can apple cider vinegar cause diarrhea?

 Herbal Remedies for Diarrhea

Diarrhea can really take a toll on your body, here's how to treat it at home

Diarrhea can make you really weak and needs to be treated early before it makes you very weak. Here are some home remedies.

1. Make up for the lost minerals by constantly sipping on electral powder or a mixture of lemon, water, salt and sugar, throughout the day. Clear soups, chicken broth, buttermilk, fruit juice are fine to keep you hydrated too.

2. Stay away from fibrous fruits and food products. Don't have apple or prune juice as these are laxatives and could worsen your condition.

3. Have some strong coffee as it can help a great deal.

4. A mix of yogurt tempered with roasted fenugreek and cumin seeds is also wonderful to regain body balance and cure diarrhea.

5. Avoid dairy products like milk, paneer, cheese etc. You can have only yogurt as it has healthy bacteria that strengthen your gut.

Diarrhea is a common ailment that may aggravate fast if one does not take the right measures early on. While many prescribed medications and treatments can help improve the condition, certain home treatments can also be effective.

Diarrhea is most often caused by a lack of basic hygiene or consuming contaminated food and water. Norovirus contamination, one of the most common causes of diarrhea, has been responsible for over 200,000 deaths in developing countries (1).

While most cases of diarrhea can be mild to start with, they often lead to dehydration, electrolyte imbalance, cramps, bloating, and abdominal pain, among other symptoms. Therefore, it is important to keep yourself hydrated with oral rehydrating solutions and take ample rest to help your body recover.

If your symptoms seem mild, you can make use of some of the home remedies listed here to keep things under control. However, if the symptoms last beyond a week, you must consult a doctor for the right diagnosis and medications. Read on to know how to control diarrhea in its initial stages right at home.

In This Article

Home Remedies To Treat Diarrhea

What Foods Help Stop Diarrhea?

How To Prevent Diarrhea

Causes And Risk Factors

Types Of Diarrhea

Signs And Symptoms

When To See A Doctor

Diagnosis

Home Remedies To Treat Diarrhea

1. Lemon Water

The mixture of lemon juice, sugar, salt, and water is a popular remedy used by many to treat symptoms of diarrhea, like dehydration (2).

You Will Need

½ lemon

1 glass of water

A pinch of salt

2 teaspoons of sugar

What You Have To Do

Squeeze the juice from half a lemon into a glass of water.

Add a pinch of salt and two teaspoons of sugar to it.

Mix well and drink up.

How Often You Should Do This

Sip on this mixture every few minutes.

2. Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple cider vinegar has antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties (3), (4). It may help fight the microbes responsible for causing diarrhea and soothe the inflamed intestines.

You Will Need

2 teaspoons of apple cider vinegar

1 glass of water

Honey (optional)

What You Have To Do

Add two teaspoons of apple cider vinegar to a glass of water.

Mix well and add some honey to it.

Drink the mixture.

How Often You Should Do This

You can drink this mixture 2-3 times a day until the symptoms subside.

3. Almond Milk

Adults and infants who are lactose-intolerant tend to develop diarrhea on consuming dairy products (5). Almond milk is a healthy and safe substitute (6).

You Will Need

Almond milk (as required)

What You Have To Do

Replace cow’s milk with almond milk in your cereals, smoothies, and other dishes.

How Often You Should Do This

You can make this a daily habit if you are lactose-intolerant.

4. Coconut Water

Coconut water can be used as a rehydration solution for people with mild symptoms of diarrhea. However, it should be used together with early refeeding (7).

You Will Need

1 glass of fresh young coconut water

What You Have To Do

Drink a glass of young coconut water daily.

How Often You Should Do This

You must preferably drink this concoction after every bout of diarrhea.

Caution: This remedy should not be used to treat symptoms of dehydration. It should also not be used for cholera or renal impairment.

5. Peppermint Essential Oil

The active constituent of peppermint oil is menthol. Menthol can help relieve abdominal pain that accompanies diarrhea and other IBS symptoms. Two studies published in Digestive Diseases And Sciences and Mymensingh Medical Journal also confirmed the same post sustained release of encapsulated peppermint oil in the small intestine (8), (9).

You Will Need

1 drop of food-grade peppermint oil

1 glass of warm water

What You Have To Do

Add a drop of food-grade peppermint oil to a glass of warm water.

Drink the solution.

How Often You Should Do This

You can drink this mixture 1-2 times daily.

6. Ginger

According to a study published in Yakugaku Zasshi, Journal of the Pharmaceutical Society of Japan, the acetone extract of ginger can help curb serotonin-induced diarrhea (10).

You Will Need

1-2 inches of sliced ginger

1 cup of water

What You Have To Do

Add an inch or two of sliced ginger to a cup of water.

Bring the mixture to a boil in a saucepan.

Simmer and strain.

Drink the warm ginger tea.

How Often You Should Do This

You can drink this mixture 2-3 times daily.

7. Green Tea

Among the many benefits of green tea, one is its ability to treat diarrhea in the affected individuals (11).

You Will Need

1 teaspoon of green tea

1 cup of hot water

What You Have To Do

Steep a teaspoon of green tea in a cup of hot water for 5-7 minutes.

Strain and drink the tea.

How Often You Should Do This

You can drink green tea 1-2 times daily.

8. Electrolyte Drinks (ORS)

Consumption of electrolyte drinks, such as sports drinks, as well as the ever-popular oral rehydration solution (ORS), may help alleviate the symptoms of dehydration that often accompany diarrhea (12).

You Will Need

6 teaspoons of sugar

1 teaspoon of salt

1 liter of boiled water

What You Have To Do

Add six teaspoons of sugar to a liter of water. Mix well until it dissolves.

Add a teaspoon of salt to the solution and mix well.

Drink a cup of the solution.

How Often You Should Do This

You may do this after every watery bowel movement you have.

9. Vitamin A

Vitamin A deficiency is often associated with an increased risk of diarrhea. Hence, restoring this deficiency can reduce the severity of the symptoms (13).

You Will Need

Vitamin A-rich foods or supplements

What You Have To Do

Increase your intake of vitamin A-rich foods, like carrots, sweet potatoes, apricots, winter squash, cantaloupe, and spinach.

You can also take additional supplements for this vitamin after talking to your doctor about the required dosage for you.

How Often You Should Do This

You can include small amounts of vitamin A-rich foods in your daily diet.

10. Rice Water

Rice water can cut down the number of stools without having any adverse effects on your health. It is especially great for treating diarrhea in infants that occurs as a result of infantile gastroenteritis in developing countries (14).

You Will Need

½ glass of rice water

What You Have To Do

Strain the water from cooked rice.

Consume half a glass of rice water after every bout of diarrhea.

This remedy can also be used for children.

How Often You Should Do This

You can do this 2-3 times or more daily.

While these remedies work their magic, you can also make some changes to your diet for a speedy recovery.

What Foods Help Stop Diarrhea?

Diarrhea can be quite uncomfortable. Hence, you must be a little careful about what you eat. This is where the BRAT diet comes into play.

BRAT is “bananas, rice, apple, and toast.” These bland foods will be quite easy on your stomach and will not aggravate your condition any further (1).

Foods To Eat When You Have Diarrhea | Best Natural Home Remedies for Diarrhea | Loose Motion Tips

It is also necessary that you drink lots of fluids to keep yourself well-hydrated.

Foods To Eat

The foods that can help ease symptoms of diarrhea include:

Clear broths

Bananas

Apples

Toast

White rice

Mashed potatoes

Yogurt

Foods To Avoid

Avoid these foods if you have diarrhea:

Dairy products

Fried or greasy foods

Spices

Raw vegetables

Caffeine

Citrus fruits

Raw vegetables

Pork

Processed foods

Alcohol

Artificial sweeteners

These foods may either be too heavy for your recovering tummy or may further aggravate your condition if they are already contaminated, like in the case of raw vegetables. Hence, exercise caution.

Here are a few additional tips to prevent the recurrence of diarrhea.

How To Prevent Diarrhea

Always wash your hands every time after using the washroom and also before you eat.

Wash your hands if you come in contact with any contaminants or pets/animals.

If you can’t get hold of water to wash your hands, use a sanitizer.

Be careful when you are traveling to a new place. Do not eat or drink until you are sure the food and drinks are safe to be consumed.

Wash your vegetables and fruits thoroughly before cooking them.

Cook all meats well.

Avoid eating uncooked or undercooked eggs.

Avoid using dairy that is not pasteurized. If you are lactose-intolerant, avoid dairy altogether.

Avoid handling food if you have diarrhea.

Limit caffeine, alcohol, and other foods that have laxative potential.

If you can think of any other possible hygiene tips that can help avoid diarrhea, add them to the above list and make sure you follow them religiously.

What causes diarrhea? Who is at risk of contracting this disease? Find out in the next section.

Causes And Risk Factors

Most cases of diarrhea are triggered by an infection in your gastrointestinal tract. Some common microbes that could be held responsible for triggering diarrhea are:

Viruses like Norwalk virus, cytomegalovirus, hepatitis, and rotavirus.

Bacteria like Salmonella, Campylobacter, Shigella, and Escherichia coli.

Other parasitic organisms like Cryptosporidium, Giardia lamblia, and Entamoeba histolytica.

In some cases, especially in chronic diarrhea, a clear cause may not be found. Such cases of chronic diarrhea are referred to as “functional.”

Other factors that can increase your risk of developing chronic diarrhea include:

Intestinal disorders like Crohn’s disease, Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), microscopic colitis, or Celiac disease

Sensitivity to dairy products and/or artificial sweeteners

Stomach or gallbladder surgery

Hereditary or genetic conditions, like cystic fibrosis or enzyme deficiencies

Diseases of the pancreas or thyroid

Radiation therapy treatment of the abdominal or pelvic region

Consumption of uncooked meats

Swallowing water or swimming in contaminated water bodies

Traveling to countries with poor hygiene

Eating contaminated or unrefrigerated food

Close contact with an individual with gastroenteritis

Medications like laxatives and certain antibiotics can also trigger diarrhea.

There are mainly three types of clinical diarrhea.

Types Of Diarrhea

Acute Watery Diarrhea – It can last for several hours or even days. This type can also be caused due to cholera infection.

Acute Bloody Diarrhea – Blood is also noticed in the watery stool. This type is also referred to as dysentery.

Persistent Diarrhea – It lasts for 14 days or more.

Other than the characteristic watery stool, diarrhea may be accompanied by the following symptoms.

Signs And Symptoms

The common signs and symptoms associated with diarrhea include:

Stomach ache

Bloating

Abdominal cramps

Weight loss

Increased thirst

Fever

Other symptoms may include:

Presence of blood in the stool

Pus in the stool

Dehydration

Persistent vomiting

If you notice such symptoms along with chronic diarrhea, it could be an indication of a more severe illness. Most cases of diarrhea may ease on their own without treatment. However, in some cases, it is important to seek medical intervention.

When To See A Doctor

If your infant has had 6 bouts of watery bowel movements and 3 or more bouts of vomiting in 24 hours, do not waste any time in consulting a doctor. Children above 1 year should also be taken to a doctor if they have experienced 6 or more bouts of diarrhea in 24 hours.

You must also see a doctor immediately if you notice certain symptoms like:

Continuous vomiting

Persistent diarrhea

Significant loss of weight

Pus or blood in stool that may also turn the stool black

Dehydration

Once you visit a doctor, they may do the following to diagnose diarrhea.

Diagnosis

Most often, doctors can diagnose diarrhea without having to carry out any additional tests as two or more watery stools a day indicates the condition without the need for any further diagnosis (1).

But, in severe cases, your doctor may suggest you take a stool test. This is done especially if the patient is very young or old.

For chronic and persistent cases of diarrhea, your doctor may ask you to take any of the following tests depending on the suspected cause:

Full blood count – a low or raised blood count may indicate inflammation.

Liver function test to test your albumin levels.

Malabsorption tests to check the absorption of vitamin B12, calcium, and folate. Your iron status and thyroid functions may also be assessed.

Testing for antibodies – as it can indicate Celiac disease.

Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and C-reactive protein levels – Raised levels are usually an indication of inflammatory bowel disease.

If an underlying cause is responsible for causing diarrhea, the doctor may suggest further treatments accordingly.

Lack of basic hygiene and consuming contaminated food and water are the two most common causes of diarrhea. Most cases of diarrhea lead to electrolyte imbalance, dehydration, bloating, abdominal pain, and cramps, among other symptoms. You can avert the risk of diarrhea by taking a few precautions and maintaining basic hygiene. If you have mild diarrhea, you may follow the home remedies mentioned in this article for relieving the symptoms. However, consult your doctor immediately if the condition persists for several days.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do I get diarrhea after eating?

Experiencing symptoms of diarrhea every time after you eat something is known as postprandial diarrhea. The underlying causes of this kind of diarrhea may include infection, food poisoning, IBS, lactose intolerance, or certain medications.

What is the best thing to drink when you have diarrhea?

You should drink 8 glasses of fluids like fruit juices without pulp, broth, soda (without caffeine), and sports drinks to alleviate dehydration that often results from diarrhea.

How long does diarrhea usually last?

Diarrhea caused by an infection often lasts for no more than 3-5 days. If your symptoms last for more than 4-6 weeks, you most probably have an underlying gastrointestinal condition.

How do you know if your baby has diarrhea?

If your baby has 6 or more bouts of watery bowel movements in 24 hours, he/she has diarrhea and must be taken to a doctor immediately to prevent further health complications.

Can you have diarrhea in early pregnancy?

The shifting hormones, diet changes, and stress are all factors that contribute to many changes in your body during pregnancy, including diarrhea and constipation.

How to prevent traveler’s diarrhea?

Here are some tips that can help prevent traveler’s diarrhea:

• Drink only bottled water.

• Use bottled water even for brushing your teeth.

• Avoid consuming ice that may be made with tap water.

• Eat vegetables that are cooked. Avoid eating them raw.

• Make sure that all foods that you eat, including dairy, seafood, and meat, are properly boiled and/or cooked.

• If the area you are traveling to has had a recent outbreak of hepatitis, take the vaccination for the same before commencing your trip.

How to stop diarrhea

Americans have a bout of acute diarrhea­–three or more loose, watery bowel movements a day–about once a year, usually related to food poisoning or another passing infection. Others have chronic diarrhea, often related to a long-standing health condition like Crohn’s disease. If you have diarrhea that lasts for a long time or is accompanied by a fever, severe pain, or bleeding, you should seek medical care. But for less severe, passing diarrhea, there are plenty of things you can do at home that will see you through the unpleasant episode.

RELATED: 10 Things That Can Cause Diarrhea

Drink plenty of fluids

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Drink plenty of fluids

Are you drinking enough water each day? With these tips from Holley Grainger, RD, filling up on the recommended 13 to 16 cups is easier than you think. Watch this Cooking Light video to learn more.

Eat a BRAT diet

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Eat a BRAT diet

Eating some food–and digesting its nutrients–can help you absorb water better and help you stay hydrated, says Sean Drake, MD, a general internist at Henry Ford Health System in Sterling Heights, Michigan. The problem is that many cases of diarrhea are accompanied by nausea and vomiting, which can make eating the last thing you want to do.

Many people find the so-called BRAT diet–bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast–doable at times like this. Bananas are loaded with potassium, which diarrhea can deplete. None of these foods sits for long in the stomach, either. In general, it’s a good idea to avoid most dairy products, as it can be hard to absorb lactose when you’re dealing with diarrhea. The one exception is yogurt, which may actually help because it contains live “good” bacteria.

Stay away from greasy, fatty, and spicy foods, as well as alcohol. Try eating several smaller meals a day instead of three big ones until you feel better, since this will be easier on your digestive system.

RELATED: Stomach Ache? What to Eat to Feel Better

Avoid exercise

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Avoid exercise

Your workouts, especially strenuous ones, could dehydrate you even more.

“This is not the time to start training for a marathon,” says Dr. Drake. “Your body needs some rest. You can do daily activities, but don’t expend a lot of extra calories.”

And–let’s face it–you may not want to be too far from a bathroom.

There is such a thing as “runner’s diarrhea,” diarrhea that happens during or after a run, but this usually only happens to people running long distances. No one is sure what causes runner’s diarrhea exactly, though it may have to do with blood being diverted from the intestines or even with internal organs being shaken up by the pounding of your legs. It’s a good idea to avoid high-fiber, gas-producing foods like beans and fruit before a run and to drink plenty of fluids during your run if you’re prone to runner’s diarrhea.

RELATED: 6 Ways Your Workout Can Change Your Poop

Drink tea

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Drink tea

Some people swear by chamomile tea as a simple remedy for diarrhea, but the evidence is spotty. One study did find that a combination of chamomile flower extract, myrrh (a tree resin), and coffee charcoal helped with acute diarrhea.

Lemongrass tea, on the other hand, may indeed have a benefit for stomach ailments, says Dr. Schiller, who is also program director of the gastroenterology fellowship at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston. “It can calm your gut. It doesn’t necessarily affect diarrhea, but it can help with cramps.”

Try ginger

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Try ginger

People have turned to ginger for thousands of years as a remedy for all kinds of stomach problems, but it’s probably more effective in treating nausea than diarrhea. It’s commonly used in food, tea, and supplement form to alleviate motion sickness, pregnancy-related queasiness, and nausea after surgery or chemotherapy.

“Ginger is good medicine if you have an upset stomach,” says Dr. Schiller, but it probably won’t help diarrhea much, he adds.

Some people find that ginger can actually cause diarrhea and other digestive issues like gas or heartburn. Ask your doctor about using ginger if you are on blood thinners. Pregnant women should always consult with a health care provider before taking any new medications or supplements.

RELATED: 20 Reasons Why Your Stomach Hurts

Consider supplements

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Consider supplements

Probiotics are live bacteria widely available in over-the-counter supplements to help with a variety of ailments, including diarrhea.

In theory, it’s a great idea: You’re adding good bacteria back to your gut to restore a healthy, balanced environment in your digestive system. Studies have indicated that probiotics can help reduce a bout of diarrhea by about a day.

In reality, though, it’s impossible to know which supplements out there are actually going to help. And participants in different studies used not just probiotic supplements but also yogurt, milk, special infant formula, and other forms of the good gut bugs.

In general, when it comes to digestive issues, “Lactobacillus is your friend,” Dr. Drake says. But you may not need a supplement to reap the benefit of this strain. “It’s in a lot of yogurt,” he adds. “Rather than taking a pill, I suggest taking some yogurt.”

Other foods that contain probiotics include some juices and soy drinks, sauerkraut, miso, and some pickles.

Some people claim they’ve found diarrhea relief by taking digestive enzymes or glutamine powder, though there’s little evidence to support this.

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Try over-the-counter medications

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Try over-the-counter medications

Your nearby supermarket or pharmacy shelves are stocked with over-the-counter medications that are effective in alleviating diarrhea.

“For most people without a fever or blood in their stool, something like loperamide works pretty well,” says Dr. Schiller. Loperamide, which slows down intestinal movement, is sold under the brand name Imodium, among others.

One word of caution from Dr. Drake: Loperamide can sometimes make things worse, especially in severe cases of diarrhea. However, if your diarrhea is severe or long-lasting, you should be seeing a doctor anyway.

Other non-prescription medications may also help, notably those that contain bismuth subsalicylate, such as Pepto-Bismol. If you’re in pain, acetaminophen (Tylenol) may help, but you should avoid anti-inflammatory medications like aspirin and ibuprofen, as they can be hard on your stomach, says Dr. Drake.

There’s one other thing that’s not a supplement or a drug that will help more than anything, even though it may be difficult to stomach, so to speak. “Time is your best friend for acute diarrhea,” says Dr. Drake. “Let it run its course.” (And drink plenty of fluids.)

However, that doesn’t apply to chronic diarrhea (which by definition lasts longer than two to four weeks) or diarrhea with blood in it or that’s accompanied by a fever or severe tummy pain. In those cases, don’t wait; see a doctor.

Diarrhea is defined as having three or more loose, watery stools a day. It’s unpleasant and can also be dangerous if left untreated. So if you have it, it’s a good bet you’ll want to get rid of it as quickly as possible.

“The thing we worry about most is dehydration,” says Lisa Ganjhu, DO, a gastroenterologist at NYU Langone Health in New York City. Signs of dehydration include:

Thirst

Dizziness

Fatigue

Dark colored urine or less urine than normal

Dry skin

When you lose more water than you take in, as is the case when you have diarrhea, you lose essential electrolytes — important minerals that are found in blood, urine, tissues, and other body fluids. Electrolytes help balance the amount of water in your body as well as the pH level, and move nutrients and waste into and out of cells.

Eat To Fight: Diarrhea

Although dehydration is the biggest worry with diarrhea, it’s not the only one. If diarrhea persists beyond a few days, complications, including kidney and urinary problems, can arise. It could also be a symptom of a more serious condition, like Crohn’s disease, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), or signs of an infection.

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What to Do About Fluids When You Have Diarrhea

Do drink plenty of fluid. A good rule of thumb is to drink at least one cup of liquid every time you have a loose bowel movement. Water, fruit juices, caffeine-free soda, and salty broths are some good choices. According to the Cleveland Clinic, salt helps slow down the fluid loss, and sugar will help your body absorb the salt. 

Don’t consume beverages at extreme temperatures. Consume all liquids at room temperature, or slightly warmed, advises Dr. Ganjhu. “Anything too hot or too cold can cause nausea.” 

Do drink a tea with chamomile. There is some research to suggest that products containing certain combinations of herbs, including chamomile, may help an upset stomach. A study published in the journal Molecular Medicine Reports cited the potential favorable effects of drinking a chamomile preparation that is combined with other herbs, in treating diarrhea.

Don’t consume caffeine or alcohol. Caffeine and alcohol can irritate the digestive tract and worsen diarrhea, according to the U.S. Library of Medicine.

Dillute your water with fruit juice. Ganjhu recommends diluting your water with fruit juices, like cranberry or apple juice, to make the H2O, which can sometimes be nauseating when you have diarrhea, easier to tolerate. 

What to Do About Nutrition When You Have Diarrhea

Do stick with bland foods. One tried and true diet for diarrhea is the BRAT diet: bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast. Low in fiber, bland and starchy, these foods can help replace lost nutrients and firm your stools. According to the National Institute of Health’s National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), you can also try boiled potatoes, crackers, or cooked carrots.

Do eat small meals. Too much food will stimulate your gastrointestinal tract to move even more, says Ganjhu, and possibly worsen the diarrhea. Eating five to six small meals, rather than three large ones, can give your intestines a chance to digest the food more easily.

Don’t eat fried food. Prepare foods like beef, pork, chicken, fish, or turkey by baking or broiling, not frying, which can worsen diarrhea. Cooked eggs are okay, too, according to the U.S. National Library of Medicine.

Do eat when hunger strikes. Listen to your body and don’t force yourself to eat, which can worsen symptoms. Trust your body to tell you when — and how much — it can tolerate, notes Ganjhu.

Don’t eat fruits and vegetables that cause gas. Eating gassy food when you have diarrhea can increase intestinal gas and should be avoided. This includes fruits and vegetables, like prunes, berries, beans, peas, broccoli, corn, and green leafy vegetables, and sweet foods like cookies or cakes.

Don’t eat dairy if your diarrhea is severe. For people with lactose intolerance, dairy causes diarrhea. But if you can tolerate dairy, opt for low-fat milk, cheese, or yogurt. These contain valuable probiotics (look for the wording “live and active cultures” on the label), which can shorten the duration of diarrhea by about one day, according to a study published online in May 2016 in PubMed Health. Probiotics contain beneficial lactic acid bacteria, which are special microorganisms that can restore the balance lost by diarrhea.

You can also consider taking a probiotic supplement; but since there are many strains available, look for one that helps with diarrhea, advises Ganjhu. A study published in the Journal of Clinical Gastroenterology reports Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG and Saccharomyces boulardii to be among the two most effective strains to help with diarrhea.

Lifestyle Dos and Don’ts When You Have Diarrhea

Along with knowing what to eat and drink when you’re dealing with gastrointestinal woes, it’s also important to be mindful of other everyday habits to help you deal with diarrhea.

Do wash your hands. Since diarrhea can sometimes be transmitted by person-to-person contact or from contaminated hands, washing your hands after using the bathroom and before you eat can help block possible diarrhea-causing pathogens. Research published in September 2015 in the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews found that handwashing can reduce episodes of diarrhea by about 30 percent. To wash properly, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends wetting your hands, then applying soap and rubbing them together for at least 20 seconds. Make sure to include the backs of your hands, between your fingers, and under your nails. Rinse with clean, running water and dry thoroughly. An alcohol-based hand sanitizer containing at least 60 percent alcohol can work, too. 

Do know when to call the doctor. Mayo Clinic advises to seek medical help if you have any of the following symptoms:

Your diarrhea lasts more than two days.

You experience severe abdominal pain or pain in your rectum.

You’re dehydrated or exceptionally weak.

You have a fever of 102 degrees F or higher.

Your stools are bloody or black and tar-like.

Do consider medication. Over-the-counter (OTC) medicine containing bismuth-subsalicylate (like Pepto-Bismol or Kaopectate) can help reduce intestinal inflammation and kill diarrhea-causing organisms. Although loperamide (Imodium), another OTC antidiarrheal medication, is sometimes recommended, Gahnju advises against it. “This is an anti-mobility, meaning that it stops your gastrointestinal tract from moving. Although it can slow down the diarrhea, it’s better instead for it to come out," she says. “It’s your body’s way of ridding itself of any toxins.”

Don’t exercise. Strenuous exercise has the potential to cause dehydration, stomach distress, nausea, and heartburn can worsen your symptoms. It’s wise to avoid it until your diarrhea subsides, advises Ganjhu, who says to wait until you’re fully recovered to go back to the gym.

Diarrhea

Diarrhea is an increase in the wateriness, volume, or frequency of bowel movements. When you have diarrhea, foods and fluid pass too quickly, or in too large an amount through your colon, and your body does not absorb the fluid. Almost everyone has an episode of diarrhea at some time.

Acute diarrhea is uncomfortable, but usually is not serious and will go away in a few days on its own. You should see a doctor, however, if your stool contains blood, if the diarrhea is severe, or if it lasts more than a few days. Children and elderly people are at higher risk of dehydration and should see their doctor sooner.

 

Signs and Symptoms

Diarrhea is a symptom of another health issue, such as an infection or a virus. Chronic diarrhea, lasting longer than 4 weeks, can be a sign of a serious illness, such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

Symptoms may include:

Frequent and loose stools

Abdominal pain, cramping

Fever, chills, general sick feeling

Thirst

Weight loss

If your child has diarrhea, call your pediatrician if it lasts more than 24 hours, or if your child seems dehydrated. For an infant, this could mean having a dry diaper for several hours or crying without tears.

What Causes It?

Most diarrhea is caused by bacteria, parasites, or viruses, often from food or water. Eating local food and drinking local water during travel can result in "traveler's diarrhea." Diarrhea can also be caused by:

Reactions to medications (including some vitamins, minerals, and herbs)

Reactions to artificial sweeteners (such as sorbitol and mannitol)

Consuming milk or dairy products if you are lactose-intolerant

Diarrhea that results in blood in the stool, accompanied by fever or abdominal pain, could be caused by intestinal disorders, such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) or Crohn disease, and requires a doctor's care.

What to Expect at Your Doctor's Office

Your doctor will ask questions about your symptoms. Your doctor will also check to see if you are dehydrated, and may feel your abdomen to see if it is tender, and listen to your abdomen with a stethoscope. In some cases, you may need a blood test or you may need to provide a stool sample to check for an infection.

Treatment Options

Drug Therapies

In many cases, diarrhea will go away on its own. However, in severe cases your doctor may prescribe diphenoxylate and atropine (Lomotil). Your doctor also may prescribe antibiotics if the diarrhea is due to a bacterial infection.

Over-the-Counter

Since diarrhea is your body's way of getting rid of toxins, it is best to let it run its course. However, you may use over-the-counter antidiarrheal remedies for convenience, including:

Attapulgite (Kaopectate)

Loperamide (Imodium)

Bismuth sub-salicylate (Pepto-Bismol)

DO NOT take bismuth sub-salicylate with the herbs meadowsweet ( Spirea ulmaria ), white willow ( Salix alba ), or wintergreen ( Gaultheria procumbens ).

Complementary and Alternative Therapies

Work with your doctor to find remedies that are right for you. If you are pregnant, or thinking of becoming pregnant, DO NOT use any complementary and alternative therapies (CAM) therapies unless directed to do so by your doctor.

Nutrition and Supplements

Electrolytes. Correcting dehydration is critical, especially among children. Oral rehydration solutions containing sugar and electrolytes are important in managing children with dehydration from diarrheal illness.

Rice or barley water, fresh vegetable juices (especially carrot and celery), miso broth, or other clear broths help restore proper fluid and electrolyte balance. Make rice and barley water using 1 cup of raw grain to 1 quart of boiling water. Steep for 20 minutes. Strain and drink throughout the day.

Probiotics. Lactobacillus GG, acidophilus , or bifidobacteria , taken as powder or in capsules. Help maintain the "good" bacteria in your intestines. They may help alleviate diarrhea, although scientific evidence is mixed. Active culture yogurt containing these probiotics may help prevent diarrhea. People who are severely immunocompromised, or on immune-suppressive drugs, should speak with their doctor before taking probiotics.

