Content

• To step
• Tips
• Warnings

Diarrhea is not a disease: it is a symptom of another health problem, such as an infection or a virus. It can also be a reaction to a food allergy, or to medication, parasites, or bacteria in food or water. In most cases, diarrhea will resolve on its own within a few days. Since it's your body's way of flushing toxins out of your system, it's usually best to let it run its course.

To step

1. Control diarrhea through your diet.
   • Stick to clear, decaffeinated liquids, crackers and yogurt with probiotics during the first 24 hours of the diarrhea, when it is at its most active stage.
   • Add dry toast, boiled potatoes, rice, pasta, eggs, cooked cereals and bananas to your diet if the frequency and amount of diarrhea is decreasing. Continue to drink plenty of clear liquids.
   • Start eating fish, chicken, and applesauce again, in addition to the above foods, as soon as your stool returns to its normal shape and consistency.
   • Resume your normal diet 24 hours after the diarrhea has stopped.
2. Use an over-the-counter diarrhea remedy as needed. Choose one that contains loperamide. Follow the directions for use in the package insert for dosage.
3. Stay hydrated and get enough salts and sugars by drinking plenty of water, fresh vegetable juice, and clear broth. Diarrhea can upset your electrolyte balance.
4. Get extra sleep to help your body get healthy. Since diarrhea is a symptom, it is a good indication that your body is fighting a problem. This requires your body to use all necessary resources.

Tips

• Some nutritional supplements can reduce or prevent the symptoms of diarrhea. These supplements include probiotics, glutamine and zinc. Talk to your doctor before taking supplements.
• Herbal remedies can also be helpful to treat diarrhea. But if the diarrhea is caused by certain types of infections, herbal remedies can also make it worse. You should not start on herbal remedies without talking to your doctor. Herbal remedies that can help with diarrhea include blackcurrant or raspberry leaf, carob powder, bilberry extract and canola.

Warnings

• See your doctor if you have blood in your diarrhea, if your body becomes dehydrated, or if the diarrhea lasts more than 3 to 5 days.
• Call the doctor if a baby or young child has diarrhea or shows signs of dehydration for more than 24 hours.
• The following foods and drinks make diarrhea worse and should be avoided: chocolate, cream, citrus fruit and juice, coffee, red meat, raw fruits and vegetables, spicy foods, and alcohol.