How to Treat Diarrhea

There are many causes of diarrhea from diet, viruses, bacteria, parasites as well as genetic causes, like lactose intolerance and medications, medical conditions (for example, Crohns Disease, Celiac disease, irritable bowel syndrome, ulcerative colitis) that results in diarrhea secondary to the disease and/or surgery. Diarrhea (the watery bowel movement) is formed by the food and fluids you ingest passing too quickly (fast transit rate) or in too large quantities through your colon thus not allowing enough time for the body to reabsorb the fluid back fro the e colon. Sometimes this can be due to inflammation of the lining of the colon or some defect in the mechanism of absorption due to viruses, bacteria or food allergies, or surgery. This article will help you understand diarrhea and some ways to help you treat the symptoms of diarrhea.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Imodium
• Kaopectate
• Pepto-Bismol
• Water
• electrolyte drinks
• Panty liners

1. The most common causes of diarrhea, especially in young infants and children, are from bacteria and viruses. Examples are campylobacter, salmonella, shigella and Escherichia coli and Norwalk virus, cytomegalovirus, viral hepatitis and the herpes simplex virus. Most common cause of diarrhea in children is Rotovirus. Contaminated food or water can transmit bacteria and parasites to your body. Diarrhea caused by parasites such as Giardia lamblia and cryptosporidium are usually due to drinking contaminated water or food and is very common in people who travel abroad to foreign countries.
2. Lactose is a form of sugar present in milk and many milk based products, and is a common cause of diarrhea in some people who have been diagnosed with lactose intolerance. Individuals who have intolerance to this sugar will experience pain , bloating, gas retention and diarrhea if they ingest any products containing lactose. Most cheese products contain lactose so you must be very careful when buying foods and read the labels to ensure it is lactose-free.
3. Try the lactose tolerance test if you are not sure if you have lactose intolerance or intolerance to milk products. Since the condition is dose related then the tolerance level varies in each person. The key is to find the level of intolerance and then adjust your intake of dairy products accordingly. For one to two week abstain from eating any dairy products or products containing lactose and see if you experience any symptoms and if you don't then slowly and gradually introduce milk and lactose products back into your diet until you find a level at which the symptoms appears again. Adjust your diet and intake accordingly. This way you can control the amount of intake and won't have to eliminate dairy products totally out of the diet.
4. Parasites are sometimes found in contaminated food and water so be careful where and how you prepare and cook your food. many cases of diarrhea in this country is due to unhygienic food preparation, handling and cooking.
5. Traveler's diarrhea can be common for people traveling to developing countries. Most commonly caused by E.coli but shigella and salmonella could also be culprits. E.coli mechanism of action for causing the diarrhea is forming a toxin which prevents reabsorption of fluids and water back into the body. The key to decreasing the risk of getting traveller's diarrhea and ruining your vacation to take some precautions while on holiday abroad. drink only bottled water that is distilled or carbonated. Don't drink the local water especially from the faucet or taps. Another alternative is to boil all the water decontaminate it form any bacteria or parasites and if available add some iodine tablets. Drinking acidic drinks like cranberry juice or orange juice will help reduce the number of bacteria causing diarrhea. before and during your vacation eat or drink acidophilus products like milk or yogurt. The bacterial colonies will become established in your intestine and will help reduce the risk of contracting intestinal problems. Avoid eating uncooked meats, salads, vegetables, fruits, raw shellfish.
6. If you have contracted traveler's diarrhea the important thing to address is to prevent dehydration. Diarrhea causes loss of fluids from the body including important electrolytes. So drink plenty of fluids and water. Drink water or juices that contain added electrolytes and supplements. This way you will avoid dehydration and replenish your body of the vital nutrients.
7. You can buy over-the-counter ORS or known as Over the counter rehydration solution. Examples are Pedialyte or reVital. Also Pepto-Bismol a well known anti-diarrhea medication is another way to combat this condition. It makes the stools bulkier and firmer by helping the reabsorption of water and fluids form the colon.
8. Medications can also cause diarrhea, particularly antibiotics. Antibiotics can interfere and cause an imbalance to the intestinal flora and good bacteria that flourishes and acts to protect the body from infection and diseases in your intestines. This disturbance sometimes leads to an infection with a bacteria called Clostridium difficile, which can also cause diarrhea. Some heartburn medications, antacids can be a common cause of drug-related diarrhea, since they contain magnesium hydroxide, like Maalox and Mylanta. Better to try heartburn medications containing aluminium hydroxide of you want to avoid getting diarrhea but these are less effective at treating the heartburn. examples are AlternaGel or Gaviscon.
   Some other drugs known to cause diarrhea are antibiotics, colchicine, quinidine, lactulose. Speak with your medical doctor if you are experiencing bouts of diarrhea caused by these drugs.
9. Surgery. Some people may experience diarrhea after undergoing abdominal surgery or gallbladder removal surgery and in these situations the medical doctor will probably prescribing anti-diarrhea medication.
10. Some suggestion to take while you are recovering from a bout of diarrhea:
    1. Drink plenty of fluids and clear liquids. Broth and consume are good choices for a liquid diet which will also give you body the vital nutrients needed to recover.
    2. Don't drink apple and pear juices until you feel better because they can make your diarrhea worse.
    3. AVOID caffeine and alcohol.
    4. Gradually introduce semi-solids an fibre foods back into the diet as you recover from the diarrhea and your bowel movements and the stools are returning back to normal.
    5. Try soda crackers, toast, eggs, rice or porridge to start with till you are fully recovered from the diarrhea.
    * Avoid certain foods such as dairy products, fatty foods, high-fiber foods or highly seasoned foods for a few days.
11. AVOID spreading the germs causing the diarrhea by following good hygiene. Always wash your hands before handling any foods or after you have taken a trip to the restroom.
12. AVOID eating certain foods and drinks which will make the diarrhea worse. Don't eat beans, cabbage, brussel sprouts, pasta, corn, potatoes prunes. Don't drink carbonated drinks which will also make the diarrhea worse by adding explosiveness to the situation.

Tips & Warnings

• It is better to let the diarrhea run its full course but if the situation requires some help to control the symptoms temporary then some over-the-counter medication, like, Imodium can help. This drug works by causing the muscles in the bowel to contract and slowing down the flow.
• This article is written to educate and inform and not a substitute for seeking professional medical attention from your own physician and healthcare provider.
• AVOID becoming dehydrate. Drink plenty of water!