How to Stop Diarrhea: What You Can Do to Treat and Prevent Outbreaks

Everyone experiences diarrhea symptoms at some time. They can be due to something you ate or drank, or can result as a common side effect from such conditions as the flu or irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

Diarrhea makes your bowel movements (stools) loose and watery. Although it is uncomfortable and embarrassing, diarrhea is often not that serious and typically lasts about two to three days.

What Are the Causes of Diarrhea?

A virus that infects the gut often results in diarrhea. Other causes include:

• Food allergies
• Diseases of the intestines; for example, Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis
• Food poisoning
• Problem absorbing certain nutrients.

Diarrhea also can be the result of radiation therapy from cancer, an overactive thyroid, diabetes, or even certain medications.

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Diarrhea symptoms tend to vary in terms of severity and frequency. However, most episodes have these characteristics:

• An urgent feeling that you need to have a bowel movement
• Thin, loose, and/or watery stools
• Cramps
• Nausea and vomiting
• Bloating

Serious Warning Signs

While your diarrhea may be linked to another ailment, you should seek immediate care if you have any of these more serious symptoms:

• Blood in your diarrhea
• Black stools
• Dark urine
• A fever higher than 101 degrees Fahrenheit, or one that lasts more than 24 hours
• Diarrhea that lasts longer than two days
• Nausea or vomiting that keeps you from drinking sufficient liquids
• Stomach or rectum pain
• Weight loss
• Fast heart rate
• Irritable or confused feeling

How to Stop Diarrhea: Remedies

Treatments are often unnecessary if you have a mild case of diarrhea. However, over-the-counter medicine, such as bismuth subsalicylate (Pepto-Bismol, Kaopectate) or loperamide (Imodium) can help to ease the symptoms.

If you experience regular itching or soreness in the rectal area, taking a warm bath and/or applying a hemorrhoid cream can offer some relief.

If you have watery stools more than three times a day, and you do not drink enough fluids, you could become dehydrated. Try to drink at least six glasses of water or other beverages like tea and juice each day.

The post How to Stop Diarrhea: What You Can Do to Treat and Prevent Outbreaks appeared first on University Health News.

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