Diarrhea is a very common gastrointestinal problem with practically everyone having experienced it at one time or another. In most cases, it is nothing serious, but in some cases, it can become a serious issue. When people have diarrhea, their bowels frequently discharge watery stools, which is usually accompanied by stomach cramps and pain. The problem with this condition, other than the potential embarrassment, is that it can lead to dehydration, which could be dangerous, especially for children. It may also be symptomatic of a more serious health condition. Thus, it would be good to know how to stop diarrhea fast, before it becomes a real problem.
Understanding Diarrhea:
In the vast majority of cases, diarrhea is acute and a way for the body to get rid of bacteria, viruses or parasites in the gastrointestinal system. There are other possible causes, such as lactose intolerance, artificial sweeteners, some medicine like antibiotics, fructose, surgery, and some digestive problems like ulcerative colitis and irritable bowel syndrome. It usually lasts no more than one or two days. Some people, however, have chronic diarrhea, which means they suffer from it for lengthy periods of time, which becomes more problematic. Chronic diarrhea is generally linked to lifestyle and diet choices, but also because of stress and a weak immune system.
Key Information on How to Stop Diarrhea Fast:
The treatment of diarrhea will depend on the underlying cause. It usually involves ensuring that people stay hydrated and do not develop nutritional deficiencies. In some cases, antibiotics may be prescribed. However, it is also important for people to learn how to thicken their own stools, so that they can stop the diarrhea itself. But do remember that when you know how to stop diarrhea fast, you don’t necessarily fix the cause of the problem.
Key methods to try include:
1. Anti-diarrhea medication, which usually has to be prescribed. If you have acute diarrhea, you may want to avoid this because the bacteria, virus or parasite that your body is trying to expel will remain in your body.
2. Elimination diets, which are usually prescribed to people with chronic diarrhea. It means that you find out whether there are any foods that cause your diarrhea.
3. Eating light and drinking plenty of water. Simple, easy to digest, and bland foods (rice, bananas, apples, whole grains) help because they are easy to digest and because they contain a lot of fiber, which bulks up the stool. Flaxseed oil is also said to be beneficial, and so are sorbets and smoothies made from real fruits. Some people also believe that ginger and raw honey can help.
4. Avoiding certain foods, including processed dairy, potential allergens, oils and fats (except some flaxseed oil), artificial sweeteners, sugar, caffeine, sugary carbonated drinks, alcohol, anything that contains FODMAP carbohydrates. Those include bran, potatoes, soy, corn, wheat, legumes, beans, oats, and pears.
The most important thing is to stay hydrated. If you are suffering from acute diarrhea and find that any food you eat simply passes straight through you, the key is to make sure that you drink plenty of water. You can also add some electrolytes to the water, which not just stops you from dehydrating, but also ensures you don’t become deficient in other essential nutrients. Try, if you can, to drink broth made from vegetables and other important nutrients.