A live yeast, Saccharomyces boulardii , is often used in Europe to prevent diarrhea associated with taking antibiotics. May be taken with other probiotics. Rare but serious cases of infection in seriously ill patients have been reported, so do not take Saccraromyces boulardii without a doctor's supervision.

Bovine colostrum, the pre-milk fluid secreted by a cow's mammary glands just after giving birth, may help treat some kinds of infectious diarrhea. Only use reliable colostrum products.

Glutamine may help treat diarrhea caused by irritation of the intestinal lining. High doses of glutamine can potentially cause mania in susceptible individuals. Glutamine can interfere with certain medications, including some antiseizure medications and some chemotherapy agents. People with liver disease, or a history of manic episodes, should use glutamine only under the supervision of their physician.

If you are lactose intolerant, take over-the-counter lactase enzyme supplements before consuming dairy products.

Zinc may help improve immune and mucosal barrier functions.

Stir-fried white pepper. In one study, treating children and infants under 2.5 years with stir-fried white pepper decreased the frequency of acute and persistent diarrhea.

Herbs

DO NOT use herbs to treat diarrhea without talking to your doctor first. Always talk to your doctor before treating diarrhea in an infant. If your diarrhea is caused by certain types of infections, herbal treatments could make it worse. The most common herbal remedies for diarrhea are described below. They can be used as teas unless otherwise noted. Make teas with 1 tsp. herb per cup of hot water. Steep covered 5 to 10 minutes for leaf or flowers, and 10 to 20 minutes for roots. Drink 2 to 4 cups per day. Always tell your doctor about any herbs you may be taking.

Astringent herbs:

Astringent herbs, such as blackberry leaf ( Rubus fruticosus ) or raspberry leaf ( Rubus idaeus ), help "dry up" the mucous membranes in the intestine. Make a tea with one heaping tsp. per cup. Drink 1/2 cup per hour. There is some controversy around using these teas during pregnancy.

Carob powder ( Ceratonia siliqua ), which is rich in fiber, may be dissolved into a commercial hydrating electrolyte replenishing drink. DO NOT give carob to a child unless directed to do so by your physician.

Extract of bilberry ( Vaccinum myrtillus ) also has astringent properties. DO NOT take bilberry if you take anticoagulants (blood thinners). Bilberry can also potentially interact with diabetes medications.

Agrimony ( Agrimonia eupatorium ) is a traditional remedy for diarrhea. Agrimony can have a blood-thinning effect and can lower blood pressure. Speak with your doctor before taking agrimony if you are dealing with these health issues.

Inflammation reducers:

Quercetin , a plant-based flavonoid, may help to reduce inflammation.

Chamomile ( Matricaria recutita ) is usually taken as a tea. Chamomile can interfere with hormonal medications and can cause reactions in people allergic to ragweed.

Marshmallow root ( Althea officinalis ) can be taken as cold-water tea. Soak 2 tbs. root in 1 quart of water overnight. Strain. Drink throughout the day. Marshmallow can interfere with some medications taken by mouth, including lithium.

Slippery elm powder ( Ulmus fulva ) or marshmallow root powder ( Althaea officinalis ) can be soothing to the intestines. Make a paste with the powder and a small amount of water. Gradually add in the rest of the water and then simmer down to 1 pint. Slippery elm has a folk reputation of promoting miscarriage. It can also interfere with some medications.

Infection fighters:

How to Stop Diarrhea Fast Using Easy Home Remedies – Dr.Berg

Plants containing berberine may help treat infectious diarrhea. These include barberry ( Berberis vulgaris ), goldenseal ( Hydrastis canadensis ), and Oregon grape ( Berberis aquifolium ). DO NOT take berberine if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Check with your doctor first if you are taking any prescription medicines.

Bulk forming agent:

Psyllium , a soluble fiber that comes from the husks of the seeds of a plant called Plantago ovata , may help treat diarrhea. It is a bulk-forming agent that soaks up water in the colon, helping to firm stool. Take psyllium with a large amount of water. People with inflammatory bowel disease should speak to their doctors before taking psyllium. Be aware that although doctors fiber agents like psyllium may help with diarrhea, they are more commonly used as a laxative to treat constipation. Speak to your doctor before using psyllium to treat diarrhea.

Homeopathy

Some evidence suggests that homeopathic treatment may help diarrhea. In one study, children with acute diarrhea who received an individualized homeopathic treatment for 5 days had diarrhea for significantly less time than children who had placebo. Before prescribing a remedy, homeopaths take into account a person's constitutional type, includes your physical, emotional, and intellectual makeup. An experienced homeopath assesses all of these factors when determining the most appropriate remedy for a particular individual. Some of the most effective homeopathic remedies include:

Arsenicum album . For foul-smelling diarrhea from food poisoning or traveler's diarrhea with burning sensation in the abdomen and around the anus. This remedy is most appropriate for individuals who feel exhausted yet restless and whose symptoms tend to worsen in the cold and improve with warmth. Vomiting may also occur. You may also use arsenicum to prevent diarrhea when traveling.

Chamomilla . For greenish, frothy stool that smells like rotten eggs. Used primarily for children, especially those who are irritable, argumentative, and difficult to console. Practitioners commonly recommend chamomile for colicky or teething infants.

Calcarea carbonica . For children who fear being in the dark or alone, and who perspire heavily while sleeping. Stools may have a sour odor.

Mercurius . For foul-smelling diarrhea that may have streaks of blood accompanied by a sensation of incomplete emptying. This remedy is most appropriate for people who tend to feel exhausted following bowel movements, experience extreme changes in body temperature, perspire heavily, and have a thirst for cold fluids.

Podophyllum . For explosive, gushing, painless diarrhea that becomes worse after eating or drinking. Exhaustion often follows bowel movements. The individual for whom this remedy is appropriate may experience painful cramps in lower extremities. Practitioners may use podophyllum in infants for diarrhea experienced from teething.

Sulphur . For irritable and weepy children. They may have a red ring around the anus and diarrhea with the odor of rotten eggs.

Veratrum album . For profuse, watery diarrhea accompanied by stomach cramps, bloated abdomen, vomiting, exhaustion, and chills. The diarrhea is worsened by fruit, and the individual craves cold liquids.

Acupuncture

Although several studies in Traditional Chinese Medicine journals have reported success in treating childhood diarrhea, acupuncturists in the United States do not generally treat this condition in children. However, acupuncture may be used when conventional treatment has failed. In this case, acupuncturists look at both the nutritional value and the "energetic" qualities of food that might be affecting digestion.

Acupuncture is also combined with conventional medicine in treating diarrhea in adults.

Acupuncturists treat people with diarrhea based on an individualized assessment of the excesses and deficiencies of qi located in various meridians. In the case of diarrhea, a qi deficiency is usually detected in the spleen meridian. As a result, acupuncture treatments often focus on strengthening this meridian. Acupuncturists often use moxibustion (a technique in which the herb mugwort is burned over specific acupuncture points) because they believe it reaches deeper into the body than needling alone.

Following Up

If your diarrhea does not stop in 3 to 5 days, or if you become dehydrated, call your doctor.

Special Considerations

If you are pregnant, tell your doctor. Dehydration can trigger early labor. Also, diarrhea-related spasms may cause you to have contractions. DO NOT take goldenseal ( Hydrastis canadensis ), barberry ( Berberis vulgaris ), or high doses of vitamin A if you are pregnant.

Diarrhea can be serious, even fatal, for infants and elderly people because of dehydration and the loss of electrolytes.

Supporting Research

Abdullah M, Firmansyah MA. Clinical approach and management of chronic diarrhea. Acta Med Indones . 2013;45(2):157-65.

Barr W, Smith A. Acute diarrhea. Am Fam Physician . 2014;89(3):180-9.

Chen CC, Walker WA. Clinical applications of probiotics in gastrointestinal disorders in children. [Review]. Natl Med J India . 2011;24(3):153-60.

Choi CH, Jo SY, Park HJ, et al. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled multicenter trial of saccharomyces boulardii in irritable bowel syndrome: effect on quality of life. J Clin Gastroenterol . 2011;45(8):679-83.

Corinaldesi R, Stanghellini V, Barbara G, et al. Clinical approach to diarrhea. Intern Emerg Med . 2012;7 Suppl 3:S255-62.

Dinleyici EC, Dalgic N, Guven S, et al. Lactobacillus reuteri DSM 17938 shortens acute infectious diarrhea in a pediatric outpatient setting. J Pediatr (Rio J) . 2015;91(4):392-6.

Eren M, Dinleyici EC, Vandenplas Y. Clinical efficacy comparison of Saccharomyces boulardii and yogurt fluid in acute non-bloody diarrhea in children: a randomized, controlled, open label study. Am J Trop Med Hyg . 2010;82(3):488-91.

Feizizadeh S, Salehi-Abargouei A, Akbari V. Efficacy and safety of Saccharomyces boulardii for acute diarrhea. Pediatrics . 2014;134(1):e176-91.

Feldman M, Friedman LS, Brandt LJ. Sleisenger & Fordtran's Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease . 8th ed. Philiadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2006.

Festini F, Giusti F, Paoletti E, et al. Is early use of pacifier a risk for diarrhea? Minerva Pediatr . 2012;64(3):303-5.

Fox T, Manaloor J, Christenson J. Travel-Related Infections in Children. Pediatric Clinics of North America . Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2013:60(2).

Grandy G, Medina M, Soria R, et al. Probiotics in the treatment of acute rotavirus diarrhoea. A randomized, double-blind, controlled trial using two different probiotic preparations in Bolivian children. BMC Infect Dis . 2010;10:253.

Guandalini S. Probiotics for children with diarrhea: an update. J Clin Gastroenterol . 2008;42 Suppl 2:S53-7.

Jacobs J, Jiménez M, Malthouse S, et al. Homeopathic treatment of acute childhood diarrhea: results from a clinical trial in Nepal. J Altern Complement Med . 2000;6(2):131-9.

Jin CQ, Jia YX, Dong HX, et al. Stir-fried white pepper can treat diarrhea in infants and children efficiently: a randomized controlled trial. Am J Chin Med . 2013;41(4):765-72.

Jones K. Probiotics: preventing antibiotic-associated diarrhea. J Spec Pediatr Nurs . 2010;15(2):160-2.

Lukacik M, Thomas RL, Aranda JV. A meta-analysis of the effects of oral zinc in the treatment of acute and presistent diarrhea. Pediatrics . 2008;121(2):326-36.

McFarland LV. Meta-analysis of probiotics for the prevention of antibiotic associated diarrhea and the treatment of Clostridium difficile disease. Am J Gastroenterol . 2006;101:812-22.

McFarland LV. Systematic review and meta-analysis of Saccharomyces boulardii in adult patients. [Review]. World J Gastroenterol . 2010;16(18):2202-22.

Otto W, Najnigier B, Stelmasiak T, et al. Randomized control trials using a tablet formulation of hyperimmune bovine colostrum to prevent diarrhea caused by enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli in volunteers. Scand J Gastroenterol . 2011;46(7-8):862-8.

Patel AV, Rojas-Vera J, Dacke CG. Therapeutic constituents and actions of Rubus species. Curr Med Chem . 2004 Jun;11(11):1501-12.

Playford RJ, Macdonald CE, Johnson WS. Colostrum and milk-derived peptide growth factors for the treatment of gastrointestinal disorders. Am J ClinNutr . 2000;72:5-14.

Riaz M, Alam S, Malik A, et al. Efficacy and safety of Saccharomyces boulardii in acute childhood diarrhea: a double blind randomised controlled trial. Indian J Pediatr . 2012;79(4):478-82.

Rohde Cl, Bartolini V, Jones N. The use of probiotics in the prevention and treatment of antibiotic-associated diarrhea with special interest in Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea. Nutr Clin Pract . 2009;24(1):33-40.

Sandhu DK, Surawicz C. Update on chronic diarrhea: a run-through for the clinician. Curr Gastroenterol Rep . 2012;14(5):421-7.

Saavedra J. Probiotics and infectious diarrhea. Am J Gastroenterol . 2000;95:S16-S18.

Spanier JA, Howden CW, Jones MP. A systematic review of alternative therapies in the irritable bowel syndrome. Arch Intern Med . 2003;163(3):265-74.

Steffen R, Hill DR, DuPont HL. Traveler's diarrhea: a clinical review. JAMA . 2015;313(1):71-80.

Thomas DW, Greer FR; American Academy of Pediatrics Committee on Nutrition; American Academy of Pediatrics Section on Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition. Probiotics and prebiotics in pediatrics. [Review]. Pediatrics . 2010;126(6):1217-31.

Thomas MR, Litin SC, Osmon DR, et al. Lack of effect of Lactobacillus GG on antibiotic-associated diarrhea: a randomized, placebo-controlled trial. Mayo Clin Proc . 2001;76:883-9.

Van Niel CW, Feudtner C, Garrison MM, et al. Lactobacillus therapy for acute infectious diarrhea in children: a meta-analysis. Pediatrics . 2002;109:678-84.

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It's that rumbling in your stomach, that need-to-find-a-bathroom-now feeling, that inevitable part of life that doesn't make for polite conversation, but still needs to be discussed: diarrhea.

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For most of us, diarrhea is only an occasional inconvenience. Still, when it happens, you want a solution ASAP. Here are some natural remedies for diarrhea that don't require a trip to the pharmacy.

1. Eat Foods With Soluble Fiber

A bowl of oatmeal with apple as an example of foods to eat as a natural remedy for diarrhea

Unflavored oatmeal and apples are considered binding foods for diarrhea because they're high in soluble fiber.

Image Credit: NataBene/iStock/GettyImages

There aren't really foods that stop diarrhea, says Randy Meisner, MD, a gastroenterologist with Spectrum Health in Grand Rapids, Michigan, but certain foods can help clear it up.

While the BRAT diet (bread, rice, applesauce and toast) used to be the gold standard for diarrhea, it's no longer recommended because it's too restrictive and research shows it doesn't help with diarrhea.

Instead, reach for foods with soluble fiber, which move more slowly through the digestive system, according to OncoLink. These are known as binding foods for diarrhea, because they help make stools more solid.

Per the Mayo Clinic, foods high in soluble fiber include:

Oats

Peas

Beans

Apples

Citrus fruits

Carrots

Barley

Is Lemon Good for Diarrhea?

Lemons are high in soluble fiber, but they're not very pleasant to eat. Instead, try citrus fruits like oranges or grapefruit (and keep in mind that fruit juices do not contain fiber).

2. Stick to Plain Foods

Eating bland and easy-to-digest foods is a good way to stop diarrhea fast at home, especially when the condition is severe, according to OncoLink.

Skip heavy seasonings and sauces and opt for foods like the following:

Lean proteins like chicken, fish and eggs

Mashed potatoes

Noodles

Rice

Smooth peanut butter

Well-cooked vegetables

Tip

Eating five to six smaller meals throughout the day may be easier on your digestive system than eating three larger meals, per OncoLink.

3. Try Adding in Probiotic Foods

Top view of a bowl of sauerkraut as a natural remedy for diarrhea

The probiotics in sauerkraut may help naturally stop diarrhea.

Image Credit: Madeleine_Steinbach/iStock/GettyImages

Although Dr. Meisner notes there isn't conclusive data on the effectiveness of probiotics for diarrhea, he says some patients benefit from probiotics — microorganisms that live in the GI tract and also occur in some foods — in cases of diarrhea caused by an acute infection.

An August 2017 ​American Family Physician​ study found that probiotics are highly effective for diarrhea caused by infection, antibiotic-associated diarrhea and even diarrhea from some gastrointestinal disorders, including irritable bowel syndrome.

Probiotics are highly individual, however, so you may have to do some trial-and-error to find what works for you, Dr. Meisner says.

Probiotic-rich foods include:

Yogurt and kefir

Sauerkraut

Kimchi

Miso

Tempeh

What About Apple Cider Vinegar for Diarrhea?

How To Cure Diarrhea Fast at Home |5 Best Natural Treatment For Diarrhea |Home Remedies For Diarrhea

It's not clear whether apple cider vinegar can be counted among the home remedies for diarrhea. Some research, including a February 2016 paper in ​Pharmacy Today​, notes that ACV might delay the emptying of the stomach, which sounds promising. But ACV is also very acidic, which could irritate the gut and lead to digestive problems for some people.

4. Stay Hydrated

A person pouring a glass of water as a natural remedy for diarrhea

Wondering what to drink for diarrhea? Plain old water is your best bet.

Image Credit: sonsam/iStock/GettyImages

Hydrating won't get rid of diarrhea, but it's essential to help you avoid dehydration, which is a potentially serious consequence of diarrhea, even if the condition only lasts a few days, Dr. Meisner says.

The symptoms of dehydration can include dizziness, feeling lightheaded or weak, concentrated urine and decreased urination, confusion and thirst, according to the Mayo Clinic.

The best drink for diarrhea is water, and you may need to drink extra to stay hydrated if you are experiencing diarrhea, Dr. Meisner says. An electrolyte solution — such as Gatorade ($15 for 12, Amazon), Pedialyte ($19.96 for 4, Amazon) or Amazon's Basic Care Electrolyte Solution ($4.99, Amazon) — may also be helpful, but be careful: If they're high in sugar, it could make your diarrhea worse.

Is Ginger Good for Diarrhea?

Ginger root can help alleviate nausea and vomiting, according to the Cleveland Clinic, which are symptoms that often accompany diarrhea. But research is mixed on whether ginger can help get rid of diarrhea. And keep in mind that many ginger ale drinks may be made with artificial flavorings rather than natural ginger.

5. Nix Artificial Sweeteners

Some foods can cause diarrhea or make it worse, Dr. Meisner says, and artificial sweeteners are high on that list.

Sugar substitutes — such as aspartame or Splenda — are often culprits behind diarrhea, Dr. Meisner says, because they can pull water into your gut.

These types of sweeteners are often found in the following foods, according to the Mayo Clinic:

Soft drinks, such as diet soda

Powdered drink mixes

Sugar-free gums and candies

Baked goods

Canned foods

Dairy products

Jams and jellies

Puddings

6. Dial Back on Dairy if You're Intolerant

Various dairy foods to avoid as a natural remedy for diarrhea

When it comes to home remedies for diarrhea, what you don't eat is just as important as what you do eat.

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Lactose, the sugar found in milk and other dairy products, can cause diarrhea for some people, Dr. Meisner says.

Having diarrhea after eating or drinking dairy products is a common sign of lactose intolerance, according to the FDA. It's estimated that 30 to 50 million people in the U.S. have lactose intolerance, so it's definitely something to consider if you notice your diarrhea is occurring after eating or drinking foods like:

Cow's milk

Yogurt

Butter

Cheese

Ice cream or frozen yogurt

Sour cream

7. Forgo Fatty or Fried Foods

Dr. Meisner says eliminating some fatty foods may also help stop liquid diarrhea.

High-fat foods like fried chicken or potato chips can be tough for some people to digest, according to Harvard Health Publishing. When these foods aren't broken down well, they go to the colon, where the fat is turned into fatty acids, causing the colon to secrete fluid — and voila, diarrhea.

According to the USDA, unhealthy high-fat foods to avoid include:

Fast foods (such as those from Burger King, McDonald's and Taco Bell)

Fried foods like fried chicken

Whipped cream

Fatty meats, such as beef short ribs

Fatty snack foods, such as potato and corn chips

Processed meats, such as pepperoni, bacon and sausage

Desserts, such as dulce de leche and chocolate cake

Some salad dressings

8. Skip Spicy Foods

Top view of a bowl of spicy chili as a food to avoid as a natural remedy for diarrhea

Holding off on spicy foods like chili can help stop diarrhea fast at home.

Image Credit: Fudio/iStock/GettyImages

Foods made with hot peppers (think: hot sauce) contain a compound called capsaicin, which is responsible for that burning sensation in your mouth, according to a June 2016 paper in ​Molecules.​

Capsaicin can irritate your GI tract, causing digestion to speed up, which is why spicy food results in diarrhea for some people.

Tip

A specific food intolerance could be causing your diarrhea. Other symptoms of food intolerance include stomach pain or cramping, gas and bloating, per the Cleveland Clinic. Keeping a food journal can help you identify possible trigger foods and limit or avoid them going forward.

9. Cut Out Caffeine

Caffeine speeds up digestion, according to Harvard Health Publishing. When waste gets pushed through too quickly, your digestive system doesn't have a chance to absorb enough of the liquid, causing loose stools.

To treat watery diarrhea, cut back on foods and drinks that contain caffeine, including:

Coffee

Tea

Soda

Energy drinks

Chocolate

10. Avoid Alcohol

A woman refusing a glass of alcohol as a natural remedy for diarrhea

It's best to say no to alcohol when you're trying to treat watery diarrhea.

Image Credit: itakdalee/iStock/GettyImages

Drinking too much alcohol may cause diarrhea the next day, especially when it comes to beer and wine, according to the International Foundation for Gastrointestinal Disorders.

"Too much" is a relative term determined by your body, but keep in mind that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend sticking to one drink per day for those assigned female at birth and up to two drinks for those assigned male at birth.

Plus, alcohol is dehydrating, so even if it's not the cause of your diarrhea, you'll want to steer clear of it so you don't make the dehydrating effects of diarrhea worse.

Make Sure It's Actually Diarrhea

Dr. Meisner notes that if you’re having chronic or reoccurring diarrhea, it’s important to assess whether it could be fecal incontinence instead.

Diarrhea is defined as an increased amount of stool, but fecal incontinence is when you don’t have the ability to control your bowel movements, according to the Mayo Clinic. This often results in accidents or soiling of undergarments and is not necessarily increased quantity of stool.

The difference is important, Dr. Meisner says, because a doctor will need to assess the two conditions differently, so don’t be afraid to speak with your doctor if you are actually experiencing incidents of incontinence and not just diarrhea.

When to See a Doctor

If your diarrhea has gone on for more than a month, it's time to schedule a checkup.

"Chronic, reoccurring diarrhea can be indicative of a more severe illness," Dr. Meisner says.

The Mayo Clinic also notes you should see a doctor for diarrhea accompanied by symptoms such as fever, severe pain or stools that appear bloody or black.

What organ is responsible for diarrhea?

To most individuals, diarrhea means an increased frequency or decreased consistency of bowel movements; however, the medical definition is more exact than this. Diarrhea best correlates with an increase in stool weight; this increase is mainly due to excess water, which normally makes up 60 to 85 percent of fecal matter. In this way, true diarrhea is distinguished from diseases that cause only an increase in the number of bowel movements (hyperdefecation) or incontinence (involuntary loss of bowel contents).

Diarrhea is also classified by physicians as acute, which lasts one to two weeks, and as chronic, which continues for longer than two or three weeks. Viral and bacterial infections are the most common causes of acute diarrhea.

Description

In many cases, acute infectious diarrhea is a mild, limited annoyance common to adults and children. Chronic diarrhea, though, can have considerable effect on health and on social and economic well-being. People with celiac disease , inflammatory bowel disease, and other prolonged diarrheal illnesses develop nutritional deficiencies that diminish growth and immunity. They affect social interaction and result in the loss of many working hours. Rapid diagnosis and proper treatment can prevent much of the suffering associated with these illnesses.

Demographics

Worldwide, acute infectious diarrhea has a huge impact, causing over 5 million deaths per year. While most deaths are among children under five years of age in developing nations, the impact, even in developed countries, is considerable. For example, over 250,000 individuals are admitted to hospitals in the United States each year because of one of these episodes.

Causes and symptoms

Diarrhea occurs because more fluid passes through the large intestine (colon) than that organ can absorb. As a rule, the colon can absorb several times more fluid than is required on a daily basis. However, when this reserve capacity is overwhelmed, diarrhea occurs.

Diarrhea is caused by infections or illnesses that either lead to excess production of fluids or prevent absorption of fluids. Also, certain substances in the colon, such as fats and bile acids, can interfere with water absorption and cause diarrhea. Rapid passage of material through the colon can also do the same.

 

Symptoms related to any diarrheal illness are often those associated with any injury to the gastrointestinal tract, such as fever , nausea , vomiting , and abdominal pain . All or none of these may be present depending on the disease causing the diarrhea. The number of bowel movements can vary—up to 20 or more per day. In some persons, blood or pus is present in the stool. Bowel movements may be difficult to flush (float) or contain undigested food material.

The most common causes of acute diarrhea are infections (the cause of traveler's diarrhea), food poisoning , and medications. Medications are a frequent and often over-looked cause, especially antibiotics and antacids. Less often, various sugar-free foods, which sometimes contain poorly absorbable materials, cause diarrhea.

Chronic diarrhea is frequently due to many of the same things that cause the shorter episodes (infections, medications, etc.); however, symptoms last longer. Some infections can become chronic. This occurs mainly with parasitic infections (such as Giardia ) or when people have altered immunity (such as AIDS ). In children, more common causes of chronic diarrhea are food allergy and lactose intolerance . Toddlers who drink too much juice can have frequent, loose stools.

When to call the doctor

A physician or other healthcare provider should be contacted when the number of bowel movements exceeds three per day for 2 days or more or when fecal material contains blood. A doctor should be called if a person becomes dehydrated. Signs of dehydration include decreased urination, lethargy, poor skin tone, and generalized weakness. In very young children, the parents should call a doctor if they observe these symptoms of dehydration:

Home Remedy for Vomiting and Diarrhea

dry mouth or tongue

few or no tears when crying

no wet diapers for three hours or more

sunken eyes, cheeks, and fontanel (soft spot on the head of infants)

irritability and listlessness

skin that flattens slowly when pinched

Parents should also call the doctor if a child is vomiting so often that he or she cannot keep fluids down, has a high fever, complains of severe abdominal pain, or shows no improvement in symptoms after 24 hours.

Diagnosis

Most cases of acute diarrhea never need diagnosis or treatment, as many are mild and produce few problems. But persons of any age with fever over 102°F (38.9°C), signs of dehydration, bloody bowel movements, severe abdominal pain, known immune disease, or prior use of antibiotics need prompt medical evaluation.

When diagnostic studies are needed, the most useful are stool culture and examination for parasites; however, these are often negative, and a cause cannot be found in a large number of people. The earlier cultures are performed, the greater the chance of obtaining a positive result. For those with a history of antibiotic use in the preceding two months, stool samples need to be examined for the toxins that cause antibiotic-associated colitis. Tests are also available to check stool samples for microscopic amounts of blood and for cells that indicate severe inflammation of the colon. Examination with an endoscope is sometimes helpful in determining severity and extent of inflammation. Tests to check changes in blood chemistry (potassium, magnesium, etc.) and a complete blood count (CBC) are also often performed.

Chronic diarrhea is quite different, and most persons with this condition receive some degree of testing. Many exams are the same as for an acute episode, as some infections and parasites cause both types of diarrhea. A careful history to evaluate medication use, dietary changes, family history of illnesses, and other symptoms is necessary. Key points in determining the seriousness of symptoms are weight loss of over 10 lbs (4.5 kg), blood in the stool, and nocturnal diarrhea (symptoms that awaken an individual from sleep ).

Both prescription and over-the-counter medications can contain additives, such as lactose and sorbitol, that will produce diarrhea in sensitive individuals. Review of allergies or skin changes may also point to a cause. Social history may indicate that stress is playing a role or may identify activities which can be associated with diarrhea (for example, diarrhea that occurs in runners).

A combination of stool, blood, and urine tests may be needed in the evaluation of chronic diarrhea; in addition, a number of endoscopic and x-ray studies are frequently required.

Treatment

Treatment is ideally directed toward correcting the cause; however, the first aim should be to prevent or treat dehydration and nutritional deficiencies. The type of fluid and nutrient replacement depends on whether oral feedings can be taken and on the severity of fluid losses. Oral rehydration solution (ORS) or intravenous fluids are the choices; ORS is preferred if possible.

A physician should be notified if a person is dehydrated. If oral replacement is suggested then commercial (Pedialyte and others) or homemade preparations can be used. The World Health Organization (WHO) has provided this easy recipe for home preparation, which can be taken in small frequent sips:

table salt, 3/4 tsp

baking powder, 1 tsp

orange juice, 1 c

water, 1 qt

When feasible, food intake should be continued even in those people with acute diarrhea. A physician should be consulted regarding what type and how much food is permitted.

Anti-motility agents (loperamide, diphenoxylate) are useful for those with chronic symptoms; their use is limited or even contraindicated in most individuals with acute diarrhea, especially in those with high fever or bloody bowel movements. They should not be taken without the advice of a physician, and should not be used in children.

Other treatments are available, depending on the cause of symptoms. For example, the bulk agent psyllium helps some people by absorbing excess fluid and solidifying stools; cholestyramine, which binds bile acids, is effective in treating bile-salt-induced diarrhea. Low fat diets or more easily digestible fat is useful in some people. Antidiarrheal drugs that decrease excessive secretion of fluid by the intestinal tract is another approach for some diseases. Avoidance of medications or other products that are known to cause diarrhea (such as lactose) is curative in some people but should be discussed with a physician.

Alternative treatment

It is especially important to find the cause of diarrhea, since stopping diarrhea when it is the body's way of eliminating something foreign is not helpful and can be harmful in the long run.

