Diarrhea Treatment: Tips For Quick Relief

Following these easy and basic tips can help improve your condition and speed up your recovery from diarrhea.

Do Not Overindulge At Mealtime

Your body might feel exhausted and hungry because of the loss of nutrients, but make sure that you do not overindulge in food. Putting additional burden on your already sensitive digestive system will certainly make matters worse. A liquid diet is usually preferred and better tolerated during episodes of diarrhea. Moreover, pace yourself when you eat: breakdown your meals into smaller portions and consume small quantities throughout the day.

The ‘BRAT’ Diet Is Best

The best diet to stick to is a bland diet, or more specifically, a BRAT diet. This includes bananas, rice, applesauce, toast and tea. These items are less acidic and easily digestible and help provide relief to the intestines. Other foods, such as mashed potatoes and charred toast, also help lessen the symptoms of alcohol poisoning and aid in neutralizing toxins.   

Go For Probiotics

Probiotics can do wonders in treating mild diarrhea, or that triggered by antibiotics. These fermented products, or artificially prepared formulations, contain strains of live bacteria. Probiotics help in stimulating the growth of healthy intestinal flora and restoring their optimum amounts. The best and most effective probiotic is yogurt.     

Avoid Foods That Make Matters Worse

Temporarily avoid foods that cause bloating and are rich in fiber. These include fresh fruits, vegetables, whole-wheat products and beans. Eating these foods when you have diarrhea could increase abdominal cramping and frequency of stools. Greasy and fatty foods can also make your condition worse. Lactose intolerant individuals should avoid dairy products. Moreover, steer clear of caffeinated drinks and products, since these also produce gas and aggravate symptoms.

Herbal Remedies For Diarrhea

Before going straight to the pharmacy, try home remedies for relief. Among them are the following:

• Ginger – Ginger has anti-inflammatory properties and assists digestion as well. Consuming warm water containing freshly grated ginger at least two to three times a day is highly effective. For those with a highly sensitive digestive system, ginger supplements are also available.
• Fresh Mint – Mint reduces abdominal cramping, and settles intestinal and stomach irritation. Add a few springs of fresh mint to your tea and sip periodically.
• Chamomile – Chamomile not only soothes the intestines, it is also a well-known remedy for reducing stress and anxiety. Tea prepared with chamomile leaves helps instantly.
• Lemon - Squeezing a lemon into warm water and sipping gently is also a effective remedy for reducing diarrheal symptoms. 

Use Prescription Drugs Carefully

This should ideally be the last call. If controlled in its early stages, allow the diarrhea to run its usual course and exclude the toxins and pathogens from your body naturally. However, if symptoms become worse, consult your doctor.

Over-the-counter drugs, such as Loperamide and Bismuth subsalicylate, are two very commonly prescribed anti-diarrheal medicines. Loperamide increases water absorption in the small intestine by slowing down their movement. This improves the consistency of the watery stools. Bismuth subsalicylate acts as an anti-inflammatory and antacid, providing relief to the infected intestines.   

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Avoid Non-steroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs

The discomfort is irritating, but do not use Aspirin, ibuprofen or naproxen for relief. These and similar painkillers can increase intestinal agitation and worsen abdominal cramping and diarrhea.