Best Otc Remedies For Diarrheaand You Can Buy Them Online
It’s like the childhood book taught useverybody poops, right? But there’s a big difference between needing to go number two and having uncontrollable diarrhea, especially at inopportune times like before a big work meeting, at a wedding, or while you’re on vacation.
Diarrhea is defined as passing loose, watery stools, three or more times a day. “There can be many different causes, but it’s most commonly due to food intolerances, certain medications, celiac disease, bacterial or viral infections, or IBS-D,” says Taz Bhatia, MD, an integrative health expert and founder of CentreSpring MD.
IBS-D, which stands for irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhea, affects 25 to 45 million people in the U.S., and 2 out of 3 are female. “Patients with IBS-D often experience abdominal pain along with increased frequency of bowel movements, and these symptomsalong with others, like bloatingmay force them to miss important social events, school, or professional obligations,” says Jonathan Rosenberg, MD, a gastroenterologist at Illinois Gastroenterology Group.
Whatever’s causing your repeated trips to the loo, make sure you drink up: With diarrhea comes the serious risk of dehydration. But you may also need some medication to help settle your stomach.
Will I Become Reliant On Imodium
In over 40 years of IMODIUM use, theres no evidence at all to suggest that people who use IMODIUM regularly become reliant on it or resistant to its effects over time. In fact, you can use IMODIUM to treat all types of infectious and non-infectious diarrhea, no matter how frequently you get them.
Remember, you should see your doctor if:
- Your symptoms last longer than 48 hours
- You develop a fever over 38°C
- You have blood or mucus in your stools
Chicken Broth Or Chicken Soup
One of the best drinks for rehydration after diarrhea and even during the condition is a chicken or beef broth. An incredibly healthy drink, broth can be easily be digested and is considered as one of the best drinks for diarrhea.
Why Does it Work?
Chicken broth is packed with amino acids and proteins that help in supporting the health of the gut. Moreover, it also helps in easing the inflammation in the stomach and offers other essential minerals such as calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus.
However, it is highly recommended to remove the fat from chicken or beef while preparing the broth.
How to use
It is easy to prepare chicken broth at home. Some of the ingredients that you require are chicken , carrots, onion, garlic, celery, parsley, and salt.
You can use the same procedure for chicken soup. Use boiled shredded chicken instead of raw chicken.
How Much to Use?
You can drink chicken broth two to three times a day.
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What Symptoms Relate To Diarrhoea
As well as the loose and watery stools of diarrhoea, you may sometimes have other symptoms, including:
- bloating and flatulence
- abdominal cramps, with a colicky pattern
You may feel an urgent need to go to the toilet.
What To Eat When You Have Diarrhea
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Whether your diarrhea is caused by allergies, food poisoning, a chronic condition like irritable bowel syndrome, or something else, diet and diarrhea are intricately linked.
Even if you have long-term conditions that affect the digestive system, the diet you eat can greatly affect your comfort levels.
When youre experiencing an episode of diarrhea, there are certain foods that you can eat to help your digestive system get back on track. There are also certain foods that you should avoid.
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Sugary Foods And Artificial Sweeteners
Sugars that pass into the colon may disrupt the already sensitive bacteria there, making diarrhea worse. These sugars will be present in fruit juices and high sugar fruits, as well as candy and sweet baked goods.
People with diarrhea should also avoid artificial sweeteners, some of which can have a laxative effect.
What To Eat After Diarrhea5 Food Options
Once you have recovered from diarrhea, there are some food options you can try to speed up the healing process. Here are 5 common options you should follow after diarrhea.
1. Broth-Based Soups or Juices
You will lose bodily fluids due to diarrhea, so it is important to replenish fluids through clear fluids, such as water, broth, and juices. If you want to eat solid foods, you can add bland vegetables to your soup. Adding chicken breast to soups will also provide you with helpful protein and nutrients.
Clear juice varieties such as white grape juice, apple juice, and light cranberry juice are quite beneficial after diarrhea. You can also take some soft drinks like ginger ale, plain water, and sports drink that contain sodium and potassium to avoid dehydration. Yet, avoid alcohol and caffeine because they can dehydrate your body.
2. Enjoy Bland Fruits and Veggies
You get minerals, vitamins, and antioxidants from vegetables and fruits, and these nutrients really help prevent further infection. However, you should only eat bland fruits and veggies, such as cooked carrots, bananas, and mashed potatoes soon after initial recovery. Increase your portion size after a couple of days and eat cooked peas, steamed cauliflower, berry smoothies, or unsweetened applesauce.
3. Try Low-Fiber Food
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How Is Diarrhoea Diagnosed
Diarrhoea can be diagnosed based on your symptoms and a medical history, taken by your doctor. If the diarrhoea goes away after a few days you may not find the cause.
Sometimes, tests will be needed to diagnose an underlying condition. These include:
If you have ongoing diarrhoea, your doctor may refer you to a gastroenterologist or other specialist to work out the underlying cause.
