The 6 Most Effective Diarrhea Remedies

1. Over-the-Counter Drugs

With your doctor's supervision, several over-the-counter medications can help with diarrhea.
Medications such as bismuth subsalicylate (Pepto-Bismol), attapulgite (Kaopectate), and
loperamide (Imodium) aid the symptoms of diarrhea without treating the cause. People with
chronic diarrhea shouldn't use these drugs without a doctor's consent.
You should be especially cautious if your child has diarrhea. Dehydration resulting from
diarrhea can be dangerous for very young children. Consult with a doctor before giving them
any medications.

2. Avoid Certain Foods

Watching what you eat and drink is very important when you have diarrhea. Dehydration
from diarrhea can be fatal in young children and older adults. The most important thing you
can do is to keep hydrated.
Alcohol, milk, soda, and other carbonated or caffeinated drinks can make symptoms worse.
Fried and greasy foods are off limits, and you should avoid fruits and vegetables that can
cause gas, such as:

broccoli

beans

peas

corn

prunes

chickpeas

peppers
Dairy products wont help your diarrhea symptoms, either.

3. Probiotics

Probiotics are natural, over-the-counter remedies for diarrhea. Theyre essentially "live
bacteria" that exist in certain foods like yogurt. They also come in powder or pill form.
Antibiotics often flush out the "good bacteria" that live in your intestine. They can also cause
diarrhea. Probiotics help restore the good bacterial in your gut. Lactobacillus
GG, acidophilus, and bifidobacteria are three common types of probiotics.

4. Saccharomyces Boulardii

Saccharomyces boulardii(S. boulardii) is yeast that works to restore your gut function. While
its not a bacterium, it acts like one.S. boulardii can be most effective for antibioticassociated diarrhea and certain cases of traveller's diarrhea. It can help your intestines fight
off unwanted pathogens and ensure that theyre absorbing nutrients properly.

5. Acupuncture

Acupuncture may not be the first thing you think of when looking for a remedy for diarrhea.
However, Chinese scientists have seen positive results using acupuncture to treat acute
diarrhea in children with cerebral palsy.
Acupuncture combined with medication may provide relief to adults suffering from diarrhea
symptoms.

6. Homeopathy

Homeopathic medicines may provide relief from diarrhea when other solutions haven't
worked. Examples include:

Arsenicum album

Veratrum album

sulphur

Podophyllum

Calcarea carbonica

chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla)

Mercurius
Each of these remedies claims to treat a specific type of diarrhea. Trying any of these
remedies on your own isn't recommended. Homeopaths take into consideration all
symptoms, history, and other characteristics of a person to diagnose them.
Few studies have been done to determine the effectiveness of these remedies. Speak with
your doctor before trying these diarrhea remedies.

Nonprescription medicines for diarrhea

If you are pregnant, talk with your doctor before taking any medicines for diarrhea.
Nonprescription medicines may be helpful in treating your diarrhea. Follow these tips when taking a
nonprescription medicine for diarrhea:

Use nonprescription antidiarrheal medicine if you have diarrhea for longer than 6 hours. Do not
use nonprescription antidiarrheal medicines if you have bloody diarrhea, a high fever, or other signs of
serious illness.

Read and follow all label directions on the nonprescription medicine bottle or box. Be sure to take
the recommended dose.

Long-term use of nonprescription antidiarrheal medicine is not recommended. To

avoid constipation, stop taking antidiarrheal medicines as soon as stools thicken.

If your child or teen gets chickenpox or flu, do not treat the symptoms with over-the-counter
medicines that contain bismuthsubsalicylate (such as Pepto-Bismol and Kaopectate). Subsalicylate has
been linked to Reye syndrome, a rare but serious illness. If your child has taken this kind of medicine and
he or she has changes in behavior with nausea and vomiting, call your doctor. These symptoms could be
an early sign of Reye syndrome.
There are several types of antidiarrheal medicines: those that absorb water and thicken the stool, and
those that slow intestinal spasms.

Thickening mixtures (such as psyllium) absorb water. This helps bulk up the stool and make it
more firm.

Antispasmodic antidiarrheals, such as Imodium A-D and Pepto Diarrhea Control, slow intestinal
spasms. Some products contain both thickening and antispasmodic ingredients.

Probiotics, such as Lactobacillus, are available in either pills or powder. This bacteria occurs
naturally in the intestine and may help with digestion. When diarrhea is present, the number of these
bacteria is reduced.

(NEWSLETTER)

Diarrhea: Why It Happens and How To Treat It

Whats the Treatment?
If your case is mild, you may not need to take anything. Or you can take an over-the-counter medicine
such as bismuth subsalicylate (Pepto-Bismol, Kaopectate) or loperamide (Imodium) which are available
as liquids or tablets. Follow the instructions on the package.
If you have itching, burning, soreness, or pain in your rectal area because you have a lot of bowel
movements, try these tips to feel better:

Take a warm bath. Afterwards, pat the area dry (do not rub) with a clean, soft towel.

Use a hemorrhoid cream or try white petroleum jelly.

Do your best to stay hydrated. You should drink at least six 8-ounce glasses of fluid each day. Choose
fruit juice without pulp, broth, or soda (without caffeine). Chicken broth (without the fat), tea with honey,
and sports drinks are also good choices.

Instead of drinking liquids with your meals, drink liquids between meals. Sip small amounts of
fluids often.