it to bounce back to its normal state. Persistent rounds to the toilet might make your body weak and exhausted. It needs sufficient resting and sleeping as possible. Do not force yourself to get up and get going. Listen to what your body is saying.
If you are feeling completely active and ready, then you are good to go, but if you are feeling lethargic or tired, this is your body’s way of communicating that it is not well yet and requires some more time to recuperate. Resting will drive away the weakness and speed up your recovery from diarrhea.
Avoid physical activity.
Exercising and physical activity must be avoided for a few days in such conditions, as it can cause sweating, which might make your body lose excessive amounts of body fluids. Your body requires complete rest and rejuvenation after the events of constant loss of fluids and electrolytes. If you exercise during such days, you might feel completely exhausted, and you shall develop severe dehydration, and as a result, you may experience symptoms of dehydration intensely. So, it is necessary to avoid any kind of physical activity.
Eat the right food only
You need to eat certain foods to prevent any irritation happening in your stomach and gut. High-fiber foods can increase bowel movement and turn the stools to be waterier and looser. To make the stools bulky and prevent diarrhea, you need to consume foods that are low in fiber. Such foods can help in binding the stools and help you to get rid of diarrhea.
Low-fiber foods such as boiled potatoes, bananas, yogurt, white rice, white bread or toast, cereals, cream of wheat, apple sauce, eggs, etc. would make an appropriate diet during diarrhea. Moreover, include chicken soups or broth in your meals. Broths are excellent during such conditions, as they can get you enough hydration and they are also loaded with high amounts of essential nutrients.
Abstain from foods that worsen diarrhea.
Some types of foods might exacerbate your condition by increasing your stomach or gut irritation. Foods that are usually high in fiber can contribute to the worsening of diarrhea, as they enhance your bowel movements which increase the levels of fluid in the stools.
It is necessary to consume foods that slow down bowel movements and get excess fluids absorbed by the intestines. Foods that are low in fiber and high in starch aid in binding the stools. You must avoid foods that have caffeine in them. Do not drink coffee or caffeine beverages.
Health
Completely avoid consuming leafy vegetables, collard greens such as broccoli, cauliflower, brussels sprouts, cabbage, etc., peppers, chickpeas, and berries. Also, stay away from alcohol and carbonated beverages for a few days until your gut health improves.
These simple remedies can help you in alleviating such a condition to a great extent. Implementing these remedies will make diarrhea go away and you shall have a faster recovery. However, if diarrhea does not disappear even after trying out these simple remedies, then it is necessary to see your doctor.
Continuation of diarrhea for more than two days can be an indication of some serious problem. You need to talk to your doctor to get appropriate treatment. The factors responsible for diarrhea can be viral or bacterial infections, stomach flu, gut flu, medicinal side effects, digestive disorders, allergies, and food poisoning. A proper diagnosis, followed by the right treatment will improve your condition and you will be able to bounce back.