When the waste is cleared from the body and instead of regular bowel movements diarrhea appears, it may indicate an infection.
In this post, I’ll give you simple home remedies that are very useful as a treatment for diarrhea symptoms.
What Causes Diarrhea?
Diarrhea is actually the way of our body to clean itself in case of an infection.
When there is a pathogen, like viruses, bacteria, worms, and parasites, or some toxin,
the body tries to get rid of it, as fast as it can, so that that pathogen will not be able to reproduce and systemically harm our bodies.
Acute diarrhea usually lasts for several days, until the body is successful in its mission.
Different Kinds of Intestinal Infections Accompanied By Diarrhea
Viruses
Some viruses that cause intestinal infections have nice and innocent names like, for example, Norovirus or Rotavirus.
These viruses cause viral gastroenteritis, also known as stomach flu.
They are easy to catch, and they are the ones that undermine our gut sanity.
Bacteria and Parasites
Anyone who has traveled is well aware that contaminated food or water is an excellent source of bacteria or parasites.
We all know them by name: the fecal ultrasound bacterium, the shigella, and of course the salmonella.
Physiological Reaction to Natural or Chemical Substances that May Cause Diahrrea
Diarrhea as a Result of Drug Treatment
Some drugs can cause diarrhea, the most common of which are antibiotics.
While antibiotics kill the bad bacteria, they also kill the good bacteria, which are the ones that keep our gut balanced.
When the good bacteria die, the result can be a flood in the toilet.
Diarrhea Caused Due to Food Sensitivity
Lactose, the milk sugar, can cause diarrhea for those who are sensitive to it.
So is fructose (fruit sugar) and so is gluten, a protein found in various grains, including wheat.
Moreover, there are those who are sensitive to artificial sweeteners.
These sweeteners are widely used among weight watchers and are common in all diet drinks as well as candies and chewing gum.
Diarrhea as a Result of Drinking Alcohol
Chronic diarrhea is sometimes associated with heavy drinking of alcohol.
While the alcohol is absorbed in the body, the intestinal cells lose their ability to absorb water.
This causes the water that is not absorbed in the body to be released out through the colon.
This type of diarrhea lasts as long as the alcohol is present in the digestive tract – usually for several hours.
Diarrhea as a Side Effect of Diseases
Diarrhea is sometimes a symptom of more serious diseases such as Crohn’s disease, dysentery, cholera, and cancer of the colon or small intestine.
Basic Rules for the Treatment of Diarrhea
Fluids and Salts
Drink plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration.
Eat vegetable soup or clear soup or drink juices from fresh vegetables, which help restore the salt balance to the body.
If you are really unable to eat or drink, even drinking water with a little salt will help restore the body the salts it lost.
No matter what, avoid caffeine, which stimulates the action of the intestines.
Eat Light
In addition to fluid enrichment, you should avoid adding tasks to the digestive system.
Therefore it is not the time for large meals.
Light, home-made, and not cold food should be preferred over-processed, fatty, and fried food.
Avoid dairy products and also eggs and meat in order to free up energy to the digestive system.
Medications that May Cause Diarrhea
In case you’re on medications, see that they do not cause diarrhea.
Bathe
A good method for the treatment of diarrhea is taking hot baths.
Soak the whole body, except the head, in the water, for 20 minutes.
This method is not recommended for the elderly or those having heart problems.
Heating Pad
Similar to bathe, heating the abdomen relieves the pain and spasm.
Green Tea
Green tea contains tannin, a substance that helps stop diarrhea.
Fruits that are Good for the Treatment of Diarrhea
Fresh Juice
Juice from certain fruits and vegetables may help treat diarrhea.
Be sure to drink only fresh juices, the sugars and preservatives in purchased juices might be harmful.
Prefer fresh juice from apples, carrots, papaya, pineapple, or grapes.
Eat bananas to Stop Diarrhea
Banana has many health benefits and it can help with various stomach problems, both diarrhea, and constipation.
The fibers in the banana help normal bowel function and they stabilize the feeling of imbalance in the stomach.
The abundance of potassium in ripe bananas also helps relieve diarrhea.
While fruits that normally may cause constipation, like guava and pomegranate, when having diarrhea they balance the stomach and stop diarrhea.
You can eat the fruits in their original form, squeeze and drink them as juice, or brew their peel, strain and drink the liquids.
Pomegranate
Eating a pomegranate with its inner shell or boiling its shell in water and drinking the liquids is also very beneficial.
To stop diarrhea drink it 3 times a day.
Lemon
Rich in minerals and vitamin C, purifies the blood and supports the elimination of toxins from the body.
Drinking a lemon squeezed in warm water on an empty stomach, especially in the morning, is recommended for general cleansing of the body.
Home Remedies for the Treatment of Diarrhea
Barley Water or Rice Water
These are also good as a diarrhea remedy that restores fluid balance to the body and stops dehydration:
Boil rice or barley in plenty of water, strain, and drink the fluids.
Carobs
Boil fresh carob in water and drink it.
The carob has a large number of tannins that have anti-inflammatory and anti-allergenic properties, and the ability to strengthen the immune system.
Herbal Infusions
Prepare an infusion of plants with soothing properties, like chamomile, myrtle, hyssop, sage, cinnamon, geranium, and fennel seeds.
Corn Porridge
Corn may soothe the stomach and corn porridge can replace one of the meals.
In case of diarrhea, you better eat in small portions and give the stomach time to digest.
You can also mix it with potatoes and garlic.
Steamed Apples
Steam an apple until softens and then mash it.
Eat the mashed steamed apple 3 times a day.
Mango
Grind mango leaves and boil them in water to make a hot extract.
Use this extract to prevent diarrhea.
Avocado
Take an avocado kernel, light it, cut it, crumble, and eat it.
Very effective in preventing diarrhea and dysentery.
Cases in Which You Should Consult a Doctor
- When it comes to severe diarrhea (more than one exit every two hours).
- When diarrhea does not go away within 2-3 days.
- When signs of dehydration begin to appear such as little urine that is dark in color (in infants dry diapers), rapid pulse, headache, dryness of the skin or mouth, confusion and irritability, lack of energy.
- When additional signs of illness show such as fever or abdominal pain, lasting more than 24 hours.
- When the diarrhea is accompanied by vomiting.
- When there are recurrent episodes of diarrhea.
- When it comes to small babies that may be at risk of dehydration.
- When diarrhea is developed following a trip, especially to areas with poor hygiene.
- In the case of elderly patients or those suffering from chronic diseases, in particular diabetes, heart disease, kidney or liver disease, or HIV.