One effective alternative approach to preventing and treating diarrhea involves oral supplementation of aspects of the normal flora in the colon with the yeasts Lactobacillus acidophilus , L. bifidus , or Saccharomyces boulardii . In clinical settings, these "biotherapeutic" agents have repeatedly been helpful in the resolution of diarrhea, especially antibiotic-associated diarrhea.

Nutrient replacement also plays a role in preventing and treating episodes of diarrhea. Zinc especially appears to have an effect on the immune system, and deficiency of this mineral can lead to chronic diarrhea. Also, zinc replacement improves growth in young persons. To prevent dehydration, individuals suffering from diarrhea should take plenty of fluids, especially water. The BRAT diet also can be useful in helping to resolve diarrhea. This diet limits food intake to bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast. These foods provide soluble and insoluble fiber without irritation. If the toast is slightly burnt, the charcoal can help sequester toxins and pull them from the body.

Acute homeopathic remedies can be very effective for treating diarrhea especially in infants and young children.

Prognosis

Prognosis is related to the cause of the diarrhea; for most individuals in developed countries, a bout of acute, infectious diarrhea is at best uncomfortable. However, in both industrialized and developing areas, serious complications and death can occur.

For those with chronic symptoms, an extensive number of tests are usually necessary to make a proper diagnosis and begin treatment; a specific diagnosis is found in 90 percent of people. In some, however, no specific cause is found and only treatment with bulk agents or anti-motility agents is indicated.

Prevention

Proper hygiene and food handling techniques can prevent many cases. Traveler's diarrhea can be avoided by people using products containing bismuth, such as Pepto-Bismol and/or antibiotics. The most important action is to prevent the complications of dehydration.

Nutritional concerns

Replacement of fluids and electrolytes is important for people experiencing diarrhea. These individuals should take in foods that contain salt, potassium, phosphates, and sugar. Most sodas, sport drinks and non-cream soups are good sources of electrolytes.

Parental concerns

Parents should be sure that their children who experience diarrhea drink plenty of fluids and replace electrolytes with an oral rehydration solution. A doctor should be called if the parent suspects a child is becoming dehydrated. Severe dehydration requires intravenous fluid administration in a medical setting. Antidiarrheal medications should be be given only on the advise of a physician.

KEY TERMS

Antimotility drug —A medication, such as loperamide (Imodium), dephenoxylate (Lomotil), or medications containing codeine or narcotics that decrease the ability of the intestine to contract.

Colitis —Inflammation of the colon (large intestine).

Endoscope —A medical instrument that can be passed into an area of the body (the bladder or intestine, for example) to allow visual examination of that area. The endoscope usually has a fiberoptic camera that allows a greatly magnified image to be shown on a television screen viewed by the operator. Many endoscopes also allow the operator to retrieve a small sample (biopsy) of the area being examined, to more closely view the tissue under a microscope.

Endoscopy —Visual examination of an organ or body cavity using an endoscope, a thin, tubular instrument containing a camera and light source. Many endoscopes also allow the retrieval of a small sample (biopsy) of the area being examined, in order to more closely view the tissue under a microscope.

Lactose intolerance —An inability to properly digest the lactose found in milk and dairy products.

Oral rehydration solution (ORS) —A liquid preparation of electrolytes and glucose developed by the World Health Organization that can decrease fluid loss in persons with diarrhea. Originally developed to be prepared with materials available in the home, commercial preparations have recently come into use.

Steatorrhea —An excessive amount of fat in the feces due to poor fat absorption in the gastrointestinal tract.

Resources

BOOKS

Ahlquist, David A., and Michael Camilleri. "Diarrhea and Constipation." In Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine , 15th ed. Edited by Eugene Braunwald et al. New York: McGraw-Hill, 2001, pp. 241–9.

Ghishan, Fayez K. "Chronic Diarrhea." In Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics , 17th ed. Edited by Richard E. Behrman et al. Philadelphia: Saunders, 2003, pp. 1276–80.

Greenbaum, Larry A. "Acute Diarrhea and Oral Rehydration." In Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics , 17th ed. Edited by Richard E. Behrman et al. Philadelphia: Saunders, 2003, pp. 249–50.

——. "Diarrhea in Chronically Malnourished Children." In Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics , 17th ed. Edited by Richard E. Behrman et al. Philadelphia: Saunders, 2003, pp. 2250–1.

Sack, R. Bradley. "The Diarrhea of Travelers." In Cecil Textbook of Medicine , 22nd ed. Edited by Lee Goldman et al. Philadelphia: Saunders, 2003, pp. 1864–5.

Semrad, Carol E. and Don W. Powell. "Approach to the Patient with Diarrhea and Malabsorption." In Cecil Textbook of Medicine , 22nd ed. Edited by Lee Goldman et al. Philadelphia: Saunders, 2003, pp. 842–60.

ORGANIZATIONS

American Academy of Pediatrics. 141 Northwest Point Blvd., Elk Grove Village, IL 60007–1098. Web site: http://www.aap.org.

American College of Gastroenterology. 4900 B South 31st Street, Arlington VA 22206. Web site: http://www.acg.gi.org/.

WEB SITES

"Diarrhea." Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Available online at http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dpd/parasiticpathways/diarrhea.htm (accessed January 5, 2005).

"Diarrhea." Merck Manual. Available online at http://www.merck.com/mrkshared/mmanual/section3/chapter27/27b.jsp (accessed January 5, 2005).

"Diarrhea." National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse. Available online at http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/diarrhea/ (accessed January 5, 2005).

"Diarrhea." MedlinePlus. Available online at http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/diarrhea.html (accessed January 5, 2005).

"Traveler's Diarrhea." American Academy of Family Practice. Available online at http://familydoctor.org/182.xml (accessed January 5, 2005).

L. Fleming Fallon, Jr., MD, DrPH

Read more: http://www.healthofchildren.com/D/Diarrhea.html#ixzz7Rk9Pp86U

How can I firm up my stools?

What is diarrhea?

Diarrhea is defined as the frequent passage of watery, loose stools, accompanied by an excessive loss of fluid and electrolytes. Another standard definition of diarrhea is passing more than three liquid bowel movements daily, or more than one litre of stool from an ileostomy or colostomy per day. Diarrhea occurs because the contents of the gastrointestinal tract are moving too rapidly, causing less fluid and nutrients to be absorbed.

What causes diarrhea?

Diarrhea is classified into four categories: osmotic, secretory, exudative, or rapid intestinal transit diarrhea.

Osmotic diarrhea is caused by the presence of solutes in the gastrointestinal tract that are poorly absorbed and produce an osmotic effect. The osmotic effect is the movement of water from low solute concentration to high solute concentration. The causes of osmotic diarrhea may be lactose intolerance, fat malabsorption, dumping syndrome after gastric surgery, or certain medications (i.e. hypertonic or sorbitol-containing liquid medications).

Secretory diarrhea occurs when there is an over secretion of water and salts in the intestine, which is caused by bacterial toxins (Clostridium difficile, E. coli, etc.), caffeine, viruses, or increased bile acids following an ileal resection.

Exudative diarrhea is associated with damage to the intestinal mucosa, leading to the release or oozing of mucus, blood, and plasma proteins from cells as result of inflammation or injury. This increases the fluid content of feces and is present in ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease, or radiation enteritis.

Finally, rapid intestinal transit diarrhea is defined as an increase in propulsive activity in the colon. When the colon contracts more intensely than normal, food is passed more quickly through the digestive system and less water is absorbed back into the body, making the stool too watery. Causes of this type of diarrhea are irritable bowel syndrome, surgical bypass, gastric and intestinal resections, antibiotics, or stress.

How can diarrhea be prevented?

Prevention of diarrhea depends on the underlying cause. If medications are causing a person to experience diarrhea, an alternative form (i.e. tablet instead of sorbitol-containing liquid) or type of medication should be explored, especially when diarrhea is chronic. Some people who are malnourished or on bowel rest, may experience diarrhea for the first few days when starting to eat again because the bowel wall’s ability to function decreases when it is not used and resumes normal function slowly. Consult your physician to determine the underlying cause and treatment for your diarrhea, especially if there is any associated pain, blood, or distension.

Dietary Recommendations for Diarrhea:

Drink 8-10 cups of fluid per day, like water, broth, half-strength juice, weak tea, or electrolyte replacement drinks.

Eat small frequent meals slowly during the day.

Try sources of soluble fibre to help firm up stool.

Limit fried or fatty foods since these can worsen diarrhea.

Some high fibre foods may contribute to diarrhea.

Foods with lots of sugar may worsen diarrhea, such as regular pop, candy, large quantities of juice, and chocolate milk.

Some people may become temporarily lactose intolerant when experiencing diarrhea (so can benefit from lower lactose choices, such as cheese, yoghurt, Lactaid® milk or Lactaid® pills).

Consult your physician to determine if an anti-diarrheal medication is suitable for you.

The following foods may be better tolerated:

Fruits and Vegetables Applesauce, apples, bananas, peaches, apricots, canned pears, grapefruit, potatoes, melons, squash

Breads and Cereals Oatmeal, oat bran, white rice, plain noodles, white bread/bagels, crackers, cream of wheat, arrowroot cookies

Protein foods Cheese (especially low fat), yoghurt, eggs, lean fish, beef, pork, skinless poultry

Foods to limit:

Fruits and Vegetables Prunes, prune juice, berries, dates, any dried fruit, figs, rhubarb, green beans, wax beans, peas, Brussels sprouts, corn, broccoli

Breads and Cereals Whole wheat, bran products, Shreddies, Mini Wheat, Raisin Wheat, Shredded Wheat, Bran Flakes, bulgur, Wheetabix, All Bran, Bran Buds, barley, Red River, wheat germ, Muslix

Protein foods Dried beans, dried peas, lentils, nuts and seeds, and fried meats, fish, and poultry

What settles upset stomach and diarrhea?

There are few things worse than having an upset stomach and diarrhea. This condition can completely throw off your day, keeping you tied to your toilet and limiting the foods and drinks you can enjoy. Understanding what causes these symptoms to arise and how to treat them effectively can dramatically cut down the time and effort you spend dealing with them. 

First Aid: Vomiting & Loose Stools | Child Specialist In Bangalore -Dr Sujatha T | Aster RV Hospital

An upset stomach, also known as indigestion, is a general term used to describe discomfort or pain felt in the upper abdomen. Some common symptoms associated with an upset stomach are:

Body chills

Burning Sensation (h eartburn)

Cramps

Discomfort

Diarrhea

Fatigue

Headache or body aches

Nausea      

An upset stomach is usually followed by diarrhea, which is loose, watery, and, potentially, more-frequent bowel movements. Symptoms associated with diarrhea may include:

Abdominal cramps

Bloating

Blood in the stool

Mucus in the stool

Fever

Nausea

Sudden need to have a bowel movement

Remedies and Treatments for Upset Stomach and Diarrhea

Upset Stomach Remedies 

Most stomach ailments can be treated at home. As soon as you start feeling sick, begin limiting your diet to clear liquids in frequent, small amounts. Make sure to drink enough fluids to keep your urine clear or a pale yellow.

If you’re not able to keep liquids down and begin to vomit, start with sips of water or sucking on ice chips. Once you are able to keep that down, try other fluids like:

Clear soup broth or bouillon

Decaffeinated tea

Sports drinks

Clear soft-drinks like 7-Up, Sprite, or Ginger Ale

Juices like apple, grape, cherry, or cranberry (make sure to avoid citrus juices)

Popsicles

Once you are able to keep all liquids down, try some solid foods along with the liquids. Good foods to try are: 

Applesauce

Bananas

Soda crackers

White rice

White toast 

It may take several days to one week to regain your appetite, energy level, and for your bowels to regain normalcy.

Diarrhea Treatments

Most cases of diarrhea clear on their own within a couple of days without treatment. If you've tried lifestyle changes and home remedies for an upset stomach and diarrhea without success, your doctor might recommend the following:

SUGGESTED

Antibiotics

Antibiotics might help treat diarrhea caused by bacteria or parasites. If a virus is causing your diarrhea, antibiotics won't help. Alternatively, if your doctor determines that antibiotics are what’s causing your diarrhea, they will likely lower the dose or switch to another medication.

Electrolytes

While water is an effective method to replace fluids, it doesn't contain the salts and electrolytes that are essential for your body to function. Drinking liquids that have these essential minerals like sodium and potassium can increase your speed of recovery from diarrhea.

Treatment to Replace Fluids

Your body loses a lot of water when you have diarrhea. Your doctor will likely recommend a steady regimen to ensure you are replacing the fluids and salts your body has lost. This usually means drinking plenty of water, juices, and broth. If drinking liquids upsets your stomach or causes vomiting, your doctor might recommend getting IV fluids.

Treating underlying conditions

Your diarrhea might be caused by a more serious condition, such as inflammatory bowel disease. If your doctor determines this to be the case, you might be referred to a specialist, such as a gastroenterologist, who can help devise a treatment plan for you.

Upset Stomach and Diarrhea Prevention 

One of the best things you can do to avoid an upset stomach and diarrhea is to avoid certain foods that are known to cause them. These include: 

Alcohol

Caffeine

Fatty or greasy foods 

Non-cultured dairy products (i.e. milk, cheese, ice cream) 

Raw vegetables

Spicy foods

Whole grains

Additional prevention measures you should take to avoid an upset stomach are: 

Wash your hands with soap and water after using the bathroom 

Wash your hands with soap and water before and after eating or handling food

Do not share eating or drinking utensils with others

Avoid milk, cheese, or egg-based foods that have not been refrigerated

Handle uncooked meat or poultry carefully — wash hands, utensils, and work surfaces well after preparing, especially before handling other foods

When to See a Doctor

An upset stomach and diarrhea are usually nothing to worry about. Consult your doctor if the symptoms don’t go away after two days or if they begin to get worse in that time. Additionally, consult your doctor if you experience any of the following: 

You feel dehydrated, including feeling excessive thirst, dry mouth, little or no urination, severe weakness, dizziness, or lightheadedness

You have severe abdominal or rectal pain

You have bloody or black stools

You have a fever of more than 102 degrees Fahrenheit

SUGGESTED

Remedies for Children

In children, particularly young children, diarrhea should be taken seriously as it can quickly lead to dehydration and, possibly, death. One out of nine child deaths are due to diarrhea, and it is the second leading cause of death in children under five years of age. You should call your doctor if your child's diarrhea doesn't improve within 24 hours or if they:

Haven’t had a wet diaper in three or more hours

Have a fever of more than 102 degrees Fahrenheit 

Have bloody or black stools

Have a dry mouth or tongue, or if they cry without tears

Are unusually sleepy, drowsy, unresponsive, or irritable

Have a sunken appearance to their abdomen, eyes, or cheeks

Have skin that doesn't flatten if pinched and released

Ask your doctor about using an oral rehydration solution, such as Pedialyte, to prevent dehydration or replace lost fluids.

Emergency Care

Almost ten percent of all visits to the emergency room are stomach-related. You should call your doctor immediately if the pains in your stomach are so severe that you can't move, sit still, or find a comfortable position that doesn’t cause additional pain.

Seek immediate medical help if the pain becomes severe or is accompanied by other symptoms like: 

Bloody stools

Fever

Persistent nausea and vomiting

Skin that appears yellow

Severe tenderness when you touch your abdomen

Swelling of the abdomen

How do you treat diarrhea in Covid patients?

COVID-19 can present a variety of symptoms, but one potentially dangerous symptom most people aren’t particularly excited to talk about is diarrhea. An estimated 20% of COVID-19 patients are likely to experience diarrhea soon after contracting the disease. The CDC notes that people with compromised immune systems, like those recovering from COVID-19, are at the greatest risk of developing diarrhea and other gastrointestinal symptoms, including vomiting and nausea.

Diarrhea could be dangerous if untreated, particularly in children. The CDC says 1 in 9 children nationwide have died from complications from diarrhea.

When someone is experiencing diarrhea, their bodies are no longer maintaining the important balance of water and sodium, often leading to dehydration. This dehydration, coupled with COVID-19, can affect the function of a person’s lungs, which can result in pneumonia. In severe cases, diarrhea can affect a person’s kidney and liver function, mental state, heart rate and breathing. It can also lead to a full-body infection known as sepsis, and in some circumstances, can lead to death.

The best way to treat dehydration from diarrhea is to use proper oral hydration to restore fluid loss. These products are often sold over the counter. The right oral hydration product typically contains a balance of sodium, potassium, glucose, starch, citrate and bicarbonate acids. The World Health Organization says oral rehydration containing these ingredients are important to decrease the risk of water intoxication.

“For children and adults, it is important to monitor for dehydration caused by diarrhea before the illness becomes extreme. Starting oral rehydration within 24 hours of symptom onset can be lifesaving,” says William Greenough, M.D., infectious disease expert and professor emeritus of medicine at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine.

Greenough also notes that foods such as bananas, rice and toast are good binding agents to help settle one’s stomach when they are experiencing diarrhea.

Greenough is available for comment on COVID-19, diarrhea and oral hydration.

What cancers cause diarrhea?

Diarrhea: Cancer-related causes and how to cope

Knowing which diarrhea signs and symptoms are routine and which are serious can help you understand when to call your doctor.

By Mayo Clinic Staff

Diarrhea is an unpleasant but common side effect in people receiving treatment for cancer. Diarrhea may also be caused by the cancer itself.

Diarrhea can be more than an inconvenience for people with cancer — it can sometimes be a sign of something more serious.

What causes diarrhea in people with cancer?

Everyone gets diarrhea now and then. If you have cancer, the things that normally cause diarrhea can still affect you. But there are additional causes of diarrhea in people with cancer, such as:

Cancer treatment. Some cancer treatments can cause diarrhea, including chemotherapy, radiation, surgery (if certain parts of the intestine need to be removed) and bone marrow transplants.

Infections. Cancer treatment can make you more susceptible to various infections, which can cause diarrhea. Antibiotics used to treat some infections also can cause diarrhea.

Cancer itself. Certain cancers can cause diarrhea, including hormone-producing (neuroendocrine) tumors, such as carcinoid syndrome and Zollinger-Ellison syndrome; colon cancer; lymphoma; medullary carcinoma of the thyroid gland; and pancreatic cancer.

The duration and severity of your diarrhea depend on what's causing your signs and symptoms. Talk to your doctor about what you can expect and how long your diarrhea may last.

When should you call your doctor?

Diarrhea may just be an uncomfortable problem, or a sign of something more serious. Diarrhea can also lead to other problems, such as severe dehydration.

5 Natural Cures For Diarrhea [Stop The Runs]

Call your doctor right away if you have any of the following signs or symptoms:

Six or more loose bowel movements a day for more than two days

Blood in your stool or rectal area

Weight loss due to diarrhea

Fever of 100.5 F (38 C) or higher

Inability to control bowel movements

Diarrhea or abdominal cramps that last more than a day

Diarrhea accompanied by dizziness

If your diarrhea doesn't seem severe but starts to interfere with your daily activities, such as if you're concerned about leaving home or going somewhere without a toilet nearby, talk to your doctor. If abdominal cramping is keeping you from your daily activities, discuss this with your doctor, as well.

Also call your doctor if you're taking chemotherapy in pill form and you experience diarrhea. Your doctor can determine whether it's safe for you to continue taking chemotherapy pills.

Talking about diarrhea

Though discussing diarrhea with your doctor might be embarrassing, it's very important that you mention your signs and symptoms to your doctor. Diarrhea that accompanies cancer treatment can be serious. The sooner you tell your doctor, the sooner your doctor can act to help relieve your symptoms.

What can you do?

When you begin experiencing diarrhea, you can take action by modifying what you eat and drink. For instance:

Drink clear liquids. As soon as your diarrhea starts, switch to a diet of clear liquids, such as water, apple juice, clear broth and ice pops. Avoid milk products, as lactose intolerance may be part of your diarrhea. When you have diarrhea, you may need to drink eight to 12 cups of liquid a day.

Eat low-fiber foods. As your diarrhea starts to improve, add foods low in fiber to your diet, such as bananas, rice, applesauce and toast.

Eat five to six small meals a day.

Avoid foods that can irritate your digestive tract. These include dairy products, spicy foods, alcohol, high-fat foods and beverages that contain caffeine, orange juice or prune juice.

Try probiotics. Found in yogurt and dietary supplements, probiotics are beneficial bacteria that may help restore normal digestion. Lactobacillus and bifidobacterium are two examples of probiotics. If you've had a bone marrow transplant, check with your doctor before using probiotics.

As you start to feel better, you can slowly adjust your diet back to your normal fare.

Take care of your skin

Frequent, watery stools can take a toll on the skin in your anal area. Wash with warm water, or use baby wipes or bathroom wipes to clean the area, and be sure to gently dry the area too.

Water-repellent ointments, such as those that contain petroleum jelly, also can help keep skin irritation to a minimum. Apply after you've cleaned and dried the skin in your anal area.

Can medications help?

If changes to your diet aren't reducing your discomfort from diarrhea, your doctor might prescribe medications to offer you relief. If you are currently receiving chemotherapy, don't take any over-the-counter medications without checking with your doctor first, because some can cause dangerous side effects in people getting treatment for cancer.

Common medications for cancer-related diarrhea include:

Opioids. You might be familiar with opioids for pain treatment, but these drugs can also reduce your diarrhea by slowing movement through your intestines. Loperamide (Imodium A-D) causes fewer side effects than other opioids do, making it a common treatment choice.

Anti-secretory agents. These drugs reduce the amount of fluid your body secretes, making your stools firmer. Examples of anti-secretory agents your doctor may prescribe include corticosteroids and octreotide (Sandostatin).

Other medications are available, but what type you'll take will depend on the severity of your diarrhea and what's causing it.

People with severe diarrhea may need to be hospitalized for IV fluids and nutrition.

Is it better to stop diarrhea or let it go?

Why treat diarrhea?

If you suffer from acute diarrhea, it’s best to treat it straight away. By treating diarrhea, your body can start to recover so you can feel better and get on with your day as quickly as possible.

It’s best to treat it early

Our survey of sufferers of frequent acute diarrhea in 14 countries around the world, found that 84% of us feel weak and tired when suffering from acute diarrhea.

This is no surprise when you consider the resulting loss of important fluids and salts from our body.21

So why leave it untreated when you can relieve diarrhea along with its uncomfortable symptoms and dehydrating effects?

IMODIUM™ contains an active ingredient called Loperamide, which works in harmony with your body to help restore the digestive system to its natural pace and rhythm, which in turn works to renew the absorption of fluids in your system.

Isn’t it better to let diarrhea run its course?

Many people think diarrhea is a sign that your body is trying to get rid of something, so it’s better to let it ‘flush’ any bacteria or toxins out of the body. But diarrhea is not a defence mechanism. It’s a symptom of disruption to the finely tuned machine that is our digestive system. It’s your immune system that fights infection, so there’s no need to leave diarrhea to run its course. In fact, when left to run its course, diarrhea can cause you to lose essential fluids and salts, leaving you feeling weak and depleted. Early treatment limits this loss so you can start to feel better and your system can recover more quickly.

Will IMODIUM™ block me up?

IMODIUM™ contains no ingredients that might bind content or act as a block. Instead, IMODIUM™ works to restore the regular movement of your intestinal wall and to resume the natural rhythm of your digestive system, helping your bowel movements return to normal more quickly.

Constipation may be experienced after diarrhea has finished as a result of the bowel being emptied or by eating less during the diarrhea episode. Data from clinical studies on Imodium™ shows that only around 3% of people will experience constipation as a result of taking Imodium™ to treat the symptoms of diarrhea.

Will I become reliant on IMODIUM™?

In over 40 years of IMODIUM™ use, there’s no evidence at all to suggest that people who use IMODIUM™ regularly become reliant on it or resistant to its effects over time. In fact, you can use IMODIUM™ to treat all types of infectious and non-infectious diarrhea, no matter how frequently you get them.

Remember, you should see your doctor if:

Your symptoms last longer than 48 hours

You develop a fever over 38°C

You have blood or mucus in your stools

Isn’t it better to treat the root cause of the problem?

It’s true that it’s better to avoid trigger foods or stresses, if these are the factors that bring on diarrhea for you. But often you can’t control the cause of your diarrhea, especially if you have a sensitive system. So the best you can do is treat the effects in order to limit the extra strain on your system caused by loss of fluids and salts. Treatment will stop your diarrhea and help your body to get back to recovery more quickly than if you don’t treat at all.

What about rehydration treatments?

Oral rehydration solutions replace lost fluids and salts and help to prevent dehydration, but they don’t relieve the symptoms of diarrhea. You can use IMODIUM™ (to stop diarrhea) together with an oral rehydration solution (to rehydrate your system).

How can I best treat my diarrhea and help my recovery?

Here’s what to do if you get diarrhea:

Take IMODIUM™ straight after your first bout – it can relieve diarrhea in just one hour so your body can start to recover sooner

Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of fluids and/or taking a rehydration treatment

Avoid fizzy drinks and rich or spicy foods

As your appetite increases, eat regular meals of simple baked foods

How do you know when diarrhea is serious?

Most cases of acute diarrhea resolve without treatment. However, severe diarrhea (greater than 10 bowel movements a day or diarrhea where fluid losses are significantly greater than oral intake) can cause dehydration, which can be life-threatening if untreated. Dehydration is particularly dangerous in children, older adults and those with weakened immune systems.

Seek medical attention for a child with these signs and symptoms:

Diarrhea that doesn't improve after 24 hours

No wet diaper in three or more hours

A fever of more than 102 F (39 C)

Bloody or black stools

A dry mouth or tongue or cries without tears

Unusually sleepy, drowsy, unresponsive or irritable

A sunken appearance to the abdomen, eyes or cheeks

Skin that doesn't flatten if pinched and released

Schedule a doctor's visit for an adult with these symptoms:

Diarrhea lasts more than two days without improvement

Excessive thirst, dry mouth or skin, little or no urination, severe weakness, dizziness or lightheadedness, or dark-colored urine, which could indicate dehydration

Severe abdominal or rectal pain

Bloody or black stools

A fever of more than 102 F (39 C)

What are the 4 types of diarrhea?

GREGORY JUCKETT, MD, MPH, and RUPAL TRIVEDI, MD, West Virginia University, Morgantown, West Virginia

Am Fam Physician. 2011 Nov 15;84(10):1119-1126.

  Patient information: See related handout on chronic diarrhea, written by the authors of this article.

Chronic diarrhea, defined as a decrease in stool consistency for more than four weeks, is a common but challenging clinical scenario. It can be divided into three basic categories: watery, fatty (malabsorption), and inflammatory. Watery diarrhea may be subdivided into osmotic, secretory, and functional types. Watery diarrhea includes irritable bowel syndrome, which is the most common cause of functional diarrhea. Another example of watery diarrhea is microscopic colitis, which is a secretory diarrhea affecting older persons. Laxative-induced diarrhea is often osmotic. Malabsorptive diarrhea is characterized by excess gas, steatorrhea, or weight loss; giardiasis is a classic infectious example. Celiac disease (gluten-sensitive enteropathy) is also malabsorptive, and typically results in weight loss and iron deficiency anemia. Inflammatory diarrhea, such as ulcerative colitis or Crohn disease, is characterized by blood and pus in the stool and an elevated fecal calprotectin level. Invasive bacteria and parasites also produce inflammation. Infections caused by Clostridium difficile subsequent to antibiotic use have become increasingly common and virulent. Not all chronic diarrhea is strictly watery, malabsorptive, or inflammatory, because some categories overlap. Still, the most practical diagnostic approach is to attempt to categorize the diarrhea by type before testing and treating. This narrows the list of diagnostic possibilities and reduces unnecessary testing. Empiric therapy is justified when a specific diagnosis is strongly suspected and follow-up is available.

Chronic diarrhea is defined as a decrease in stool consistency continuing for more than four weeks.1 Although reasonably common (3 to 5 percent of the population), it represents a considerable diagnostic challenge, with several hundred conditions in the differential diagnosis.1 This article focuses on a diagnostic approach that is practical for the primary care physician.

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SORT: KEY RECOMMENDATIONS FOR PRACTICE

CLINICAL RECOMMENDATION EVIDENCE RATING REFERENCES

Chronic diarrhea should be categorized as watery (secretory vs. osmotic vs. functional), fatty, or inflammatory before full diagnostic evaluation.

C

1

The fecal osmotic gap can help distinguish secretory from osmotic diarrhea.

C

1

Most persons with irritable bowel syndrome meeting Rome III criteria do not require colonoscopy if the condition responds to therapy.

C

15

Fecal calprotectin, a marker for neutrophil activity, is useful for distinguishing inflammatory bowel disease from irritable bowel syndrome and for monitoring inflammatory bowel disease activity.

C

17, 18

Testing for celiac disease should be considered in patients with irritable bowel syndrome, type 1 diabetes mellitus, thyroid disease, iron deficiency anemia, weight loss, infertility, elevated liver transaminase levels, and chronic fatigue.

C

6

A = consistent, good-quality patient-oriented evidence; B = inconsistent or limited-quality patient-oriented evidence; C = consensus, disease-oriented evidence, usual practice, expert opinion, or case series. For information about the SORT evidence rating system, go to https://www.aafp.org/afpsort.xml.

