Diarrhea
Introduction
Diarrhea is any form of loose or watery stool, and is all too common. Acute diarrhea with a sudden onset is often caused by something eaten, such as food poisoning, viruses or bacteria as in infectious diarrhea or traveler's diarrhea, or even surprisingly by constipation. Chronic diarrhea that is ongoing could be any of numerous problems such as inflammatory bowel disease, celiac disease, irritable bowel syndrome, Crohn's disease, diabetic diarrhea, certain medications, or various other underlying conditions.Symptoms
Diarrhea makes its presence known with the urgency, frequency, and volume of your trips to the bathroom. You know that it's diarrhea when you pass loose, watery stool two to three times a day or more. These other symptoms can also accompany diarrhea:
- Cramping
- Abdominal pain
- Bloating
- Nausea
- Fever
- Vomiting
Diarrhea usually goes away on its own within 48 hours without medication.The most important things you can do are to stay hydrated while the diarrhea runs its course and avoid foods that will make you suffer more.
Most cases of diarrhea are nothing more than a brief upset of no great significance. But sometimes diarrhea warns of a serious condition.
Consult your doctor if diarrhea persists in a child for more than 24 hours, or after three days for an adult. Call immediately if you see any of these symptoms:
- Severe abdominal or rectal pain
- Blood in your stool
- Black, tarry stools
- Fever
- Signs of dehydration
These diarrhea symptoms can be warning signs of conditions such as infection, irritable bowel disease, pancreatitis, or even colon cancer.
How can I know if I have Diarrhea?
- Cramps or pain in the abdomen the area between the chest and hips
- An urgent need to use the bathroom
- Loss of bowel control
You may feel sick to your stomach or become dehydrated. If a virus or bacteria is the cause of your diarrhea, you may have fever and chills and bloody stools.
Food That Cure Diarrhea
Bananas: Bland and easily digested, bananas are a good choice to settle an upset digestive system. The high level of potassium in bananas helps to replace electrolytes that may be lost by severe bouts of diarrhea. Bananas are also rich in pectin, a soluble fiber that helps to absorb liquid in the intestines and thus move stool along smoothly. Bananas also contain a good amount of inulin, another soluble fiber. Inulin is a prebiotic, a substance that promotes the growth of beneficial bacteria (probiotics) in the intestinal system.
White Rice and Mashed Potatoes: Talk about comfort food! Due to their low-fiber content, these starches are easily digested way up high in the GI tract. Eat your rice and potatoes plain; butter has a high fat content, which could be irritating to your system and contribute to intestinal cramping.
Yogurt: It is generally recommended that dairy products be avoided during acute diarrhea episodes. Yogurt is a major exception to this rule. Look for yogurt that contains live or active cultures, or more specifically Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium bifidum. These active cultures are probiotics and they appear to help to establish a healthier balance of bacteria in the digestive tract.
Steamed Chicken: Due to its bland nature, steamed white meat chicken is an easily digested source of protein, thus providing a fairly safe way to get some nutrients into your body. Butter and oils are very hard on a delicate system, so avoid deep-fried or sauteed preparations.
Blueberries: Reportedly, dried blueberries have a long history of use in Sweden as a treatment for diarrhea. Herbs of Choice, recommends either chewing dried blueberries or making a tea by boiling crushed dried blueberries for about 10 minutes.
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