How to stop diarrhea fast? If there is one thing that people consider to be a big problem when they are outside the house, it is experiencing diarrhea. When people have diarrhea, they cannot concentrate on doing the tasks that they have to do.
All they can think about is going to the bathroom, and there are times when the toilet is not readily available. Aside from the fact that it can be embarrassing, you may feel dehydrated and weak after countless times in the bathroom.
In addition, diarrhea may be accompanied by symptoms like watery stools, frequent loose, fever, nausea, dehydration, bloating, and abdominal pain. So how to stop diarrhea fast? This article will provide you with 15 natural home remedies to eliminate diarrhea.
Common Causes of Diarrhea
There are several reasons for this. Some of the reasons are as follows:
1. Infection
Diarrhea is often caused by a viral, bacterial, or parasitic infection. The most common causes of viral diarrhea are rotavirus, norovirus, and adenovirus. Bacterial causes of diarrhea include Campylobacter, Salmonella, Shigella, and Escherichia coli.
Parasitic causes include Giardia lamblia, Entamoeba histolytica, and Cryptosporidium. Infections can be spread through contaminated food and water, close contact with an infected person, or contact with an animal that has the infection.
2. Food Intolerance
Diarrhea can also be caused by food intolerances, such as lactose intolerance or celiac disease. Lactose intolerance is when the body cannot digest lactose, a sugar in dairy products.
Celiac disease is an autoimmune disorder in which the body can’t tolerate gluten, a protein found in wheat, rye, and barley. Both conditions can cause diarrhea, abdominal pain, bloating, and gas.
3. Medication Side Effects
Certain medications can cause diarrhea. Antibiotics are the most common culprit, as they can kill off beneficial bacteria in the gut and disrupt the balance of the intestinal flora. Diarrhea can also be a side effect of antibiotics, anti-inflammatory drugs, cancer treatments, and antacids containing magnesium.
4. Stress
Stress can have a major impact on the digestive system and can lead to diarrhea. Stress can cause the muscles in the intestines to contract more frequently and with more intensity, leading to diarrhea. It can also affect the balance of bacteria in the intestines, leading to digestive issues.
5. Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
IBS is a chronic condition that affects the large intestine and can cause diarrhea, abdominal pain, bloating, and gas. It is thought to be caused by a mix of physical and psychological factors, such as changes in the balance of bacteria in the gut, food intolerances, and stress. IBS can be managed with diet and lifestyle changes, as well as medications.
1. Liquid Food Products
Some people may find this a bit weird because the stools coming out of their bodies are already in liquid form, so how can the stools become harder with the intake of liquid food products? Remember that the body can absorb liquid food better, so the nutrients will not go to waste.
What You Need
- Food Processor
- Blender
- Different Food Products
- Soups
Directions
Remember that for some too-solid items, the food processor can be used to break down those items. If the food processor is insufficient, the blender can also be used.
Making soups can be a good idea for people who do not want to fuss too much, provided the soup will have enough nutrients to keep them hydrated throughout the day.
2. Yogurt
Many people know that yogurt is usually sour, but some still get surprised to learn that yogurt has good bacteria that can help get rid of diarrhea quickly and efficiently.
What You Need:
- Yogurt
- Banana (Other fruit)
Directions
Remember that in purchasing the yogurt from a store, it might be best to look for yogurt that is not pre-flavored since this will work better against diarrhea. It can be mixed with fruits like a banana to taste better.
Note: Eating yogurt twice a day will help improve diarrhea efficiently. Adding a banana to your yogurt is also a good idea.
3. How to Stop Diarrhea with the BRAT Diet
Some people have heard about the BRAT diet but have never tried it. If you have already tried this out before diarrhea, what can you say about it? Do you think it works?
For those who do not know what BRAT is, it stands for Banana, Rice, Applesauce, and Toast. If you have not realized it yet, these are just the four things you need to include in your diet.
