Remedies for diarrhea

Diarrhea is not a disease, but a symptom, and to cure it it is necessary to find out its cause. However, some precautions can help us alleviate the symptoms.

The term diarrhea refers to the emission of watery stools due to reduced fluid absorption by the intestine. Often the frequency of bowel movements is higher than usual, but a single episode of diarrhea can also occur.

To cause it can be, for example, bacterial infections or viral infections, but not only. Let’s find out together the other possible causes, the associated symptoms and the remedies to counteract it.

Symptoms of diarrhea

Diarrhoea may be associated with additional disorders, such as:

The signs of dehydration, in particular, are different in children and adults. In children, fluid loss can result in poor urine output, tiredness, irritability, pallor, cooling of hands and feet, and dry eyes. In adults, on the other hand, dry skin, thirst, fatigue, nausea, dizziness, muscle pain, heartbeat and loss of appetite occur.

In severe cases, the following may occur:

  • frequent and repeated bouts of diarrhea, even at night
  • traces of blood and/or mucus in the stool
  • dark or black stools
  • intense abdominal cramps and continuous vomiting
  • high fever
  • feeling confused, weak and dizzy
  • weight loss.

These disorders, as well as the prolongation of the problem up to four or more weeks (chronic diarrhea), can be a wake-up call for a more serious disease and, if they occur, it is advisable to contact the attending physician.

However, it should be noted that bouts of diarrhea are occasionally experienced by many people and often resolve within a week of appearance, without further complications (in this case we speak of acute diarrhea).

Causes of diarrhea

Acute diarrhea can have numerous causes. Among all, the most common is gastroenteritis, an infection commonly called “intestinal flu” caused by viruses and bacteria. An example of this is the so-called traveller’s diarrhoea, which can occur during stays in areas with poor sanitary conditions and high temperatures.

Episodes of acute diarrhoea may also be associated with:

The most severe and repeated forms of diarrhea over time, on the other hand, can be a consequence of various diseases and intestinal disorders:

  • chronic inflammatory bowel diseases, such as ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease
  • Celiac disease
  • irritable bowel syndrome, also called spastic colitis
  • bile acid malabsorption (accumulation of bile in the intestine) or biliary cirrhosis
  • colorectal cancer and cancer
  • Digestive surgeries
  • chronic pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas)
  • endometriosis
  • diverticulitis (presence of diverticula, or small sacs, in the colon)
  • hyperthyroidism
  • hepatitis.

Remedies for diarrhea

As already pointed out, diarrhea usually resolves spontaneously within a few days. During the episodes, however, it is necessary to rest and respect some precautions in order to replenish lost fluids and avoid complications.

Drinking water in small sips several times a day is the simplest solution to promote rehydration, especially in weaker subjects such as children and the elderly. Carbonated drinks, alcohol, coffee, tea and fruit juices should be avoided, which can irritate the intestine and lead to worsening symptoms.

Su indicazione del medico, può essere opportuno assumere anche integratori e soluzioni saline reidratanti, così da compensare la perdita di liquidi ed elettroliti (come sodio e potassio). Per i bambini, le quantità da assumere variano a seconda di età, peso e gravità dei sintomi. 

Il digiuno non sembra avere effetti positivi, ma, in caso di inappetenza, l’ingestione di cibo non deve essere forzata.

Per quanto riguarda la dieta da seguire, i nutrizionisti consigliano un’alimentazione leggera, che favorisca la digestione, e cibi dalle proprietà astringenti. Tra questi troviamo:

  • riso bianco
  • verdure cotte come patate e carote lesse
  • fette biscottate
  • grissini
  • carne magra come pollo, tacchino
  • bresaola e prosciutto magro
  • pesce bollito
  • banane, mele e succo di limone, che può anche essere usato come condimento.

Sono invece sconsigliati:

  • le verdure crude
  • gli alimenti integrali e quelli ricchi di fibra alimentare (che favoriscono il transito intestinale e possono irritare le pareti dell’intestino)
  • untoasted white bread
  • fatty foods (aged cheeses, fried foods, sausages, dried fruit, creams)
  • spicy spices (chilli, pepper)
  • chocolate.

In order to rebalance the intestinal flora, moreover, probiotic products (the so-called lactic ferments) are often used to be taken orally.

To reduce bouts of diarrhea, antidiarrheal drugs are used instead. Although they can be purchased without a prescription, it is necessary to carefully read the instructions on the package leaflet so as not to exceed the doses and be aware of the contraindications. The action of these drugs is generally to block the movements of the intestine, thus favoring greater absorption of liquids. In case the disorder is of infectious origin, however, their use is not recommended because through diarrhea the intestine is freed from pathogenic microorganisms; On the contrary, by blocking the spasms necessary for defecation, healing and restoration of intestinal bacterial flora are delayed. It is therefore always good to consult your doctor or pharmacist.

Antibiotic treatment should be prescribed by the specialist only in the presence of bacterial infection.

Finally, if diarrhea is related to a specific pathology, treating the disease will also lead to an improvement in diarrheal symptoms. This is the case, for example, of irritable bowel syndrome, inflammatory bowel diseases, malabsorption of bile acids or celiac disease, whose therapy involves the elimination of gluten from the diet.

When to contact your doctor

The treatment of diarrhea requires medical intervention when it lasts for more than one or two weeks, in the presence of severe symptoms, or when a disease related to the disorder has already been diagnosed. The specialist will collect information on the frequency of diarrheal discharge, the presence of other symptoms (such as the appearance of fever), any travel abroad, recently eaten foods, use of medications and stress conditions.

If a more serious disease, such as ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease, is suspected, blood and stool tests may also be ordered. This last analysis is aimed at verifying, among other things, the possible presence of parasites and occult blood.

If the results confirm the hypothesis of an inflammatory disease, the patient may undergo a rectal examination or other more invasive tests, such as rectoscopy and colonoscopy, in order to verify the state of the intestinal mucosa and reach a correct diagnosis.

How to prevent diarrhea

You can reduce the risk of infection that can cause diarrhea by following the following hygiene rules on a daily basis:

  • wash your hands often with soap, especially after going to the bathroom and before eating
  • Wash worktop and kitchen utensils often during food preparation
  • Do not leave food at room temperature for too long and do not store raw and cooked foods together
  • Do not eat expired food
  • when traveling to countries with poor hygiene standards, eat only well-cooked foods, drinking water and soft drinks in packaged bottles; Instead, avoid fruit with peel, dairy products, ice cream, ice and tap water.

In case of diarrhea already manifested, moreover, it is better not to share towels or dishes with other people and it is necessary to clean the toilet with disinfectant after each discharge.

Joycelyn Elders is the author and creator of EmpowerEssence, a health and wellness blog. Elders is a respected public health advocate and pediatrician dedicated to promoting general health and well-being.

The blog covers a wide range of topics related to health and wellness, with articles organized into several categories.

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