How to Treat Diarrhea?

Everyone experiences diarrhea at some point in their lifetime. But for some, diarrhea is a recurring problem that could be a sign of a more significant problem.

Diarrhea is uncomfortable and disruptive to your life. Luckily, there are some simple things you can try to treat diarrhea. If you have chronic diarrhea or notice it is happening more frequently, contact your doctor to explore possible underlying causes.

Understanding what causes diarrhea can help you find the right remedy for it. This article will explain some of the most common causes of diarrhea and how to treat it at home.

How to Treat Diarrhea at Home

While diarrhea can make life miserable, you don’t have to wait it out. There are several options for treating diarrhea at home.

Adjust your diet

Sometimes, diarrhea can occur if your diet changes. A significant increase in high-fiber foods, overeating rich or fatty foods, or other significant dietary changes may lead to stomach pain, bloating, and loose, watery stool.

When diarrhea strikes, switch up your diet to primarily bland, starchy foods. Bread, bananas, rice, and other starchy foods are binding, meaning they will make your stool firmer and bulkier. You can also try plain chicken breasts, potatoes, low-sugar cereals, and soup. The results? Less diarrhea and discomfort.

Diarrhea usually only lasts for a few days, so don’t stay on this bland diet for long. If you keep eating a restricted diet, your body may lack the nutrients it needs to perform at its best.

Fermented foods

Your gut relies on an optimal balance of healthy bacteria. Diarrhea can upset this balance and deplete your gut of the bacteria it needs to work well–and this can lead to more GI problems. Replace healthy gut bacteria by eating a variety of fermented foods, including:

• Kombucha
• Sauerkraut
• Cottage cheese
• Sourdough bread
• Green olives
• Miso
• Aged soft cheeses
• Yogurt

Just as importantly, there are some foods you should steer clear of if you have diarrhea. These include:

Carbonated drinks like soda and seltzer

Prunes

High-fiber foods like bran and brown rice

• Fried foods
• Beans
• Corn
• Berries
• Eating these and other foods that cause gas may worsen your diarrhea and discomfort.

OTC medications and supplements

For short bouts of diarrhea, taking an over-the-counter medication may provide relief. These include Imodium, which can help firm up loose stool, and Pepto-Bismol or Kaopectate. These medications work well for occasional diarrhea.

However, other treatment may be required for chronic or severe diarrhea. If your diarrhea is caused by a parasite or bacterial infection, you may need prescription medications to treat it.

Probiotic supplements can help restore and balance your gut’s microbiome, making you less prone to diarrhea. Taking them may also help reduce the duration of diarrhea once it starts. Look for a probiotic with specific strains that include:

• Lactobacillus bacteria
• Bifidobacterium bacteria
• Saccharomyces boulardii (S. boulardii) yeast

Some people experience mild bloating or gas when first taking probiotic supplements, but these symptoms are often temporary.

Learn About How to Treat Diarrhea

Diarrhea doesn’t have to be a regular part of your life. If you experience frequent or severe bouts of diarrhea, learn about effective ways to treat it by contacting the Gastroenterology of the Rockies team today.