Diarrhea is a common digestive problem that can cause loose, watery stools, abdominal pain, cramping, and bloating. While it’s usually not a serious condition, it can be highly uncomfortable and disruptive to your daily life. If you’re experiencing diarrhea, here are some tips for managing your symptoms and getting relief.
1. Stay Hydrated
Diarrhea can cause you to lose a lot of fluids, so it’s important to drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration. Aim for at least 8 glasses of water per day, and consider drinking oral rehydration solutions (such as Pedialyte) to help replenish lost electrolytes.
2. Avoid Certain Foods
Certain foods can make diarrhea worse, so it’s best to avoid them until your symptoms subside. These include high-fat foods, spicy foods, dairy products, and caffeine. Stick to a bland diet of crackers, rice, bananas, and boiled potatoes until you feel better.
3. Get Plenty of Rest
Your body needs sufficient rest to recover from an illness or infection, so make sure to get plenty of sleep. It’ll be quite difficult to sleep when you need to poop every hour or so but try your best regardless.
Additionally, avoid activities that are physically demanding, and try to relax as much as possible. With diarrhea, you’re likely to suffer from dehydration, so doing physical activities like exercising will only make dehydration more likely, and dehydration will 100% make things worse for you.
4. Use Over-the-Counter Remedies
Several over-the-counter remedies can help relieve diarrhea, such as bismuth subsalicylate (Pepto-Bismol) and loperamide (Imodium). These medications can help slow down your digestive system and make stools less watery.
5. Take Probiotics
Probiotics are highly advantageous bacteria that can help restore balance within the gut and improve your digestive health. Consider taking probiotic supplements or eating foods that are rich in probiotics, such as yogurt or kefir, to help reduce symptoms of diarrhea.
6. Avoid Antibiotics
Antibiotics can mess around with the delicate balance of bacteria in your gut, which can lead to diarrhea. If you’re taking antibiotics and are experiencing diarrhea, talk to your doctor about possibly taking a different medication or taking probiotics to help prevent this side effect.
7. Avoid Alcohol and Caffeine
Alcohol can irritate your digestive system and make diarrhea worse, so it’s best to avoid it until your symptoms subside. The same goes for caffeine found in coffee, soft drinks, and tea.
The best drinks to have with diarrhea are sports drinks filled with electrolytes (crucial since your body is expelling them) or just plain water.
8. Consult a Doctor
If your diarrhea lasts for more than a few days, if you have a fever, or if you’re experiencing severe abdominal pain, it’s important to see a doctor or specialist. In some cases, diarrhea may also be a symptom of a more serious, debilitating underlying condition, such as food poisoning or a digestive disorder.
Conclusion
In conclusion, diarrhea can be a discomforting condition, but with proper care, it can frequently be managed and resolved in a few days. Remember to stay hydrated, avoid certain foods, get plenty of rest, and consider over-the-counter remedies or probiotics if needed. If your symptoms persist, don’t hesitate to consult a doctor for further evaluation and treatment.
