Diarrhea is a common disease throughout the world. In the US, 48 million cases of foodborne disease and 3000 deaths each year are caused by diarrhea. In addition, diarrhea also causes 128,000 hospitalization cases every year which is usually caused by dehydration. The cause of diarrhea is infectious substances such as viruses, bacteria, or parasites, as well as other things such as unwanted drug reactions. Viruses, rotavirus, and norwalk virus are some of the most common infectious agents causing diarrhea. Diarrhea can be a condition of loose stools or frequent bowel movements, but most doctors define diarrhea as a condition of watery stools. One of the most widely used ways to treat diarrhea is the BRAT diet method, which is a home-based food treatment.
Step
Method 1 of 2: Using the BRAT Method
Step 1. Consider the BRAT method
Doctors often recommend the BRAT method for people with acute diarrhea (diarrhea that lasts less than 14 days). This method of incorporating bland foods into your diet will help soothe your stomach and help treat diarrhea-causing infections in your digestive tract. BRAT stands for banana, rice, applesauce, toast or banana, rice, applesauce, and toast. These foods are usually recommended because they are easy to digest, can be tolerated by most people, and low in fiber so they can help harden stools.
- The BRAT method is not a diet for weight loss and is not recommended for long-term use. This diet is low in protein, fat, and fiber, and does not contain the essential nutrients necessary for long-term survival. You should only use this method for a few days until you can digest your food normally again. Be sure to use this method for at least 24 hours to help with diarrhea symptoms.
- Indeed, doctors' main concern about the BRAT diet is how restrictive food intake and nutrients are. You should not go on this diet for more than a few days after recovering from diarrhea.
Step 2. Eat a banana
The first step in the BRAT method is to eat bananas. Bananas are the right choice for consumption when you have diarrhea because it tastes bland and is easily digested by the stomach. Bananas are also beneficial because they are rich in potassium so they can help restore nutrients lost due to diarrhea. Eat lots of bananas during diarrhea. However, do not get too full to add to problems in the gastrointestinal tract. Just consume as much as you can without causing pain. Bananas contain about 422 mg of potassium so it is one of the foods with the highest potassium content, with 13% of the RDA of potassium in one banana. Potassium is an important electrolyte that provides energy for cells, tissues, and organs in the body.
Green bananas are better because they contain more pectin
Step 3. Cook white rice
Rice is a good choice as it is easily tolerated during an upset stomach. Eat rice without any additives, such as butter or salt because the added ingredients in rice can make stomach upset, especially in the first few days of diarrhea.
Don't eat brown rice. Brown rice is high in fiber, which can make stools runny and make diarrhea worse
Step 4. Increase your applesauce intake
Applesauce also tastes bland but slightly sweet because it contains natural sugars. Applesauce is easy to digest and tolerate even if your stomach hurts. You can buy a single serving of applesauce, which is easy to eat, or in large packs to serve in a bowl. Eat several servings of applesauce a day to help increase your calorie intake and soothe your stomach.
- Avoid buying multi-flavored applesauce, as they are higher in sugar and may make stomach upset worse.
- The thing doctors worry about is the intake of simple sugars. Simple sugars such as the sugar in applesauce can increase stool output, and are low in sodium and potassium, which are the main electrolytes in the body.
Step 5. Make the toast
One of the most bland food choices you can eat is plain bread. Bread is a great source of carbohydrates and is easy to digest when you have an upset stomach. White bread is a good choice because it is lighter in taste and has less fiber, which can help harden stools.
Avoid adding butter and sweetened jam to toast. Butter is rich in fat, while jam can make your stomachache worse
Step 6. Try variations of the BRAT method
There are two main variations in the BRAT method, the first being the BRATY method which adds yogurt. Plain yogurt has a high potassium content and good bacteria for the digestive tract. Apart from that, you can also try the BRTT method which adds tea to your diet. Mild herbal teas can help meet the body's fluid needs while calming the stomach.
