Dr. Ahmed
“How to treat diarrhea at home? Here are simple 9 home remedies backed by research”
Diarrhea is a common problem, but it is critical to treat it promptly. The loose motions can occur due to improper eating habits or poor digestion.
You can take certain prescribed or OTC medications to get immediate relief from diarrhea.
Or, you can try these 9 simple home remedies first for instant relief from loose motions before getting into costly medications.
Diarrhea …
Diarrhea is frequent, loose, and watery stools. It can also be associated with loss of control over your bowels and abdominal pain.
Diarrhea can be caused by viruses, bacteria, or parasites from tainted food or water. Loose, watery stools may be a side effect of particular medicines or a food intolerance.
On average, people in the United States suffer from acute diarrhea once a year, which lasts one to two days.
There are various home remedies like eating bland foods and drinking plenty of fluids you can use to treat acute diarrhea.
In addition, a few over-the-counter (OTC) drugs, vitamins, and teas might also help relieve diarrhea.
Moreover, persistent diarrhea is associated with chronic conditions such as Crohn’s disease and malabsorption.
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9 Simple Remedies to Treat Diarrhea at Home:
1. Eating a recovery diet
When recovering from diarrhea, the International Foundation for Gastrointestinal Disorders (IFFGD) [ref] suggests eating small, frequent meals rather than three larger ones daily.
Some foods they recommend include:
- Foods and beverages high in potassium and sodium, like boiled potatoes, bananas, and broth
- Foods with less fiber, such as noodles, yogurt, and lean meat
- Some people with diarrhea, though, will not benefit from the same foods. For instance, those who are intolerant to lactose may want to stay away from yogurt.
Eating only liquids for the first twenty-four hours of diarrhea may help some people’s digestive systems settle. This could apply to drinks and bland soups and broths.
2. BRAT diet
The BRAT diet comprises toast, applesauce, rice, bananas, and other bland, easily digested foods.
Other foods that you can eat on the BRAT diet include:
- Broth and clear soup
- Potatoes
- Saltine crackers.
These foods are starchy and low in fiber, which makes your stools more substantial. Some bland foods can help replenish the nutrients lost when you have diarrhea.
Bananas and skinless potatoes, for instance, are good providers of potassium, a nutrient that diarrhea may deplete.
However, the BRAT diet lacks all the nutrients required to maintain general health. It is crucial to return to a regular diet 24–48 hours after experiencing diarrhea.
Children who are not vomiting but have mild diarrhea can resume eating their normal diet. If your child starts vomiting and their diarrhea worsens, contact their doctor [ref].
3. Probiotics:
Probiotics are good bacteria that can support the maintenance of a healthy gut environment in your digestive system.
These are live microorganisms that are present in specific foods and have the potential to be used as a home remedy.
The following foods are among those that are probiotics [ref]:
- Beetroot
- Cottage cheese
- Green olives
- Dark chocolate
- Pickles
- Kimchi
- Sauerkraut
- Kefir
- Yogurt
- Sourdough bread
Probiotics are also available as powders and pills. The healthy bacteria that live in our GIT are crucial to the gastrointestinal system’s normal functioning. These probiotics guard against infections in our intestines.
Diarrhea occurs when antibiotics or harmful bacteria alter your system [ref]. In such cases, probiotic pills can help restore the balance in your gut, in addition to the home remedies for diarrhea.
Some helpful probiotics that have powerful antidiarrheal effects are lactobacillus bacteria, bifidobacterium bacteria, and saccharomyces boulardii.
4. Ginger:
For thousands of years, ginger has been used as a treatment for various forms of stomach discomfort.
Ginger is frequently used to treat nausea from chemotherapy, motion sickness, and pregnancy. It has anti-bacterial and anti-fungal qualities that help with diarrhea and stomachaches.
It can also be found in food, supplements, and tea. Drinking ginger juice can help avoid diarrhea.
- Take a chunk of ginger and crush it.
- Now, add one teaspoon of ginger juice to the water.
- You can also season it with a little salt.
You take this drink once or twice a day; it can help with diarrhea.
5. Fenugreek Seeds
Fenugreek seeds are among the most effective anti-bacterial ingredients available in every home.
You can brew fenugreek seed water in the morning after soaking the seeds in it for the entire night. Because of their antimicrobial qualities, fenugreek seeds may help ease loose motions.
6. Peppermint oil
Peppermint oil has been used for gastrointestinal problems for centuries. It has antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, immunomodulatory, and anesthetic properties, which may benefit gut disorders.
You can relieve painful muscle contractions along your food pipe by using peppermint oil. The symptoms of diarrhea may be lessened by peppermint oil. You can take peppermint tea or enteric-coated peppermint oil capsules.
7. Cinnamon
Cinnamon, known for its aromatic flavor and antimicrobial properties, can be an effective addition to home remedies for diarrhea.
