The Best Ways to Treat Diarrhea

Diarrhea, whether for adults or children, usually occurs due to a viral infection in the stomach, eating contaminated food, or intolerance to a certain type of food, and although it is annoying and bad, it often subsides on its own within just a few days, and during this period All that is important is to replace the body with fluids lost, and prevent dehydration. (1)

Treatments for diarrhea

The first thing you should do when diarrhea begins is to rest your body, drink fluids (especially water) sufficiently, and stop eating some foods that make diarrhea worse. If you find that your symptoms are severe, such as there is bloody diarrhea, Do not delay in seeing a doctor as soon as possible. (2)

Drinking fluids: the most important treatment

The most important thing in treating diarrhea is to drink sufficient amounts of fluids, especially water, so drink 8-10 cups of fluids gradually daily, and if you feel nauseous, you can mix water with fruit juice, for example, and drink it in batches. (3)

You can choose any type of liquid or soup besides water, but avoid these types; Because it increases diarrhea: (3)

• Coffee, Nescafe, or any type of beverage that contains caffeine
• Soft drinks
• Energy Drinks
• Milk, shenina, or dairy products if they increase diarrhea or cause uncomfortable gases
• Alcohol

For infants, breast milk or formula milk is very important to replace fluids, and there are special oral rehydration solutions (ORS) for children in the pharmacy. (4)

Eat foods that are light on the stomach: low-fiber foods

When your condition improves a little, start eating solid foods gradually, and choose light, easy to digest, and low in fiber foods, Until the stool becomes firm and the diarrhea reduces, examples of these foods include the following: (4)

• Bananas (very useful, because they also contain potassium.
• eggs.
• Rice.
• Toast or white bread.
• Biscuits.
• Grilled or boiled chicken breasts (skinless).
• Baked potatoes.
• Breakfast cereals (no sugar or additives).

But it is important that you return to your normal diet as soon as your condition stabilizes, and eat vegetables, fruits, and proteins in order to provide your body with the nutrients it needs.

Foods to avoid: Fatty and gas-causing foods

During the period of diarrhea, avoid foods that increase diarrhea or pain, examples of which include: (3)

• Fried foods of all kinds.
• Fatty or greasy foods.
• High-fiber foods, such as whole grains, brown rice, oats, bran, etc.
• Types of vegetables and fruits that cause gas, such as: broccoli, beans, cabbage, cauliflower, peas, chickpeas, corn, leafy vegetables, peppers, berries, and plums.

Diarrhea medications: Do you need them?

Most cases do not require diarrhea medications, but they can sometimes help relieve diarrhea and reduce frequency, examples of which include: (4)

• Loperamide: such as Imodium, Vacontil, and Imotril.
• Bismuth subsalicylate: such as Pepto-Bismol.

Diarrhea medications should not be given to children, pregnant women, geriatrics, or anyone with a health problem without first obtaining approval from a doctor.

Flagyl: Does it stop diarrhea?

A very common wrong practice is to use Flagyl when suffering from diarrhea unless your doctor prescribes it for you. Flagyl is not an intestinal disinfectant, as people call it, but rather an antibiotic, and most cases of diarrhea are caused by viruses or food poisoning, and there is no need to use antibiotics for them. It is only used in cases of bacterial or parasitic infections such as amoeba, and with a doctor’s prescription if it is found that your symptoms do not improve within days, or you have severe symptoms (severe diarrhea with bloody/mucusy diarrhea), and your investigations indicate that you have bacteria or parasites. (5)

When should you see a doctor?

You should consult a doctor in these cases: (3)

• Diarrhea does not improve after 5 days (or 2 days for children), or it gets worse day by day.
• Recurrent diarrhea for a long time or when eating a certain type of food.
• Strange color or smell of diarrhea.
• Blood or mucus with diarrhea.
• Nausea or vomiting.
• High body temperature for several days without improvement.
• Severe stomach pain or cramps.

References

1.NHS - UK: Diarrhoea and Vomiting

2.Harvard Medical School: Diarrhea

3.MedlinePlus: When you have diarrhea

4.Mayo Clinic: Diarrhea

5.Drugs.com: Can Flagyl be used to treat diarrhea?