Quick Diarrhea Relief Tips: HOME REMEDIES

Categorization

Chronic diarrhea may be divided into three basic categories: watery, fatty (malabsorption), and inflammatory (with blood and pus). However, not all chronic diarrhea is strictly watery, malabsorptive, or inflammatory, because some categories overlap. The differential diagnosis of chronic diarrhea is described in Table 1.1,2

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Table 1.

Differential Diagnosis of Chronic Diarrhea

Watery

Secretory (often nocturnal; unrelated to food intake; fecal osmotic gap < 50 mOsm per kg*)

Alcoholism

Bacterial enterotoxins (e.g., cholera)

Bile acid malabsorption

Brainerd diarrhea (epidemic secretory diarrhea)

Congenital syndromes

Crohn disease (early ileocolitis)

Endocrine disorders (e.g., hyperthyroidism [increases motility])

Medications (see Table 3)

Microscopic colitis (lymphocytic and collagenous subtypes)

Neuroendocrine tumors (e.g., gastrinoma, vipoma, carcinoid tumors, mastocytosis)

Nonosmotic laxatives (e.g., senna, docusate sodium [Colace])

Postsurgical (e.g., cholecystectomy, gastrectomy, vagotomy, intestinal resection)

Vasculitis

Osmotic (fecal osmotic gap > 125 mOsm per kg*)

Carbohydrate malabsorption syndromes (e.g., lactose, fructose)

Celiac disease

Osmotic laxatives and antacids (e.g., magnesium, phosphate, sulfate)

Sugar alcohols (e.g., mannitol, sorbitol, xylitol)

Functional (distinguished from secretory types by hypermotility, smaller volumes, and improvement at night and with fasting)

Irritable bowel syndrome

Fatty (bloating and steatorrhea in many, but not all cases)

Malabsorption syndrome (damage to or loss of absorptive ability)

Amyloidosis

Carbohydrate malabsorption (e.g., lactose intolerance)

Celiac sprue (gluten enteropathy)–various clinical presentations

Gastric bypass

Lymphatic damage (e.g., congestive heart failure, some lymphomas)

Medications (e.g., orlistat [Xenical; inhibits fat absorption], acarbose [Precose; inhibits carbohydrate absorption])

Mesenteric ischemia

Noninvasive small bowel parasite (e.g., Giardia)

Postresection diarrhea

Short bowel syndrome

Small bowel bacterial overgrowth (> 105 bacteria per mL)

Tropical sprue

Whipple disease (Tropheryma whippelii infection)

Maldigestion (loss of digestive function)

Hepatobiliary disorders

Inadequate luminal bile acid

Loss of regulated gastric emptying

Pancreatic exocrine insufficiency

Inflammatory or exudative (elevated white blood cell count, occult or frank blood or pus)

Inflammatory bowel disease Crohn disease (ileal or early Crohn disease may be secretory)

Diverticulitis

Ulcerative colitis

Ulcerative jejunoileitis

Invasive infectious diseases

Clostridium difficile (pseudomembranous) colitis–antibiotic history

Invasive bacterial infections (e.g., tuberculosis, yersiniosis)

Invasive parasitic infections (e.g., Entamoeba)–travel history

Ulcerating viral infections (e.g., cytomegalovirus, herpes simplex virus)

Neoplasia

Colon carcinoma

Lymphoma

Villous adenocarcinoma

Radiation colitis

*—Fecal osmotic gap = 290 – 2 × (stool sodium + stool potassium). It helps differentiate secretory from osmotic diarrhea. Normal fecal osmolality is 290 mOsm per kg (290 mmol per kg). Although measurement of fecal electrolytes is no longer routine, knowing the fecal osmotic gap helps confirm whether watery stools represent chronic osmotic diarrhea (fecal osmotic gap greater than 125 mOsm per kg [125 mmol per kg]) or chronic secretory diarrhea (fecal osmotic gap less than 50 mOsm per kg [50 mmol per kg]).1

Information from references 1 and 2.

Watery diarrhea may be subdivided into osmotic (water retention due to poorly absorbed substances), secretory (reduced water absorption), and functional (hypermotility) types.1 Osmotic laxatives, such as sorbitol, induce osmotic diarrhea. Secretory diarrhea can be distinguished from osmotic and functional diarrhea by virtue of higher stool volumes (greater than 1 L per day) that continue despite fasting and occur at night. Stimulant laxatives fall into this secretory category because they increase motility.3 Persons with functional disorders have smaller stool volumes (less than 350 mL per day) and no diarrhea at night.3

Medical History

A history is the critical first step in diagnosis. It is important to understand exactly what patients mean when they say they have diarrhea. A patient may not actually have diarrhea, but incontinence occasioned by fecal impaction.4 Stool volume, frequency, and consistency can help categorize the diarrhea, as previously mentioned. A travel history is essential. Travel to the tropics vastly expands the list of diagnostic possibilities, but in no way rules out common causes. Bloody diarrhea after a trip to Africa may still be ulcerative colitis rather than amebic dysentery.

Physical Examination

Physical examination provides additional clues to the cause of diarrhea. Recent weight loss or lymphadenopathy could result from chronic infection or malignancy. Eye findings, such as episcleritis or exophthalmia, suggest that the diarrhea is attributable to inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and hyperthyroidism, respectively. Dermatitis herpetiformis, an itchy blistering rash, is found in 15 to 25 percent of patients with celiac disease.5 An abdominal examination for scars (surgical causes of diarrhea), bowel sounds (hypermotility), tenderness (infection and inflammation), and masses (neoplasia) should be followed by rectal examination, including fecal occult blood testing. Anal fistulae suggest Crohn disease. A quick office anoscopy may detect ulcerations or impacted stool. Such impactions are a common cause of pseudodiarrhea or paradoxical diarrhea, which is actually seepage around impacted stools.

Laboratory Testing

Basic blood work may include a complete blood count, albumin level, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, liver function testing, thyroid-stimulating hormone level, and electrolyte levels. Iron deficiency anemia may be an indicator of celiac disease and warrants screening.6 A minimal stool assessment should include a fecal leukocyte level and fecal occult blood test, with further testing as indicated. Fecal calprotectin, a neutrophil activity marker, is extremely useful in identifying IBD. Clostridium difficile stool toxin should be obtained for diarrhea after hospitalization or antibiotic use. A stool laxative screen (e.g., sodium, potassium, magnesium, phosphate, sulfate, phenolphthalein, bisacodyl [Dulcolax]) should be ordered if abuse is suspected.7 More specialized stool tests, including fecal fat analysis or a Sudan stain for fat, can be used to evaluate malabsorptive disorders.

A fecal pH test is quick and can be performed in the office if the patient is not taking antibiotics. At least 0.5 mL of fecal matter is collected, and a strip of nitrazine paper is dipped in the sample and compared with a color scale. A pH of less than 5.5 indicates an acidic sample and may suggest lactose intolerance. Fecal electrolyte levels can be used to distinguish secretory from osmotic diarrhea. Although fecal pH tests and fecal electrolyte levels are helpful, they are often omitted from the initial workup. Abnormal laboratory results help distinguish organic from functional disease.8

Travel risk factors might warrant a stool culture and sensitivity test, stool ova and parasite examination, and Giardia and Cryptosporidium stool antigen tests. Giardia and Cryptosporidium infections are easily missed on routine ova and parasite examination, although stool acid-fast staining identifies Cryptosporidium. Finally, sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy is often required to establish a specific diagnosis. Microscopic colitis can be diagnosed only by colon biopsy.9 When it is necessary to distinguish between secretory and other categories of diarrhea, 24-hour stool collection can quantify stool production.

Diagnostic Approach

It is usually impractical to test and treat the many possible causes of chronic diarrhea. In most cases, it is more reasonable to categorize by type of diarrhea before testing and treating to narrow the list of diagnostic possibilities and reduce unnecessary testing.10 First, physicians should determine if the diarrhea can be categorized as watery, fatty, or inflammatory, and then pick specific tests to sort out the much smaller differential diagnosis within each category (Figure 11,11).

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Diagnosis of Chronic Diarrhea

Figure 1.

Algorithm for the diagnosis of chronic diarrhea.

Information from references 1 and 11.

Empiric therapy may be justified if a specific diagnosis is strongly suspected or resources are limited. Life-threatening conditions should be excluded. A trial of metronidazole (Flagyl) for malabsorption in a traveler would cure possible giardiasis. Likewise, an empiric trial of bile acid resins can help confirm bile acid malabsorption.1 Follow-up should be performed in patients on empiric therapy because the patient may not improve, or may initially improve only to relapse.

Major Causes

IRRITABLE BOWEL SYNDROME (FUNCTIONAL)

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is the most common cause of functional diarrhea in the developed world. IBS is a symptom complex of crampy abdominal pain accompanied by altered bowel habits, either with diarrhea or constipation. Usually watery diarrhea occurs while awake, often following meals. Discomfort is alleviated by defecation, and stool mucus is noted in one-half of patients.12 Women are diagnosed twice as often as men. “Alarm” symptoms such as nocturnal diarrhea, progressive pain, weight loss, or blood in the stool suggest another diagnosis.

IBS is exacerbated by emotional stress or eating, but it may also be a response to recent infection. IBS symptoms subsequent to a bout of traveler's diarrhea (postinfectious IBS) may take months to resolve, despite a negative workup.13  Two sets of useful diagnostic criteria exist for IBS: Manning and Rome III (Table 2).12,14 Although IBS is usually considered a diagnosis of exclusion, it is unnecessary to perform an exhaustive evaluation in healthy young patients meeting Rome III criteria if they respond to fiber, exercise, and dietary modification. Screening for celiac disease and iron deficiency anemia is recommended, but routine colonoscopy is not cost-effective unless alarm symptoms are present.15 Screening for celiac disease is justifiable because patients with IBS may have four times the incidence of celiac disease compared with the general population.16 All laboratory test results are normal in patients with IBS.

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Table 2.

Diagnostic Criteria for Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Manning criteria

Onset of pain linked to more frequent bowel movements

Looser stools associated with onset of pain

Pain relieved by passage of stool

Noticeable abdominal bloating

Sensation of incomplete evacuation more than 25 percent of the time

Diarrhea with mucus more than 25 percent of the time

Rome III criteria

Symptoms of recurrent abdominal pain or discomfort and a marked change in bowel habits for at least six months, with symptoms experienced on at least three days per month for at least three months. Two or more of the following must apply:

Pain is relieved by a bowel movement

Onset of pain is related to a change in frequency of stool

Onset of pain is related to a change in appearance of stool

Information from references 12 and 14.

INFLAMMATORY BOWEL DISEASE (INFLAMMATORY)

IBD may manifest as ulcerative colitis or Crohn disease. Both often involve blood and pus in the stool, with onset between 15 and 40 years of age. Early cases are often confused with IBS, but symptoms inevitably progress.

Early ulcerative colitis, distal colitis, and proctitis result in episodes of rectal bleeding, diarrhea, pain, and tenesmus. Moderate (left-sided) and severe (extensive) colitis are associated with bloody diarrhea, weight loss, fever, and anemia.

Crohn disease typically causes an ileitis but later affects the entire gastrointestinal tract to become exudative. Early symptoms can be subtle, leading to a long delay in diagnosis. Abdominal pain, diarrhea, fever, perianal fistulae, and stools positive for blood are common, although bloody diarrhea is unusual.

The diagnosis of IBD is usually supported by colonoscopy. Laboratory testing should include a complete blood count, fecal leukocyte level, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and fecal calprotectin level.17 An elevated fecal calprotectin level is emerging as a reliable way to establish the diagnosis of IBD as distinguished from IBS, and to monitor its activity once diagnosed.17 Fecal calprotectin level is a newer stool screen that reflects fecal leukocyte activity; the stool sample can be collected by the patient at home because calprotectin is stable in stool samples for up to seven days at room temperature. In adults, fecal calprotectin level is 93 percent sensitive and 96 percent specific for IBD, although specificity is less (76 percent) in children and teenagers.18 Routine screening with fecal calprotectin level could result in a 67 percent reduction in the use of colonoscopies for IBD diagnosis in adults, because only those with a positive result would need them (Figure 2).18

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Workup for Suspected IBD

Figure 2.

Workup for suspected inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in adults.

Adapted with permission from van Rheenen PF, Van de Vijver E, Fidler V. Faecal calprotectin for screening of patients with suspected inflammatory bowel disease: diagnostic meta-analysis. BMJ . 2010;341:c3369.

IBS & SIBO - Metal toxicity, Mold exposure, or Autoimmune issue? The Herbal Treatment I'm Pursuing.

MICROSCOPIC COLITIS (SECRETORY)

Microscopic colitis is characterized by intermittent, secretory diarrhea in older patients, although persons of all ages can be affected.19 It should be suspected in older patients with persistent, often nocturnal diarrhea that does not respond to fasting. It is thought to be fairly common, comprising 10 percent of chronic diarrhea cases.20 The cause is unknown, but there is some evidence that more than six months of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug use increases the risk.21 Despite microscopic inflammation, there are no systemic symptoms, and blood and white blood cells are absent from the stool. Colonoscopy is normal, but biopsy from the transverse colon confirms the diagnosis. Two histologic patterns are found: lymphocytic colitis (lymphocytic infiltrate of the lamina propria) and collagenous colitis (in which the subepithelial collagen layer is also increased to more than 10 mm).19

MALABSORPTIVE DIARRHEA (FATTY)

Malabsorptive and maldigestive diarrhea result from impaired nutrient absorption and impaired digestive function, respectively. Celiac disease (gluten-sensitive enteropathy), intestinal bypass, mesenteric ischemia, small bowel bacterial overgrowth, Whipple disease, and giardiasis can all cause loss of absorptive capacity. Absent pancreatic enzymes or bile acids can cause maldigestion. Classic symptoms include abdominal distention with foul-smelling, large, floating, pale, fatty stools (steatorrhea) and weight loss.

Celiac disease or sprue is small intestine malabsorption provoked by gluten (wheat) ingestion in genetically susceptible patients, often of European descent. It is suspected that diagnosed celiac disease cases represent only a fraction of patients with this condition.22 Although predominantly a malabsorptive condition, celiac disease can also initially present as a watery diarrhea that may be confusted with IBS. Patients most commonly present with chronic diarrhea, fatigue, iron deficiency anemia, and weight loss, but this classic constellation is often absent.22 In the United States, more than 2 million persons have celiac disease, or about one in 133 persons, and this increases to as many as one in 22 persons if a first-degree relative is affected.23 A high index of suspicion is essential to diagnose celiac disease in most adults. A positive celiac panel, typically consisting of immunoglobulin A (IgA) antigliadin, antiendomysium, and antitissue transglutaminase antibodies, is usually followed by duodenal biopsy for confirmation.24 IgA antiendomysium and antitissue transglutaminase antibodies have much better accuracy than native gliadin antibodies (IgA antigliadin antibodies).22 The deamidated gliadin peptide antibody test is a more accurate second-generation IgA antigliadin antibody test but is not yet routinely included in panels.25 It should be noted that use of gluten-free diets before testing can give false-negative results, as can IgA deficiency or age younger than two years.22

Testing should be expanded to include all patients with unexplained chronic diarrhea, IBS, iron deficiency anemia, chronic fatigue, weight loss, infertility, and elevated liver transaminase levels. Symptomatic patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus and thyroid disease should be tested, because these conditions may predispose to celiac disease.6 Asymptomatic patients with a family history of celiac disease generally should not be tested, although physicians should remain open to discussing testing.6

CHRONIC INFECTIONS (PRIMARILY INFLAMMATORY)

Most microbial gastrointestinal infections cause acute self-limited diarrhea, but others persist, resulting in inflammation (invasive bacteria and parasites) or occasionally malabsorption (giardiasis). A history of travel and antibiotic use is important. Bacterial causes include Aeromonas, Campylobacter, C. difficile, Plesiomonas, and Yersinia. Parasitic diarrhea may be caused by Cryptosporidium, Cyclospora, Entamoeba, Giardia, Microsporida, and Strongyloides. Giardia, the most common of these, is best diagnosed with fecal antigen testing.1 Brainerd diarrhea is an epidemic form of long-lasting secretory diarrhea associated with consumption of unpasteurized milk or contaminated water. The suspected infectious agent has never been identified.26

C. difficile, the cause of pseudomembranous colitis, has emerged as a major infection in U.S. hospitals. This gram-positive anaerobic bacillus is easily spread through ingestion of spores, rapidly colonizing the colon following antibiotic therapy. A history of using fluoroquinolones, clindamycin, penicillins, or cephalosporins in the past three months is often associated.27 Approximately 3 percent of healthy adults may be asymptomatic carriers, but this increases to at least 40 percent in hospitalized patients.28

Proton pump inhibitors and IBD further increase the risk of C. difficile infection.29 Older, sicker patients are more likely to develop clinical disease. Because IBD and C. difficile infection produce similar symptoms, it is necessary to exclude the latter in ill patients.27

A new hypervirulent C. difficile strain (NAP1/BI/027) produces a binary toxin in addition to the usual A and B toxins.27 Outbreaks are characterized by severe watery diarrhea, often complicated by toxic megacolon. C. difficile infection is best diagnosed by diarrheic stool cytotoxin assay. Colonoscopy is unnecessary with a positive stool toxin.

DRUG-INDUCED (VARIOUS)

Although C. difficile infection is induced by antibiotics, drugs can directly cause diarrhea. Laxatives, antacids, proton pump inhibitors, and antineoplastic agents are medications that can lead to diarrhea; other examples of drugs associated with diarrhea are listed in Table 3.2 Laxative or antacid abuse is a common cause. Diarrhea may be osmotic (from magnesium, phosphates, sulfates, or sorbitol) or secretory following use of stimulant laxatives. Symptoms resolve when the offending agent is eliminated.

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Table 3.

Drugs Associated with Diarrhea

Osmotic

Citrates, phosphates, sulfates

Magnesium-containing antacids and laxatives

Sugar alcohols (e.g., mannitol, sorbitol, xylitol)

Secretory

Antiarrhythmics (e.g., quinine)

Antibiotics (e.g., amoxicillin/clavulanate [Augmentin])

Antineoplastics

Biguanides

Calcitonin

Cardiac glycosides (e.g., digitalis)

Colchicine

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (may contribute to microscopic colitis)

Prostaglandins (e.g., misoprostol [Cytotec])

Ticlopidine

Motility

Macrolides (e.g., erythromycin)

Metoclopramide (Reglan)

Stimulant laxatives (e.g., bisacodyl [Dulcolax], senna)

Malabsorption

Acarbose (Precose; carbohydrate malabsorption)

Aminoglycosides

Orlistat (Xenical; fat malabsorption)

Thyroid supplements

Ticlopidine

Pseudomembranous colitis (Clostridium difficile)

Antibiotics (e.g., amoxicillin, cephalosporins, clindamycin, fluoroquinolones)

Antineoplastics

Immunosuppressants

Information from reference 2.

ENDOCRINE AND OTHER TYPES OF DIARRHEA (SECRETORY/HYPERMOTILITY)

Endocrine causes of chronic secretory diarrhea include Addison disease, carcinoid tumors, vipoma, gastrinoma (Zollinger-Ellison syndrome), and mastocytosis. Hyperthyroidism increases motility. Serum peptide concentrations (e.g., gastrin, calcitonin, vasoactive intestinal peptide) and urinary histamine level should be obtained only when these conditions are suspected.1  Neoplastic diarrhea is associated with colon carcinoma, villous adenocarcinoma, and lymphoma. Common causes of chronic diarrhea are listed in Table 4.

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Table 4.

Common Causes of Chronic Diarrhea

DIAGNOSIS CLINICAL FINDINGS TESTS

Celiac disease

Chronic malabsorptive diarrhea, fatigue, iron deficiency anemia, weight loss, dermatitis herpetiformis, family history

Immunoglobulin A antiendomysium and antitissue transglutaminase antibodies most accurate; duodenal biopsy is definitive

Clostridium difficile infection

Often florid inflammatory diarrhea with weight loss

Fecal leukocyte level; enzyme immunoassay that detects toxins A and B; positive fecal toxin assay; sigmoidoscopy demonstrating pseudomembranes

Recent history of antibiotic use, evidence of colitis, fever

May not resolve with discontinuation of antibiotics

Drug-induced diarrhea

Osmotic (e.g., magnesium, phosphates, sulfates, sorbitol), hypermotility (stimulant laxatives), or malabsorption (e.g., acarbose [Precose], orlistat [Xenical])

Elimination of offending agent; always consider laxative abuse

Endocrine diarrhea

Secretory diarrhea or increased motility (hyperthyroidism)

Thyroid-stimulating hormone level, serum peptide concentrations, urinary histamine level

Giardiasis

Excess gas, steatorrhea (malabsorption)

Giardia fecal antigen test

Infectious enteritis or colitis (diarrhea not associated with C. difficile): bacterial gastroenteritis, viral gastroenteritis, amebic dysentery

Inflammatory diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, fever, abdominal pain

Fecal leukocyte level, elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate

Cultures or stained fecal smears for specific organisms are more definitive

History of travel, camping, infectious contacts, or day care attendance

Inflammatory bowel disease: Crohn disease, ulcerative colitis

Bloody inflammatory diarrhea, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, family history, eye findings (e.g., episcleritis), perianal fistulae, fever, tenesmus, rectal bleeding, weight loss

Complete blood count, fecal leukocyte level, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, fecal calprotectin level

Characteristic intestinal ulcerations on colonoscopy

Irritable bowel syndrome

Stool mucus, crampy abdominal pain, altered bowel habits, watery functional diarrhea after meals, exacerbated by emotional stress or eating

All laboratory test results are normal

Increased fiber intake, exercise, dietary modification should be recommended

More common in women

Ischemic colitis

History of vascular disease; pain associated with eating

Colonoscopy, abdominal arteriography

Microscopic colitis

Watery, secretory diarrhea affecting older persons

Colon biopsy

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug association possible

No response to fasting; nocturnal symptoms

The Authorsshow all author info

GREGORY JUCKETT, MD, MPH, is a family medicine professor at West Virginia University, Morgantown, where he is also director of the International Travel Clinic....

What foods harden stool?

Food and Drink

Like everyone, at times you may experience constipation or diarrhea. Increasing your fluid and fiber intake can help prevent these problems. Here’s how:

Drink six to eight cups (48-64 ounces) of water and other beverages per day.

For more fluid, fiber and a vitamin punch, eat at least five servings of fruits and vegetables per day. An easy way to do this is to fill half of your plate with fruit and/or vegetables at every mealA.

Slowly increase your intake of high-fiber foods, such as whole grains, bread and cereals. As a daily goal, women need 25 grams of fiber; men need 38 grams of fiberB. 

Some foods may cause odor and/or gas. Post-surgery, you may want to try these foods in private and one-at-a-time, in small quantities. Knowing your body’s reaction to these foods means less time worrying and more time enjoying yourself.

Odor-Causing Foods

Eggs

Certain spices, such as curry, cumin and chili powder

Garlic

Fish

Aspargus

Alcohol

Note: Some foods may help decrease odor. These include cranberry juice, parsley, buttermilk and yogurtC. 

Gas-Producing Foods

Beer/carbonated beverages

Dairy products

Onions

Cucumbers

Mushrooms

Beans

Cruciferous vegetables, such as cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, kale and Brussels sprouts

Medications

After stoma surgery, the way your body digests and absorbs medications may be affected. Make sure to review all of your medications — both over-the-counter and prescription — with your doctor, ostomy nurse and pharmacist.

7 Home Remedies For Diarrhea

Medications you may need to adjust include:

Antacids

Antidiarrheals

Anti-inflammatory agents, such as Tylenol®, Advil® or Aleve®

Aspirin

Laxatives

Vitamins

Diarrhea

Diarrhea has many causes, including viruses and some medications. It can also be a sign of trouble digesting certain foods. In this case, you can reduce some fiber and bulk from your diet, cut back on certain foods, and eat other foods that thicken your stool. These foods includeC:

Foods to Avoid During Episodes of Diarrhea

High-fiber bread

Whole grains

Edible fruit and vegetable peels, such as apples

Any food labeled “high fiber”

Fried foods

High-sugar foods

Raisins, prunes and other dried fruit

Spicy foods

Foods That Thicken Stool

Applesauce

Bananas

Cheese

Pasta

Rice

Creamy peanut butter

Potato (without skin)

Tapioca

Is benefiber good for diarrhea?

Banana flakes vs wheat dextrin to control diarrhea

We were recently asked if Benefiber ® can be used as successfully as Banatrol Plus for treating diarrhea. Benefiber is a dietary supplement- a single fiber made from wheat dextrin and is most often used to supplement dietary fiber intake. As a dietary fiber wheat dextrin can help with both diarrhea and constipation. Wheat dextrin feeds all gut bacteria – both the good and bad gut bacteria- which can aggravate the original cause of diarrhea especially if it is from antibiotic use. So to a certain extent wheat dextrin can help improve loose stools, but for severe diarrhea the amount needed is very variable and can be too much fiber to consume without it actually contributing further to the diarrhea.

Banatrol Plus is a medical food not a dietary supplement. Banatrol Plus has 3 fiber sources – pectin and amylase resistant starch from bananas and B-GOS (Bimuno) prebiotic. Bananas have been used clinically for years for treating diarrhea. Banatrol Plus just makes this traditional approach easier to consume or to administer feeding tube.

The B-GOS prebiotic fiber in Banatrol Plus is the only prebiotic fiber clinically shown to increase only the beneficial gut bacteria while decreasing the group of pathogenic bacteria – this action makes Banatrol Plus unique and more effective in correcting diarrhea, especially related to c. diff infection.

Banatrol Plus is indicated for the management of diarrhea and loose stools. Once the stool starts to form, the dose is lowered or discontinued. In some cases, such as patients with fecal incontinence  Banatrol can be safely administered daily without fear of side affects.

Is turmeric good for diarrhea?

Beyond being a staple of Asian cuisine, turmeric has long been used in traditional medicine to treat conditions from indigestion to depression. More recently, the spice has been associated with the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome.

This article will review the evidence behind the claims that turmeric can help symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome or IBS, discuss how it may be used, and if there are any risks.

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What is turmeric?

Jeff Wasserman/Stocksy

Turmeric has been used to treat conditions, including colds, digestive problems, and infections. Its potential healing properties come from curcumin, which is an anti-inflammatory compound it contains.

Turmeric has recently attracted attention for its potential to reduce IBS symptoms. IBS is a common disorder of the digestive system that causes symptoms, such as stomach cramps, diarrhea, and constipation.

The cause of IBS is unknown, and there are currently no available cures. Symptoms of IBS are typically managed using medicine and lifestyle changes that tend to involve changes in diet.

Including turmeric as part of a healthful diet-based approach to managing IBS symptoms is an easy step to take.

Does it work?

One study found that curcumin had a positive impact on gastrointestinal functioning in rats. The authors of the study suggested that their findings could have implications for the use curcumin in treating IBS symptoms. However, more studies are needed in humans to establish this conclusively.

A pilot study conducted in 2004 found that human participants with IBS who took 2 tablets of turmeric every day for 8 weeks reported reductions in abdominal discomfort and improved bowel movement patterns.

However, this study lacked a control group, and the authors concluded that more research was needed to rule out the placebo effect and other variables.

Turmeric has been associated with benefits for other disorders of the digestive system, including ulcerative colitis, a chronic condition that causes diarrhea and abdominal pain.

One study in 2015 found that adding curcumin to the regular treatment routine had a positive impact on the symptoms of ulcerative colitis.

There are some positive findings relating to the use of turmeric in reducing IBS symptoms, and these effects may also extend to other digestive disorders. However, more research is required to determine whether turmeric can have any real benefits for the treatment of IBS.

Side effects and safety

Curcumin is considered safe to consume for most people for short-term use only.

High doses may cause increased gastrointestinal symptomsTrusted Source. It is best to take the supplements as recommended by the manufacturer and choose the lowest dose. More studies are needed to determine toxicity associated with long-term use.

Adding turmeric to your diet may also help to reduce IBS symptoms although some side effects can occur with regular turmeric use, including:

abdominal pain

digestive problems

nausea

blood-thinning

It is currently unclear whether curcumin supplements are safe for pregnant women, so it is important for these women to speak to a doctor before trying any supplements.

People with diabetes should also avoid consuming turmeric, as it can lower blood glucose levels. It may also interact with some medications, such as blood thinners or diabetes drugs, so people should be sure to talk to their doctor before taking curcumin supplements.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) do not regulate supplements, so the safety and contents of turmeric products cannot be guaranteed.

WERBUNG

How to use turmeric

Turmeric is commonly used to flavor foods from savory curries and soups to sweet cakes and smoothies. It can be purchased as a powder or in its root form. It is also possible to take curcumin supplements, which are normally available in health food stores.

Unlike turmeric in other forms, the supplements are highly concentrated doses of curcumin, so people should be sure to read the instructions on how much is safe to consume.

Takeaway

Turmeric has shown promise in initial studies for its positive effect on some IBS symptoms. In most cases, including turmeric or curcumin supplements, as a part of a healthful diet, will not pose any health risk for people with IBS.

Whether turmeric has any real benefits for IBS symptoms remains unclear, and further research in this area is required.

A range of turmeric products are available to purchase online.

What food slows diarrhea?

