Diarrhea might be a common problem, but that doesn’t mean that it’s any less uncomfortable when problems arise. Whether you only suffer with diarrhea occasionally as a result of illness, allergies, or problems with food, or you’re suffering from chronic diarrhea, it’s important to know how to stop diarrhea as soon as possible. Chronic conditions like Crohn’s and irritable bowel disease can make it particularly difficult to fight back against diarrhea, but even if you have a long-term condition that impacts your digestive system, there are common foods to stop diarrhea that can help.

The important thing to remember is that if you persistently suffer from diarrhea you shouldn’t just try to solve the problem yourself. Instead of focusing on the foods you’re eating, speak to your doctor about your problem and see whether he or she can offer any advice for your circumstances.

The Best Common Foods to Stop Diarrhea:

If you have a brief bout with diarrhea and you want to find a way to stop it quick, the foods that you eat can be essential to helping you recover as quickly as possible. Ideally, you should opt for BRAT foods, or bananas, rice, apples and toast. Although each of these foods might be deemed somewhat bland by some people, it’s worth noting that they probably won’t disrupt your digestive system any further. Additionally, these foods can help to firm your stools up.

Some of the other common foods to stop diarrhea include:

  • apple juice
  • crackers
  • cooked cereal

Remember, although it might be tempting to stay away from fluids, you need to make sure that you’re keeping yourself hydrated when you suffer from a period of diarrhea as this will ensure that you replace some of the fluids that you lose. Drink plenty of water and suck on ice chips when you can. Other liquids that you might be able to try include chicken broth, beef broth, and other clear soups. Additionally, you can always have a cup of weak or decaffeinated tea.

Stay away from any foods that might worsen your condition, including raw vegetables, pork, spicy foods, or fried and greasy foods. It may be a good idea to stay away from cheese and dairy products too, as sometimes milk can make the diarrhea worse.

When Diarrhea Persists:

When you’re struggling consistently with bowel problems, you’ll need to think about more than just common foods to stop diarrhea. While a lot of cases of diarrhea can be treated with home care and over the counter remedies, you’ll need to seek out medical help if your problem lasts for too long. Call your doctor if your diarrhea continues for more than two days without improvement, or you start to experience dehydration.

If you have a serious fever, notice that you begin to develop very bad abdominal pain, or your stools look bloody or black, then you will need to contact an emergency healthcare provider, hospital, or doctor straightaway.

Remember, diarrhea can be more serious for people who have weakened immune systems, as well as children and older or senior adults.