Tired of looking for ways to stop diarrhoea?
See here 6 effective tips on how to stop diarrhea quickly and naturally.
Diarrhea or watery stools can be very unpleasant and sometimes attacks just in the worst moments, for example during rest or special events.
But while this problem often improves by itself within two to three days, there are still several natural home remedies that can help get rid of diarrhea faster and promote harder stools.
Below the article, learn 6 natural ways to quickly stop diarrhea, along with the factors that cause diarrhea, and prevention tips.
What usually causes diarrhea?
Understanding the causes of diarrhea can help you avoid future attacks. Common causes include:
Stomach virus
Viral gastroenteritis (gastric flu) is one of the causes of diarrhea. In addition to the water stool, the following symptoms are possible:
These viruses include norovirus and rotavirus, which can develop after you eat or drink contaminated food, or share personal items with an infected person.
Drugs
Sensitivity to certain drugs can also trigger bouts of diarrhea. This can happen after taking antibiotics, pain relievers or cancer drugs.
Contaminated food
Diarrhea can develop if you eat foods contaminated with bacteria, parasites or toxins. Foodborne diseases may include those caused by the following bacteria:
- Salmonella
- E coli
- Listeria monocytogenes
- Clostridium botulinum (botulism)
- Food allergy or sensitivity
If you do not tolerate lactose, diarrhea can develop after eating dairy products. These include milk, cheese, ice cream and yogurt.
Food allergy or sensitivity can also trigger diarrhea. For example, you may have diarrhoea after eating foods that contain gluten – wheat, pasta or rye.
Artificial sweeteners
This is a lesser-known cause of diarrhea. But if you are sensitive to artificial sweeteners, you may get diarrhea after eating foods or drinks that contain these sweeteners.
Artificial sweeteners are found in diet drinks, sugar-free products, chewing gum and even some sweets.
Digestive problems
Diarrhea is sometimes a symptom of digestive disorders. You may have frequent stool seizures if you have been diagnosed with Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis.
Also, irritable bowel syndrome can cause alternating attacks of diarrhea and constipation.
Now that you know the basic common causes, look at what is good for diarrhea, and natural ways to stop diarrhea quickly.
Natural ways to quickly get rid of diarrhea
1. Rice water
Rice water is a fast, effective remedy against diarrhea. Boil 1 cup of rice and 2 cups of water for about 10 minutes, or until the water is turbid.
Strain the rice and save the water for consumption. Rice water not only provides your body with fluids to prevent dehydration, it can also reduce the duration of diarrhea.
Rice water binds the effect on the digestive tract, resulting in firmer stools.
2. Probiotics
Taking probiotic supplements or eating probiotic foods like some yogurts can also stop diarrhea.
Sometimes diarrhea is due to an imbalance of bacteria in the intestines. Probiotics help to restore balance by providing a higher level of good bacteria.
This can promote normal bowel functioning and shorten the duration of diarrhea.
3. Antibiotics
With diarrhea from bacteria or parasites, they may need an antibiotic. In this case, diarrhea can occur after contact with contaminated food or water, often during the trip.
Keep in mind that antibiotics are ineffective when viral infections cause diarrhea. This type of diarrhea must take its course.
4. Hydration
Hydration is very important when you have diarrhea. Dehydration due to diarrhea can be fatal in babies and children, and older adults.
Continue to breastfeed or feed with adapted milk in infants who have diarrhea. Solutions for oral children’s hydration without a prescription, are the recommended liquid for children with diarrhea. Small amounts of hydration solutions should be given frequently.
Studies have shown that for adults with mild symptoms of diarrhea, sports drinks and over-the-counter rehydration solutions are equally effective.
Alcohol, milk, juices and other carbonated orofein drinks should not be used for hydration, as they can worsen your symptoms.
5. BRAT diet
The diet known as BRAT can also quickly alleviate diarrhea. This diet is effective due to the gentle nature of this food and the fact that they are starchy foods with little fiber.
This food has the effect of tying in the digestive tract to make the stool bulkier. And since it is mild, it is less likely to irritate your stomach or worsen diarrhea.
6. Medicines against diarrhea
Some people perceive diarrhea only as a mild nuisance and let it take place, especially since some attacks last less than 24 hours.
You may stay close to the house or bathroom and fill yourself with liquid and electrolytes to prevent dehydration.
In case you have to go out, taking anti-diarrhea drugs can reduce or completely eliminate stools after the first dose. Look for products sold without a prescription, containing the ingredients loperamide and bismuth-subsalicylate.
The active ingredient loperamide works quickly because it slows down the movement of fluid through the intestines. This can quickly restore normal bowel function. Bismuth-subsalicylate, on the other hand, helps to kill bacteria in the intestines that cause diarrhea.
Allowed nutrition for diarrhea
While it might sound counterintuitive to eat if you have diarrhea, eating certain foods can alleviate the symptoms of diarrhea and ensure that your health doesn’t deteriorate if you don’t eat. Stick to the “BRAT” food with little fiber that will help you fix the stool. This includes:
- bananas
- rice (white)
- apple sauce
- toast
Other foods that are usually well tolerated with diarrhea include:
- oatmeal
- boiled or baked potatoes (with peeled skin)
- roast chicken with skin removed
- chicken soup (which also helps to rehydrate)
Foods to avoid
Fried and fatty foods are usually not well tolerated in people who have diarrhea. You should also consider limiting foods rich in fiber such as bran, as well as fruits and vegetables that can increase bloating.
Foods to avoid include:
- alcohol
- artificial sweeteners (found in chewing gum, diet soft drinks and sugar substitutes)
- bean
- Berries
- broccoli
- cabbage
- cauliflower
- chick pea
- coffee
- maize
- ice cream
- green leafy vegetables
- milk
- pea
- Peppers
- prunes
- tea
Tips to prevent diarrhea
Diarrhea caused by a virus or bacterial infection is contagious. You can protect yourself as follows:
- frequent hand washing
- avoiding sick people
- disinfection of frequently touched surfaces
- not sharing personal items
If you have diarrhea after starting a new drug, ask your doctor about an alternative drug or possibly reducing the dose.
You can also protect yourself by thoroughly cooking food and washing fruits and vegetables before preparing.
To recognize possible food allergies or sensitivity, keep a diet diary and write down everything you eat for several weeks. Note the days when you have diarrhea.
Keeping a food diary can help you determine if you have lactose intolerance or gluten sensitivity. Then you can try the elimination diet. Remove from the diet the suspicion of problematic foods and make sure that the symptoms improve.
If you have a digestive disorder, talk to your doctor if you feel your current therapy is not working. You may need to adjust your medications.
When to see a doctor?
See your doctor for diarrhoea that lasts longer than three days or if you are showing signs of dehydration. This can include extreme thirst, reduced urination and dizziness.
You should also see a doctor if you have:
- Fever
- bloody or black stool
- abdominal pain longer than three days
Use these ways to stop diarrhea
Diarrhea can come and disappear within 24 hours. Or it could take days and disrupt your plans.
But between medication, low-fiber foods and avoiding foods that irritate your digestive system — such as dairy or artificial sweeteners — you can quickly alleviate symptoms and enjoy diarrhoea-free days.