How to Treat Loose Stool

Loose stool, also called diarrhea, is a very common if not frustrating symptom. This article aims to describe the causes of loose stool and what can be done about it.

Instructions

1. First, understand that there are two broad types of loose stool: acute and chronic. Acute loose stool is a temporary symptom, arising suddenly and lasting for up to a few weeks. Chronic loose stool, on the other hand, is continuous and does not go away without medical attention. If your have loose stools for over a week, you should probably see a doctor.

2. People often confuse "loose stool," or diarrhea, with "soft, smelly stool." The latter is the kind that floats, or sticks to the sides of the bowl and may be difficult to flush. If this the case, then you may actually have steatorrhea, which is simply increased fat in the stool. If this describes your symptom, see the link "Soft, Smelly Stool" in the Resources section of this article.

3. Most loose stools have a very common cause. Usually, symptoms appear after eating certain foods or by having a bad diet. If you begin to have loose stools, you should avoid the following foods:
   * Dairy (milk, cheese, yogurt, etc.)
   * Cold drinks - stick to warm tea or water as long as symptoms persist
   * Raw fruits and vegetable
   * Fried, greasy food and fast food
   * Spicy food
   * Caffeine

4. In addition to avoid these foods, you SHOULD eat the following "BRAT" foods:
   * Bananas
   * Rice
   * Applesauce
   * Toast

5. For those interested in alternative remedies, Chinese medicine describes loose stool as a symptom of overall spleen qi deficiency. Speel qi deficiency is thought be brought about through stress and restlessness. For more information, see the link in the Resources section.

Tips & Warnings

• Drink plenty of water! You are losing fluids through diarrhea that need to be replaced.

• Drink water during meals and after bowel movements.

• Try having different kinds of soups for meals while symptoms persist.

• If you continue to have loose stools after two weeks, you must seek out a doctor.

Resources

• Soft, Smelly Stool
• More Information on Diarrhea
• Spleen Qi Deficiency