Diarrhea is one of the most common health issues faced by people. We all have experienced diarrhea at some point in time in our lives. Diarrhea is the way of our body to deal with the disruptions in the gastrointestinal system. Diarrhea can range from normal conditions to life-threatening ones if it is not appropriately treated.
Diarrhea is described by abnormally loose stools or watery stools. There could be varied causes of diarrhea, but it is mainly caused by parasites, bacteria, or viruses. Diarrhea can be diagnosed by the symptoms, and no specific test is required to diagnose it. In most cases, diarrhea can be treated through effective home remedies.
Here is all you need to know about diarrhea, including- diarrhea symptoms, diarrhea causes, diarrhea treatment, and home remedies for treating it.
Read – Home Remedies for Diarrhea in Children
Diarrhea Symptoms
The main symptom of diarrhea include watery stools, but it is also accompanied by other symptoms like –
- stomach pain
- fever
- bloating
- weight loss
- abdominal cramps
- thirst
Other possible symptoms of diarrhea include –
- dehydration
- pus or blood in stools
- persistent vomiting
If diarrhea is chronic or it is accompanied by the above-mentioned symptoms, then it might indicate more severe illness.
Diarrhea Causes
Most of the time diarrhea is caused mainly due to infection in the gastrointestinal tract. Below mentioned are some of the microbes that contribute to diarrhea causes .
- parasitic organisms
- bacteria
- viruses
The major causes of acute diarrhea, as identified by the United States, include bacteria, namely Escherichia coli, Shigella, Salmonella, and Campylobacter. Other causes of chronic diarrhea are called “functional,” as the clear cause cannot be identified. Below mentioned are other primary causes of diarrhea.
- Chronic infections – A history of antibiotic use or travel can also contribute to the causes of diarrhea. Moreover, varied bacteria and parasites also lead to diarrhea. It is one of the diarrhea causes.
- Microscopic Colitis – This type of diarrhea usually concerns older adults and mostly during the night.
- Diarrhea Caused due to Drugs – Another diarrhea cause is that certain drugs like laxatives and antibiotics trigger diarrhea.
- Maldigestive and Malabsorptive Diarrhea – Maldigestive diarrhea is mainly caused due to impaired functioning of the digestive system. On the other hand, malabsorptive diarrhea is caused due to impaired nutritive absorption.
- Endocrine Causes – Sometimes, diarrhea is also caused due to hormonal factors.
Diarrhea Treatment
Below mentioned are some of the home remedies for diarrhea, which will help you in dealing with diarrhea symptoms.
- Consume Recovery Diet
While recovering from diarrhea, it is better to have small meals frequently in a day, rather than to eat larger meals. A good diet for a person facing diarrhea issues include-
- Cooked and soft vegetables
- Foods loaded with pectin
- Foods rich in electrolytes like sports drinks
- Foods loaded with potassium like sweet potatoes
- Foods with an appropriate amount of protein
You can also opt for a BRAT diet in order to treat diarrhea. BRAT diet includes –
- banana
- rice
- apple sauce
- toast
- Rehydration
Hydrating the body appropriately is essential to recover from diarrhea. Diarrhea leads to the deficiency of fluids in the body, including water. It causes the body to lose certain electrolytes like chloride and sodium. In order to support the process of recovery from diarrhea, it is essential to restore the fluids; otherwise, it might lead to dehydration. Drinking an appropriate amount of water is a vital step of rehydrating.
You can also make oral rehydration solution at home by mixing 6 teaspoons of sugar and half teaspoon of salt in one-liter water. These solutions help in rehydrating the body in an effective manner. You can also opt for drinking sports drinks as they will help in restoring sodium and potassium in the body. Avoid drinking the below-mentioned beverages as they might irritate the digestive tract.
- carbonated beverages
- caffeinated drinks
- alcohol
- hot drinks
- Take Probiotics
Probiotics are microorganisms that are good for the digestive system. They are beneficial to support the functioning of the gut and fighting off the infection. Probiotics are yeast and live bacteria found in fermented foods like yogurt. Certain studies have presented evidence that probiotics remarkable shorten the duration required for recovery from diarrhea. Moreover, probiotics are also safe without major adverse effects. It is one of the best home remedies for diarrhea treatment.
- Avoid Some Foods
It is better to avoid foods that could possibly irritate the gastrointestinal tract, and it is one of the best diarrhea treatment. Below mentioned are some of the foods that put pressure on the gastrointestinal tract.
- Spicy foods
- High-fat foods
- Foods with a higher amount of fructose
- Greasy foods
- Foods loaded with fructose
- Medicines
A wide range of medicines is available in the market to treat diarrhea. Antimotility drugs are effective to decrease diarrhea symptoms and speed the process of recovery. However, before taking any medications, it is better to consult the doctor.
The above-mentioned tips are effective for diarrhea treatment. Nevertheless, if you are facing the issue of diarrhea for more than two weeks, then it is better to see a doctor. Moreover, if you are any of the below-mentioned symptoms, then it would be better to seek medical advice.
- chronic diarrhea
- fever
- pus or blood in stools
- too much weight loss
- severe abdominal pain
- diarrhea during sleep
