What’s The Best Thing To Take For Diarrhea

How Can I Treat My Childs Acute Diarrhea

Over-the-counter medicines to treat acute diarrhea in adults can be dangerous for infants, toddlers, and young children. Talk to a doctor before giving your child an over-the-counter medicine. If your childs diarrhea lasts more than 24 hours, see a doctor right away.

You can give your child his or her usual age-appropriate diet. You can give your infant breast milk or formula as usual.

When To Call Your Doctor

Theres a bit of a gray area in terms of which stomach pain cases need immediate attention and which would warrant a call or visit to your doctor instead, as there can be symptom overlap. Again, listen to your body and your instincts if youre not sure.

If you dont have any of the symptoms listed above and instead have any of the following features of your abdominal pain, it is important that you contact your doctor within a day or two:

• Excessive vaginal bleeding or blood clots
• Vaginal bleeding that lasts for longer than usual

You should also call your doctor if you experience stomach pain while you are being treated for cancer.

How To Cope With Side Effects Of Loperamide

What to do about:

• constipation â stop taking loperamide. If you have constipation, eat more fibre by having fresh fruit, vegetables and cereals, and drink plenty of water.â¯Try to exercise regularly, for example by going for a daily walk or run. If this does not help, talk to your pharmacist or doctor.
• feeling dizzy â if loperamide makes you feel dizzy when you stand up, try getting up very slowly or stay sitting down until you feel better. If you begin to feel dizzy, lie down so that you do not faint, then sit until you feel better. Avoid driving, cycling, or using tools or machines if you feel dizzy.
• feeling sick â try taking loperamide with or after a meal or snack. It may also help if you stick to simple meals and avoid rich or spicy food.
• headaches â make sure you rest and drink plenty of fluids. Do not drink too much alcohol. Ask your pharmacist to recommend a painkiller. Talk to your doctor if the headaches last longer than a week or are severe.
• farting â avoid foods that cause wind like lentils, beans and onions. It might also help to eat smaller and more frequent meals, eat and drink slowly, and exercise regularly. There are products you can buy from a pharmacy to help with wind. Loperamide can be bought mixed with simeticone, a medicine for wind.

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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.

How Can I Treat Or Prevent Dehydration Caused By Diarrhea

To treat or prevent dehydration, you need to replace lost fluids and electrolytescalled rehydration therapyespecially if you have acute diarrhea. Although drinking plenty of water is important in treating and preventing dehydration, you should also drink liquids that contain electrolytes, such as the following:

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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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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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What Foods Stop Diarrhea

The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases doesn’t recommend following a restrictive diet to treat diarrhea. But, that doesn’t mean all foods are the same. There are some foods you should avoid, as well as foods that may help you get rid of diarrhea faster.

Adults may try the BRAT diet to help stop diarrhea naturally.

The diet is made up of four bland, low-fiber foods:

Don’t eat or drink foods or beverages that cause gas, such as:

• Carbonated drinks, like sodas or seltzer
• Cruciferous vegetables, like cabbage, broccoli, and cauliflower

Children with mild diarrhea who aren’t vomiting can continue eating their normal diet. If your child begins vomiting and their diarrhea becomes more severe, it’s best to reach out to their healthcare provider.

If diarrhea lasts more than a couple of days, check the foods that you’re eating. Diarrhea can get worse if you eat foods high in fiber as well as greasy foods or those sweetened with sorbitol.

What Are Home Remedies For Diarrhea In Kids

There is no one specific food, drink or home remedy that will stop your child’s diarrhea. The best treatment for your child’s diarrhea is supportive care. To provide relief from diarrhea symptoms, focus on:

• Keeping your child hydrated
• Offering a variety of nutritious foods
• Identifying triggers or problem foods

“With diarrhea, the body loses salts and electrolytes, so it’s very important to help your child stay hydrated, says Dr. Lazar. “Avoid juice and other sugary beverages.

To keep a child with diarrhea hydrated, offer plenty of fluids, such as:

• Pediatric electrolyte solutions in liquid or freezer pop form
• Sports drinks, such as Gatorade or Powerade

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How To Treat Stomach Pain Cramping And Diarrhea

There are many effective home remedies to help effectively treat the symptoms of stomach aches and pain that are accompanied by diarrhea.