When you have diarrhea, avoid greasy, sugary, and spicy foods. 

Eat foods that are easy on the stomach like soup, boiled vegetables, crackers, and lots of liquids.

The BRAT diet (bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast) can help over short periods of time as well.

Visit Insider's Health Reference library for more advice.

If you have diarrhea, food may be the last thing on your mind. However, it's crucial to stay hydrated and get adequate nutrition during a bout of diarrhea, says Deepti Mundkur, MD, a primary care physician with her own practice in San Diego. According to the Cleveland Clinic, dehydration is one of the biggest dangers of diarrhea.

Some foods can make an upset stomach worse, so it is important to eat foods that are easy on the tummy. Boiled vegetables, low-fiber starches, lean poultry, crackers, soup, and eggs are some of the foods that are recommended for patients with diarrhea, says Mundkur.

On the other hand, foods to avoid include spicy foods, sugary foods, dairy products, and  foods with a high fat content. You should also avoid foods that give you gas.

You may have heard of the BRAT diet of bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast, which is a traditional remedy for diarrhea. It isn't a diet that you should go on long term, but can be helpful over short periods of time. 

Here are some foods you should eat when you have diarrhea, to help ease your symptoms and speed up your recovery. 

What is the best way to care for a child with vomiting and diarrhea?

5 types of foods that can help diarrhea

1. Low-fiber starches and cereals 

While fiber is a critical nutrient that adds bulk to stool and keeps your bowel movements regular, a low-fiber diet is recommended when you have diarrhea since it makes digestion easier and reduces the frequency of bowel movements. Mundkur says boiled rice, noodles, wheat, or oats can help, especially if you have watery stools.  

2. Boiled vegetables 

Raw vegetables can be harder to digest and can cause discomfort in the form of gas and bloating, so boiled vegetables may be easier on your system when you have diarrhea. Mundkur recommends opting for boiled vegetables like green beans, potatoes, and carrots.

3. Soup and crackers

Soup can help replenish your fluid and nutrient levels, whereas crackers are helpful since they typically have a high salt content. Diarrhea can result in considerable loss of fluid and electrolytes, which are minerals like sodium and potassium, so eating salty foods can help restore them.

4. Lean chicken or turkey

Greasy foods with a high fat content can make your diarrhea worse, so opt for low-fat meat options like skinless chicken or turkey. Mundkur recommends baking the meat and eating it unseasoned, since spices and seasonings can irritate your system. You can use dry or fresh herbs, like basil, parsley, thyme, rosemary, oregano, or cilantro to flavor the meat, says Mundkur.

5. Eggs

Cooked eggs are safe to consume when you have diarrhea. Opt for preparations that don't involve a lot of butter, cheese, or seasonings, like scrambled eggs seasoned with salt.

While the BRAT diet, consisting of bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast, was once prescribed to treat diarrhea, the International Foundation for Gastrointestinal Disorders says that this diet is not nutritionally adequately for long periods of time. However, you can eat these foods when you have a short bout of diarrhea.

If you don't have an appetite, or if you have nausea or vomiting in addition to diarrhea, Mundkur says you can stick to only liquids for a short while, until you're able to tolerate some food. Liquids are easier to digest and can help prevent bowel irritation. 

Liquids to drink when you have diarrhea:

Water

Applesauce 

Diluted fruit juice

Clear soup or broth 

Weak, decaffeinated tea or coffee 

Electrolyte-rich drinks, like Gatorade or Pedialyte

Frozen popsicles

Gelatin

5 types of foods you should avoid eating if you have diarrhea

These are some foods that tend to worsen diarrhea. Mundkur recommends checking with your doctor about what foods might trigger diarrhea for you if you have it chronically (i.e. over an extended period of time or very frequently), individually, as food intolerances can lead to diarrhea. 

1. Foods high in fat

Foods that have a high fat content can make diarrhea worse, resulting in more trips to the bathroom as well as greasy and smelly stools. Mundkur says this can happen because diarrhea can sometimes temporarily affect your body's ability to absorb fat. Fat typically takes longer to digest so it slows down the movement of food through your system; however, if your body is unable to digest fat, food may pass through your system a lot faster.

"Foods with a high fat content should be avoided until gut function returns to normal after a severe bout of diarrhea," says Mundkur. Some foods to avoid include fried foods, meat dishes with added fat or a high fat content, nuts, and creamy sauces or dressings. 

It's also worth noting that the reverse can also happen sometimes — you may develop fat malabsorption, which is the inability to digest fats, and that can lead to chronic diarrhea, says Mundkur. 

2. Dairy products

According to Mundkur, you may not be able to adequate digest dairy products while you have diarrhea, and sometimes up to several weeks or months after your illness. Dairy products to avoid include milk, cheese, cream, and butter; yogurt however is the exception because it's a probiotic that can help treat diarrhea, says Mundkur. "Plain yogurt is best since the added sugars in flavored yogurt are not easy on the gut during an episode of diarrhea," she says.

3. Spicy foods

Spicy foods and seasonings can irritate your digestive system and add to your discomfort, so avoid them while you have diarrhea. Moreover, what makes spicy food so spicy going down might also make it spicy coming back out. Therefore, do your rump a favor and season your food with just salt or herbs instead, since that can help replenish your electrolyte levels. 

4. Sugary foods

Sugar can make diarrhea worse because it causes the gut to release a lot of water, resulting in loose stools. Avoid sugary foods and drinks, even those with artificial sweeteners like stevia and aspartame, like baked goods, candy, and soda when you have diarrhea.

5. Foods that cause gas

Certain foods tend to cause gas and should be avoided when you have diarrhea, as they can worsen diarrhea and add to your discomfort. These foods include:

Beans and legumes, like kidney beans and chickpeas, since they are high in fiber and contain certain raffinose, a complex sugar that is hard to digest

Vegetables like broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, and Brussels sprouts, since they also contain raffinose

Chewing gum, as it can make you swallow a lot of air, leading to gas

Aerated drinks, like soda pop, since they are carbonated and have a lot of gas

Treating diarrhea

Most cases of diarrhea are caused by viral infections, says Mundkur. They often clear up on their own, without requiring any treatment. But you can take over-the-counter medications like Pepto-Bismol or Kaopectate for relief. 

"If vomiting and severe diarrhea limit your ability to hydrate yourself, it is time to seek care at a clinic or hospital for intravenous (IV) repletion of fluids," says Mundkur.

When to seek medical treatment for diarrhea: 

Fever

Dizziness

Yellow urine

Less urine than usual

If your diarrhea is caused by a bacterial infection, Mundkur says you may experience severe diarrhea, fever, and bloody stools; however, 

antibiotics

 can help treat the infection if it's bacterial. 

On the other hand, persistent blood in your stools could also be an indication of something more serious. "Sometimes colon cancer can cause diarrhea and blood in the stool, so it is important to talk to your primary care physician about whether you need a colonoscopy," says Mundkur.

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If your diarrhea is mild,  it will likely get better on its own. You can take over-the-counter medications for relief and make it a point to get adequate nutrition and hydration to avoid dehydration. 

Spicy foods, sugary foods, dairy products, foods high in fat, and foods that cause gas can worsen your symptoms, whereas low-fiber starches, boiled vegetables, soup, crackers, lean meats, and eggs may be easier to digest. 

If you don't feel like eating or you are unable to keep food down, you can drink liquids for a few hours until you're able to eat something. It may be easier to eat small portions of food more frequently, rather than attempting to eat a large meal at one go. However, if you are unable to stomach any foods or liquids, you should seek medical attention.

Do probiotics help diarrhea?

We’ve all experienced bouts of diarrhea at some point in our lives. Common symptoms of diarrhea include frequent, watery stools, abdominal cramping, and bloating.

Diarrhea is often your body’s way of dealing with disruptions in your gastrointestinal system. Acute diarrhea lasts less than 2 weeks and can come from many sources, such as:

a viral infection

a bacterial infection

food poisoning

recent antibiotic use

water contaminated with an infectious agent

Infectious diarrhea is common in young children and is often caused by a virus. Traveler’s diarrhea can occur if you travel to underdeveloped areas with contaminated water. Bacteria from improperly stored or cooked food are typical causes of food poisoning.

Read on for some of the most effective ways to manage acute diarrhea.

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1. Hydration

Hydration is very important when you have diarrhea. Dehydration from diarrhea can be fatal in young children and older adults. Continue breastfeeding or formula feeding infants who are experiencing diarrhea. Over-the-counter oral pediatric hydration solutions, like Pedialyte, are the recommended fluids of choice for children with diarrhea. Small amounts of hydration solutions should be given frequently. These formulas also come in popsicle preparations.

StudiesTrusted Source have shown that for adults with mild symptoms of diarrhea, sports drinks and over-the-counter rehydration solutions are equally effective.

Alcohol, milk, soda, and other carbonated or caffeinated drinks should not be used for hydration, as they may make your symptoms worse.

2. Probiotics

Probiotics are sources of “good” bacteria that work in your intestinal tract to create a healthy gut environment. They’re essentially live microorganisms that exist in certain foods, including:

aged soft cheeses

beet kvass

cottage cheese

dark chocolate

green olives

kefir

kimchi

kombucha

sauerkraut

miso

natto

pickles

sourdough bread

tempeh

yogurt

Probiotics also come in powder or pill form.

The good bacteria that live in your intestinal tract are necessary for the normal functioning of your gastrointestinal system. They play an important role in protecting your intestines against infection. When your system is changed by antibiotics or overwhelmed by unhealthy bacteria or viruses, you can get diarrhea. Probiotics can help with diarrhea by restoring the balance of bacteria in your gut.

Saccharomyces boulardii is a yeast probiotic. While it’s not a bacterium, it acts like one. S. boulardii may improve antibiotic-associated diarrhea. It also seems to provide relief for traveler’s diarrhea. StudiesTrusted Source suggest it may help your intestines fight off unwanted pathogens and ensure they’re absorbing nutrients properly. Because it is yeast, it should be used with caution in people with inadequate immune systems.

It’s important to receive proper medical care in cases of acute diarrhea. Talk with your health care provider before taking probiotic supplements to treat your diarrhea.

3. Over-the-counter drugs

With your doctor’s supervision, several over-the-counter medications can help with acute diarrhea if your symptoms are not severe. Common over-the-counter medications include:

bismuth subsalicylate (Pepto-Bismol and Kaopectate)

loperamide (Imodium)

While these drugs can relieve the symptoms of diarrhea, they don’t treat the underlying cause.

If you have chronic diarrhea, you shouldn’t use these drugs without your doctor’s consent. Chronic diarrhea is diarrhea that lasts more than 14 days. It often has different causes.

You should be especially cautious if your child has diarrhea. Dehydration resulting from diarrhea can be dangerous and can occur quickly in young children. Severe dehydration can be life-threatening. Over-the-counter medications are not recommended for treatment in children, so it’s important to talk to your doctor. Infants under 3 months old who have diarrhea should be taken to the doctor right away.

If you have bloody diarrhea, a fever, more than seven days of symptoms, intense abdominal pain, or diarrhea that is getting worse, you should seek medical attention.

4. Foods to eat

While it might sound counterintuitive to eat if you have diarrhea, eating certain foods can help alleviate your diarrhea symptoms and ensure your health doesn’t worsen from not eating. Stick to low-fiber “BRAT” foods that will help firm up your stool. These include:

bananas

rice (white)

applesauce

toast

Other foods that are usually well-tolerated when experiencing diarrhea include:

oatmeal

boiled or baked potatoes (with skins peeled)

baked chicken with skin removed

chicken soup (which also aids in rehydration)

5. Foods to avoid

Fried and greasy foods are usually not well-tolerated in people who have diarrhea. You should also consider limiting high-fiber foods like bran as well as fruits and vegetables that can increase bloating. Foods to avoid include:

alcohol

artificial sweeteners (found in chewing gum, diet soft drinks and sugar substitutes)

beans

berries

broccoli

cabbage

cauliflower

chickpeas

coffee

corn

ice cream

green leafy vegetables

milk

peas

peppers

prunes

tea

Can bananas stop diarrhea?

Diarrhea can be a side effect of chemotherapy. If you have diarrhea that lasts for more than 24 hours, or if you have pain and cramping, call your doctor. Changes in your diet can help. Drink plenty of fluids that contain key chemicals and minerals so you don't become dehydrated. Beverages with potassium in them, such as fruit juice and sports drinks, are especially good. Your doctor can prescribe medication if your diarrhea is very bad. Learn more about the causes of diarrhea and medicines that can help.

 

When and how to eat if you have diarrhea:

Try a clear liquid diet— water, weak tea, apple juice, clear broth, frozen pops, or plain gelatin — as soon as diarrhea starts or you feel it's going to start. Clear liquids keep the bowels from working too hard and help prevent irritation.

How to Stop Diarrhea and Constipation

Eat small, frequent meals. Your body may find smaller amounts easier to digest.

After 2 days of diarrhea, start a liquid diet and add low-fiber foods as you can tolerate them. This will help lessen bowel irritation and will give you some nutrients.

Drink at least a cup of liquid after each bout of diarrhea so you don't become dehydrated.

 

What to eat if you have diarrhea:

Eat foods that are high in pectin, such as applesauce, bananas, and yogurt. Pectin, a water-soluble fiber, helps reduce diarrhea.

Eat foods that have a lot of potassium, such as fruit juices, sports drinks, potatoes without the skin, and bananas. Potassium is often lost through diarrhea.

Eat foods that are high in sodium, such as soups, broths, sports drinks, crackers, and pretzels. Salt helps you retain water so you don't become dehydrated.

Get enough protein. Try lean baked beef, pork, turkey, or chicken, or well-cooked eggs or tofu. This can help you avoid fatigue.

If you like certain fruits and vegetables, eat them cooked, not raw. Some raw fruits and vegetables can make diarrhea worse. Try soups made with cooked asparagus tips, beets, carrots, peeled zucchini, mushrooms, or celery; tomato puree; or a baked potato without the skin.

Avoid caffeinated, alcoholic, or carbonated beverages and very hot or cold foods. They may irritate your digestive tract.

Avoid using tobacco products. They may irritate your digestive tract.

Avoid high-fat, fried, greasy, and rich foods. They can promote diarrhea.

Avoid foods that cause gas, such as chewing gum and carbonated beverages. They can irritate your digestive tract.

Limit milk and milk products. They may be hard to digest and promote diarrhea.

Avoid nuts, raw fruits and vegetables, whole-grain breads, and bran products. They can be irritating to your digestive tract.

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Why do you get diarrhea with Covid?

Can Diarrhea Be an Initial Symptom of COVID-19?

While most of us know some of the common symptoms of COVID-19—such as fever, shortness of breath, and a dry cough—it’s quite common to experience gastrointestinal distress, such as diarrhea. That’s because diarrhea is the body’s way of quickly disposing of viruses, bacteria, and toxins from the digestive tract. In fact, a study reported in The American Journal of Gastroenterology found that diarrhea was the first and only COVID-19 symptom experienced by some patients.

How to Tell the Difference Between COVID-19 & Other Conditions

If you’re experiencing diarrhea after being in contact with someone with a known case of COVID-19, then you may want to get tested to be sure your gastrointestinal symptoms aren’t caused by this virus. You should also get tested if your diarrhea symptoms are accompanied by fever, chills, fatigue, body aches, headache, sore throat, nausea, or a new loss of taste or smell.

However, your diarrhea symptoms may be a result of another condition entirely—and this is the more likely scenario. For instance, diarrhea is frequently caused by:

The flu

A food sensitivity or intolerance

Certain antibiotics

A digestive disorder, such as Crohn’s disease, celiac disease, or irritable bowel syndrome

Treating Diarrhea at Home

Most cases of diarrhea can be treated with simple, at-home remedies, such as:

Staying hydrated – Dehydration is a serious concern for those with diarrhea. Children should be given Pedialyte or another pediatric hydration solution, while sports drinks like Gatorade can be effective for teenagers and adults.

Taking medication – An over-the-counter medication, such as Pepto-Bismol or Imodium, can help relieve symptoms.

Eating a “BRAT” diet – Bananas, white rice, applesauce, and toast, aka the “BRAT” diet, help firm up stool and alleviate diarrhea symptoms. Stay away from fried, greasy, and high-fiber foods.

If your symptoms do not improve within a few days or are accompanied by a fever of more than 102°F, bloody or black stools, or severe abdominal pain, rectal pain, or dehydration, seek medical attention at an urgent care center such as PhysicianOne Urgent Care. Our facilities are open seven days per week with extended hours, and we can treat you promptly.

Diarrhea Treatment at PhysicianOne Urgent Care

When you visit PhysicianOne Urgent Care for diarrhea treatment, you will be seen by one of our experienced practitioners who will review your medical history, learn about any medications you’re taking, and conduct a physical examination. From there, additional testing may be recommended, such as a complete blood count. We can conduct many clinical lab tests in our urgent care centers for prompt results. We’ll also likely administer a COVID-19 test to rule out this condition.

If your diarrhea symptoms are caused by a bacterial infection, we can prescribe antibiotics. We may also administer IV fluids for dehydration. For other conditions, such as a viral infection, we may recommend over-the-counter options to help relieve the symptoms.

Stop by Today

If you are experiencing diarrhea symptoms, come to PhysicianOne Urgent Care today. We offer PCR and rapid antigen tests for COVID-19 as well as clinical lab testing for other conditions. We have urgent care centers located in Massachusetts, Connecticut, and New York. Find your nearest one here and walk right in to receive prompt care!

Is diarrhea on its own a symptom of COVID-19?

Data from millions of ZOE COVID Symptom Study app contributors has shown that diarrhoea can be a symptom of COVID-19. Here’s how to spot it and what it feels like.

What is diarrhoea like in COVID-19?

Even though diarrhoea is a less well-known symptom of COVID-19, it affects a reasonable proportion of people during their illness. 

Having COVID-19 diarrhoea alongside many other symptoms is associated with an increased risk of needing hospital support.

Diarrhoea caused by COVID-19 is similar to the upset tummy you might get from a regular stomach bug, such as rotavirus or norovirus. Diarrhoea is common in children and adults and usually clears up by itself. 

We think COVID-19 causes diarrhoea because the virus can invade cells in the gut and disrupt its normal function. 

COVID-19 can be transmitted through poo and contaminated surfaces or hands. It’s critically important to wash your hands thoroughly and regularly clean bathrooms if you, anyone you live with, or someone you’re caring for has diarrhoea, to prevent the infection spreading. 

When does diarrhoea happen in COVID-19?

Diarrhoea is an early sign of COVID-19, starting on the first day of infection and building in intensity during the first week. It usually lasts for an average of two to three days, but can last up to seven days in adults.   

Some people can suffer from ongoing bouts of COVID-related diarrhoea, and these are commonly reported in people with long COVID or post-COVID syndrome.

How common is diarrhoea in COVID-19?

Diarrhoea isn’t a very common symptom of COVID-19 but the likelihood of having it increases with age. 10% of children, 21% of adults aged 16-35 and around 30% of adults aged over 35 experience diarrhoea during their illness.

Only 2% of people who were ill with COVID-19 reported diarrhoea as their only symptom.

What other symptoms of COVID-19 are common alongside diarrhoea?

Diarrhoea is most likely to occur alongside other symptoms. Which symptoms these are depends on age and whether you have a localised COVID-19 affecting mostly your gastrointestinal system or an infection that affects more of your body.   

In adults, most of the time diarrhoea comes alongside fatigue and headaches. In addition, adults tend to experience diarrhoea with loss of smell (anosmia), and it is reasonably common alongside a sore throat and skipping meals. In children, diarrhoea tends to occur with fatigue and headaches and sometimes with abdominal pain, a sore throat and anosmia. 

Diarrhoea has also been associated with a greater risk of needing hospital support, particularly among people also reporting abdominal pain and unusual muscle pain.

Depending on your age and sex, you should contact your doctor if you have multiple different symptoms of COVID-19 in the first week of being ill.

What should I do if I have diarrhoea and think it might be COVID-19?

If you have diarrhoea and think it might be COVID-19 you should:

Follow the NHS guidelines and self-isolate at home to help protect the people around you and the wider community.  Make sure you keep your bathroom clean and wash your hands after using the toilet.

Download the ZOE COVID Symptom Study app and log your symptoms to be offered a test through the app.

Also log your health daily in the app, if you’re not already, to help us understand more about how COVID-19 affects people and contribute to life-saving scientific research.

Check out our tips on looking after yourself if you are sick with COVID-19, monitoring your health at home and staying hydrated.

If you have diarrhoea, it’s important to keep drinking and eating if you can. The NHS has more advice for treating diarrhoea.

Diarrhoea increases the risk of spreading infection to others in your household, so it’s essential to wash your hands thoroughly and keep bathrooms clean and tidy. 

Stay safe and keep logging.

Why am I pooping what I just ate?

People may sometimes feel the urge to poop immediately after eating. When this happens, the person may feel as though the food is passing straight through them. However, this is not the case.

In fact, it can take 1–2 days before food finishes its journey through a person’s digestive tract. Therefore, a person who poops shortly after eating is likely to be passing food that they ate a day or two earlier.

The most likely cause of needing to poop right after eating is the gastrocolic reflex. This reflex is a normal involuntary reaction to food entering the stomach. However, the intensity of the gastrocolic reflex can vary among individuals.

In this article, we outline what happens during the gastrocolic reflex and discuss the conditions that can increase its intensity. We also explain the dietary and lifestyle factors that can help reduce the urge to poop right after eating.

Why does it happen, and is it normal?

It can take 1–2 days for food to pass through the digestive tract.

The gastrocolic reflex, or gastrocolic response, is a normal involuntary reaction to food entering the stomach.

When food enters this organ, the body releases a hormone that causes the colon to contract. These contractions move previously eaten food further through the digestive system, which can result in the urge to pass stool.

For some people, the gastrocolic reflex is mild, causing no symptoms. For others, the gastrocolic reflex is intense, and the urge to poop after eating can be particularly severe.

Conditions that can affect the gastrocolic reflex

Certain health conditions can affect the gastrocolic reflex. For example, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) can cause a person’s digestive tract to move food through their system at a much faster rate.

Other conditions that could cause a person to pass stool more quickly than average include:

food allergies and food intolerances

anxiety

gastritis

celiac disease

inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)

Crohn’s disease

Each of the above conditions may increase the intensity of the gastrocolic reflex, resulting in an urge to poop soon after eating. They may also give rise to additional digestive symptoms, such as:

bloating that subsides after passing gas or stool

a frequent need to pass gas

abdominal pain or discomfort

mucus in the stool

diarrhea

constipation

alternating diarrhea and constipation

Gastrocolic reflex vs. fecal incontinence

Diarrhea is a possible cause of fecal incontinence.

Another potential cause of feeling the urge to poop is fecal incontinence. The condition may range in severity from mild to a complete loss of bowel control.

Fecal incontinence is relatively easy to differentiate from the effects of an intense gastrocolic response to food. Specifically, fecal incontinence can occur at any time. It does not only occur after eating.

A person may develop fecal incontinence for several different reasons, including:

diarrhea

nerve damage in the rectum

damaged muscles in the rectum

damaged rectal walls

rectocele

rectal prolapse

People who are concerned that they may have fecal incontinence should visit their doctor for a diagnosis. A doctor can explain the many different ways to treat and manage fecal incontinence.

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Gastrocolic reflex vs. diarrhea after eating

An episode of diarrhea following a meal is unlikely to relate to the person’s gastrocolic reflex.

Diarrhea is a common condition that typically only lasts a day or two. However, diarrhea that lasts for a week or more could indicate an underlying health issue.

Some common causes of persistent diarrhea include:

excessive consumption of artificial sweeteners and other laxatives

foodborne bacteria and parasites

food intolerances

food allergies

digestive disorders

viral infection

previous abdominal surgery, such as gallbladder removal

When to see a doctor

The gastrocolic reflex is a normal reaction to food entering the stomach. In most cases, feeling the urge to poop after eating does not warrant a visit to the doctor.

However, a person should see their doctor if they experience the following:

intense and frequent gastrocolic responses to food

diarrhea lasting longer than 2 days

additional gastric symptoms

The above symptoms could indicate a possible underlying health issue.

Treatment and prevention

As the gastrocolic reflex is a normal bodily reaction, it does not technically require treatment. However, there are steps that people can take to help reduce the intensity of the gastrocolic reflex and the associated urge to poop.

Seek treatment for underlying digestive conditions

People should see a doctor if other gastric symptoms accompany the urge to poop after eating.

Depending on the duration and severity of these symptoms, a doctor may carry out tests to diagnose any underlying health conditions.

If a condition is present, treating it may help reduce the intensity of the gastrocolic reflex.

Changing the diet

A change in diet may help treat an intense gastrocolic response.

Some foods are more likely than others to cause an intense gastrocolic response. These include:

fatty or greasy foods

dairy products

foods high in fiber

Keeping a food diary can help a person identify foods that may be intensifying their gastrocolic response. The diary should contain a record of the foods that the person eats, as well as their digestive response to the foods.

Once the person has identified a possible trigger food, they should temporarily avoid the food to see whether their symptoms improve.

Managing stress

For some people, stress can increase the intensity of the gastrocolic reflex. These individuals may benefit from activities that help reduce stress. Examples include exercise and meditation.

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Summary

Passing stool immediately after a meal is usually the result of the gastrocolic reflex, which is a normal bodily reaction to food entering the stomach.

Almost everyone will experience the effects of the gastrocolic reflex from time to time. However, its intensity can vary from person to person. Certain lifestyle factors can help reduce the urge to poop following a meal.

People should see a doctor if they frequently experience diarrhea or other gastric symptoms following a meal. These symptoms could indicate an underlying health issue that requires medical attention.

Why do I have diarrhea but no other symptoms?

Loose stools are abnormally watery bowel movements that can have a range of different causes. They are very common and are not usually associated with any severe health risks.

Viktor Solomin/Stocksy

Loose stools often occur after eating, but can also happen at other points in the day. When loose stools occur consecutively on multiple occasions throughout a day, this is described as diarrhea.

However, loose stools can occur chronically and may require treatment. This article will outline potential causes and treatments for loose stools.

Fast facts on loose stools:

A loose stool is a term used to describe stools that are more watery and soft than usual.

Occasional diarrhea is not usually a cause for concern.

Loose stools can have a range of different causes, but most cases are relatively harmless.

Causes of infrequent loose stools

Most people will experience loose stools occasionally. These bouts of diarrhea can be caused by:

1. Dietary trends

Certain foods, drinks, or supplements can increase the likelihood of loose stools or diarrhea occurring.

Sometimes, the body can have problems digesting certain types of sugars, such as sugar alcohols and lactose.

Sugar alcohols are found in a wide range of fruits, vegetables, and artificial flavorings. The small intestine cannot digest large amounts of sugar alcohols efficiently, which can cause diarrhea.

Diets high in lactose, a sugar found in milk-based products, can also cause loose stools. People with lactose intolerances may experience diarrhea following the consumption of any milk-based products.

Loose stools can also be caused by diets high in:

alcohol

rich and spicy foods

coffee

magnesium

2. Infections or food poisoning

Viruses, bacteria or parasites can cause inflammation in the stomach and intestines. This can cause loose stools and diarrhea, along with other symptoms including:

abdominal pain

vomiting

nausea

Causes of chronic loose stools

Chronic conditions that can cause diarrhea include:

3. Irritable bowel syndrome

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a chronic condition affecting the digestive system. Diarrhea and loose stools are a common symptom of IBS. Other symptoms can include:

abdominal pain

abdominal bloating

constipation

gas

indigestion

4. Ulcerative colitis

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic condition causing inflammation in the colon and rectum. People with UC often experience loose stools and diarrhea. Other symptoms of UC include:

abdominal pain

frequent bowel movements

fatigue

appetite and weight loss

mouth ulcers

joint pain

skin irritation

eye irritation

5. Crohn’s disease

Crohn’s disease is a long-term condition where the lining of the digestive system becomes inflamed. It can cause diarrhea and loose stools. Other symptoms can include:

abdominal pain

blood in fecal matter

appetite and weight loss

fatigue

6. Celiac disease

Celiac disease is a common condition in which the consumption of gluten causes an inflammation of the small intestine. People who have consumed gluten may experience loose stools and diarrhea. Other symptoms include:

abdominal pain

abdominal bloating

gas

constipation

indigestion

skin irritation

fatigue

weight loss

7. Bile acid malabsorption

Several disorders of the liver and gallbladder can impair the action of bile, preventing the proper breakdown of fats in the intestine. For example, this can occur in people with gallstones or liver cirrhosis. Bile acid malabsorption can cause diarrhea or loose stools.

8. Overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism)

An overactive thyroid is where the thyroid gland produces too many hormones, interfering with its normal functioning. This can cause loose stools or diarrhea. Other symptoms can include:

mood instability

poor regulation of sleep

swelling around the neck

erratic body temperature

irritability

weight loss

trembling

9. Chronic pancreatitis

Chronic pancreatitis is a condition where the inflammation occurs in the pancreas. It can impair the proper breakdown of fats, starches, and proteins. This can cause loose stools or diarrhea.

