Diarrhea is one of the most common digestive disorders. In addition to common medications, it can be calmed or stopped with infusions and certain foods that provide hydration.
Diarrhea is when you pass loose, watery stools more than three times a day. It is one of the most common digestive disorders, as it can be a symptom of an infection or a stomach problem such as parasites or intolerance to certain foods. Along with the treatment prescribed by a doctor, there are home remedies that can help stop this discomfort.
Diarrhea is often accompanied by severe stomach pain, nausea, and vomiting. It usually lasts a couple of days, but if it lasts for weeks, it is important to consult a specialist because it could be a symptom of a more serious illness, such as irritable bowel syndrome or inflammatory bowel disease.
“We have all had diarrhea at some point and we consider it normal when it does not cause much discomfort or disappears within two days. However, there are some symptoms that we should consider as warning signs to seek medical assistance, some of them are: if diarrhea persists for more than two days and does not improve, if there is dehydration, fever, intense abdominal or rectal pain, and blood in the stool or stool that is dark in color,” says Andrea Ramírez, general practitioner.
In the case of children, it is vital to call the doctor if diarrhea lasts more than 24 hours if the child becomes dehydrated, has a fever, and if the stools appear bloody or black. This is also true for older adults and those with serious illnesses that weaken their immune system.
Causes of diarrhea
There are many factors that could cause diarrhea, from intestinal parasites, and food poisoning, to other digestive disorders such as irritable bowel syndrome or Crohn’s disease.
The most common causes of acute diarrhea, which lasts a couple of days, are infections caused by viruses, bacteria, or parasites that originate from consuming water or food contaminated by these microorganisms. The most common is gastroenteritis; food poisoning and side effects of some medications.
Chronic diarrhea, which lasts for several weeks, is also caused by parasitic and bacterial infections; food allergies and intolerances, such as lactose and fructose intolerance; inflammatory bowel diseases, and irritable bowel syndrome, among other gastrointestinal problems.
What is good for diarrhea?
Acute diarrhea usually resolves on its own, but chronic diarrhea can present warning signs such as dehydration, severe abdominal pain, and fever, so it is important to consult a doctor to avoid serious problems.
Regardless of which of the two types of diarrhea you have, there are home remedies that help calm or stop it. Naturopath Carolina Hernández shares some recommendations.
- Stay hydrated: Drink eight glasses of clear liquids a day. Purified water or soft drinks that hydrate you are ideal. It is also recommended to drink 1 cup of liquid for each trip to the bathroom. You can also choose foods that meet this goal such as crackers, soups, bananas, applesauce, potatoes, and fruit juices.
- Eating: Many people make the mistake of not eating when they have diarrhea, however, it is best to eat small meals throughout the day, rather than three large meals.
- Avoid fatty and spicy foods: Because the stomach is irritated, it is recommended to avoid foods that harm this organ. Foods rich in fat, spicy, artificial sweeteners, and high levels of fructose should be avoided. It is also recommended to avoid alcoholic beverages, caffeine, and dairy products.
- Over-the-counter medications: Medicine that relaxes the intestinal muscles and slows intestinal traffic (called antidiarrheal drugs) may be effective in reducing diarrhea.
- Rice water: This drink adds volume to the stool, and relieves cramps and stomach pain because it is rich in magnesium and potassium. The way to make it is in four parts water to one part rice in a pot, until it boils. Drink it three times a day.
- Carrot juice: Because this food is rich in vitamins K, C, B6, B1, and B3, as well as magnesium, potassium, and phosphorus, it helps reduce diarrhea.
- Infusions: preparing teas or infusions of garlic, basil, cinnamon, guava leaves, plantain leaves, mango leaves, chamomile leaves and flowers, and pericón leaves and flowers help to calm diarrhea. The recommendation is to prepare a liter of water with at least three species of the aforementioned plants and drink it throughout the day.
- Cooked fruits: Eat foods that do not contribute to contracting intestinal tissues, such as cooked potatoes, pears, and apples. It is not recommended to eat them raw because this will make the stomach work harder to digest them. Gelatin, vegetable soup, and coconut water are also foods that would help hydrate the body.