The best kind of natural ingredients to use if you have stomach pain and diarrhea are ones that help reduce stomach spasms and soothe irritation. It is also important to drink plenty of fluids to stay hydrated.

Chamomile. Research has shown that chamomile contains anti-spasmodic properties and can help to relieve stomach pain. The benefits of chamomile also help reduce the frequency of loose stool and improve symptoms of digestive upset.27

Chamomile tea and ginger tea are just 2 herbal teas that can help improve your digestion.

When you feel that your symptoms of an upset stomach and loose stools are getting better, you should switch to a bland diet. This contains foods that are low in fiber and donât place a burden on your digestion.

At the same, you should avoid fatty or spicy foods to prevent burning bowel movements and irritation of the extra-sensitive lining of your digestive system.

For more information, please check out my article on how to naturally get rid of diarrhea based on science.

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

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How To Use Loperamide Liquid

See also Warning section.

If you are using the over-the-counter product to self-treat, read all the directions on the product package before taking this medication. If your doctor has prescribed this medication, follow your doctor’s directions and the directions on your prescription label.

Take this medication by mouth, usually after each loose stool or as directed by your doctor. Shake the bottle well before each use. Measure each dose carefully using the attached measuring cup. Do not use a household spoon since you may not get the correct dose.

The dosage is based on your condition and response to treatment. In children, dosage is also based on age and weight. Adults should not use more than 8 milligrams in 24 hours if self-treating, or 16 milligrams in 24 hours if under a doctor’s direction.

Diarrhea can cause dehydration. Drink plenty of fluids and minerals to replace what is lost. Tell your doctor right away if you develop signs of dehydration . You may also need to change to a bland diet during this time to reduce irritation to your stomach/intestines. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Tell your doctor if your diarrhea does not improve after 2 days, if your condition worsens, or if you develop new symptoms. If you develop blood in the stool, fever, or an uncomfortable fullness/swelling of the stomach/abdomen, or if you think you may have a serious medical problem, seek immediate medical attention.

Treatments For Chronic Diarrhea

Once we determine the cause of your diarrhea, we work with you to develop a personalized treatment plan. If you are not comfortable taking a lot of medications, we may recommend alternative therapies, such as herbal supplements. If your treatment includes medical nutrition therapy, we take time to understand your food preferences before recommending changes to your diet.

Chronic diarrhea treatments may include:

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Practicing Good Food Hygiene

Food poisoning resulting from a bacterial infection is a common cause of watery diarrhea. To reduce the risk of food poisoning, a person should:

• store foods at the correct temperature
• wash their hands thoroughly before preparing or eating food
• keep fresh produce and raw meats separate, and use separate utensils and chopping boards when preparing foods
• cook meat and seafood thoroughly

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Things You Should Avoid Eating Or Drinking

You should avoid certain kinds of foods when you have diarrhea, including fried foods and greasy foods.

Avoid fruits and vegetables that can cause gas, such as broccoli, peppers, beans, peas, berries, prunes, chickpeas, green leafy vegetables, and corn.

Avoid caffeine, alcohol, and carbonated drinks.

Limit or cut out milk and other dairy products if they are making your diarrhea worse or causing gas and bloating.

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Moderate To Severe Diarrhea

With moderate to severe diarrhea, your child may need to drink an oral rehydration solution like Pedialyte® to help prevent dehydration. An ORS replaces the electrolytes and fluids that your child needs.

• You can buy ORS in liquid or powder form or as popsicles at most pharmacies without a prescription. ORS store brands are just as good as a brand name.
• Do not water down or mix an ORS with formula.
• Offer your child other things to drink. ORS should not be the only fluid given for more than 6 hours.
• If your child eats solid foods, give them more starchy foods like rice, cereal, and crackers. Do not give them red-colored foods that might look like blood in diarrhea.
• Try to go back to a normal diet after one day. Do not use sports drinks and home remedies instead of ORS.

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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When To See A Doctor For A Stomach Ache

If your symptoms are persistent and youre having ongoing abdominal pain, its best to see your doctor rather than continuing to take these meds to rule out serious conditions.

Also, if your stomach ache is accompanied by nausea, vomiting, and fever, Gagneja says you should seek medical attention as soon as possible instead of trying to mask the symptoms with OTC medications. These symptoms could be a sign of appendicitis, which must be treated by a doctor.