Other symptoms include:

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abdominal pain

nausea

vomiting

10. Cystic fibrosis

Cystic fibrosis is a long-term condition where mucus builds up in the lungs and digestive system. This can interfere with digestion and cause loose stools or diarrhea. Other symptoms include:

recurring chest infections

shortness of breath

difficulty gaining weight

a persistent cough

11. Dumping syndrome (rapid gastric emptying)

Dumping syndrome is a condition where food moves from the stomach to the bowel too quickly. It often occurs after weight-loss surgery. It can cause loose stools and diarrhea. Other symptoms include:

abdominal pain

nausea

vomiting

dizziness

abnormal heartbeat

Home remedies

Infrequent cases of loose stools do not typically require medical treatment. However, multiple cases of loose stools can cause dehydration and malnutrition. Some home remedies that may help to prevent or reduce diarrhea include:

dietary changes to avoid foods triggering loose stools

consuming foods high in fiber

taking anti-diarrhea medication, such as Imodium. Imodium is available for purchase over the counter or online.

staying hydrated

consuming probiotics. A range of probiotics is available for purchase online.

With the help of these home remedies, diarrhea caused by dietary trends, infections or food poisoning should return to normal after a few days.

Loose stools or diarrhea that does not improve after 1 week should be given immediate medical attention. This can be a sign of a more serious medical condition and may worsen without treatment.

Some conditions may be treated with prescription medications or antibiotics, but more serious conditions, such as pancreatitis may require hospital treatment. In some cases, there are no available cures for the underlying condition, but symptoms can be managed.

These conditions include Crohn’s disease, cystic fibrosis, celiac disease, and IBS. Symptoms are often managed using a combination of lifestyle changes and medication.

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Takeaway

In most cases, diarrhea will often subside within a few days without treatment, or with the help of some home remedies.

It is important to distinguish between loose stools that occur infrequently and those that are chronic. Experiencing loose stools that persist for over 1 week may indicate a more serious underlying condition that will require immediate medical attention.

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Learn more about COVID-19 symptoms, how long they take to appear, and when to contact a doctor.

What is explosive diarrhea a symptom of?

What is diarrhea?

Explosive or severe diarrhea is diarrhea in overdrive. The contractions of your bowels that help you pass feces become stronger and more forceful. Your rectum fills with more volume than it can contain. Often, large amounts of gas accompany severe diarrhea. This increases the ejection and loudness of the bowel movement.

Diarrhea is defined as bowel movements of a more liquid consistency, or an increase in the number or volume of bowel movements. The World Health Organization (WHO)Trusted Source is more specific, defining diarrhea as three or more loose or liquid stools a day.

Approximately 75 percentTrusted Source of your stool is made of water. The other 25 percent is a combination of:

undigested carbohydrates

fiber

protein

fat

mucus

intestinal secretions

As feces travel through your digestive system, fluids and electrolytes are added to their content. Normally, your large intestine absorbs the excess fluid.

When you have diarrhea, though, digestion speeds up. Either the large intestine isn’t able to absorb the rush of fluid or more than the usual amount of fluids and electrolytes are secreted during digestion.

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What causes severe diarrhea?

Diarrhea is a symptom that occurs with a number of conditions. The most common causes for severe diarrhea include:

Bacterial and viral infection

Bacteria that cause diarrhea-producing infections include salmonella and E. coli. Contaminated food and fluids are common sources of bacterial infections.

Rotavirus, norovirus, and other kinds of viral gastroenteritis, commonly referred to as “stomach flu,” are among the viruses that can cause explosive diarrhea.

Anyone can get these viruses. But they’re especially common among school-age children. And they’re common in hospitals and nursing homes, and on cruise ships.

Learn more: Is it a stomach bug or food poisoning? Tips for identification »

Parasitic infection

Parasites like Giardia lamblia and cryptosporidium can cause severe diarrhea, particularly in people with weakened immune systems. As with viral and bacterial causes, these parasites are spread when there’s direct or indirect contact between feces and the mouth.

These parasites are found in contaminated drinking water, recreational waters, and food. Day care centers, where caregivers may not wash their hands well enough after changing diapers, are particularly vulnerable to outbreaks.

Diseases of the bowel

Diarrhea is a common problem for people who have an inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis, or celiac disease.

Medications

Many medications can cause diarrhea. Antibiotics, certain medications used to treat heartburn and acid reflux, and chemotherapy drugs are frequent culprits.

Allergies or food intolerance

Diarrhea often occurs when you are allergic to, or have an intolerance of, certain foods, like the lactose found in dairy products.

Complications of severe diarrhea

Explosive diarrhea is usually short-lived. But there are complications that require medical care. These include:

Dehydration

Loss of fluids from diarrhea can cause dehydration. This is a particular concern in infants and children, older adults, and people with compromised immune systems.

An infant can become severely dehydrated within 24 hours.

Chronic diarrhea

If you have diarrhea for more than four weeks, it’s considered chronic. Your doctor will advise testing to determine the cause of the condition so it can be treated.

Hemolytic uremic syndrome

Hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) is a rare complication of E. coli infections. It occurs most often in children, though adults, particularly older adults, can get it, too.

HUS can cause life-threatening kidney failure if not treated promptly. With treatment, most people fully recover from the condition.

Symptoms of HUS include:

severe diarrhea, and stools that may be bloody

fever

abdominal pain

vomiting

decreased urination

bruising

Who is at risk for severe diarrhea?

Diarrhea is common. It’s estimated that adults in the United States experience 99 million episodes of diarrhea each year. Some people are at greater risk and include:

children and adults who are exposed to feces, especially those who are involved in changing diapers

people who travel to developing countries, particularly in tropical regions

people taking certain medications, including antibiotics and medications used to treat heartburn

people who have bowel disease

When to see your doctor

Diarrhea normally clears up within a few days without treatment. But you should see your doctor if you have the following symptoms:

diarrhea lasting longer than two days or 24 hours in a child

signs of dehydration, including excessive thirst, dry mouth, reduced urination, or dizziness

blood or pus in your stool, or stool that’s black in color

a fever of 101.5 °F (38.6 °C) or greater in an adult, or 100.4 °F (38 °C) or higher in a child

severe abdominal or rectal pain

diarrhea at night

You can connect to a physician in your area using the Healthline FindCare tool.

What to expect at your doctor’s appointment

Your doctor will ask questions about your symptoms, including:

how long you’ve had diarrhea

if your stools are black and tarry, or contain blood or pus

other symptoms you’re experiencing

medications you’re taking

You doctor will also ask about any clues you may have as to the cause of the diarrhea. Clues could be a food or fluid you suspect may have something to do with your illness, travel to a developing country, or a day of swimming in a lake

After providing these details, your doctor may:

do a physical examination

test your stool

order blood tests

How to treat diarrhea

In many cases, treatment will involve managing your symptoms while you wait for the diarrhea to pass. The primary treatment for severe diarrhea is to replace fluids and electrolytes. Electrolytes are the minerals in your body fluid that conduct the electricity your body needs to function.

Drink more fluids, like water, and juice, or broths. Oral hydration solutions, such as Pedialyte, are formulated specifically for infants and children, and contain important electrolytes. These solutions are also available for adults. Find a great selection here.

You can use over-the-counter (OTC) anti-diarrheal medications if your stool isn’t black or bloody, and you don’t have a fever. These symptoms indicate you may have a bacterial infection or parasites, which can be made worse by antidiarrheal medications.

OTC medications should not be given to children under the age of two unless approved by a doctor. If your infection is bacterial, your doctor may prescribe antibiotics.

Tips for self-care

It’s difficult to completely avoid getting severe diarrhea. But there are steps you can take to protect yourself and your family.

Sanitation is crucial. Wash your hands with soap and warm water, especially before handling food, after using the toilet, or after changing a diaper.

If you’re traveling to an area where water purity is a concern, stick with bottled water for drinking and brushing your teeth. And peel raw fruit or vegetables before eating.

If you do get explosive diarrhea, there are some steps you can take to make yourself more comfortable and improve your outlook for a speedy recovery:

It’s important to rehydrate. Keep sipping water and other fluids. Stick to a diet of clear liquids for a day or two until the diarrhea stops.

Avoid sugary fruit juices, caffeine, carbonated drinks, dairy products, and food that’s greasy, overly sweet, or high in fiber.

There’s one exception to avoiding dairy products: Yogurt with live, active cultures may help curb diarrhea.

Eat a diet of bland, soft foods for a day or two. Starchy foods like cereal, rice, potatoes, and soups made without milk are good choices.

What’s the outlook?

In most people, diarrhea will clear up without requiring treatment or a trip to the doctor. Sometimes, though, you may need medical treatment, especially if your diarrhea leads to dehydration.

Diarrhea is a symptom rather than a condition. The underlying cause of diarrhea varies greatly. People who have signs of complications or chronic diarrhea need to work with their doctor to determine the cause so that it can be treated.

Why is my diarrhea just water?

Watery diarrhea means that you have liquid stools. For most people, this is a symptom of a stomach bug. Water diarrhea can be caused by a wide variety of germs including viruses, bacteria, and parasites, some of which can easily be treated or don't require treatment at all.

Drink Apple Cider Vinegar...Your Bowels Will Thank You | Dr Alan Mandell, DC

However, watery diarrhea can lead to serious or even fatal complications, such as dehydration or malabsorption.1 This is a real cause for concern for infants and young children.

This article explains the symptoms and causes of water diarrhea, as well as how this condition is diagnosed and treated.

Watery Diarrhea Symptoms

Usually, watery diarrhea occurs three or more times in one day.2 Diarrhea comes with a sudden and urgent need to use the restroom. Sometimes, there is a lack of control over your bowel movements.

When these symptoms appear and how long they last depends on what is causing them.

Diarrhea can sometimes coincide with other gastrointestinal (GI) issues. These may include:

Nausea

Vomiting

Loss of appetite

Cramping

In many cases, watery diarrhea will go away on its own without any treatment. However, this isn't always the case.

You should call a healthcare provider if watery diarrhea is accompanied by symptoms such as:3

Fever

Severe abdominal or rectal pain

Black or bloody stools

Signs of complications like dehydration

Seek immediate medical attention if a case lasts longer than two days for adults. Don't wait more than 24 hours if a young child or infant experiences watery diarrhea.

Complications

Watery diarrhea is often harmless and fleeting. In some cases, though, it can lead to more serious conditions.

The two primary concerns related to watery diarrhea are dehydration and malabsorption.

Dehydration

The human body mostly consists of water. It needs water to function properly.

When it doesn’t have enough fluids, a condition known as dehydration, serious issues may arise. They include not having enough blood volume in the body, also known as hypovolemic shock. Kidney failure is possible, and fluid loss can even lead to death.

When you have watery diarrhea, it can be easy for your body to lose more fluids than it takes in.4 Dehydration can be especially dangerous for small children.

Young infants are particularly at risk for dehydration. This is because their small bodies aren’t able to store as much water as older children and adults do.

When babies lose fluids through watery diarrhea, it can be hard to replace them quickly enough to avoid dehydration.5 This concern is made worse when the illness causing the diarrhea also makes the baby vomit or reject feedings.

Signs and symptoms of dehydration can be different in children and adults. Generally speaking, they include:6

Thirst

Dark-yellow or brown urine

Needing to urinate less often than usual

Fatigue or lack of energy

Dry mouth

Lack of tears when crying (in young kids and older infants)

Decreased skin turgor (when you pinch the skin, it is slow to flatten and return to normal)

Sunken eyes, cheeks, or a soft spot on an infant's skull

Feeling lightheaded or fainting

Malabsorption

Malabsorption is when your body doesn’t absorb enough of the nutrients it needs after eating or drinking. This can lead to malnourishment.7

The diarrhea itself doesn’t necessarily cause this problem. Some infections that cause diarrhea, such as parasites, can also disrupt the body’s ability to digest food properly and take in the nutrients it needs.

Signs and symptoms of malabsorption include:

Bloating, abdominal discomfort, or gas

Changes in appetite

Weight loss or (in children) slowed weight gain

Recap

Watery diarrhea means that your stools are liquid instead of firm. It causes frequent bowel movements. Vomiting, fever, and other symptoms may also occur, depending on the cause. Complications, including dehydration, are possible.

Causes

There are quite a few germs that can cause watery diarrhea. Many of them are spread through contaminated food, water, or objects.8 The vast majority of cases are caused by viral, bacterial, and parasitic infections.

However, some health conditions can also prompt diarrhea to occur.

Viruses

Viral gastroenteritis occurs when a virus infects the intestines. This leads to watery diarrhea along with other digestive symptoms, such as cramping and nausea.

There is no specific treatment for these viruses, and they often run their course without a person needing medication for their symptoms.9

A lot of viruses can infect the intestines. Some of the most common ones are rotavirus, norovirus, adenovirus, and astrovirus.

Rotavirus

Rotavirus is the most common cause of diarrhea in the world. It accounts for 40% of diarrhea-related hospitalizations in young children.10

Experts estimate that in areas without rotavirus vaccination, nearly all kids will become infected with it at some point during early childhood. They will often become ill with rotavirus before their first birthday.

Norovirus

Norovirus is a highly contagious stomach bug. It accounts for roughly one in five cases of acute gastroenteritis worldwide. It is also the most common cause of foodborne disease in the United States.

The virus leads to roughly 400,000 emergency room visits every year in the U.S. Most of these cases occur in young children.11

Astroviruses

Globally, astroviruses are one of the most common causes of watery diarrhea in young kids and adults with weakened immune systems.12

Most cases clear up on their own within a few days.

Adenoviruses

Adenoviruses are often associated with the common cold or pink eye. However, this group of viruses can also cause mild diarrhea that can last up two weeks.13

Bacteria

Bacterial infections are another common cause of watery diarrhea. There are several types of bacteria most often associated with watery diarrhea.14

Campylobacter

Campylobacter is a common cause of foodborne disease in the U.S. It leads to an estimated 1.3 million cases every year.15

The bacteria are spread primarily through undercooked poultry, but can also be found in unpasteurized milk and contaminated water.

Most people with a campylobacter infection won’t need treatment or medical attention. The illness will eventually clear up on its own.

Escherichia coli (E. coli)

E. coli is a group of bacteria that can cause a wide range of symptoms. Some strains cause GI discomfort, while others cause respiratory illnesses, urinary tract infections, and other types of illnesses.

Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) is the kind of E. coli that causes watery (and sometimes bloody) diarrhea. It is spread through contaminated food or drinks.16 Common foods include raw or undercooked ground meat, raw vegetables, and sprouts.

Salmonella

Salmonella infections are predominantly linked to contaminated food. This bacteria is found in a range of raw and processed foods, including sprouts, nut butters, and chicken nuggets.

It also can be spread from animals to people. For example, in early 2019, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported a multi-state salmonella outbreak linked to pet hedgehogs.17

Most of the time, the common symptoms of diarrhea, cramps, and fever go away on their own without treatment. But some salmonella cases can prompt diarrhea so severe they require hospitalization.

Salmonella causes an estimated 1.2 million illnesses and 450 deaths in the U.S. each year.18

Shigella

Those with shigellosis usually start feeling sick about one to two days after they eat or drink something contaminated with the Shigella bacteria. The foods associated with shigellosis are salads, raw vegetables, milk, and dairy products.

It is also possible to be exposed through sexual contact with someone who is or recently was infected.

Symptoms usually go away within a week, but it can sometimes take months for bowel movements to go back to normal.

Kids are the most likely to get shigellosis. Other groups at an increased risk of infection include travelers, men who have sex with men, and people with weakened immune systems.

Clostridium Difficile

Most healthy people who come in contact with this bacteria, commonly referred to as C. diff or C. difficile, don't get sick. However, infection often occurs during or after a person takes antibiotics. In fact, the CDC notes that you are seven to 10 times more likely to get C. diff when taking these drugs or in the month after you finish them.19

Given this and the contagious nature of this bacteria, it's no surprise that the risk of infection is greater in a medical setting. In particular, C. diff is common among people who have long stays in hospitals or long-term care facilities.

The CDC estimates that nearly half a million infections and roughly 15,000 deaths happen because of C. diff each year in the U.S. alone.20

Cholera

Cholera is rarely spotted in developed countries like the U.S. Outbreaks of the bacteria are common in underdeveloped countries, though.21

Most people infected with the bacteria won’t have any symptoms at all. However, they can spread the bacteria to other people through their feces. This is called fecal-oral route transmission, and it usually occurs because of poor hygiene. Washing your hands well after using the bathroom will help to limit it.

When symptoms do occur, watery diarrhea is the most characteristic sign of the disease. It is often called “rice water stools” because it looks like the water left after washing rice. Vomiting and cramps also are common symptoms.22

In more serious cases, both kids and adults alike can die within a matter of hours due to severe dehydration.

The estimated 1.3 to 4 million cases of cholera that occur every year cause between 21,000 and 143,000 deaths worldwide.21

Parasites

Parasitic infections are a common cause of chronic diarrhea in areas with poor access to clean water and sanitation, although some do occur with some frequency in developed nations.23

There are many different types of parasites that could lead to watery diarrhea.

Cryptosporidiosis

Cryptosporidiosis, or “crypto,” is caused by microscopic parasites that infect the intestines.

These parasites have a tough outer shell that protects them from disinfectants, including bleach. This is why cases are still fairly common in the U.S. despite the country’s improved sanitation and clean drinking water.

Crypto is particularly common in diaper-aged kids who attend daycare. It also is found in people who swim in or drink contaminated water (like streams or lakes), and those who travel abroad.24

Cyclosporiasis

Cyclosporiasis is caused by another parasite. It is brought on by eating food and water contaminated with Cyclospora cayetanensis and is transmitted by feces or feces-contaminated water.

The parasite is too small to be seen with the naked eye. It makes its home in the small intestine, where it causes frequent (and sometimes explosive) watery diarrhea.

The diarrhea can last anywhere from a few days to more than a month.25 The symptoms can also go away and come back several times if the infection is left untreated.

Giardia

Giardia (also called giardiasis) is an infection in the small intestine.

It is caused by the parasite Giardia lamblia, which is most often transmitted through contaminated water sources and poor hygiene.

Cases don’t always result in symptoms, but even someone who doesn't show symptoms of infection can still have the parasite in their stools.

When symptoms do happen, foul-smelling and watery diarrhea is the most obvious symptom, along with gas, bloating, and stomach cramps.26

Other Causes

Infectious diseases are the most common cause of watery diarrhea, but some non-infectious health conditions can lead to frequent bouts with diarrhea as well.

They include:

Lactose intolerance27

Celiac disease

Crohn’s disease

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)28

Some medications and, in particular, long-term use of antibiotics can also cause watery diarrhea.

Recap

Viruses are a main cause of watery diarrhea. Common bacteria like salmonella or E. coli, parasites, and certain health conditions and drugs can also be to blame. Many cases get better on their own, but others may need treatment.

Diagnosis

Few people need a healthcare provider to diagnose them with watery diarrhea. The liquid stools are often quite enough for a person to know they have this condition.

5 Best Ways To Use Apple Cider Vinegar For Diarrhea

However, if the condition doesn’t get better after a couple of days—or you or your child are exhibiting signs of dehydration—your healthcare provider may want to run some tests. This will help to figure out the exact cause of the diarrhea so that it can be treated effectively.

Watery Diarrhea Diagnosis

Verywell / Cindy Chung

Physical Exam

Before running tests, your healthcare provider will likely do a physical exam. They will check your blood pressure and pulse, and take your temperature to rule out any signs of serious dehydration.

Then, they might use a stethoscope to listen to your abdomen for specific sounds. They may also check your abdomen for any tenderness or pain.

It's not routine, but your healthcare provider might also check your rectal area to check for blood in your stool. They would do this by inserting a gloved finger into your anus.

Your healthcare provider will ask questions to get more information about your symptoms. They'll want to know:

How long you’ve been having watery diarrhea

How often you need to use the bathroom

The color, consistency, and any odor of your stool

If you're having other symptoms, like nausea or fever

Additionally, your healthcare provider will ask if you have had recent travels or taken any antibiotics in the past month or two.

Diagnostic Tests

The most common tool used to find the cause of watery diarrhea is a stool test. Blood tests, a hydrogen breath test, fasting tests, or an endoscopy might also be used to make a diagnosis.

Stool Test

These tests examine stool samples to see if they show the presence of germs. A stool test may reveal bacteria or parasites in the sample, along with any blood or signs of other health conditions.

Blood Tests

Blood samples can be tested for a range of diseases or disorders that can lead to watery diarrhea. This type of test could find celiac disease or another health condition is related to the diarrhea.

Hydrogen Breath Test

A hydrogen breath test is most often used to diagnose an intolerance to lactose, the sugar found in milk. It looks for unusually high levels of hydrogen in the breath. This is linked to undigested lactose reacting with certain bacteria in the colon.29

This test is completed by first drinking something containing lactose and then breathing into a device that measures hydrogen levels. A high level indicates lactose intolerance.

Fasting Tests

Watery diarrhea may be caused by a food allergy or intolerance. Fasting tests can help you to find out what specific food may be causing the issue. You can then try to avoid these foods to see if the diarrhea goes away.30

In some cases, your healthcare provider might recommend an elimination diet, where you cut out a list of foods, such as lactose or wheat. You can then slowly reintroduce these foods into your diet to see how your body responds.

Endoscopy

A healthcare provider may use a lighted instrument with a camera, called an endoscope, to look inside the body to spot potential causes of diarrhea.

They may do an upper endoscopy, in which they thread this tool down into the body through the mouth to see the esophagus, stomach, and part of the small intestine.

They may also do a colonoscopy, in which the endoscope is instead threaded into the body through the anus so that they can see inside the colon.31

 What Is a Colonoscopy?

Treatment

Watery diarrhea is most often treated by either addressing the root cause of the illness or by using medication to lessen the severity of diarrhea.32 Imodium (loperamide) is one example that is available over the counter.

If the illness is caused by bacteria, antibiotics are sometimes used to treat the infection. This is especially true if diarrhea doesn’t go away on its own.

If the symptoms are caused by a parasite infection, then anti-parasite drugs may be given.

It's important to replace lost fluids while waiting for symptoms to resolve in order to avoid dehydration.

Keep in mind that not everyone with watery diarrhea will need treatment. Many cases clear up on their own within a few days.

Even without treatment, it’s important to prevent complications like dehydration until the watery diarrhea goes away.

Tips to Prevent Dehydration

Drink plenty of water

Avoid caffeine

Replace electrolytes

If you have nausea or vomiting, taking tiny, frequent sips rather than big gulps can help the fluids stay down.

Water should be your primary drink, but you should also address a potential electrolyte imbalance caused by watery diarrhea.

Electrolytes are charged particles, like sodium and potassium, that are key to your body's health. They are found in a wide variety of sources, but if you’re not feeling well, the easiest place to get them is through drinking beverages with a small amount of salt.

Sports drinks and special hydration fluids like Pedialyte work well, or you can make your own. Just add a pinch of salt and a small amount of sugar to lemon water.

Caffeinated and alcoholic beverages should be avoided. These can block your body from absorbing fluids, making you urinate more often than you normally would, which speeds up fluid loss.

Recap

Many people forego getting a formal diagnosis for watery diarrhea. If this is you, be sure you're taking steps to avoid dehydration as you recuperate. If you do see a doctor, they will ask questions about your symptoms, perform a physical exam, and run tests that can help guide treatment. For example, antibiotics would be used for a confirmed bacterial infection.

Prevention

The vast majority of watery diarrhea cases can be avoided by taking precautions. These include handwashing and proper food care, clean water and sanitation, and getting vaccinated.33

Sanitation

Most germs that cause watery diarrhea are spread through contaminated food and water. This is often because of unsanitary conditions or practices.

The best ways to prevent infections that cause watery diarrhea are drinking clean and filtered water, washing your hands after using the bathroom, and washing your hands before eating.

Safe Food Practices

Some infections that cause watery diarrhea are caused by food that hasn’t been prepared properly. Be sure to wash your hands before handling food.

Keep your fresh produce away from raw meats.

Cook meats thoroughly.

Store any prepared foods at proper temperatures and out of the reach of pests such as house flies.

Vaccination

Two common causes of diarrhea, rotavirus and cholera, can be prevented through vaccination.

Rotavirus Vaccine

Rotavirus vaccination is part of the routine childhood vaccinations recommended by the CDC.34 It’s given orally in two or three doses (depending on the brand) beginning at 2 months of age. While the vaccine is recommended by healthcare providers, it’s rarely required for childcare enrollment.

This may, in part, be why rates of rotavirus vaccination in the United States tend to lag behind those of other vaccines given at the same age. In 2017, only about 73% of kids ages 19 to 35 months got a rotavirus vaccine, compared to 91.5% who were vaccinated against measles.35

Cholera Vaccine

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved a cholera vaccine in 2016. It has been shown to lower the chances of getting severe diarrhea in adults by 80% to 90%.

However, it is currently only recommended for adults ages 18 to 64 who are planning to travel to places where cholera is common or there are active outbreaks. Most travelers do not need one.36

Summary

If you or your child have watery diarrhea, there are a number of possible reasons for why. Viral infections, exposure to bacteria, tiny parasites, or even an underlying health condition, like Crohn's disease, could be to blame.

Dehydration and malabsorption are main concerns with watery diarrhea. Be sure to replace the lost fluids, even if you don't need medical attention. If you have other symptoms with the diarrhea, let your healthcare provider know. Don't wait more than 24 hours to call your healthcare provider if your child has watery diarrhea.

Proper treatment depends on the cause of the diarrhea, but many infections will get better on their own. Prevention also is key. This means handling and storing food safely, and washing your hands often. You also may wish to consider vaccines available for rotavirus and cholera infections.

Why do I get instant diarrhea after eating?

Having diarrhea right after you eat is called postprandial diarrhea.1 You might experience this for a few days, in which case it is acute, or it may be a chronic condition that you deal with for a long time.

Diarrhea after you eat can be caused by many things, ranging from the stomach flu to a more serious disease. It's important to bring any new or ongoing digestive symptoms like this to your doctor's attention so that you be evaluated and can get any treatment you need.

This article discusses several reasons why you may be having diarrhea after you eat. It also provides some steps you can take to feel better and possibly prevent more bouts of diarrhea after eating in the future.

Acute Diarrhea After Meals

Acute diarrhea is a common problem that typically resolves on its own after one or two days.2

The simple act of eating causes the muscles in your large intestine to contract and empty your bowels. When you have an infection, food poisoning, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), or another underlying condition, these contractions may be stronger and more painful than usual.

Stronger contractions may also cause you to feel that you urgently need to empty your bowels.3

causes of acute diarrhea

Verywell / Brianna Gilmartin

Causes

Possible causes of acute diarrhea include:

Bacterial infections, such as Salmonella or E. coli

Food poisoning

Viral infections, also known as the "stomach flu"

Parasites, such as Giardia

Medications such as antacids, antibiotics, and chemotherapy

Lactose intolerance, which may also be a chronic cause

Irritable bowel syndrome with predominant diarrhea (IBS-D), which may also be a chronic cause

What to Do for Acute Diarrhea

Follow these tips when you have a bout of diarrhea after eating:

Stay hydrated. Your body doesn't absorb fluids and minerals when you have diarrhea because of how quickly stool is passing through your system. Make sure to drink extra water, clear fruit juice, or broth to replace these fluids.

Don't rush to use an over-the-counter diarrhea product such as Imodium (loperamide) or Kaopectate (bismuth subsalicylate). These products should not be used if you have a fever or there is mucus or blood in your stools. Pepto Bismol (bismuth subsalicylate) may be an option, but check with your doctor first. None of these medications should be given to children without their pediatrician's approval.

Choose foods wisely and only eat small meals. Stick with easily digested foods while you still have symptoms. Avoid foods that can worsen diarrhea, like dairy products, fatty foods, and foods that give you gas.

Recap

Acute diarrhea is common and usually clears up on its own after a few days. It can be caused by transient infections like the stomach flu, food poisoning, or some types of medications. For acute diarrhea, make sure to stay hydrated and choose foods that are easy to digest.

 Foods You Should Eat When Recovering From Diarrhea

When to Call Your Doctor

Call your doctor immediately if you notice any of the following:4

Blood in your stools

Dehydration symptoms including decreased urine, dry mouth, sunken eyes

Fever above 100 degrees F or that lasts more than three days

Severe stomach pain

Diarrhea that doesn't get better within two days for an infant or child, and five days for an adult

Get medical attention right away if you develop rectal bleeding, vomiting, lack of appetite, significant weight loss, fever, anemia, abdominal pain or cramping at night.

 Digestive Symptoms That Are Cause for Concern

Chronic Diarrhea After Meals

Chronic diarrhea after meals may be due to a wide variety of health problems. If you have one of the following disorders, simply eating a meal may trigger diarrhea episodes.

Common Causes

The following chronic conditions can cause you to have ongoing diarrhea:

Infection

As with acute diarrhea, there are infections that can cause chronic diarrhea.5 These include Giardia lamblia, strongyloidiasis, and amoeba.

Lactose Intolerance

People who have lactose intolerance lack sufficient amounts of the enzyme needed to break down lactose, a sugar found in milk and milk products. This can cause diarrhea after consuming dairy foods.6

Sugar Malabsorption

Along with lactose, some people are unable to digest the sugars fructose and sorbitol.

Fructose is found in many fruits and high fructose corn syrup. Sorbitol is also found in some fruits and artificial sweeteners.