What You Need:
- Banana
- Rice
- Applesauce
- Toast
Directions
You can mix up small portions of each food product for each meal you will take. Remember that it is okay if you mix rice with soups to have some taste.
Avoid putting butter on your toast because this might further aggravate your condition. Desserts are much easier to eat because bananas and applesauce taste good.
Note: Remember to always eat in small portions not further upset your stomach.
4. Ginger
While many people know that ginger is used for some throat and voice problems, most are not aware that ginger can also be used for some stomach problems. Aside from diarrhea, it can also help alleviate cramps and abdominal pain.
What You Need:
- Ginger
- Grater
- Honey
Directions
You would need first to get a small piece of ginger. The ginger can then be grated using the grater until they are fine. Mix it with a teaspoon of honey and eat the concoction.
Remember that even if the taste may be too strong for you. Avoid drinking water so that the good effects of ginger may be felt more easily.
Note: For people who do not have ginger, powdered ginger can also be used but again, avoid having water after taking in a small portion of the powder.
5. Peppermint
A lot of people only know about peppermint as something that is used for different candies. There are times when peppermint can also be used to flavor other drinks. Peppermint is also a good ingredient used as a relieving agent when having stomach problems.
What You Need:
- Sprigs of Mint
- Hot Water
Directions
The first thing you need to do is make sure that the mint sprigs you will use are clean. You can then steep a few sprigs of mint in hot water for a few minutes. You can drink it when you feel that the water is not hot enough to burn your tongue.
6. Fenugreek Seeds
The main reason Fenugreek seeds are known to be a good item for getting rid of diarrhea is their high mucilage content. For those who do not know what this is, mucilage has some components that can immediately stop the harmful effects of diarrhea.
What You Need:
- Fenugreek Seeds
- Yogurt
- Cumin Seeds
Directions
It is possible to chew on the fenugreek seeds alone if the other ingredients are not available but to make the effect better, it is possible to mix a teaspoon of yogurt with the fenugreek seeds. Add a few cumin seeds to help improve its overall taste.
Warning: Remember that this mixture must be taken three times daily for instant diarrhea relief.
7. Chamomile Tea For Diarrhea Treatment
Although all types of tea are known to have possible effects on the body, chamomile tea is used mainly to deal with the pains caused by diarrhea. The great thing about this tea is that it soothes the aggravated parts of the digestive system so that diarrhea can be stopped soon.
What You Need:
- Chamomile Tea
- Lemon
- Clean Water
Directions
Brew the chamomile tea with hot water for a few minutes. To improve the chamomile tea’s taste, add some fresh lemon juice.
Alternatively, if you are not a fan of placing lemon juice on your chamomile tea, you may want to drink lemon water instead. This will also help relieve the pains caused by diarrhea.
8. Apple Cider Vinegar
Checking out various home remedies will always lead people to apple cider vinegar. This is known to have many good properties that you can use to cure different problems in the body. Right now, apple cider vinegar can be used to cure diarrhea. It fights the bacteria that are possibly causing the problem.
What You Need:
- Apple Cider Vinegar
- A Glass of Water
Directions
You may want to take in apple cider vinegar on a teaspoon first before taking a glass of water, or if you do not like the taste of apple cider vinegar that much, you may also choose to mix one teaspoon of the apple cider vinegar with the glass of water and drink it straight.
Note: You should do this twice a day until your condition improves.
9. White Rice
Some people avoid eating white rice like a plague because it has no distinct taste. It can be very good with other food products, but mixing it with other food might not be that wise when having diarrhea.
What You Need:
- Plain White Rice
Directions
The main reason eating plain white rice can be helpful is probably because rice can help the stools become hard. Eat the white rice without any other sauce or spices to ensure there will be no problems later on.
Note: As diarrhea improves, try eating more and more plain white rice.
10. Carrot Soup
Carrots are good when it comes to keeping the eyesight clear and perfect, but apart from that, carrots also have other good properties that can be beneficial to the body.