Boiling a cinnamon stick in water to make cinnamon tea is a soothing beverage that may help with stomach discomfort and lessen loose motions.
8. Apple cider vinegar
Apple cider vinegar’s antibacterial properties make it a potentially effective treatment for diarrhea, especially when bacteria cause the illness.
A tablespoon or two of apple cider vinegar in a glass of water is a simple remedy that may help with loose movements.
Apple cider vinegar targets harmful bacteria found in the digestive system, which may help treat the underlying causes of diarrhea. This is because of its antibacterial properties.
9. Easy-to-digest meals and small snacks
Once your health improves, you can start introducing additional foods such as:
- Oatmeal
- Dry cereal
- Boiled or baked potatoes without the peel
- Baked chicken with the skin removed
All foods supply nutrients without causing undue stress to your digestive system.
Skinless baked chicken offers lean protein without added fats, and baked or boiled potatoes without the peel are also good sources of potassium.
Oatmeal which helps the intestines absorb excess water because of its soluble fiber content.
When choosing dry cereals, choose those low in fiber and high in sugar. If necessary, pair them with a lactose-free milk substitute.
As you transition to a more regular diet, gradually introducing these nourishing options helps balance nutrient replenishment and promotes digestive comfort.
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Additional Tips for Treating Diarrhea at Home?
Although taking plenty of water or ORS may not cure your diarrhea, it may protect your kidneys and maintain fluid balance in your body.
Here are some tips on hydration and drinks that may help in relieving symptoms of diarrhea.
Hydration
Drinking plenty of water is essential when having diarrhea. Dehydration can become deadly in grown-ups and young children in particular.
Your body may lose water, electrolytes, calcium, magnesium, sodium, and potassium due to loose stools.
This interferes with the body’s natural functioning, which can have detrimental effects, particularly in young children.
If your infant is experiencing diarrhea, you must breastfeed or formula-feed them. Your doctor may also suggest oral pediatric hydration solutions for children as a loose motion treatment.
It would be beneficial to give small amounts of hydration solutions to children.
In adults, rehydration solutions and sports drinks are effective treatments for mild diarrhea.
You should avoid drinks that contain alcohol, carbonated or caffeinated beverages, and soda because they can aggravate your condition.
Drinking 8 to 10 glasses of water each day is another way to keep hydrated while facing diarrhea. Every time you have a loose, watery bowel movement, try drinking one cup of water.
Sports drinks are effective due to the combination of sugar and salt. Both sugar and salt facilitate the body’s easy absorption of water, particularly when consumed together.
You can also create sports drinks at home by mixing apple juice with a pinch of salt. Always drink sports drinks at room temperature.
Another method to replace fluids and electrolytes lost during diarrhea is using oral rehydration solution (ORS).
ORS is available in powder form, which can be mixed with water or liquids and frozen into popsicles.
You can drink water or clear liquids like milk, clear juices, and broth to stay hydrated, but there are some special drinks you can consume to rebuild your water and electrolyte balance.
Rice water
This diarrhea remedy is commonly suggested for babies but may also benefit adults. Apart from being nutrient-rich, the slightly starchy solution has binding properties.
Studies reveal that rice water is a more effective way than electrolyte solutions to lower the frequency of loose stools.
To create rice water:
- Mix 1/2 cup white or brown rice (not instant variety) with one to two cups of water.
- Boil the water for ten minutes or until it appears foggy.
- Save the water by draining it, then allow it to cool.
You can drink one cup of rice water at a time, twice or thrice daily.
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Foods to Avoid During Diarrhea:
You may want to avoid certain foods to relieve your diarrhea. Certain meals, such as the following, can put pressure on your digestive system [ref]:
- Foods heavy in fat, fried foods, baked goods, and chips
- Food items that contain artificial sweeteners
- Foods excessively high in fructose
- Fat meat, such as bacon
- Foods high in fiber, such as legumes
Keep in mind that these natural remedies do not replace professional medical advice. It is critical to see a healthcare provider if your symptoms worsen or persist.
OTC medications for Diarrhea
There are several over-the-counter medications available to treat diarrhea. Some medications that can be tried for diarrhea include the following:
However, these medicines are not always suitable. People who have bloody bowel movements or a fever should avoid taking OTC medications and consult a doctor first.
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Conclusion:
Typically, diarrhea resolves in two days and is characterized by loose, watery stools. You can use home remedies to treat diarrhea.
To maintain the body’s fluid and electrolyte balance in this condition, you must keep up your hydration system.
Eat foods high in probiotics, such as yogurt, pickles, beets, and green olives, as they help maintain a healthy gut environment in the intestines.
Moreover, avoid fatty foods and meals that contain artificial sweeteners because they strain your digestive system.
If your diarrhea does not go away after taking over-the-counter medicine or trying a few different home cures, see a doctor.
