Helpful advice on treating and preventing diarrhea

Diarrhea is extremely common in people of all ages. Most cases clear up in 24-48 hours and there are several things that can be done to treat diarrhea symptoms.
Besides loose stools, one may also develop abdominal cramps and pain. Other associated symptoms of diarrhea include a bloated feeling, nausea, low-grade fever and in some cases, trace amounts of blood in the stools.

The most important thing in knowing how to treat diarrhea is to maintain hydration by drinking ample clear liquids, which can include broth, water or non-acidic juices. It is important to avoid alcohol and caffeine.

As your stomach calms down, gradually add semisolid foods (e.g. crackers, eggs, toast, rice and chicken). It is important to avoid fatty foods, high-fibre foods, highly processed foods or dairy products until the diarrhea is over. These foods can sometimes worsen the diarrhea.

There are several over-the-counter anti-diarrheal medications available. These medications rapidly decrease the number of watery bowel movements. It is important to be aware that certain bacterial or parasitic infections of the bowel may be made worse by these medications. This is because the body is not able to get rid of the bacteria since the medications reduce the diarrhea. More importantly, these medications are only meant for adults, so always check with a healthcare provider first before giving them to a child.

You may want to consider probiotics, which are strains of living bacteria that are similar to other healthy microorganisms that reside in the digestive tract. It is well established that probiotics can boost the number of healthy bacteria in the digestive tract and fight other “bad” bacteria. There are several types of probiotic supplements available such as yogurt and cheese.

In the majority of cases, the above measures will help treat your diarrhea by reducing or completely clearing it. However, it is important to know that there are times when you should go the doctor. If your diarrhea persists for more than three days, if you are dehydrated as evidenced by a dry mouth, feeling dizzy, have dark-coloured urine, severe abdominal pain, blood in the stools or a high fever, it is important to see a health-care provider.

To prevent diarrhea, always wash your hands on a regular basis.

In addition, wash your hands before and after preparing foods, after using the toilet, changing diapers or blowing your nose. If you have no have access to a detergent, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer, which are readily available in pharmacies. If you plan to travel, watch what you eat and avoid raw vegetables and fruits, unless you can peel them yourself. Avoid ice cubes and tap water. Drink bottled water and use bottled water when brushing your teeth. Finally, always check for a travel warning issued by the government.