Diarrhea is something that all of us have had to battle in our lives at some point or the other. Diarrhea is a huge predicament and is accompanied with frequent and watery stool, bloating and abdominal cramping and pain.
Why Diarrhea happens?
Diarrhea is the body’s method for removing all of the toxins from the body but at the same time it leads to loss of water from the body and it is important for you to keep a check on it. It is the body’s coping mechanism for problems in the body’s gastrointestinal system. Your body might be dealing with a viral or bacterial infection or it may happen due to food poisoning, drinking contaminated water and antibiotic use.
Also Read: 7 Indian Home Remedies for Constipation
What are some of the effective home remedies for Diarrhea?
If this predicament befalls you then there are some effective home remedies for Diarrhea that you can opt for. Drinking a lot of fluids is one of the first recommended actions. Drink water with sugar or salt to help your intestine absorb the fluids effectively and quickly. Drinking sports drinks can also hydrate the body as they are rich in potassium and sodium
1. How does hydrating your body help you?
Diarrhea dehydrates your body and you need to continuously hydrate your body. In small kids keep breastfeeding or bottle feeding the kid to ensure that the body does not run low on fluids as it may prove fatal. You can also employ the use of oral rehydration solution (ORS) and other over-the-counter hydration solutions. Administer small doses every half hour or so to keep your body hydrated.
2. Can probiotics keep diarrhea at bay?
Consumption of probiotics is one of the effective remedies for diarrhea. Probiotics are basically good bacteria that can help in fostering a healthy environment in your intestinal tract and create a healthy gut to stop diarrhea. Probiotics are present in certain foods and consumption of probiotic rich food can help your body. Some of the foods that have abundant probiotics include:
- Aged soft cheeses
- Beet kvass
- Cottage cheese
- Dark chocolate
- Green olives
- Yogurt
- Pickles
- Miso
You can also buy probiotics from pharmacies in the form of powder and pills. Your body itself produces probiotics or the good bacteria in order to keep your gastro-intestinal system running smoothly and perfectly. But because of the introduction of foreign elements like antibiotics the quantity of good bacteria is thrown out of balance and you end up getting diarrhea. Probiotics help the body in fighting off unwanted pathogens and restore the good bacteria in your gut.
Also Read: Effective Home Remedies for Smooth Bowel Movement
3. Over-the-counter drugs
If you have a case of acute diarrhea then it is suggested that you consult a doctor and get widely available over-the-counter drugs to help you. You can get medicines like bismuth subsalicylate known widely as Pepto-Bismol and Kaopectate or loperamide popularly known as Imodium. These medicines can help you with symptoms of diarrhea like cramping and bloating but they do not help you with the underlying cause. If you have diarrhea for more than 14 days then it falls under the category of chronic diarrhea and you should consult your doctor immediately and do not self-medicate. Over-the-counter medication is not suitable for young children and you should contact your doctor immediately for treatment. If your diarrhea lasts for more than 7 days and is accompanied by fever or bloody stools then you should talk to a doctor immediately.
4. Consuming cumin and cloves:
While dealing with diarrhea, consume cumin in powdered form or boil it in water to stop your runs to the washroom. It acts as an antimicrobial and at the same time reduces intestinal inflammation. On the other hand consumption of cloves helps with the secretion of good intestinal juices which helps digestion and lets you retain food. It alleviates cramping and provides instant relief.
5. The BRAT diet:
You should follow the widely popular BRAT diet which helps your body in retaining the food you eat. This diet entails consumption of Bananas (B), Rice (R), Applesauce (A) and Toast (T). It relieves digestive stress and consumption of bland food helps you regain your strength. This diet helps to firm up stool and is better tolerated by your body in comparison to other food items.
What foods you should eat to curb Diarrhea?
Though your body is unable to retain anything you eat if you are suffering from diarrhea, there are certain foods that help your body in these conditions. You should stick to a low fibre diet to help your body recover from diarrhea. You can also eat other food items like oatmeal, soup (chicken or vegetable), baked chicken without the skin and boiled or baked peeled potatoes. These are some of the food that your body can hold in.
What food items you should not eat?
Any fried or greasy food item will not be welcomed by your body if you are suffering from diarrhea. You should also avoid high fibre fruits and vegetables as it can aggravate bloating in your body and cause cramps. Steer clear away from items like alcohol, artificial sweeteners which is found in items like diet soft drinks, chewing gum and sugar substitutes. Keep away from vegetables like cabbage, broccoli, beans, cauliflower, chickpeas, peppers, prunes, pea, green leafy vegetables, berries and corn. Avoid drinking milk and milk products like ice cream and do not consume beverages like coffee and tea.
Diarrhea is a serious ailment and should not be taken lightly. Be vigilant and do not let your body lose water and keep yourself hydrated continuously.