Diarrhea is not a disease: it is a symptom of another health problem, such as an infection or virus. Diarrhea can also occur as a reaction that arises due to allergies to food, drugs, protozoa (10%-15% of total cases), viruses (50%-70% of total cases), or bacteria (15% of cases). -20% of total cases) in food or drink. In most cases, diarrhea will go away on its own within a few days, but certain types of diarrhea can cause serious problems. Acute diarrhea is the cause of more than 150,000 cases of illness that requires hospitalization every year. In addition, diarrhea is also a disease that causes the fifth largest death, affecting 11% of the total population in general. However, diarrhea is the body's way of flushing toxins from its system. Often, the best you can do is to let it run while treating the underlying cause and minimizing the problems associated with dehydration and electrolyte imbalances.
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Method 1 of 3: Treating Diarrhea at Home
Step 1. Drink water and other fluids to restore vitamin and mineral levels in the body
When you have diarrhea, your body will excrete fluids that contain the vitamins and minerals your body needs. It is important that you get these minerals from fluids, such as water or isotonic drinks.
- Fighting dehydration is the main thing you should do when you have diarrhea. If you also vomit when you have diarrhea, make sure that you drink small amounts of water often, not by drinking lots of water every once in a while.
- Other fluids you can drink to combat dehydration include chicken or beef broth, flavored mineral water, or a rehydration solution such as Pedialyte.
- Caffeine-free drinks are the best choice. Caffeine is a mild diuretic drink, which means it can cause dehydration. When suffering from diarrhea, make sure that you only drink beverages that do not aggravate dehydration.
Step 2. Get more sleep
Not many people in general think that sleep is something that helps the body recover when sick, but sleep is something that is really needed when someone has diarrhea. Since diarrhea is a symptom, it is a good indicator that the body is fighting a problem, such as a virus. Sleep and rest are some of the best ways to strengthen the immune system.
Step 3. Change your regular diet to a BRAT diet
If you have stopped vomiting (or you have never vomited during diarrhea symptoms), you can follow the BRAT diet to restore the body-BRAT consisting of Banana (bananas), Rice (rice), Applesauce (apple sauce), and Toast (bread). These foods are also quite bland, so it will not make your stomach hurt even more.
Bananas that are included in this diet are useful in replacing potassium in the body that is lost due to diarrhea
Step 4. Complete the BRAT diet with other options
While the BRAT diet is fundamentally effective in treating diarrhea, it is not balanced. Salty biscuits, boiled potatoes, clear soup, skinless grilled chicken, cooked carrots, and other foods that are a bit bland can also help when you have an upset stomach.
Some people also try yogurt. However, the lactose in yogurt may be difficult to digest in your stomach when you have diarrhea. If you choose to eat yogurt, choose a probiotic type (with live bacterial cultures) to replace the good bacteria in your stomach and help in the recovery process
Step 5. Avoid foods that can make your symptoms worse
Knowing the foods that should not be consumed is as important as knowing the foods that can be consumed. In general, you should avoid oily, spicy, or sweet foods, as they contain a lot of fiber. Milk and other products made from milk may also be difficult to digest for some people with diarrhea. Also avoid:
- Chewing gum containing sorbitol. Sorbitol is a laxative.
- Spicy food, fruit, and alcohol until diarrhea symptoms have subsided for more than 48 hours.
- Caffeine-containing foods, such as chocolate, because caffeine can cause dehydration.
Step 6. Take a zinc supplement
Studies have shown that zinc supplements can improve the process of restoring diarrhea. Zinc is a micronutrient that helps with protein synthesis, and also transports water and electrolytes in the intestines.
The World Health Organization recommends taking zinc supplements by mouth-10 mg daily for infants under six months, 20 mg daily for children over six months. Adults should take zinc supplements at the dosage recommended by the drug manufacturer
Step 7. Restart your normal diet
Approximately after 24 to 48 hours your diarrhea symptoms have subsided, you can return to your normal diet. Introduce food slowly to the body for best results.
Use common sense. Start with plain cooked chicken or fish instead of a plate of spicy pork
Method 2 of 3: Treating Diarrhea with Medication
Step 1. Purchase an antidiarrheal absorbent that doesn't require a prescription
Absorbent is a drug that is absorbed into the intestinal wall and colon, so that the water content in the feces will be reduced. Follow the directions on the package for the dosage.
If you are taking absorbents, it is important that you do not take other drugs for a few hours after taking the absorbent, Absorbents can cause other drugs to be absorbed into the intestinal wall and colon, so the benefits will be lost. For best results, take absorbent and other medications separately
Step 2. Take over-the-counter medications that contain bismuth compounds
The bismuth compound found in common products such as Pepto-Bismol is known to contain an antibiotic-like substance that kills bacteria that cause diarrhea. It is not clear how bismuth compounds fight diarrhea. This drug may only be useful for patients with diarrhea from traveling or those who are fighting H. pylori bacteria.
