6 Most Effective Diarrhea Remedies
The 6 Most Effective Diarrhea Remedies
Written by Joe Bowman
Medically Reviewed by Peggy Pletcher, MS, RD, LD, CDE on February 23, 2015
Medically Reviewed by Peggy Pletcher, MS, RD, LD, CDE on February 23, 2015
We've all experienced unfortunate cases of diarrhea at some point in our lives. Diarrhea can often be the body's way of flushing out any bad bacteria in your system. Bad cases of diarrhea can come from a number of sources, such as:
Acute vs. Chronic
Cases of diarrhea usually fall into two categories: acute and chronic. Acute diarrhea cases usually last a few days. They’re defined by two to three loose stools per day. Chronic diarrhea is defined as any case of diarrhea that lasts more than 14 days. These cases are typically the result of a more serious medical condition that requires medical attention.
Diarrhea is common with young children. A viral infection is usually the cause. Traveler’s diarrhea is another common type of diarrhea. It can occur if you travel to underdeveloped areas with unpurified water.
Children, pregnant women, and the elderly with diarrhea should be especially careful. It can be fatal for children and the elderly, and can possibly induce labor for pregnant women.
Read on for some of the most effective ways to relieve a case of the squirts.
1. Over-the-Counter Drugs
With your doctor's supervision, several over-the-counter medications can help with diarrhea. Medications such as bismuth subsalicylate (Pepto-Bismol), attapulgite (Kaopectate), and loperamide (Imodium) aid the symptoms of diarrhea without treating the cause. People with chronic diarrhea shouldn't use these drugs without a doctor's consent.
You should be especially cautious if your child has diarrhea. Dehydration resulting from diarrhea can be dangerous for very young children. Consult with a doctor before giving them any medications.
2. Avoid Certain Foods
Watching what you eat and drink is very important when you have diarrhea. Dehydration from diarrhea can be fatal in young children and older adults. The most important thing you can do is to keep hydrated.
Alcohol, milk, soda, and other carbonated or caffeinated drinks can make symptoms worse. Fried and greasy foods are off limits, and you should avoid fruits and vegetables that can cause gas, such as:
Dairy products won’t help your diarrhea symptoms, either.
3. Probiotics
Probiotics are natural, over-the-counter remedies for diarrhea. They’re essentially "live bacteria" that exist in certain foods like yogurt. They also come in powder or pill form.
Antibiotics often flush out the "good bacteria" that live in your intestine. They can also cause diarrhea. Probiotics help restore the good bacterial in your gut. Lactobacillus GG, acidophilus, and bifidobacteria are three common types of probiotics.
4. Saccharomyces Boulardii
Saccharomyces boulardii(S. boulardii) is yeast that works to restore your gut function. While it’s not a bacterium, it acts like one.S. boulardii can be most effective for antibiotic-associated diarrhea and certain cases of traveller's diarrhea. It can help your intestines fight off unwanted pathogens and ensure that they’re absorbing nutrients properly.
5. Acupuncture
Acupuncture may not be the first thing you think of when looking for a remedy for diarrhea. However, Chinese scientists have seen positive results using acupuncture to treat acute diarrhea in children with cerebral palsy.
Acupuncture combined with medication may provide relief to adults suffering from diarrhea symptoms.
6. Homeopathy
Homeopathic medicines may provide relief from diarrhea when other solutions haven't worked. Examples include:
Each of these remedies claims to treat a specific type of diarrhea. Trying any of these remedies on your own isn't recommended. Homeopaths take into consideration all symptoms, history, and other characteristics of a person to diagnose them.
Few studies have been done to determine the effectiveness of these remedies. Speak with your doctor before trying these diarrhea remedies.
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