You may combine them all into the BRATTY method if you find all the components useful to you
Step 7. Change how it is used in children
In recent years, there are some doctors who believe that the BRAT diet is too restrictive for children with acute diarrhea because it lacks the nutrients needed for their body's recovery. Doctors recommend using this method only in the first 24 hours of diarrhea. After that, doctors recommend giving children nutrient-rich foods while continuing to avoid foods that contain simple sugars. Foods that contain simple sugars include soda, fruit juices, gelatin-based dishes, or other sugary foods that can make diarrhea worse. After diarrhea is cured, children should be given additional nutrition to restore the nutrients that were lacking during illness.
- Certain guidelines recommend avoiding fatty foods. However, maintaining an adequate calorie intake without fat is difficult. In addition, fat also has a beneficial effect in reducing intestinal motility. So, you should not give food that is too oily but low in nutrients to children.
- Try asking your child to eat foods in the BRAT method for the first 24 hours even a little so that he doesn't get sick. The practice of avoiding food intake during the onset of diarrhea is inappropriate. Early intake of food will reduce changes in intestinal permeability due to infection so that it can shorten the duration of the disease and improve treatment outcomes.
- Doctors recommend a diet of complex carbohydrates, low-fat meats, yogurt, fruits, and age-appropriate vegetables. These foods are easier to tolerate than simple fats and sugars.
Step 8. Get your potassium intake from other foods
If you don't like bananas or want to get your potassium from other foods during your illness, there are many other bland food options that can provide it for you. White beans, baked potatoes with their skins on, dried apricots, and avocados are good sources of potassium and can help the body deal with diarrhea.
Only consume these foods if you feel your stomach is ready to accept them. Don't let your digestive system get sick
Method 2 of 2: Preventing Dehydration
Step 1. Drink plenty of fluids
No matter what method of diet you follow during diarrhea, you must keep your body hydrated. One of the main side effects of diarrhea is dehydration that occurs due to the continued release of nutrients and fluids from the body. You must continue to replace these lost nutrients and fluids with electrolyte intake. Try drinking electrolyte-rich drinks like Gatorade and Pedialyte, as well as drinking lots of water. Electrolytes like potassium are key nutrients to keep you safe and healthy during illness.
- Dehydration is more common in cases of diarrhea than other gastrointestinal problems because the colon is still able to absorb electrolytes and water. However, when the colon becomes inflamed as in the case of diarrhea, electrolytes and water can no longer be reabsorbed.
- Be sure to pay close attention to the amount of body fluids during the first few days you have diarrhea. This is when you lose most of the fluids.
- Drink at least 1.9 liters or 8 glasses of water a day. Drinks containing caffeine are not included in the total daily water consumption.
Step 2. Make a homemade ORS solution
There are several home recipes that you can make to help restore body fluids. Take a liter of water and add 6 teaspoons of sugar and 1/2 teaspoon of salt. Drink a teaspoon of this solution every 5 minutes.
Step 3. Watch for signs of dehydration in children
There are certain age groups of children who are more at risk of dehydration than other children. Babies and toddlers are at high risk of becoming dehydrated when they have diarrhea. Watch for signs such as crying without shedding tears, reduced volume of urine in the diaper, or sunken eyes in infants, toddlers, and children. If you see these signs, seek immediate medical attention. Dehydration can be serious and requires intravenous fluids.
Breastfed babies can continue to breastfeed as long as they have diarrhea
Step 4. Recognize the symptoms of dehydration in adults
Adults can also become dehydrated during diarrhea. People with diabetes, the elderly, and people with HIV are at higher risk of becoming dehydrated. Watch for symptoms such as dizziness on standing, increased pulse when standing, dry oral mucosa, or a feeling of weakness. All cells in the body function using the potassium pump. So the loss of minerals, especially potassium is very dangerous. This can cause serious problems including sudden cardiac death.
If you are unable to take fluids orally, pay close attention to your condition. You may have to visit the emergency room for intravenous fluids and electrolytes if you are unable to restore fluids on your own. You should visit the emergency department if you experience nausea and vomiting due to diarrhea and are unable to maintain fluids in your body
Tips
- Try to limit the spread of diarrhea-causing infections by avoiding contact with those who are infected or staying away from friends and family while you are sick.
- Let the children rest at home or rest at home while you have diarrhea. Do not let this disease spread or the symptoms get worse.