Celiac Disease

People who have celiac disease experience an immune reaction to gluten, a protein found in wheat, rye, and barley.

Diarrhea from celiac disease is often extra smelly, and stool may be more likely to float rather than sink.

Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)

The two forms of IBD—Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis—can both cause diarrhea after eating.7

Diarrhea from IBD may have blood in the stool. If ever you notice blood in your stool, get medical attention right away.

Microscopic Colitis

This type of colitis is a distinctly different illness than ulcerative colitis.

With microscopic colitis, inflammation of the cells lining the intestines can only be seen when tissue is looked at under a microscope. The cause of microscopic colitis is not well known.8

5 Side Effects of Too Much Apple Cider Vinegar

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)

IBS can also cause chronic cases of diarrhea after eating.

Bile Acid Diarrhea (BAD)

Researchers are starting to find evidence that some people who are diagnosed with IBS actually have BAD.9

Your gallbladder secretes bile acids so that your digestive system can digest fats. When these acids are not reabsorbed properly, they trigger contractions in your large intestine, resulting in diarrhea.

Sometimes the cause of BAD is unknown; other times it starts after surgery or illness involving your gallbladder, pancreas, small intestine, or another digestive organ.

Gallbladder Removal

Without a gallbladder, some people have a problem with their small and large intestines not regulating bile acids as well as they should. This can cause similar symptoms as BAD, which usually resolve quickly after the surgery, though for some people it remains an ongoing problem.

Dumping Syndrome

This syndrome is most common among people who have had bariatric surgery for weight loss.

Dumping syndrome is also known as rapid gastric emptying because the stomach contents empty too quickly into the small intestine.

Eating can trigger diarrhea, especially when meals have a high sugar content.

Pancreatic Exocrine Insufficiency

In this condition, the pancreas does not produce enough digestive enzymes to fully digest the foods that you eat.10

Although there is a test for pancreatic exocrine functioning that measures the amount of fat in stools, some researchers theorize that the test may not be accurate in detecting mild insufficiency that causes diarrhea after eating.

Research in this area is quite limited, but one study showed that IBS-D patients who were given pancrelipase, a form of pancreatic digestive enzymes, had less episodes of diarrhea after eating.11

Colon Cancer

Chronic diarrhea is not typically a sign of colon cancer; constipation may be more likely. However, any change in the frequency of bowel movements may be associated with cancer.

Other symptoms of colon cancer include blood in or on the stool, fatigue, anemia, and unexplained weight loss. If you have any of these symptoms alongside chronic diarrhea, you need to see your doctor immediately.

Recap

Diarrhea in adults that doesn't go away within five days should be brought to a healthcare provider's attention. It can be caused by an infection, IBS, or lactose intolerance, but it can also but a symptom of a serious illness, like celiac disease or colon cancer.

What to Do for Chronic Diarrhea After Eating

Follow these tips if you have ongoing problems with diarrhea after eating:

Tell your doctor. Any unusual symptom should always be brought to their attention so that you get a proper diagnosis and a helpful treatment plan.

Eat small meals throughout your day and avoid fatty foods, such as fried food, fatty meats, and thick gravy. Large meals and fatty foods can make your intestinal contractions stronger and prompt a diarrhea episode.

Use relaxation exercises to calm your body. Due to the close connection between your brain and your gut, stress can be a trigger for diarrhea.12 Both deep-breathing exercises and progressive muscle relaxation—strategic tensing and relaxing of muscles throughout the body—can be effective in calming your body. They may also help slow the emptying of your bowels.

Theories on Postprandial Diarrhea in IBS

Studies on postprandial diarrhea are quite limited, but researchers have the following theories about what is going on in the bodies of people with IBS-D.

Postprandial Diarrhea Syndrome

Two IBS researchers—Mary Money, MD, and Michael Camilleri, MD—have proposed three possible causes for what they call postprandial diarrhea syndrome. All of them are often misdiagnosed as IBS-D:1 

Bile acid malabsorption (BAM), in which your intestines don't absorb bile acids like they should

Pancreatic exocrine insufficiency, in which your pancreas doesn't make enough digestive enzymes

Glucosidase deficiency, in which your small intestine does not make enough of the enzyme glucosidase, which breaks down sugars and carbohydrates

They acknowledge that these disorders are hard to identify, but that the diagnosis can often be confirmed if a patient responds well to treatment.1

Excessive Gastric Acid

Excessive amounts of gastric acid have long been associated with the development of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

A small study found that people with IBS-D who took GERD medications had significantly less symptoms of postprandial diarrhea. More research is needed to confirm these results.13

Small Bowel Water Content

A group of researchers found that, compared to healthy control subjects, IBS-D patients have lower amounts of water in the small intestine. What they do have passes through to the large intestine quicker than normal, which may contribute to postprandial diarrhea.14

Clearly, research into the factors behind postprandial diarrhea in IBS is quite limited, and therefore no definitive conclusions can be drawn. In addition, despite the variety of theories explaining the problem, data regarding treatments for this condition don't exist, so it's unclear which treatments will help patients, and which do not.

But if this is true, the development of medications that would slow transit time, and thus better regulate the flow of liquid into the large intestine, may be helpful.

Hopefully, further research will shed more light on the subject and offer some effective treatment options. In the meantime, if you tend to experience urgent diarrhea episodes after eating, discuss the subject with your doctor to see if any particular treatments would be a safe option for you.

Summary

Diarrhea shortly after eating—known as postprandial diarrhea—can be acute, meaning that it resolves on its own after a few days, or it can be a chronic, ongoing problem. If you've had diarrhea for more than five days, it's time to see your doctor.

Acute postprandial diarrhea is often caused by a transient illness like the stomach flu or food poisoning. When it's ongoing, postprandial diarrhea might be a symptom of a chronic illness like lactose intolerance, IBS, or celiac disease.

If you are suddenly having diarrhea after you eat, drink lots of water to stay hydrated, eat small meals, and be on the lookout for more concerning symptoms like dehydration or blood in your stools, which require urgent medical attention.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Are certain foods more likely to cause diarrhea right after eating them?

What are some symptoms of food poisoning?

Can diarrhea immediately after eating be a sign of cancer?

A Word From Verywell

When diarrhea happens right after eating it becomes hard to enjoy a meal. You may become wary of what to eat and anxious about eating anything at all. You are not alone. Many people have this symptom. Work with your doctor to find the underlying cause. You may be able to find solutions so you can enjoy your meals without the fear of needing to rush to the restroom.

How do I make my poop more solid?

There’s a reason to pay attention to how often you poop: Regular bowel movements can be essential for good health.

Let’s go over why that’s so, as well as some tips to help you have better bowel movements, including how to pass hard stools.

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How often should I have a bowel movement?

As far as how often to have a bowel movement, there isn’t an exact number. Bowel activity varies for each person. However, medicine and science will often use the “basic rule of three” to describe a typical movement, meaning you have bowel activity anywhere between three times a day and three times a week.

You’ll poop more or less each day (or week) depending on a number of factors, such as your:

diet

age

physical activity level

While the appearance and consistency of a person’s poop can vary from person to person, most people’s poop is formed, brown, and soft. If yours is rarely like this (such as always hard or always liquid), you may want to speak with a doctor.

Pooping shouldn’t be painful. If you frequently have bowel movements that are painful to pass or result in cramping after you make them, it’s time to speak with a doctor. You could have a condition like:

irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)

Crohn’s disease

ulcerative colitis

Many people occasionally experience episodes of diarrhea or constipation, where you can’t go to the bathroom easily or very often. You can try some steps to treat them at home.

What causes constipation and diarrhea?

Constipation and diarrhea both involve concerns with the passage of stool. But while constipation is infrequent bowel activity or difficulty passing stool, diarrhea refers to loose or watery stools. Different factors can trigger either symptom, such as:

diet

food intolerances

medications

conditions affecting the gastrointestinal tract

Regardless of the underlying cause, though, constipation and diarrhea occur when intestinal contractions either speed up or slow down. Gut contractions help move stool through the colon. But sometimes, the muscles contract too much or too little. Diarrhea happens when these muscles contract more than usual, whereas constipation happens when they don’t contract enough.

Tips for incontinence or diarrhea

Avoid foods known to irritate the stomach and cause loose stools (especially caffeine, dairy, and alcohol).

Drink plenty of water or electrolyte-containing beverages to stay hydrated.

Increase your fiber intake to add bulk to your stool.

Tips for constipation

Try to get at least 25 to 31 grams of fiberTrusted Source per day.

Increase your physical activity level.

Always use the bathroom when you get the urge to go — don’t try and hold it.

However, if constipation or diarrhea become your consistent stool pattern, speak with a primary care doctor. They may recommend treatments or refer you to a specialist (called a gastroenterologist) who can perform further testing.

What bowel movements are for

Bowel movements (sometimes called BMs for short) are your body’s way of getting rid of waste that doesn’t have any use in the body. While it may not look like it, poop is about three-fourths water. The remainder is a collection of materials that includes:

bacteria

fats

fiber (undigested foods, including nuts and seeds)

food wastes

mucus

salts

Another poop component is bilirubin, a brownish-red substance that’s the result of a breakdown of wastes from the liver and bone marrow. Bilirubin is what gives poop its usual brown color.

A person has to poop to survive because the body doesn’t have a way of getting rid of these wastes otherwise. If a person doesn’t poop for many days, the stool can back up in the intestines. If this goes on for too long, it starts to pose a risk to your safety and can damage your organs. This is why pooping is so important for your health.

WERBUNG

Tips to have a more comfortable bowel movement

Pooping is part physical, part mental. If you aren’t pooping as easily or often as you’d like, addressing these aspects can help.

Drink water

Water and fiber: These are two major components of poop that are part of your diet. Making efforts to drink more water daily can help make your bowel movements easier to pass.

Eat fruits, nuts, grains, and vegetables

In addition, it’s important to eat foods with plenty of fiber. This adds bulk to your stool, which stimulates the bowels to move and propel your stool forward. Foods that contain fiber include:

fruits, such as strawberries, raspberries, and apples

nuts and seeds, such as pistachios, almonds, or sunflower seeds

vegetables, such as broccoli, lima beans, and carrots

whole-grain breads, such as seven-grain, cracked wheat, or pumpernickel

Add fiber foods slowly

Don’t incorporate too much fiber into your diet at a time — it can have an opposite, constipating effect. Instead, try to add a serving every 5 days to allow your digestive tract time to acclimate itself to the increased fiber.

Cut out irritating foods

In addition to constipation that makes stools harder to pass, some people experience stool that’s too loose. When this is the case, cutting out foods that can irritate the stomach can help. Examples to cut from your diet include:

alcoholic beverages

caffeinated drinks, like tea, coffee, and sodas

fatty foods

foods that contain sugar alcohols that end in the letters -ol (such as sorbitol, mannitol, and xylitol)

spicy foods

Try cutting out these foods to see if your bowel movements are less watery. You can also keep a food and symptom diary to identify connections between the foods you eat and the symptoms you experience.

Move more

Your intestines have a natural motion that moves stool forward. If your body isn’t moving stool through fast enough, then you can help it out with increased exercise. Physical activity, such as walking, running, or swimming, can all promote motion that helps you poop better. Even short amounts of activity — 10 to 15 minutes — can help.

Change your bathroom posture

Another tip you can try has to do with your posture on the toilet. Changing the angle of your legs changes the angle of your colon. Toilet footstools are one accessory that you can use in the bathroom to do this. Some people find that it helps them have a more comfortable and effective bowel movement. Researchers even studied their use with the help of 52 volunteers.

Even if you don’t have a footstool to raise your feet, you can still try adjusting your posture. While you’re sitting on the toilet, try planting your feet on the ground so that your knees are higher than your seat or higher than usual.

Find bathroom footstools online.

Keep your bowel movements in mind

Doctors have identified a mind-body connection to pooping. For example, many people cringe at the idea of pooping in a public restroom.

Here are some ways to address the connection between your brain and intestines:

Remember that pooping is a natural part of every person’s physical needs. Everyone poops. You have nothing to be ashamed of if you have to go.

Try to poop at the same time every day (such as in the morning at home, after you eat breakfast). This can help to train your body to go at the same time in a place where you’re more comfortable.

Go to the bathroom when you feel the need. Try to not hold it in or put off a bowel movement. If you feel the need to go, take advantage of your body’s readiness.

Try engaging in stress-relieving activities if your anxiety levels are creeping up and your stomach starts to cramp. Examples include taking deep breaths, doing seated stretches like rolling your shoulders backward and forward, listening to calming music, or repeating a positive mantra.

Stress and pooping are highly connected. Try to create a calming environment in your bathroom where you have privacy. Avoid rushing yourself — give yourself at least 10 minutes to go to the bathroom.

Takeaway

Bowel movements require food, fluids, and calm to create a more comfortable experience. If you try these tips, and your symptoms aren’t getting better, speak with a doctor. There are lots of medicines and approaches that can help you enhance your intestinal health.

How do you stop watery diarrhea?

Your doctor will ask about your medical history, review the medications you take, conduct a physical exam and may order tests to determine what's causing your diarrhea. Possible tests include:

Does Apple Cider Vinegar Treat Diarrhea?

Blood test. A complete blood count test, measurement of electrolytes and kidney function tests can help indicate the severity of your diarrhea.

Stool test. Your doctor might recommend a stool test to see if a bacterium or parasite is causing your diarrhea.

Hydrogen breath test. This type of test can help your doctor determine if you have a lactose intolerance. After you drink a liquid that contains high levels of lactose, your doctor measures the amount of hydrogen in your breath at regular intervals. Breathing out too much hydrogen indicates that you aren't fully digesting and absorbing lactose.

Flexible sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy. Using a thin, lighted tube that's inserted in your rectum, your doctor can see inside your colon. The device is also equipped with a tool that allows your doctor to take a small sample of tissue (biopsy) from your colon. Flexible sigmoidoscopy provides a view of the lower colon, while colonoscopy allows the doctor to see the entire colon.

Upper endoscopy. Doctors use a long, thin tube with a camera on the end to examine your stomach and upper small intestine. They may remove a tissue sample (biopsy) for analysis in the laboratory.

Treatment

Most cases of acute diarrhea clear on their own within a couple of days without treatment. If you've tried lifestyle changes and home remedies for diarrhea without success, your doctor might recommend medications or other treatments.

Antibiotics or anti-parasitics

Antibiotics or anti-parasitic medications might help treat diarrhea caused by bacteria or parasites. If a virus is causing your diarrhea, antibiotics won't help.

Treatment to replace fluids

Your doctor likely will advise you to replace the fluids and salts. For most adults, that means drinking water with electrolytes, juice or broth. If drinking liquids upsets your stomach or causes vomiting, your doctor might recommend getting IV fluids.

Water is a good way to replace fluids, but it doesn't contain the salts and electrolytes — minerals such as sodium and potassium — that are essential for your body to function. You can help maintain your electrolyte levels by drinking fruit juices for potassium or eating soups for sodium. But certain fruit juices, such as apple juice, might make diarrhea worse.

For children, ask your doctor about using an oral rehydration solution, such as Pedialyte, to prevent dehydration or replace lost fluids.

Adjusting medications you're taking

If your doctor determines that an antibiotic caused your diarrhea, he or she might lower your dose or switch to another medication.

Treating underlying conditions

If your diarrhea is caused by a more serious condition, such as inflammatory bowel disease, your doctor will work to control that condition. You might be referred to a specialist, such as a gastroenterologist, who can help devise a treatment plan for you.

 

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Lifestyle and home remedies

Diarrhea usually clears up quickly without treatment. To help you cope with your signs and symptoms until the diarrhea goes away, try to do the following:

Drink plenty of liquids, including water, broths and juices. Avoid caffeine and alcohol.

Add semisolid and low-fiber foods gradually as your bowel movements return to normal. Try soda crackers, toast, eggs, rice or chicken.

Avoid certain foods such as dairy products, fatty foods, high-fiber foods or highly seasoned foods for a few days.

Ask about anti-diarrheal medications. Over-the-counter anti-diarrheal medications, such as loperamide and bismuth subsalicylate, might help reduce the number of watery bowel movements and control severe symptoms.

Certain medical conditions and infections — bacterial and parasitic — can be worsened by these medications because they prevent your body from getting rid of what's causing the diarrhea. Some of these medications are not recommended for children. Check with your doctor before taking these medications or giving them to a child.

Consider taking probiotics. These microorganisms may help restore a healthy balance to the intestinal tract by boosting the level of good bacteria, though it's not clear if they can help shorten a bout of diarrhea. Probiotics are available in capsule or liquid form and are also added to some foods, such as certain brands of yogurt. Further research is needed to better understand which strains of bacteria are most helpful or what doses are needed.

Preparing for your appointment

You might start by seeing your primary care practitioner. If you have persistent diarrhea, you may be referred to a doctor who specializes in the digestive system (gastroenterologist).

Here's some information to help you get ready for your appointment.

What you can do

When you make the appointment, ask if there's anything you need to do in advance, such as fast before certain tests. Make a list of:

Your symptoms, including when they began and any that may seem unrelated to the reason for which you scheduled the appointment.

Key personal information, including any major stresses, recent life changes or travel.

Medications, vitamins or supplements you take, including doses. If you've recently taken an antibiotic, note what kind, for how long and when you stopped.

Questions to ask your doctor.

For diarrhea, some basic questions to ask your doctor include:

What is likely causing my diarrhea?

Could my diarrhea be caused by a medication I'm taking?

What tests do I need?

Is my diarrhea likely temporary or chronic?

What is the best course of action?

What are the alternatives to the primary approach that you're suggesting?

I have other health conditions. How can I best manage them with the diarrhea?

Are there restrictions I should follow?

May I take medication such as loperamide to slow the diarrhea down?

Should I see a specialist?

Don't hesitate to ask other questions.

What to expect from your doctor

Your doctor is likely to ask you questions, including:

When did your symptoms begin?

Have your symptoms been continuous or occasional?

How severe are your symptoms?

What, if anything, seems to improve your symptoms?

What, if anything, appears to worsen your symptoms?

Does your diarrhea awaken you at night?

Do you see blood, or are your bowel movements black in color?

Have you recently been around anyone who has diarrhea?

Have you recently stayed in a hospital or nursing home?

Have you taken antibiotics recently?

What you can do in the meantime

While you wait for your appointment, you may ease your symptoms if you:

Drink more fluids. To help avoid dehydration, drink water, juice and broth.

Avoid foods that can aggravate diarrhea. Avoid fatty, high-fiber or highly seasoned foods.

What natural remedy stops diarrhea?

Stomach flu causes many men, women and children to curl up in bed, too weak to move. Diarrhea or loose stools are often caused by a virus, bacteria or food allergies.

Though many over-the-counter and prescription medications can successfully help with a bout of diarrhea, there is no harm in trying some home remedies initially. It is prudent to remember that the remedies may not always help treat bouts of diarrhea. It is better to consult a doctor if it is severe or when a child or an elderly individual has loose stools.

Here are a few home remedies that may help control diarrhea.

The BRAT diet: This is a low-fiber diet that can help make stools more firm and has been around for ages. It consists of

Bananas (high in potassium, prevents cramps)

Rice (gives energy without irritating the gut)

Applesauce (sugar)

Toast (carbs)

Gradually add oatmeal, boiled or baked potatoes (peeled) or baked chicken without skin to your diet when your appetite returns. One week after a bout of diarrhea, fleshy fruits, such as avocado, pumpkin, canned fruit (packed in water, not heavy syrup) and melons can be added to the diet. Steamed carrots, potatoes, squash, saltine crackers, cream of wheat and oatmeal work, too.

Probiotics: Good bacteria residing in the gut provide immunity to the gut. A bout of diarrhea often kills these good bacteria. Hence, episodes of loose stools may be present even after the infection subsides. Adding curd, yogurt and kefir to the diet will help stop the bouts of cramps and gas. Probiotics are also available as capsules or liquids.

Oral rehydration solution: A liter of boiled and cooled water with a spoonful of salt, a fistful of sugar and a dash of lemon sipped every hour will help replenish lost fluids and heal the damaged gut lining. Gatorade or the newly formulated oral rehydration salts (ORS) solution, containing lower concentrations of glucose and salts, are available at the supermarket and will work better. ORS therapy is known to reduce bouts of diarrhea in adults and children.

Zinc supplementation: Adults can take the over-the-counter zinc tablets daily for 14 days. Zinc supplementation is a WHO-approved treatment for loose stools that decreases the length and severity of diarrhea. Zinc is important for the immune system and will help the body ward off new episodes of diarrhea for the next two to three months after treatment. It improves appetite as well. Give children zinc only after consulting the doctor.

Turmeric: A pinch of turmeric in a glass of warm water may help combat loose stools. Turmeric has antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties. Make sure not to overdo this home remedy though because turmeric can react with many prescribed medications and worsen symptoms.

What Apple Cider Vinegar Really Does To Your Body

Cinnamon: Cinnamon is also an effective antidiarrheal. Have a pinch with some warm water and lemon juice.

Nutmeg: Eastern medicine suggests a pinch of powdered nutmeg given with a spoonful of clarified butter (ghee) as a treatment for loose stools and cramps.

These home remedies may not always be effective. If you notice any danger signs or there is no relief from symptoms, it is better to visit a physician.

Signs to look out for 

Diarrhea in kids, especially those younger than six months of age

Blood in stools

Severe episode of diarrhea, passing stools more than four times in one hour

Severe dehydration (sunken eyes, inability to drink or eat, not passing urine)

High fever (more than 101 °F)

Excessive lethargy, dizziness or decreased alertness

History of poor immunity (HIV affected, organ transplant recipients)

You can get diarrhea from a virus or bacteria and it usually goes away on its own in two to three days.1

Some people reach for Imodium (loperamide) the moment they have loose stool. But the drugs are meant for frequent or severe diarrhea rather than an occasional episode.

This article goes over ways that you can get rid of diarrhea without turning to medicine.

Young woman drinking a glass of water in a bedroom

Geri Lavrov / Getty Images 

Treating Mild Diarrhea Without Medicine

In some cases, taking an antidiarrheal drug will replace watery stools with constipation. Both are unpleasant. Try these helpful home remedies to treat a mild episode of diarrhea without using pills.

Drink Plenty of Fluids

One of the biggest problems with diarrhea is dehydration. This is what leads many people to the emergency room.

Diarrhea causes the body to lose a lot of water and electrolytes it needs to function normally. Electrolytes are minerals such as sodium, potassium, calcium, and magnesium that are needed for various bodily processes

It's important to treat dehydration properly. Otherwise, it can become dangerous, especially in young children.2

To manage a mild bout of diarrhea, you need to replace the fluids and electrolytes you lost. Drink plenty of water, clear juices, clear broths, or an electrolyte-rich sports drink.3

There are also things you should avoid when you have an episode of diarrhea. Avoid coffee, caffeinated drinks, prune juice, sugary drinks, sodas, and alcohol. These all have a laxative effect. It's also a good idea to avoid dairy products if you're lactose intolerant, which means you can't digest the main sugar in milk well.4

Young children and babies with diarrhea need pediatric rehydration drinks. These are marketed under certain brand names, like:

Pedialyte

Enfalyte

Gastrolyte

Breastfed babies should continue to breastfeed. Children should continue eating their regular diet. Also, they should drink rehydrating fluids. This is better than putting them on a restrictive diet.5

Some people want to avoid the artificial colorings or flavorings in some rehydration drinks. You can make a homemade rehydration drink with only salt, sugar, and water.2

You can also buy oral rehydration salts over the counter at most drugstores. Follow the preparation instructions and don't use too much salt. That can be harmful, especially to children.

Eat a Bland Diet 

The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases doesn't recommend following a restrictive diet to treat diarrhea. But that doesn't mean all foods are the same. There are some foods you should avoid, as well as foods you might tolerate better.4

The BRAT diet was a commonly-recommended food plan for easing digestive distress.

The diet is made up of four bland, low-fiber foods:3

Bananas

Rice

Applesauce

Toast

Bananas are especially useful. They help restore any potassium your body lost through diarrhea.

You can add other bland, easy-to-digest foods as your diarrhea symptoms start to get better. This includes:

Baked, skinless chicken breasts

Oatmeal

Baked potatoes

Chicken soup with saltines

Don't eat or drink foods or beverages that cause gas, such as:

Carbonated drinks, like sodas or seltzer

Beans

Legumes

Cruciferous vegetables, like cabbage, broccoli, and cauliflower

If diarrhea lasts more than a couple of days, check the foods that you're eating. Diarrhea can get worse if you eat foods high in fiber (such as bran, whole grains, and brown rice) as well as greasy foods or those sweetened with sorbitol.

Use Probiotics

Taking probiotics in food or or as supplements might help shorten a mild bout of diarrhea.6 Probiotics are live bacteria and yeast that are beneficial to your digestive system.

Diarrhea can cause you to lose a lot of the healthy bacteria in your stomach and intestines.

Probiotics can quickly replace these protective microorganisms and help restore normal bowel function. Some helpful probiotics include:7

Lactobacillus bacteria

Bifidobacterium bacteria

Saccharomyces boulardii (S. boulardii) yeast

In particular, S. boulardii has powerful antidiarrheal effects.6

It may be best to avoid some dairy products during diarrhea, but not all. Certain dairy foods, like yogurt or kefir with live probiotic bacteria, are extremely beneficial.

Other natural probiotic sources are fermented foods like:

Miso

Kombucha

Sauerkraut

Aged soft cheeses

Cottage cheese

Green olives

Sourdough bread

Tempeh

Kimchi is another popular fermented food. Some people even call it a "super-probiotic." But kimchi has hot spices that might make your diarrhea worse.

Side effects of probiotics, whether in food or supplement form, tend to be mild and may include an upset stomach, bloating, and gas.

When to Seek Medical Help

You should never ignore diarrhea. If you have tried the above-listed home remedies and still have loose stools, call your doctor or your pharmacist. They might recommend over-the-counter medicine that can help.

On the other hand, you should see a doctor right away if you or your child have persistent or severe diarrhea or show signs of dehydration, such as:8

Adults

Diarrhea for three days or more

Severe stomach pain

Bloody or black stools

Fever over 102 F (39 C)

Little or no urination

Extreme weakness

Dry skin and mouth

Excessive thirst

Dark urine

Children

Diarrhea for more than 24 hours

No wet diapers in three hours

Fever over 102 F (39 C)

Dry mouth or tongue

Crying without tears

Unusual sleepiness

Black or bloody stools

Sunken cheeks or eyes

Skin that doesn't retract when pinched

Babies under 3 months old with diarrhea should be taken to a doctor or emergency room right away. Don't wait or try to treat the condition at home.

Summary

You might be able to treat diarrhea without taking medication. Try changing your diet temporarily, taking probiotics, and drinking lots of liquids. Talk to your healthcare provider if the diarrhea doesn't go away.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What foods should I eat if I have diarrhea?

Bland, low-fiber foods are the best choice. Some low-fiber foods include potatoes, white rice, bananas, apples, fish, and chicken or turkey without the skin. Changing your diet and drinking plenty of water to avoid dehydration can help treat diarrhea symptoms faster.

Things You Should Never Do While Taking Apple Cider Vinegar

Why do I get diarrhea after drinking?

Certain drinks including alcohol, coffee, prune juice, or soda have a laxative effect that can cause diarrhea.

How do I prevent diarrhea?

It may not be possible to fully prevent diarrhea, but these steps can reduce the chances of it:

Practice proper hygiene. Washing your hands regularly throughout the day can reduce the spread of viruses that cause diarrhea.

Get a vaccination for rotavirus, a gastrointestinal infection that can cause diarrhea and dehydration.9

Avoid eating spoiled food, keep food at recommended temperatures, and cook food to recommended temperatures.

If you travel to other countries, avoid drinking tap water unless you know the water is safe.1

Does apple cider vinegar pills give you diarrhea?

Apple cider vinegar can be used in cooking, taken as a pill, or combined with water. Research into apple cider vinegar is limited, but some people do experience adverse side effects. In addition to diarrhea, these effects include damage to tooth enamel and stomach problems in people with diabetes.

Click to see full answer.

In respect to this, are there any side effects to apple cider vinegar pills?

7 Potential Side Effects of Apple Cider Vinegar

Hypoglycemia.

GI Distress.

Esophageal Burns.

Medication Interactions.

Depleted Potassium.

Tooth Erosion.

Chemical Burn on the Skin.

Also, is apple cider vinegar a laxative? Using apple cider vinegar to treat constipation Apple cider vinegar is a vinegar made from the fermented juice of apples. People who promote ACV as a treatment for constipation often claim that it: acts as a natural laxative. contains pectin, a water-soluble fiber that can help improve your overall digestion.

Besides, is taking apple cider vinegar pills the same as drinking it?

 

Liquid vs. Of course, not everyone will become accustomed to apple cider vinegar's strong taste. In that case, you do have the option to take apple cider vinegar pills. In supplement form, the concentration of acetic acid can range from 300 to 500 milligrams per serving.

How many apple cider vinegar pills should you take per day?

Dosage and Choosing a Supplement Due to the minimal research on apple cider vinegar pills, there is no suggested or standard dosage. The research that currently exists suggests that 1–2 tablespoons (15–30 ml) per day of liquid apple cider vinegar diluted in water appears to be safe and have health benefits ( 3 , 7 ).

