While prolonged diarrhea episodes demand you go see a doctor, there is no stopping you trying out everyday ‘common sense’ methods to alleviate or prevent the problem entirely. Easing the discomfort, extreme or otherwise, that this ailment brings will certainly be your top priority, but first let us understand what diarrhea is all about.
Your intestinal tract is where food is digested, absorbed, and waste created and sent along the tract for elimination. Some causes of diarrhea include:
- Eating too much greasy or oily foods
- Consuming too much alcohol
- As a result of such poor drink and diet choices, your intestinal tract will become home to harmful bacteria that push out the beneficial kind, and worsen your situation.
You will also be surprised to learn that certain pharmaceutical drugs also cause diarhhea. Magnesium-based antacids, pain relievers like naproxen and ibuprofen, stomach ulcer and heartburn medications like Axid, Zantac, and Tagamet, any and all laxatives, some antibiotics, and drugs designed for chemotherapy treatment. Completely stay away from heartburn medicine called proton pump inhibitors (PPIs); these include Prilosec, Dexilant, Zegerid, Protonix, and Nexium. The latter set of drugs can lead to severe gas and diarrhea.
Change your dietary fibre intake and keep an eye out for fatty and/or fried foods. Too little leafy greens and whole grains on your plate make for an imbalanced diet, especially if you are suffering from diarrhea.
Hydration
Natural salts and fluids exit your body in droves during a case of diarrhea. You need to avoid loss of fluids by choosing proper liquids to consume.
- Clear broths and water is your number-one choice.
- Sugary drinks, alcoholic beverages, and caffeinated drinks are dehydration sources for those having diarrhea.
- Because diarrhea causes temporary lactose intolerance, it is best to avoid milk and dairy products.
- Sports drinks are a superb choice of liquid because they come packing ideal salt and sugar content. Water is therefore more easily absorbed into your system. Merely adding a tbsp. of salt to apple juice can be one way to make your own natural sports drink.
Drink fluids at room temperature or warm, both of which are more readily absorbed by your body during diarrhea phases as compared to cold drinks.
Bland Diet
Now that we have covered drink, it only makes sense to talk about the kind of foods you are going to have to eat. Let the initial 24 hours be solely clear liquid consumption.
- Rice, toast, bananas, applesauce, etc. comprise bland foods. Mashed potatoes and crackers are also included; you need to exempt the butter, though.
- Foods rich in fiber are your best all-round choice. These include brown rice, whole grains, bran, and oats.
- Avoid foods sweetened by sorbitol, especially if loose stools are a problem factor for you.
Your diet directly determines the intensity and duration of your diarrhea. Altering it and sticking to the right foods will help you get out of this uncomfortable and oftentimes embarassing condition soon.
Natural Supplements
Organic or natural supplements to fight diarrhea are indeed available. You can rely on these channels to get out of diarrhea or at least resolve or alleviate the symptoms and main problem-phase.
- Though pharmaceutical over-the-counter drugs like bismuth subsalicylate (Kaopectatel, Pepto-Bismol) and loperamide (Imodium) are good choices, it is best to opt for more wholesome supplements.
- Bael, nutmeg, psyllium, fenugreek, lemongrass, orange oil, and clove oil are excellent examples.
By relying on natural and fully organic supplements, you can cut risk of further problems while guaranteeing yourself the health boost you deserve.
Conclusion
Diarrhea is a problem, an ailment, and a condition that could worsen over time if not addressed properly. The ideas shared above have proven to work in the case of hundreds of people undergoing diarrhea. Besides, they are inexpensive and natural ideas designed to enhance all-round health by cutting to the root of physical problems, in this case diarrhea.