Is The Brat Diet Safe
Following the BRAT diet for a limited time is unlikely to cause significant harm, but people should avoid using the diet in the long term.
Prolonged use of the BRAT diet may lead to malnutrition and low energy because it contains too few calories and not enough of the following vital nutrients:
- herbal teas, especially ginger and peppermint
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How Do Otc Antidiarrheal Medicines Work
Loperamide slows down how fast things move through your intestines . This allows more fluid to be absorbed into your body. This helps you have less diarrhea and more formed stools.
Bismuth subsalicylate balances the way fluid moves through your intestines. It reduces inflammation. It keeps bacteria and viruses that cause diarrhea from growing in the stomach and intestines.
Questions To Ask Your Doctor
- What is causing my diarrhea?
- How long will it last if I dont treat it?
- Will taking an OTC antidiarrheal medicine shorten the length of time the diarrhea lasts?
- What can I be doing to treat my diarrhea in addition to taking OTC medicines?
- Will antidiarrheal medicines make me constipated?
- What side effects should I watch out for if I take antidiarrheal medicine?
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How Do I Safely Take Otc Antidiarrheal Medicines
Before you take an OTC antidiarrheal medicine, read the directions on the drug facts label. This will tell you how much medicine to take and how often to take it. If you have any questions, call your family doctor or pharmacist. Keep a record of which OTC medicines you are using and when you take them. If you need to go to the doctor, take this list with you.
Follow these tips to make sure you are taking the right amount of medicine:
- Take only the amount recommended on the medicines label. Dont assume that more medicine will work better or quicker. Taking more than the recommended amount can be dangerous.
- If you take prescription medicine, ask your doctor if its okay to take OTC antidiarrheal medicine.
- Dont use more than one OTC antidiarrheal medicine at a time unless your doctor says its okay. They may have similar active ingredients. These could add up to be too much medicine.
A Pharmacist Can Help With Diarrhoea And Vomiting
Speak to a pharmacist if:
- you or your child have signs of dehydration such as dark, smelly pee or peeing less than usual
- you need to stop diarrhoea for a few hours
They may recommend:
- oral rehydration sachets you mix with water to make a drink
- medicine to stop diarrhoea for a few hours not suitable for children under 12
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Using Probiotics To Get Rid Of Diarrhea
Taking probiotics in food or or as supplements might help naturally shorten a mild bout of diarrhea. Probiotics are live bacteria and yeast that are beneficial to your digestive system.
Diarrhea can cause you to lose a lot of the healthy bacteria in your stomach and intestines.
Probiotics can quickly replace these protective microorganisms and help restore normal bowel function. Some helpful probiotics include:
- Lactobacillus bacteria
- Saccharomyces boulardii yeast
In particular, S. boulardii has powerful antidiarrheal effects.
It may be best to avoid some dairy products during diarrhea, but not all. Certain dairy foods, like yogurt or kefir with live probiotic bacteria, are extremely beneficial.
Other natural probiotic sources are fermented foods like:
- Sourdough bread
Kimchi is another popular fermented food. Some people even call it a “super-probiotic.” But kimchi has hot spices that might make your diarrhea worse.
Side effects of probiotics, whether in food or supplement form, tend to be mild and may include an upset stomach, bloating, and gas.
How Do Doctors Treat Persistent And Chronic Diarrhea
How doctors treat persistent and chronic diarrhea depends on the cause. Doctors may prescribe antibiotics and medicines that target parasites to treat bacterial or parasitic infections. Doctors may also prescribe medicines to treat some of the conditions that cause chronic diarrhea, such as Crohns disease, irritable bowel syndrome, or ulcerative colitis. How doctors treat chronic diarrhea in children also depends on the cause.
Doctors may recommend probiotics. Probiotics are live microorganisms, most often bacteria, that are similar to microorganisms you normally have in your digestive tract. Researchers are still studying the use of probiotics to treat diarrhea.
For safety reasons, talk with your doctor before using probiotics or any other complementary or alternative medicines or practices. If your doctor recommends probiotics, talk with him or her about how much probiotics you should take and for how long.
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Its Best To Treat It Early
Our survey of sufferers of frequent acute diarrhea in 14 countries around the world, found that 84% of us feel weak and tired when suffering from acute diarrhea.
This is no surprise when you consider the resulting loss of important fluids and salts from our body.21
So why leave it untreated when you can relieve diarrhea along with its uncomfortable symptoms and dehydrating effects?
IMODIUM contains an active ingredient called Loperamide, which works in harmony with your body to help restore the digestive system to its natural pace and rhythm, which in turn works to renew the absorption of fluids in your system.
Being Prepared At Home
When you are at home, try to:
- protect your mattress put a large pad or towel on your bed if you are worried about having an accident during the night
- leave a night light on near your bed, in the hallway and bathroom to light up where you are going so you can get to the toilet quickly
There are disposable waterproof bed pads made for toddlers during toilet training. These can be very handy and help you to feel more secure. You can buy these in supermarkets. Or your nurse may be able to give you some from the hospital, as they use a similar product. You could also contact your local continence advisor by finding them on the Bladder and Bowel Foundation database.