 (This is one of the reasons why so many people advise drinking ACV shots first thing in the morning.) Furthermore, the sugar in apple cider vinegar may cause peristalsis, a painful wave-like contraction in the intestines. In addition, undiluted vinegar can cause diarrhea by sucking water from your intestines.

Table of contents

Can Red Wine Vinegar Upset Your Stomach?

Can Vinegar Give You The Runs?

Is Red Wine Vinegar Good For Digestion?

Can You Get Diarrhea From Vinegar?

Can Vinegar Upset Your Stomach?

Does Vinegar Help You Poop?

What Does Vinegar Do To Your Stomach?

Is Red Wine Vinegar Good For Your Gut?

Is Red Wine Vinegar Bad For GERD?

Which Is Better Apple Cider Vinegar Or Red Wine Vinegar?

Is Red Vinegar Healthy?

Can White Vinegar Upset Your Stomach?

Does Vinegar Help With Running Stomach?

Is Red Wine Vinegar Bad For Kidneys?

Is Olive Oil And Red Wine Vinegar Healthy?

Can Red Wine Vinegar Upset Your Stomach?

Red wine vinegar has a few drawbacks that can be harmful if consumed in excess. Consumption on a daily basis for several years has been shown to increase the risk of negative consequences (40). Drinking too much vinegar, for example, can aggravate digestive symptoms like nausea, indigestion, and heartburn.

Can Vinegar Give You The Runs?

Apple cider vinegar can cause diarrhea if consumed in large quantities at once. Cider can cause this symptom for a number of reasons, including stimulation of peristalsis by the sugars. If taken undiluted, apple cider vinegar can draw water from the body into the intestine, making the stool watery.

Is Red Wine Vinegar Good For Digestion?

Acetic acid, a key component of red wine vinegar, has been shown to suppress hunger and fat storage. What else is there? ? It prevents the hormone gherlin from being released, which causes hunger. Consuming red wine vinegar aids weight loss and digestion, so it is no surprise it is beneficial.

Can You Get Diarrhea From Vinegar?

In addition, undiluted vinegar can cause diarrhea by sucking water from your intestines.

Can Vinegar Upset Your Stomach?

Acidity causes stomach discomfort and digestive problems due to its high acidity. However, unless a person consumes a large amount of undiluted vinegar, this is unlikely to occur. Although there is little research into the effects of apple cider vinegar, some people report adverse reactions.

Does Vinegar Help You Poop?

The effectiveness of apple cider vinegar for treating constipation has never been proven. For the most part, small amounts of alcohol are probably safe, but there may be some side effects.

What Does Vinegar Do To Your Stomach?

Due to ACV’s acidity, it may be helpful to people with low stomach acidity to raise stomach acid levels. In theory, this could prevent gas and bloating, which can be caused by sluggish digestion. ACV is also an antimicrobial, which means it can aid in the killing of bacteria in the stomach and intestines.

Is Red Wine Vinegar Good For Your Gut?

Many people believe that using vinegar to treat heartburn and indigestion is a good idea. Unpasteurized red wine vinegar contains probiotics that can benefit our microbiome and digestive system.

Is Red Wine Vinegar Bad For Gerd?

Vinaigrette Dressing is a popular salad dressing, but it may be a food to avoid if you have GERD because vinegar can cause heartburn. “Vinegar’s pH is quite low, making it a form of acid in and of itself, so it’s no surprise it can irritate inflamed esophageal tissue,” says Scarlata.

Which Is Better Apple Cider Vinegar Or Red Wine Vinegar?

When you want to give your dish a slightly lighter, sweeter flavor, apple cider vinegar is a great alternative to red wine vinegar. If you want the fruitiness of red wine vinegar without the full extent of its acidity, this is the substitute for you.

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Is Red Vinegar Healthy?

Daily consumption of red wine vinegar was linked to lower blood sugar (blood glucose) levels in one study of healthy adults. Vinegar has also been shown in other studies to help people with type 2 diabetes reduce blood sugar spikes and improve insulin sensitivity.

Can White Vinegar Upset Your Stomach?

A Word of Caution: While white vinegar is generally safe, having too much of a good thing can be dangerous. Inflammatory conditions of the upper gastrointestinal (GI) tract, such as heartburn and indigestion, may be exacerbated by excessive vinegar consumption.

Does Vinegar Help With Running Stomach?

A few drops of apple cider vinegar may help soothe stomach aches and aid digestion if you have gas or indigestion. According to Bedford, homeopathic doctors usually recommend one cup of warm water as a “recipe.” 1 tbsp. apple cider vinegar

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Is Red Wine Vinegar Bad For Kidneys?

The kidneys are not poisoned by vinegar, which is mostly acetic acid and water. As you take vinegar, your kidney will have to increase the amount of acid it excretes from your body, but this will not harm your kidney.

Is Olive Oil And Red Wine Vinegar Healthy?

Oil and vinegar are on the menu. In particular, extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) and red wine vinegar (or apple cider vinegar). “Those with prediabetes or diabetes may benefit the most from an olive oil and vinegar dressing,” says integrative medicine physician Irina Todorov, MD.

Always intake it in limit, approx 1 Tablespoon of vinegar.

Here are the 6 Side Effects of Apple Cider Vinegar:-

Nobody is perfect, there are some side effects of Apple cider vinegar. This is true if you intake it high dosages.

Intaking small amounts tonic are generally fine and healthy benefits, but taking too much and daily can be harmful and even dangerous.

1. Delayed Stomach Emptying

Apple cider vinegar reduced the rate at which food leaves the stomach. You feel full for longer period.

2. Digestive Side Effects

It may help reduce appetite, but may also cause feelings of nausea, particularly when consumed as part of a drink with bad flavor.

3. Erosion of Tooth Enamel.

The acetic acid present in vinegar may damage the dental enamel and lead to loss of minerals and tooth decay.

4. Throat or Esophageal Burn.

Apple cider vinegar has the potential to cause harmful esophageal (throat) burns. Acetic acid present in apple cider vinegar is the most common acid that causes throat burns.

Apple Cider Vinegar Drug Interactions (VERY IMPORTANT MUST SEE) - Dr Mandell

There are no huge number of cases that causes throat burns by taking apple cider vinegar.

5. Chemical Burn on the skin.

We already know acetic acid present in Apple cider vinegar.

And due to its strongly acidic nature, it may also cause skin burn when applied to the skin.

There are also several cases reports online of burns caused by applying apple cider vinegar to the skin.

6.Interactions With Other Medication

Studies says tha, taking apple cider vinegar with certain medicines can be harmful. Specifically, it might affect those person who taking diuretics, laxatives, and insulin. Speak with your doctor or pharmacist before taking or ingesting apple cider vinegar.

Does apple cider vinegar help with diabetes?

As per studies apple cider vinegar alongside a meal high in carbohydrates saw and effect on blood sugar levels in participants who had type 2 diabetes or pre-diabetes.

Meals that are high in carbohydrates typically cause a spike in blood sugar levels immediately after eating. However, less than an ounce of apple cider vinegar can significantly reduce blood sugar levels.

Another study in type 2 patients compared apple cider vinegar with water. It was found that consuming 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar with a snack (with cheese) before bedtime was enough to significantly lower blood sugar levels the following morning

It is believed that a component of apple cider vinegar called acetic acid can help slow down the conversion of complex carbohydrates into sugar in the bloodstream.

This provides more time for sugar to be flushed from the bloodstream, allowing the body to keep blood sugar levels constant and limit the sudden spikes.

At the end of the day, the most effective way to prevent diabetes and managing its symptoms is eating a healthy and balanced diet which includes healthy carbohydrates, proteins and fats.

It is best to limit the intake of refined and processed carbohydrates, such as foods with added sugar.Try opting healthy,nutrient-dense, fibrous carbohydrates such as fruit, vegetables, and whole grains. Also remember to have regular physical exercise along with time to time blood sugar test using a glucometer.

All these changes collectively can help you manage your condition better.

Can apple juice cause diarrhea?

Diarrhea is a common condition with many possible causes. Some cases of diarrhea are due to infections. Sometimes it occurs as a side effect of medication, or as a symptom of other conditions, such as celiac disease and inflammatory bowel disease.

This article focuses on foods that can cause diarrhea. Learn about foods that cause diarrhea, how to tell if diarrhea is due to something that has been eaten, treatment options, and when to see a doctor.

Six foods that may contribute to diarrhea

Foods that could cause diarrhea:

1. Sugar and sugar substitutes

Apple juice may contribute to diarrhea.

Foods that are high in sugar can cause diarrhea. When people eat foods that contain a lot of sugar, water enters their intestines, which can result in very loose stools.

Fructose is a component of table sugar and is also found naturally in fruits. Some fruits contain more fructose than others. Some examples of foods high in fructose include:

apple juice

grapes

agave

soda

The body can only digest a certain amount of fructose at one time. Consuming more fructose than the body can absorb, may cause diarrhea.

Dr. Norton Greenberger, a gastroenterologist and Harvard Medical School professor, states that “75 percent of people who ingest more than 40 to 80 grams of fructose per day will get diarrhea.”

Another source estimates that approximately 30 to 40 percent of people have trouble absorbing significant amounts of fructose.

Sugar alcohols, including sorbitol, mannitol, xylitol, and erythritol, are commonly used to sweeten foods labeled “sugar-free” or “no sugar added.” These sugar alcohols are not well absorbed by the body and can cause diarrhea in some people, especially if consumed in large amounts.

People should be sure to check the ingredients list of foods labeled “sugar-free” or “no sugar added,” such as chewing gums, candy, and protein bars, to see if they contain any sugar alcohols.

2. Caffeine

As caffeine is a stimulant, it may cause diarrhea.

Drinks and foods that contain caffeine can cause diarrhea in some people. Caffeine is a stimulant and accelerates the rate that food moves through the intestines.

Common dietary sources of caffeine include:

chocolate

coffee

soda

tea

3. High-fat and spicy foods

Fried foods and other foods that contain a lot of fat can cause diarrhea because they are difficult for the body to process.

Although it is no longer commonly used by the food industry, a fat substitute known as Olestra can cause diarrhea. People should check labels of fat-free products, such as potato chips, to see if it lists Olestra as an ingredient.

Spicy foods, such as those that contain hot peppers, are another common cause of diarrhea.

4. Lactose

People who are lactose intolerant may experience diarrhea, in addition to other symptoms, after they consume dairy products. Lactose intolerance is prevalent among African-Americans, Asian-Americans, Mexican Americans, and Native Americans.

Some people with lactose intolerance may be able to tolerate small amounts of dairy products that are aged or those that are lower in lactose. These products include yogurt, kefir, and hard cheeses.

5. FODMAPs

Fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides, and polyols are a category of carbohydrates called FODMAPs. High-FODMAP foods are difficult for some people to digest and may cause diarrhea.

Some categories already mentioned in this article, like fructose, lactose, and sugar alcohols, are considered FODMAPs. The list of high-FODMAP foods is extensive, but a few other examples include:

artichokes

beans

garlic

onions

A low-FODMAP diet can be challenging to follow due to a large number of restricted foods. If someone thinks that FODMAPs may be the cause of their diarrhea, a registered dietitian can provide education and guidance.

6. Gluten

Gluten is the protein in wheat, rye, and barley, and many of the people who have problems digesting it have a serious illness, such as celiac disease. When someone has celiac disease, their immune system reacts to gluten and triggers damage to the small intestine.

People that do not have celiac disease may still have issues tolerating gluten. If someone suspects that gluten may be responsible for their diarrhea, it is important that they see a doctor for proper testing before starting a gluten-free diet.

How to tell if diarrhea is due to food

Diarrhea could be food-related if a person has recently made changes to what they eat. It could also be related to food if a person notices that a particular food or type of food, such as dairy products, causes diarrhea.

Keeping a food and symptom diary can be helpful for determining a pattern.

Before attributing diarrhea to food, it is also important to check recent medication changes. Diarrhea is a common side effect of many drugs, such as antibiotics and medicines that contain magnesium.

Diarrhea is unlikely to be related to food intolerance if it:

contains blood or pus

is accompanied by a fever

occurs for an extended period

These are signs that may signify a more serious condition.

Treatment and home remedies for diarrhea

If someone has diarrhea, they should continue to consume a regular diet as tolerated. Historically, doctors have recommended the BRAT diet (bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast) for treating diarrhea, but there is no solid evidence to prove its usefulness.

Still Bloated Even with Apple Cider Vinegar? – Dr.Berg

Also, people do not need to restrict dairy products unless they suspect that dairy has caused their diarrhea. Listed below are some treatments and remedies that may be helpful for diarrhea.

Hydration

Staying hydrated with water and other liquids is recommended with diarrhea.

Keeping hydrated is a top priority when someone has diarrhea, and the best way to achieve this is to drink plenty of fluids.

In addition to water, Stanford Cancer Nutrition Services also recommend that people with diarrhea can sip on any of the following:

broth

caffeine-free tea

diluted juice

drinks that contain electrolytes, such as sports drinks

flat ginger ale

Fluids that have both sugar and salt, called oral rehydration solutions (ORS), are easier for the body to absorb. According to the American Academy of Family Physicians, people can make an ORS by adding half a teaspoon of salt and 6 teaspoons of sugar to 1 liter of water.

Medications

Over-the-counter medications are also available to help treat diarrhea. People should check with their doctor to work out if a store-bought medicine is appropriate for them.

Some studies have shown that loperamide (Imodium) and simethicone bring more relief when taken together than individually.

Bismuth subsalicylate, better known as Pepto-Bismol, is another medication available from a drugstore.

Probiotics

Probiotics are the beneficial bacteria that live in the gut. They may be a helpful treatment for children with diarrhea, but more studies in adults are needed.

Soluble fiber

While foods that are high in insoluble fiber can worsen diarrhea, foods that contain soluble fiber can help promote more formed stools.

Some examples of foods that are high in soluble fiber include oats and oranges.

When to see a doctor for diarrhea

The American College of Gastroenterology recommends seeing a doctor if diarrhea continues for longer than 48 hours. Also, people should see a doctor if diarrhea contains blood, is accompanied by severe stomach pain, or if they do not feel well.

Infants and older adults are more prone to dehydration, which means that diarrhea can be particularly dangerous for people in these groups. It is important to look out for signs of dehydration in these groups, such as:

a reduced amount of urine

increased heart rate

dizziness or confusion

WERBUNG

Outlook

Many cases of mild, short-term diarrhea resolve on their own. Treatment and home remedies can help ease the discomfort associated with diarrhea.

Written by Megan Metropulos, MS, RDN & Megan Ware, RDN, LD

Can apple cider vinegar cause gastrointestinal problems?

Apple cider vinegar has become popular as a natural remedy for a variety of ailments. Can it cause diarrhea, or might it be used to treat it?

Apple cider vinegar can be used in cooking, taken as a pill, or combined with water. Because it is very acidic, it may cause stomach discomfort or digestive problems. However, this is unlikely to happen unless a person drinks a significant amount of the undiluted vinegar.

Research into apple cider vinegar is limited, but some people do experience adverse side effects. In addition to diarrhea, these effects include damage to tooth enamel and stomach problems in people with diabetes.

Does apple cider vinegar cause diarrhea?

Acidic foods may cause an upset stomach or diarrhea.

Apple cider vinegar is made by fermenting the sugar in apples. The fermentation process creates acetic acid, the key part of vinegar that makes it acidic. Some people may find that acidic or spicy foods can cause an upset stomach, heartburn, or diarrhea.

Infections such as food poisoning are common causes of diarrhea. Food allergies or certain medical conditions, such as celiac disease or irritable bowel syndrome, can also cause diarrhea.

Can it treat diarrhea?

ResearchTrusted Source has found that apple cider vinegar has antimicrobial properties and can destroy E. coli bacteria, which can cause food poisoning and are responsible for many cases of diarrhea.

However, apple cider vinegar might also destroy some types of bacteria in the gut that are good for digestion. This could irritate the gut and lead to diarrhea.

This research was carried out in a laboratory, with apple cider vinegar applied directly to bacteria, so the results are likely to be different in people.

There is also some evidence that apple cider vinegar delays the emptying of the stomach. If a person has diarrhea, apple cider vinegar could slow down the digestive process, which may give the stool time to harden before being expelled.

More research needs to be done into the possible benefits of apple cider vinegar, as it is not clear whether it is safe to use as a treatment for diarrhea.

Other apple cider vinegar side effects

Apple cider vinegar is very acidic and should not be drunk undiluted. Instead, add a few teaspoons of vinegar to a glass of water.

Drinking undiluted apple cider vinegar over a prolonged period could erode tooth enamel, which is the protective layer coating the teeth. Rinsing the teeth with water after drinking apple cider vinegar can help limit the potential damage to enamel.

A person who has diabetes and gastroparesis may be advised to avoid apple cider vinegar. Gastroparesis is a disorder that stops the stomach emptying its contents into the gut as quickly as it should.

Apple cider vinegar may interact with some prescription medications. If a person is taking medication, they may wish to consult a medical professional before using apple cider vinegar.

Apple cider vinegar is available in tablet form from many online retailers, but these products are not regulated in the same way as products available in drugstores. Apple cider vinegar pills may vary in strength or acidity, so a person should be cautious about purchasing them.

WERBUNG

Other ways to treat diarrhea

Drinking plenty of fluids is recommended if a person has diarrhea.

Diarrhea usually goes away without treatment but may last for 2 to 4 days in adults. It is essential to drink plenty of fluids during this time, as diarrhea can cause dehydration.

A person should eat when they feel able to, and start with bland foods, such as bananas or rice.

Other symptoms of diarrhea include stomach cramps and a high temperature. A person can take over-the-counter pain medication, such as ibuprofen, to treat these symptoms.

Medication for diarrhea is available to reduce the length and severity of the symptoms, but it cannot stop diarrhea completely.

Over-the-counter rehydration solutions are available to treat dehydration caused by diarrhea. These are made up of sugar, salt, and minerals that can be dissolved in water. These treatments are not usually suitable for young children.

Infants can get dehydrated very quickly, so they should be given small sips of water regularly. If they show signs of dehydration, such as not peeing often enough, they may need medical attention.

A person should seek medical help if they:

have diarrhea for more than 5 days

do not want to eat and are losing weight

feel very sick or vomit often

have blood in their poop, or dark and smelly poop

have recently been in the hospital

Diarrhea is usually caused by an infection, which means it can spread to other people. To avoid passing the infection on, a person can:

wash their hands thoroughly after using the bathroom

keep the toilet clean,

wash soiled bed linen or towels at a high temperature

avoid sharing cutlery

Takeaway

Apple cider vinegar is not a medicine, so there is no official advice on how to take it. However, it is safe for most people to consume 1 to 2 teaspoons of apple cider vinegar diluted in water.

If a person has any adverse side effects from apple cider vinegar, including diarrhea, it is best to stop taking apple cider vinegar and speak with a doctor.

Further research needs to be done into apple cider vinegar, as the possible health benefits and any potential risks are not currently clear. Diarrhea can usually be treated at home with rest and plenty of fluids.

Does apple cider vinegar have laxative effect?

Almost everyone experiences constipation from time to time. If your bowel movements are less frequent than usual, or the stool is difficult to pass, you may be constipated.

After you’ve gone several days without a bowel movement, your stool becomes harder and doesn’t move as well in your digestive system.

There are several home remedies that have been used to help ease constipation. Some people claim that drinking or soaking in apple cider vinegar (ACV) can help treat digestive issues. Learn more about this remedy and how it’s used.

I Tried Apple Cider Vinegar for 1 Week for Bloating | SHOCKING RESULTS | NOT what I expected....

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Using apple cider vinegar to treat constipation

Apple cider vinegar is a vinegar made from the fermented juice of apples. It’s a popularly touted home remedy for a number of conditions.

However, there’s no scientific research to support claims that ACV can ease constipation.

People who promote ACV as a treatment for constipation often claim that it:

acts as a natural laxative

contains pectin, a water-soluble fiber that can help improve your overall digestion

contains digestion-friendly malic acid and acetic acid

ACV also contains small amounts of magnesium, a mineral that helps promote regular bowel movements.

Interested in trying? Buy apple cider vinegar here.

There are no official recommendations for using ACV as a treatment, however. Some people recommend drinking an ACV, honey, and water mixture twice a day on an empty stomach.

What the research says

The benefits of ACV for constipation relief haven’t been proven in research. As a result, there are no official recommendations for using it as a treatment.

Although ACV is considered a food, it’s still important to use caution when consuming it for therapeutic purposes. Speak with your doctor before using ACV to treat constipation or other health conditions.

There’s some evidence that ACV may interact with certain drugs. If you take any of the following medications, talk to your doctor before consuming ACV:

digoxin

insulin

diabetes drugs

diuretics, or “water pills”

Some parents incorporate ACV into their children’s diets or add it to their bathwater. Speak with your child’s doctor before using ACV to treat your child for constipation or other medical conditions.

Possible side effects of ACV

Drinking small amounts of ACV is probably safe for most people, but you may experience some side effects.

The following are some of the reported side effects:

Frequent urination

ACV may cause more frequent urination. Speak to your doctor before drinking it, especially if you take diuretics, like chlorothiazide or Lasix, or other medications.

Upset stomach

Drinking ACV may make you queasy or gassy. Diluting it or consuming it with food may help prevent these side effects.

Low potassium

Regularly drinking ACV may affect your mineral levels and lead to low potassium.

Consider taking a daily multivitamin and eating potassium-rich foods, such as bananas. Get a multivitamin online.

Tooth damage

Like any acidic beverage, ACV may erode your tooth enamel or irritate your mouth or throat.

To prevent tooth and mouth issues:

dilute the ACV

drink the mixture through a straw

rinse your mouth afterward

Reduced bone density

Regularly drinking ACV may reduce your bone density. If you have osteoporosis or you’re at high risk of developing it, speak with your doctor before drinking ACV.

Skin issues

Drinking ACV may lead to acne and skin redness in some people.

Headaches

Some people have also reported headaches after drinking ACV.

Apple Cider Vinegar and Constipation

Allergies

If you experience itchiness, a runny nose, or other symptoms after drinking ACV, you may be allergic to it. Stop taking it and report your symptoms to your doctor.

WERBUNG

What causes constipation?

Constipation usually happens when waste moves through your system slowly. The longer it takes for stool to move through your digestive system, the harder it is to pass.

Older adults, particularly women, are at higher risk of developing constipation. Eating a poor diet, not drinking enough fluids, and not getting enough exercise can also lead to constipation.

Other possible causes of constipation include:

nerve issues or blockages in your colon or rectum

problems with your pelvic muscles

hormonal disturbances, which may result from diabetes, pregnancy, hypothyroidism, hyperparathyroidism, or other conditions

side effects from certain medications

Contact your doctor if you’ve noticed a major change in your stools or bowel habits. It’s important to rule out more serious conditions before treating the issue at home.

How to prevent constipation

You can adopt these lifestyle habits to help prevent and treat constipation:

Exercise. Get regular exercise. For example, you can go for a walk most days of the week.

Add dietary fiber. Eat a healthy diet with lots of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and other fiber-rich foods.

Drink more. Drink lots of liquids, such as water, coffee, tea, or fruit juices. Most of your liquids should come from water.

Don’t wait to go. Don’t resist the urge to have a bowel movement. Waiting to use the bathroom can lead to constipation.

Try fiber supplements. Incorporate a few tablespoons of unprocessed wheat bran, psyllium husk (Metamucil), or other fiber supplements into your daily routine.

If you still experience constipation after adopting these lifestyle habits, contact your doctor. You may have an underlying health condition that’s causing your constipation.

A doctor can help diagnose the cause of your constipation and prescribe treatment.

Takeaway

There’s no scientific evidence to show that apple cider vinegar is effective in treating constipation. Drinking small amounts is probably safe for most people, but you may experience some side effects.

If you’re looking for remedies to try at home, try these.

The longer your constipation lasts, the more difficult it may be to treat it with lifestyle changes or home remedies.

If your constipation lasts several weeks or months, speak with your doctor. They may recommend lifestyle changes, over-the-counter medications, or other treatment options.

Understanding the basics

A common malady, diarrhea refers to loose, runny bowel movements. Diarrhea can be caused by a number of conditions ranging in severity. If the underlying cause isn’t chronic, diarrhea usually clears up within a few days.

Diarrhea can cause:

stomach cramping

bloating

skin irritation around the anus

It can also cause dehydration.

Replacing lost fluids can help to prevent dehydration. Sipping fluids like water, sports drinks with electrolytes, or tea is important.

In addition to staying hydrated, at-home remedies such as drinking apple cider vinegar may help. But apple cider vinegar can also have the opposite effect. If taken in excess, it may actually cause diarrhea.

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How does it work?

Apple cider vinegar is made from fermented apples. Fermented apples contain pectin. Pectin may help support the growth of good bacteria in the gut, which is necessary for healthy digestion. It may also bulk up stool and reduce intestinal inflammation.

Since apple cider vinegar is a natural antibiotic, it may be most effective for diarrhea resulting from bacterial infections. These types of infections are often caused by spoiled or contaminated food, which can contain E. coli or Salmonella.

It may help to choose raw, organic, unfiltered apple cider vinegar instead of the pasteurized version. Unfiltered apple cider vinegar is cloudy and has silky threads running through it. These threads are called the mother.

The mother may contain added amounts of:

pectin

minerals

good bacteria

enzymes

How to use apple cider vinegar for diarrhea

As with many at-home remedies, there isn’t much scientific evidence supporting or rejecting apple cider vinegar’s potential health benefits.

Apple cider vinegar is acidic, so it’s important to dilute it with another liquid before drinking. Otherwise, the vinegar may wear down the enamel on your teeth.

A general rule of thumb is to mix 1 to 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar with a large glass of liquid. Try mixing it into cool water or juice. Or make a tea by pairing the vinegar with hot water and honey. Drink this mixture 2 to 3 times a day until your symptoms subside.

Risks and warnings

Apple cider vinegar is highly acidic.

If you drink it straight without dilution, it can burn the tissues of your mouth, throat, and esophagus. It may also damage your tooth enamel. To minimize these potential effects, rinse your mouth out after drinking your diluted apple cider vinegar mixture.

If you drink too much at one time, apple cider vinegar may actually cause diarrhea.

This can happen for a number of reasons:

The sugars in the cider can stimulate peristalsis.

If taken undiluted, the apple cider vinegar may pull water out of the body into the bowel, making the stool more watery.

The cider can also kill off the good bacteria in your intestines.

Other risks to consider include:

Drinking apple cider vinegar in excess over an extended period of time can cause bone density loss. If you have osteoporosis or brittle bone disease, consult your healthcare provider before use.

Too much apple cider vinegar may actually cause diarrhea, which in turn can cause an unhealthy decrease in your potassium levels. Low potassium may cause irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia), low blood pressure, and muscle weakness.

Apple cider vinegar may not be the right choice for people with type 1 diabetes. It can reduce the amount of time it takes for food to leave the stomach, which may affect sugar and insulin levels.

Apple cider vinegar may also interfere with prescription medications, including those used for diabetes and antibiotics such as tetracycline.

WERBUNG

What else can I do to treat diarrhea?

Making dietary changes is often the first step in treating diarrhea. It’s important to watch what you eat and drink while experiencing symptoms. Your diet can have a direct impact on the frequency and severity of the symptoms.

What to add to your diet

Drinking clear liquids, such as chicken broth, may be beneficial. Clear liquids can help you stay hydrated without worsening your condition. It may also help to pour yourself a soothing cup of herbal tea, such as chamomile. Herbal teas may help reduce stomach spasms.

Eating foods that are binding, like plain white rice and bananas, may also help to bulk up stool. Toast with jam is another easy-to-digest choice. Most jams contain pectin, which may be an added benefit.

What to remove from your diet

Certain foods may make the condition worse and should be avoided while experiencing symptoms of diarrhea.

These include foods that:

are high in fiber

are high in fat

are spicy

contain dairy

You should also avoid:

caffeine

alcohol

anything that may make you gassy, such as carbonated beverages or certain vegetables

Options for medication

Over-the-counter (OTC) medications may also help. Popular options include bismuth subsalicylate (Pepto-Bismol) and loperamide (Imodium A-D). These nonprescription drugs can be effective, but they should only be used with your healthcare provider’s approval.

If your diarrhea is caused by a bacterial or parasitic infection, OTC products may do more harm than good.

They may prevent your body from purging out the infection source. You shouldn’t use OTC medications for diarrhea caused by a chronic condition, such as irritable bowel syndrome.

How to get rid of diarrhea with Apple Cider Vinegar - clickbank review

You might also wish to take an OTC probiotic. These can help alleviate diarrhea by increasing the number of good bacteria in your digestive system.

The bottom line

It’s common to experience diarrhea every now and then. If your diarrhea isn’t chronic or accompanied by other symptoms, you may wish to try apple cider vinegar or another at-home remedy.

If you have diarrhea for more than 3 or 4 days, or if it’s accompanied by symptoms such as fever, seeing your healthcare provider may be a good idea.

They can determine the cause of your diarrhea and recommend medications that can help you feel better.

Diarrhea in babies and children always requires a healthcare provider’s care.