One of the most common problems faced by people daily is diarrhea. Usually, a bout of diarrhea lasts only for a few days but these days are some of the worst. But did you know that some effective remedies can help you get rid of it within a short time?
What Is Diarrhea and Its Types?
Diarrhea is nothing but having loose or watery stools. It happens in your body due to some mild viral infection in your gastrointestinal system. It might also be caused by food poisoning, bacterial infection, or recent antibiotic usage. In addition, sometimes consuming food that contains certain parasites can also lead to diarrhea. Here are the types of diarrhea that you have to know!
Types of Diarrhea
1. Acute
Acute diarrhea is the most common type that usually goes away without any effective treatment and mostly lasts up to two to three days.
2. Persistent
This type is the next stage of acute diarrhea, and it will last from two to four weeks.
3. Chronic
Chronic diarrhea lasts four weeks or longer. Since it's a serious condition, proper treatment is crucial.
What are the Symptoms of Diarrhea?
Having loose, watery stools is the most common symptom of diarrhea. Other symptoms include the following:
- Pain in your belly
- Urgent need to poop
- Stomach upset
Symptoms of Severe Diarrhea
Here are some of the symptoms of chronic diarrhea, which is a serious infection that won’t go without proper treatment.
- Continuous fever
- Vomiting sensation
- Blood in your stools
- Sudden weight loss
- Headaches and dizziness
Unusual Triggers of Diarrhea You Might Be Overlooking
1. Sugar Alcohols in “Sugar-Free” Foods
Chewing gum or diet candies with sorbitol, mannitol or xylitol can act as laxatives. Even a few sticks of gum can irritate the gut and cause loose stools.
2. Overdoing Energy Drinks or Strong Coffee
High caffeine plus additives like guarana can speed up intestinal movement, leading to sudden diarrhea in sensitive people.
3. Extreme Emotional Stress
Your gut and brain are linked. Sudden anxiety, public-speaking nerves or a big exam can trigger stress hormones that cause urgent bowel movements.
4. Unwashed Fresh Produce
Bagged salads or berries that aren’t rinsed well may carry bacteria or residual pesticides, which can upset digestion unexpectedly.
Prevention
Remember that you can’t always prevent diarrhea, but you can reduce your risks of getting it by following these few steps.
- Practice a good hygiene routine. Always wash your hands with soap and water after using the restroom and before eating. Better use a hand sanitizer frequently.
- Store all your foods properly at the correct temperature.
- Boil water before drinking and better avoid drinking tap water.
- Avoid raw and half-cooked meats.
How to Get Rid of Diarrhea?
Here are some key points to get rid of diarrhea that you have to know!
1. Stay Hydrated
Keeping hydrated is very important for all age groups because, during diarrhea, you will lose a lot of water content from your body. So remain hydrated by drinking plenty of water or fresh fruit juice.
It’s better to avoid drinks like alcoholic beverages, milk, soda, and other carbonated drinks because they won’t give you hydration and will only worsen your situation.
Foods That Stop Diarrhea
It will usually go away in a few days without any treatment, but until it's cured, you must continue with the intake of proper foods. Here are some of the foods that you have to know!
- Bananas
- Rice
- Applesauce
- Toast
- Yogurt
- Apple juice (with low sugar)
Supplements for Diarrhea
Many studies state that taking supplements and treatments may help you reduce the duration of diarrhea to one day.
1. Probiotics
Probiotics contain lactic acid, which helps good bacteria enter your body and minimize diarrhea time. Better consult your health advisor before taking probiotics or any supplements.
2. Antibiotics and Antiparasitics
Antibiotics and antiparasitics are drugs that kill the germs causing diarrhea in your body. You must take such drugs according to your doctor's advice.
3. Anti-diarrheal medicine
This type of medicine helps your body fight against the infection. It will also help ease your bowel movements and make your stools less watery.
Foods You Need to Avoid
Certain foods and fluids strictly need to be avoided. Some of them are listed below.
- Eggs and dairy products
- Fatty and processed foods
- Spicy foods
- Heavy proteins like steak and pork
- Vegetables like broccoli and cauliflower
Dietary Changes
You might have to make certain changes in your diet when you experience diarrhea. The following bland foods can help you get rid of it quickly
- Potatoes
- Rice water
- Toast
- Broth
Importantly, these diet recommendations shouldn’t be followed for more than 2 days because it doesn’t provide a balanced diet.
Diagnosis and Tests
Most cases of diarrhea don't need tests. However, if it's a severe case, you might have to complete the following tests.
- Blood tests to know the conditions that cause diarrhea.
- A hydrogen breath test to check the lactose and bacterial overgrowth.
- A stool test to check for parasites.
- An endoscopy tracks the digestive system and other issues that cause diarrhea.
We hope the information in this blog regarding diarrhea treatments is helpful to you. Before you try any type of treatment, it's better to consult your doctor and get their suggestions for further course of action.