Step 3. Try taking an antimotility medication
Antimotility drugs cause slowing of bowel and colonic movements. This slowdown will make the digestive organs more relaxed, thus giving time for more water to be absorbed so that the consistency of diarrhea becomes better. Two commonly used antimotility drugs are loperamide and diphenoxylate. Loperamide can be purchased in various forms without requiring a prescription (eg Imodium A-D).
People who have infectious diarrhea (eg caused by E. coli bacteria) should avoid antimotility drugs
Step 4. Talk to your doctor if you need antibiotics
If the medication you have taken with nutritious food and plenty of water doesn't make your diarrhea better after 72 hours, see your doctor. Your doctor may prescribe antibiotics to treat diarrhea caused by bacteria or parasites. Antibiotics will not cure diarrhea caused by a virus.
- It is very important for you to check with your doctor if the option of using over-the-counter medications has proven ineffective because diarrhea caused by a bacterial or parasitic infection can actually get worse when you take medication.
- Your doctor will prescribe certain antibiotics for your symptoms after examining the type of bacteria causing your symptoms by examining your stool.
Method 3 of 3: Treating Diarrhea with Herbal Medicine
Step 1. Visit a doctor
For diarrhea caused by certain types of infection, herbal remedies can make the diarrhea worse, not make you better. Consult your doctor before turning to an herbal remedy.
Step 2. Try to take probiotics
The live bacteria contained in probiotics increase the number of good bacteria in the gut, which are usually lost when a person suffers from diarrhea. By replacing good bacteria into your intestines, your digestive system can recover faster so it can function normally again.
Probiotics can be obtained in the form of supplements and yogurt
Step 3. Drink chamomile tea
Traditionally, chamomile tea is used to treat inflammation, including the digestive system. Drink up to three cups daily in small amounts to help the body absorb them properly.
Be aware that chamomile can react to people who are allergic to ragweed, and it can also interfere with some medications, including hormone medications
Step 4. Try psyllium
Psyllium is a soluble fiber (which means it absorbs water). Psyllium can produce a more textured stool when consumed by someone with diarrhea. Take psyllium with a large glass full of water.
Check with your doctor before taking psyllium if you have inflammatory bowel disease
Step 5. Try a marshmallow root supplement
Traditionally, marshmallow is also an herb used to reduce inflammation. Follow the directions given by the supplement manufacturer.
- You can also make tea by brewing this herb cold, by putting two tablespoons of marshmallow herbs into approximately 1 liter of water for one night. Strain the tea first before drinking.
- These herbs can interfere with the effects of certain medications-such as lithium-so check with your doctor before taking them.
Step 6. Try drinking a mixture of slippery elm powder
Traditionally, slippery elm powder has also been used to reduce inflammation of the digestive system. Follow the manufacturer's instructions.
- Add four grams of slippery elm powder to 500 ml of water and leave it for three to five minutes. You can drink this mixture up to three times a day when you have diarrhea.
- Some herbalists believe that slippery elm can cause miscarriage. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, ask your doctor first before taking slippery elm.
Step 7. Try drinking apple cider vinegar
Apple cider vinegar is believed to contain antibacterial substances. When used to treat diarrhea, put two teaspoons of apple cider vinegar in one cup of warm water. You can drink this mixture several times a day.
If you are taking apple cider vinegar with other probiotics, allow a few hours between taking the apple cider vinegar and taking the probiotics. One example is yogurt which contains good bacteria and is generally believed to be good for treating diarrhea. Wait one to two hours after you consume apple cider vinegar before consuming yogurt
Step 8. Try using herbal astringents
Astringent herbs are believed to help dry the mucous membranes in the intestines, so that the amount of loose stools can be reduced. Most herbal astringents can be found in supplements or teas, including:
- blackberry leaves
- raspberry leaf
- Carob powder.
- bilberry extract
- Agrimony
Tips
- If your diarrhea symptoms get worse, see a doctor to get yourself checked!
- If symptoms of diarrhea appear along with a fever with a temperature of 38.6 °C for children or 38.9 °C for adults, immediately take the patient to the doctor.
- Meet the body's water needs.
- Rest at home and don't need to go to work or school until your diarrhea symptoms are gone, and wash your hands thoroughly.
Warning
- Call the doctor if your baby or young child has diarrhea for more than 24 hours or shows signs of dehydration.
- See a doctor if you have blood in your stool when you have diarrhea, you are dehydrated, you have finished your dose of antibiotics, or the diarrhea does not go away after more than 72 hours.
- Other signs of dehydration include feeling tired, feeling thirsty, dry mouth, muscle cramps, dizziness, and reduced urine volume.