You may feel safer with a commode by the bed if you arent able to move quickly. Your nurse can help you arrange to borrow a commode for as long as you need it.
Even if it is embarrassing, it is important to let your doctor know if you are having accidents. They may be able to change your anti diarrhoea medicines.
People with diarrhea should eat small meals throughout the day instead of three big meals. Diarrhea, or loose watery stools, may be caused by stomach flu, food poisoning, radiation, chemotherapy, other medications and infections. The following diet tips may help control diarrhea.
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Information About Diarrhea Medicine For Kids
- Generally, antibiotics are not used to treat infectious diarrhea in children.
- Always check with your doctor before giving your child over-the-counter diarrhea medications such as Imodium and Pepto-Bismol.
- For some types of infectious diarrhea, probiotics may be helpful. You can purchase probiotics over the counter in liquid and pill form. Make sure to buy the version that is “for children. Check with your doctor before using probiotics if your child is under age 3.
- Do not give any type of medication to children under age 3 without first consulting your physician.
What To Eat When You Have Diarrhea:
The last thing many people want to do when they have diarrhea is eat, but if you let a couple of hours go by, you will get hungry and you will want to eat. And, your body needs fuel to recover too.
The go-to advice for diarrhea is the BRAT diet:
These foods are gentle on the stomach due to being bland. In other words, they shouldnt upset the digestive system and they will also help bind and firm up stool. You can also add in plain crackers and cooked cereal such as cream of wheat.
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Resuming Your Usual Diet
There are many foods that can help you recover from diarrhea. But when the bout is over, you may be wondering how long you’ll need to wait after diarrhea to eat normally and return to your standard fare.
A nutritious diet is important during and after diarrhea.
Continue to drink plenty of fluids, and transition your diet back a normal, healthful diet as soon as possible.
Focus on meals that emphasize fruits and vegetables, and a plan that includes whole grains, beans, calcium-rich foods such as yogurt or milk, and lean sources of protein such as fish or chicken â or plant protein, such as soy, nuts and seeds. After the diarrhea resolves, most people will be able to resume their normal diet.
Diarrhea can lead to severe, life-threatening dehydration, so contact your doctor right way if your diarrhea is severe or if it lasts more than a few days.
Also see your doctor if you are dehydrated and not able to drink enough liquids, advises the U.S. National Library of Medicine.
Infants and young children are at high risk of complications from diarrhea, so contact a pediatrician if this symptom doesn’t resolve within 1 day, or sooner if fluid intake is poor or urination is decreased, or if you need guidance on managing this symptom in your child.
What Are Side Effects Of Anti
Common side effects of taking an antidiarrheal medicine can include an upset stomach, cramps, or constipation, however there are some side effects you will want to notify your doctor of should you experience them. These side effects can include:
-
Signs of an allergic reaction
-
An irregular heartbeat or chest pain
-
Belly swelling or vomiting
Because your body is depleted of electrolytes after bouts of diarrhea, it can be helpful to supplement your diet with probiotics from CVS to give your digestive system a boost upon feeling better.
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Foods To Eat When You Have Diarrhea
When you have diarrhea, the foods that you eat and the foods that you avoid can be critical to helping you recover quicker. This is where BRAT foods come in.
BRAT stands for bananas, rice, apples, toast. These foods are bland, so they wont aggravate the digestive system. Theyre also binding, so they help firm up stool.
Other foods that are included in the BRAT diet include:
- cooked cereal, like Cream of Wheat or farina
Minerals Are Important Too
Make sure to get enough zinc…
Having a deficiency in zinc can lead to diarrhea, loss of hair, a weakened immune system, and a number of other downsides. Good sources of this mineral are
17. Beef – Red meats in general are good sources of zinc, beef being one of them. In a 100g patty of ground beef you are already getting about 4.8mg of zinc. This is close to half of the RDA for men and more so for women. There also is zero fiber here as well as those that follow..
18. Lamb – Another red meat, lamb is also a good choice. So if you like gyros you are in luck.
19. Pork – While not as great as ground beef, pork is still supplies a fair amount at 2.39mg per 100g.
Potassium…
Getting enough potassium is something else that you should consider. When you have diarrhea and are losing a lot of fluids, high amounts of potassium are lost. This makes it important to replenish so that you do not become deficient. Some good foods to eat for this purpose include
20. Bananas – Thought to have originated somewhere in southeast Asia, they are super easy to chew, very smooth, and well known for their potassium. A medium sized one will fetch you about 422mg or about 12% of what you should be getting daily. They also give you a good amount of vitamin C but you may not want to eat too much due to the high fructose levels, which may upset your stomach.
Others – Sweet potatoes, avocados and spinach are also good sources but they already made the list so we will not be repeating them here.
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