Diarrhea is an uncomfortable condition that can have many causes. Most cases of diarrhea will go away on their own. However, in some cases, diarrhea can lead to dehydration or be a sign of a more serious problem. Follow this chart to see if the cause of your diarrhea needs immediate medical attention. Fortunately, most diarrheal episodes don’t persist indefinitely. Most cases of diarrhea are self-limited and resolve within 7 to 14 days. Diarrhea can be very harmful to you. But, here are a few suggestions that can help you to minimize its effects.
1. Stick With The Bottle
Many natural waterways can contain intestinal parasites that cause diarrhea. Carry bottled water with you and sip from that instead. If you are camping overnight and can’t take along enough water, visit a camping-goods store to find out about water purifiers and water-purifying tablets.
2. Know Your Body Condition
Certain underlying medical conditions make some individuals more prone to diarrhea throughout their lives. If you have, for instance, food allergies, irritable bowel syndrome, diabetes, or ulcers, you simply have to watch your diet more closely than other people do.
3. Keep It Plain
What you eat during a bout of diarrhea is just as important as what you drink. This is not the time to eat any new and unusual foods that you have wanted to try. It is recommended to have a bland carbohydrate diet with foods such as rice, bread, or mashed potatoes.
4. Avoid Antacids
Avoid antacids such as Maalox or Mylanta to treat diarrhea. People often mistake bloating and gas with diarrhea symptoms. So they take antacids. Unfortunately, these compounds contain magnesium, which can cause bowel movements.
5. Restore The Balance
You have heard that you should drink more water when you have diarrhea, but you might be better off drinking a sports beverage instead. During a diarrhea attack, you rapidly lose important body fluids and minerals called electrolytes. Electrolytes are all things that your body needs to function properly. It is recommended to have sports drinks such as Gatorade. If that is not handy, help yourself to some fruit juice or flavored drinks to help restore the balance.
6. Try Powder
Carob powder is a good natural remedy for diarrhea which is available at health food stores. It is recommended to mix one tablespoon of powder with applesauce and honey to make it palatable. Use this remedy no more than three times a day for no more than three days, until the symptoms subside.
7. Mix It Up
A simple way to remember what you have to eat : Try the BRAT – bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast – diet. You may also amend the formula to include a second T, which stands for tea.
Source: Raymond Lee – bodyfixes.com