Keep in mind that OTC medications are just band-aids for relieving symptoms. They are not designed to address any serious underlying condition, such as inflammatory bowel disease , celiac disease, ulcers, or cancer, Gagneja says. This is why its not recommended to take these medications long-term if symptoms are persisting.

If people keep on taking these symptom relief over the counter meds, then those diseases can be missed, says Gagneja.

What Causes Diarrhea

Diarrhea can be caused by many different reasons including a viral infection, a bacterial infection, food poisoning, medication, a food allergy or a food intolerance. Often it is acute and lasts a few days. When it is chronic and persists it is often related to a more serious gastrointestinal disorder.

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Can I Take Anti

Some diarrhea medicines are okay to use during pregnancy or specific trimesters of your pregnancy. Loperamide, for example, is believed to be suitable during all stages of pregnancy, but you should avoid Pepto Bismol during your second or third trimesters. Many prescription anti-diarrhea drugs, however, aren’t okay to use at any point in pregnancy.

See your primary care physician first before taking any anti-diarrhea medication during pregnancy. They’ll run thorough testing to ensure that your condition is unrelated to your pregnancy and recommend suitable medications and prenatal supplements.

How To Get Rid Of Mild Diarrhea Without Medication

Using home remedies for diarrhea can help you naturally stop a mild case fast. This may include eating bland foods, drinking plenty of fluids, taking probiotics, as well as avoiding certain foods and drinks.

Keep in mind that diarrhea caused by a virus or bacteria usually goes away on its own in two to three days.

This article goes over how to get rid of diarrhea naturally without turning to medicine.

Some people reach for Imodium the moment they have loose stool. But, the drugs are meant for frequent or severe diarrhea rather than an occasional episode.

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Should You Eat Fiber After You’ve Had Diarrhea

You may have heard you should avoid fiber when you have diarrhea. This is not necessarily true.

There are two different types of fiber:

• Soluble fiber can be dissolved in water. It ferments readily in the colon. This type of fiber can be prebiotic. This means it acts as food for healthy bacteria in the stomach. It also delays the speed at which stools pass through and exit the body.
• Insoluble fiber does not dissolve in the body. Instead, it absorbs water as it passes through the digestive tract. This softens and loosens stools.

When recovering from diarrhea, focus on foods with soluble fiber, like oatmeal. This will help the good bacteria in your intestines recover while building more solid stools.

How To Prevent Diarrhea

For most people, diarrhea occurs when they eat something that their stomach may not agree with. You will likely learn which foods “trigger” diarrhea so you can avoid eating them in the future. Fried, fatty, and spicy foods can cause diarrhea in some people. If you notice that you have this problem after eating these types of foods, it’s best to try and reduce them from your diet. If you do end up having diarrhea for more than two days and you feel lightheaded or notice other symptoms, talk to your doctor as soon as possible so they can determine the cause and recommend any further treatment if it’s needed.

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What To Take For Diarrhea

In most cases, you will simply need to wait for diarrhea to pass. However, there are some over the counter diarrhea remedies you can try that may ease your symptoms. One product contains an ingredient called loperamide. This ingredient can slow down the movement of food through your intestines so your body can absorb liquid more effectively. Another product such as Pepto-Bismol contains something called bismuth subsalicylate. This ingredient helps to balance the fluid in and through your digestive tract so that the diarrhea can be less intense. Always talk to your doctor or CVS pharmacist before starting any medications.

Figuring Out The Cause

When youre suffering from stomach pain, diarrhea, or both, one of the most important things is to try to determine the root cause. Quite often, this type of abdominal pain is due to stomach flu or another virus, spoiled food, or food that one has developed a sensitivity to. Unless diarrhea and pain are accompanied by other severe symptoms, such as a high fever, the best course of action is to wait it out.

If you feel that it is a reaction to food, most times symptoms will subside in a day or two. However, there are some instances of food poisoning that definitely warrant a doctor visit but again, you will see other severe symptoms along with general GI upset.

If you think you may be having a reaction to food, such as those with celiac disease who have a sensitivity to gluten, its worthwhile to try an elimination diet to confine the source of the upset. It is possible to suddenly develop a food sensitivity later in life its also estimated that up to 20 percent of Americans have food sensitivity. Please note that celiac is a serious condition and ongoing exposure to gluten can cause increasing damage. Celiac should not be self-diagnosed.

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