How to stop diarrhea, in 9 tricks and strategies

Diarrhea is a gastrointestinal disorder usually caused by a viral or bacterial infection.. It affects everyone from time to time, and after three or four days your symptoms should disappear.

However, diarrhea can be a serious problem in some cases. Chronic diarrhea (diarrhea that lasts more than two weeks) can be caused by a more serious problem, and in these cases a doctor should be consulted. In this article we will see basic tips to know how to stop diarrhea using different tricks and strategies.

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How to stop diarrhea using 9 tricks and strategies

Here are different tips, tricks and strategies to know how to stop diarrhea. Of course, it must be borne in mind that if you suffer significant levels of dehydration it is necessary to call your family doctor immediately.

The doctor should also be contacted promptly if you notice blood or mucus in the stool, if it has vomited more than a day, if you vomit more than a day, or if the diarrhea does not go away after three or four days. In case of being abroad, you must also be alert.

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1. Drink a lot of liquids

In case of diarrhea you should drink plenty of fluids to avoid being dehydrated. Water, fruit juices and isotonic drinks allow you to substitute minerals and. the lost salts.

Drinking small and frequent amounts of fluids is very important, especially in the case of babies and the elderly who may become dehydrated more quickly.

2. Not eating foods that preceded bouts of diarrhea

Diarrhea can be due to bacteria or viruses present in the food we eat. When there is presence of blood we are in front of a dysentery, and it is usually caused by the bacteria salmonella, shigella and campylobacter.

When diarrhea is due to an infection it is called gastroenteritis or food poisoning. Avoiding foods that may have triggered this gastrointestinal state is very important. Eating the leftovers of that food could be a very bad decision, and it would not allow us to stop the diarrhea.

Diarrhea can also come as a result of an allergy or food intolerance. Sometimes it happens that whenever the person eats a certain food and has diarrhea. In these cases it is necessary to check if there is any food allergy.

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3. Do not take dairy products

Dairy products worsen the clinical picture. Certain dairy products should be avoided, especially those with lactose and those with a high fat content. Therefore, whole milk or cheese should be removed from the diet (fresh cheese or skimmed lactose-free milk could be taken after a few days, but not in the acute phase)

If a baby has diarrhea, she can help him give him a small amount of lactose-free milk. If she is breastfeeding, the mother should try to avoid consuming dairy products, as lactose residues can pass into breast milk. complications

4. Avoid irritating, fatty and fibrous foods.

There are a number of foods that should be avoided at all costs, especially those that irritate the mucous membranes of the gastrointestinal tract and promote diarrhea.

These types of foods include coffee, alcoholic beverages and all kinds of fatty foods (only a little oil is recommended in soft foods).

On the other hand, if the diarrhea is acute, a diet low in fiber should be respected, especially those that are not soluble. Soluble fibers that can increase fecal consistency are allowed.

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5. Eat foods rich in easily absorbed carbohydrates

Eating foods rich in carbohydrates such as potatoes, rice and bread, is highly recommended, as they help to reverse the gastrointestinal situation that leads to diarrhea.

The way of taking these foods should always be favorable to a very easy digestion. A plate of boiled potatoes or boiled rice will be ideal to attack the acute phase, and sauces should be avoided. Only a little oil is allowed as a source of fat.

6. Introduce protein in the soft diet

The soft diet consists of eating easily absorbed foods. It is necessary to take carbohydrates that do not require much digestion as we have seen to be able to cut diarrhea as the first trick or strategy.

The next step to enrich our diet once we have passed the acute phase is to introduce easily digestible sources of protein. The white diet includes the possibility of eating lean fish (white fish) or white meat. They should be cooked boiled, steamed or grilled.

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7. Attention with medications and supplements

Antidiarrheal medications are not normally necessary, but they can help if extra outside help is desired. However, they should not be given to children or taken if there is blood in the stool. You can take paracetamol (in liquid form for children) and ibuprofen in case of fever.

Obviously you should stop using any medicine with a laxative effect or enemas. In addition, the intake of medications or supplements that are not essential for the functioning of the body should be stopped. All medication without medical consultation, especially when it is not necessary, should be stopped taking.

Prebiotic and probiotic medications should also be stopped, as well as foods that are, should not be taken while having diarrhea. On the other hand, diarrhea can come as a result of the use of antibiotics.

8. Prevent states of anxiety and stress.

When our nerves are on the surface, our body can react negatively. There are those who somatize this whole picture, initially psychological and then physical, until they suffer consequences in the normal functioning of one of our organs.

There are those who have headaches or pain in the eyes for example, but one of the ways in which stress, anxiety or panic can somatize is in digestive problems. Diarrhea is one of the most common forms.

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9. Hygiene

If a person has diarrhea, great care must be taken with hygiene. Towels, cutlery, etc. should not be shared, and good personal hygiene is important to avoid carrying bacteria from one place to another, both for other people and for yourself.

A good level of hygiene and cleanliness prevents infections that cause diarrhea. spread. We should always wash our hands after using the bathroom and before handling food.

Bibliographic references

• Navaneethan, U. and Giannella, R.A. (2008). Mechanisms of infectious diarrhea. Nature Clinical Practice Gastroenterology & Hepatology. 5 (11), 637–47.

• Pawlowski, S.W., Warren, C.A. and Guerrant, R. (2009). Diagnosis and treatment of acute or persistent diarrhea. Gastroenterology, 136 (6), 1874–1886.

• Riverón Corteguera, R. L. (1992). Pathophysiology of acute diarrhea. Rev Cubana Pediatr, 71 (2), 86-115. ration.