How to Treat Adult Diarrhea in the Wilderness

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By eHow Contributing Writer

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Diarrhea drains the body of precious water and nutrients. When you're in the wilderness, the danger is multiplied by remoteness from medical facilities.

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Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

Oral Rehydration Solution
Wilderness First Aid Classes
First Aid Kits

Step 1

Look for the following signs and symptoms: frequent watery bowel movements, cramps in the abdomen, headache, nausea, vomiting.
Step 2

Rehydrate the sick person either with water or, preferably, with oral rehydration solution (ORS).
Step 3

Take care when giving food. Give only a very small amount. If an episode of diarrhea results, discontinue feeding.
Step 4

Give only bland, starchy foods after diarrhea has ended: pancakes, plain rice, plain oatmeal or plain bread.
Step 5

Avoid the following foods and drinks: dairy products, fats, alcohol, caffeine.

Tips & Warnings

Diarrhea is defined as a bowel movement that conforms to the shape of the vessel in which it's contained. This distinguishes diarrhea from a mere "soft stool."
If you don't have commercial ORS, use a sports drink or improvise by dissolving 8 tsp. sugar and 1 tsp. salt into 1 liter of water.
Maintaining proper hygiene will minimize the risk of diarrhea (see "How to Prevent Illness in the Wilderness").
Dehydration is the primary danger with diarrhea. Make sure you're giving enough fluids that the sick person's urine is clear and copious, rather than yellow or orange.
Blood or mucus in the stool, as well as fever, are signs of a more severe form of diarrhea. Evacuate immediately.
Children require certain special considerations (see "How to Treat Children's Diarrhea in the Wilderness").
Unless diarrhea is of the more serious kind and evacuation is days away, avoid administering medications such as loperamide that stop up the gastrointestinal tract.
If diarrhea is accompanied by fever and/or blood or mucus in the stool, consider beginning a cycle of antibiotics such as ciprofloxacin or ofloxacin. Evacuate immediately.
This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice or treatment.