Most Effective Diarrhea Remedies
Overview
We’ve all experienced bouts of diarrhea at some point in our lives. Common symptoms of diarrhea include frequent, watery stools, abdominal cramping, and bloating.
Diarrhea is often your body’s way of dealing with disruptions in your gastrointestinal system. Acute diarrhea lasts less than 2 weeks and can come from many sources, such as:
• a viral infection
• a bacterial infection
• food poisoning
• recent antibiotic use
• water contaminated with an infectious agent
Infectious diarrhea is common in young children and is often caused by a virus. Traveler’s diarrhea can occur if you travel to underdeveloped areas with contaminated water. Bacteria from improperly stored or cooked food are typical causes of food poisoning.
Read on for some of the most effective ways to manage acute diarrhea.
Hydration is very important when you have diarrhea. Dehydration from diarrhea can be fatal in young children and older adults. Continue breastfeeding or formula feeding infants who are experiencing diarrhea. Over-the-counter oral pediatric hydration solutions, like Pedialyte, are the recommended fluids of choice for children with diarrhea. Small amounts of hydration solutions should be given frequently. These formulas also come in popsicle preparations.
StudiesTrusted Source have shown that for adults with mild symptoms of diarrhea, sports drinks and over-the-counter rehydration solutions are equally effective.
Alcohol, milk, soda, and other carbonated or caffeinated drinks should not be used for hydration, as they may make your symptoms worse.
Probiotics are sources of “good” bacteria that work in your intestinal tract to create a healthy gut environment. They’re essentially live microorganisms that exist in certain foods, including:
• aged soft cheeses
• beet kvass
• cottage cheese
• dark chocolate
• green olives
• kefir
• kimchi
• kombucha
• sauerkraut
• miso
• natto
• pickles
• sourdough bread
• tempeh
• yogurt
Probiotics also come in powder or pill form.
The good bacteria that live in your intestinal tract are necessary for the normal functioning of your gastrointestinal system. They play an important role in protecting your intestines against infection. When your system is changed by antibiotics or overwhelmed by unhealthy bacteria or viruses, you can get diarrhea. Probiotics can help with diarrhea by restoring the balance of bacteria in your gut.
Saccharomyces boulardii is a yeast probiotic. While it’s not a bacterium, it acts like one. S. boulardii may improve antibiotic-associated diarrhea. It also seems to provide relief for traveler’s diarrhea. StudiesTrusted Source suggest it may help your intestines fight off unwanted pathogens and ensure they’re absorbing nutrients properly. Because it is yeast, it should be used with caution in people with inadequate immune systems.
It’s important to receive proper medical care in cases of acute diarrhea. Talk with your health care provider before taking probiotic supplements to treat your diarrhea.
With your doctor’s supervision, several over-the-counter medications can help with acute diarrhea if your symptoms are not severe. Common over-the-counter medications include:
• bismuth subsalicylate (Pepto-Bismol and Kaopectate)
• loperamide (Imodium)
While these drugs can relieve the symptoms of diarrhea, they don’t treat the underlying cause.
If you have chronic diarrhea, you shouldn’t use these drugs without your doctor’s consent. Chronic diarrhea is diarrhea that lasts more than 14 days. It often has different causes.
You should be especially cautious if your child has diarrhea. Dehydration resulting from diarrhea can be dangerous and can occur quickly in young children. Severe dehydration can be life-threatening. Over-the-counter medications are not recommended for treatment in children, so it’s important to talk to your doctor. Infants under 3 months old who have diarrhea should be taken to the doctor right away.
If you have bloody diarrhea, a fever, more than seven days of symptoms, intense abdominal pain, or diarrhea that is getting worse, you should seek medical attention.
While it might sound counterintuitive to eat if you have diarrhea, eating certain foods can help alleviate your diarrhea symptoms and ensure your health doesn’t worsen from not eating. Stick to low-fiber “BRAT” foods that will help firm up your stool. These include:
• bananas
• rice (white)
• applesauce
• toast
Other foods that are usually well-tolerated when experiencing diarrhea include:
• oatmeal
• boiled or baked potatoes (with skins peeled)
• baked chicken with skin removed
• chicken soup (which also aids in rehydration)
Fried and greasy foods are usually not well-tolerated in people who have diarrhea. You should also consider limiting high-fiber foods like 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)
• beans
• berries
• broccoli
• cabbage
• cauliflower
• chickpeas
• coffee
• corn
• ice cream
• green leafy vegetables
• milk
• peas
• peppers
• prunes
• tea
Herbs for Digestive Health
These herbs are thought to improve overall digestive health. They are indicated for use regardless of IBS sub-type (constipation-predominant, diarrhea-predominant, or alternating-type).
Peppermint Oil
Peppermint oil is the only herbal supplement to get the seal of approval from the American College of Gastroenterology due to its effectiveness in reducing abdominal pain.1
This pain-relieving quality is thought to be the result of peppermint oil’s effect on gut motility. Peppermint oil appears to relax the muscles of the gut. This can reduce the muscle spasms that contribute to abdominal pain.
Slippery Elm
Slippery elm has a long history of use by Native Americans as a remedy for a variety of health conditions. In terms of digestive health, slippery elm is thought to calm irritation by coating the lining of the intestinal system.2
Slippery elm’s effect on the stool illustrates why it is seen as helpful regardless of one’s predominant IBS symptom. By adding bulk to the stool, it is thought to ease diarrhea. Slippery elm also softens the stool, thus helping ease constipation.
Artichoke Leaf Extract
A newer natural remedy to the IBS treatment list, artichoke leaf extract (ALE) shows some surprising promise.
In a 2016 meta-analysis, various studies indicate that it is effective in reducing bowel movements from regular constipation and diarrhea down to "normal."3 This is believed to be due to a certain antispasmodic compound called cynaropicrin.
Aloe Vera
Aloe vera juice is often marketed as a remedy for IBS. However, the limited research that exists on the subject is contradictory.
Some studies have shown it to have no effects on IBS symptoms. At least one double-blind randomized clinical trial trial found it to effective in constipation, but not abdominal pain. There is still much debate and more research is needed.3
Aloe vera can cause a drop in blood sugar (hypoglycemia) and needs to be used with caution in people on diabetes medications.
Herbs for Constipation
Some herbs and herbal preparations are considered effective in treating constipation because they have a laxative effect. Among them:
Amalaki is the fruit of the Amalaki tree is found throughout Asia and used often in Ayurvedic medicine. It is thought to positively affect overall digestion and serve as a laxative.
Triphala is an herbal preparation made from the fruit of the bibhataki, haritaki, and Amalaki trees. In addition to its laxative effect, Triphala is thought to reduce abdominal pain and bloating.4
Herbal stimulant laxatives contain substances called anthraquinones are used as stimulant laxatives. Examples of these include senna, cascara, rhubarb, and frangula.
Anthraquinone herbal laxatives should not be used for more than seven days as their extended use may increase the risk of liver toxicity and damage.
Herbs for Diarrhea
Certain herbs have been associated with a quieting of diarrhea symptoms. Among them:
Chamomile,
Aavailable in tea, liquid or capsule form, is thought to reduce inflammation and quiet spasms in the gut.5 Chamomile is not appropriate for anyone following a low-FODMAP diet.
Berry leaf teas,
Iincluding those made from blueberry, blackberry, or raspberry leaves, contain tannins which may decrease inflammation and the secretion of fluids in the intestines.
