Effective Diarrhea Treatment Options

Answer 1

Diarrhea is defined as passing loose, watery stools more than three times per day. Most people encounter diarrhea at some point throughout their lives, and these fleeting moments of loose bowel movements are known as acute diarrhea. However, diarrhea that lasts longer than two days can be a sign of a serious medical problem. No matter the duration of such gastrointestinal discomfort, treating diarrhea immediately can help prevent serious side effects such as dehydration. While it is possible to treat diarrhea at home, if you encounter an episode that lasts longer than 48-hours, or have intense cramping, immediately visit your physician for diagnosis and treatment.

Home Remedies

According to Mayo Clinic, those with diarrhea should first try home remedies to ease the discomfort or severity of diarrhea before treating this condition through synthetic medicine.

To help prevent dehydration and to calm the intestines, drink clear fluids such as water, juices and broths throughout the day; however, do not consume pear or apple juice until the diarrhea has completely stopped as these liquids can actually worsen diarrhea symptoms. Do not consume alcohol or caffeine until diarrhea symptoms have cleared.

Although not fully confirmed through scientific studies, the consumption of probiotic foods may help lessen the severity and duration of diarrhea. Foods such as yogurt, tempeh and cheese are known to have high probiotic concentrations and are generally considered safe for acute diarrhea. Take note: probiotic foods are known to cause bloating and gas.

OTC Medication

Over-the-counter anti-diarrhea medications can help limit the number of bowel movements. Medications such as subsalicylate and loperamide have been shown to be effective at reducing the severity and frequency of diarrhea among adults. However, these medications should never be used to treat diarrhea caused by parasites or bacteria.

Prescription Medications

Physicians may suggest antibiotics for diarrhea caused by parasites or bacteria; however, if diarrhea is caused by a virus medication is typically ineffective. When diarrhea is a symptom of an underlying medical condition, your physician will typically treat the condition in order to control spouts of diarrhea. It is not uncommon to be referred to a gastroenterologist to help device an effective treatment plan.