Carrots are known to cure diarrhea faster, but they also bring a lot of good nutrients that the body needs to recover more quickly from the disease.
What You Need:
- Carrots
- A Half Cup of Water
- Salt
Directions
There is a need for the carrots to be cooked in half a cup of water for a few minutes. While cooking the carrots, you can place a little salt to make the soup taste better.
Note: This would have to be taken for a few days even after the diarrhea has stopped better.
11. Clear Liquids
There are times when people tend to forget that drinking water is essential during the onset of diarrhea. People without feeling anything should drink about eight glasses of water daily. If you suffer from diarrhea, you would have to take about ten glasses of water daily to ensure that dehydration will not occur.
What You Need:
- Water
- Other Clear Liquids
Directions
People who dislike drinking water can have other clear liquids like soups and broths that can be done right at home.
Warning: Remember to add healthy ingredients to help relieve and not aggravate the symptoms brought about by diarrhea.
12. Black Seed Oil
There are times when black seed oil is used to treat other digestive problems. It is not surprising that it can also be used to treat diarrhea.
What You Need:
- Black Seed Oil
- Plain Yogurt
Directions
Mix a small amount of black seed oil thoroughly with one cup of unflavored yogurt. Eat the mixture after the meal.
Note: You should take this twice a day until the symptoms of diarrhea subside significantly.
13. Bananas
It has already been mentioned that bananas are mixed with other components to help relieve stomach problems, including diarrhea. If you do not have any of the items mentioned above, eating a banana can also help because it has a high pectin content that can help stop diarrhea.
What You Need
- Banana
Directions
You can eat a banana alone as a snack or mix it in with other ingredients such as plain yogurt or sometimes nuts. Remember that the banana has to be ripe to reap its full benefits.
Warning: An unripe banana may cause some problems with the digestive system.
14. Avoid Anything Dairy
Many people love dairy products such as milk, butter, and cheese, but even though these things taste good. However, you may have to avoid these foods during the onset of diarrhea because they might further aggravate your condition. If you suffer from lactose intolerance, you should also avoid these foods.
What to Avoid:
- Milk
- Butter
- Cheese
- Other Dairy Products
Note: You can retake the Dairy products after the stomach has settled down and problems with diarrhea have already disappeared.
15. Rest
This is probably the main thing people would have to do to get cured of diarrhea, but they sometimes forget how to do this because of people’s busy lives. If you ask many people right now how many hours of sleep they usually get, many people would say that they are not getting enough sleep.
Not having enough rest makes the body more susceptible to problems and conditions that might weaken the body overall. Resting is always necessary, especially when suffering from diarrhea.
What You Need:
- A Comfortable Place to Stay In
Note: When people rest, the body can rejuvenate and cure on its own. Sleeping with all the other home remedies mentioned above will help fix their diarrhea problem.
When to See a Doctor?
In most cases, diarrhea will resolve on its own within a few days without needing medical treatment. The general rule is that if you have diarrhea for up to two days with no other symptoms, you can wait for it to pass. Focus on staying hydrated by sipping fluids throughout the day, and eating bland, easy-to-digest foods like toast and oatmeal.
However, you should call your doctor if you experience any of the following symptoms along with diarrhea:
- Diarrhea lasting longer than 2-5 days
- Severe abdominal pain
- Blood or mucus in your stool
- Black, tarry stools
- A fever above 102°F (39°C)
- Signs of dehydration like dark urine, dizziness, headaches, rapid heartbeat
- Inability to keep food or fluids down due to nausea/vomiting
- Recent travel to a foreign country
- You have a weakened immune system or certain medical conditions like inflammatory bowel disease or cancer
These symptoms can indicate a more serious underlying condition like a bacterial/parasitic infection or even colon cancer. Severe, prolonged diarrhea also puts you at risk of dehydration which can be dangerous.id