Perhaps there are only other few health related diseases or conditions that can be as embarrassing as having loose bowel movements or diarrhea. Loose bowel movements spell disaster for anybody and especially to those people who are not at the comfort of their homes. Diarrhea is loose stool movement and people with this condition excrete more than four times a day and pass more than a quart of waste fecal material. It is mainly caused by virus, parasite, or bacteria, in developing countries it accounts for about two million deaths annually. It is the main cause of child death worldwide, rotavirus infections leads to over sixty thousand hospitalizations in the United States of America alone.
Other diseases such as cholera, botulism and dysentery only count diarrhea as a major symptom , this is the most severe situation and doctors recommend that you visit a hospital if the diarrhea lasts for more than three or four days. Many people looking for ways of how to get rid of diarrhea often blame it on the food or something they ate in the past twenty-four hours. This condition is fatal especially if it attacks the elderly or the infants and if the patient is not careful, enough to drink fluids it may turn to a dangerous situation than expected.
There are two kinds of diarrhea, chronic diarrhea and acute diarrhea, nevertheless majority of the diarrhea cases reported worldwide are short term or acute. This kind of diarrhea keeps you in the washroom for several days and does not last for a long time. Non-inflammatory diarrhea or acute diarrhea on the other hand is a severe case and mostly involves a virus or bacteria. Gastroenteritis is the most common infection that results in diarrhea; it can be from a variety of viruses. Some of the causes of diarrhea include viruses, bacteria, lactose intolerance, sweeteners, and contaminated food among others. Most people have had diarrhea at least once a year and often go for the over the counter medicines to cure it. In most scenarios diarrhea is accompanied by nausea, bloating, abdominal pain and cramps, diarrhea usually goes away when the bacteria is flushed out. However, it is imperative to look for ways of how to get rid of diarrhea, some of these methods include
Drinking lots of electrolytes and fluids
This is the most important and safest thing to do if you have diarrhea, this is mainly because you will be excreting a lot of fluids and you risk suffering from dehydration. Dehydration is the major cause of deaths in infants, it is often caused by lose of too much electrolytes and water while the body is functioning at its lowest capacity. The electrolytes and water are essential for muscle activity as well as detoxification. Taking water does not increase levels of electrolytes because it does not have the electrolytes, you can increase electrolyte level by taking soups and broths that have potassium and sodium. For children over the counter drugs such as ceralyte can be beneficial in improving the electrolyte level.
Avoid some foods
There are foods in the diet that may worsen the condition; some of these foods include milk and dairy products greasy foods, high fiber diets, sweet and spicy foods. Milk and other dairy products are difficult to digest when you have the condition; this is a similar case when it comes to spicy and foods rich in fats. Fiber is essential for digestion, however when having diarrhea it may worsen the situation because it is meant to keep food moving through the intestines. This is the main reason why fibber is recommended for people suffering from constipation the opposite of diarrhea. Spicy foods on the other hand irritate the intestinal walls and this is not an idea many people will like especially when they are suffering from diarrhea.
Eat bananas and yoghurt
Research indicates that the probiotic agents found in yoghurt are the most effective in cases of antibiotic related diarrhea. When a person is suffering from diarrhea, you can lose water, electrolytes, and important bacteria in the digestive tract. Yoghurt contains active bacterial culture, which will replenish the lost one during diarrhea; however, it is imperative not to just pick any yoghurt. Look for yoghurt that has streptococcus thermophilus or lactobacillus acidophilus, if it is not available consult with a physician who may give you a probiotic with the same ingredients. Bananas on the other hand are important in normalizing the colon activity by absorbing a large amount of water, which is important in restoring normal bowel movement. They also have the capability to turn the harmful bacteria to useful digestive bacteria.
Begin with semi solids and low fiber foods
Once you see or feel the symptoms of diarrhea it is vital to start eating low fiber foods and semi solids or foods that can be easily digested. This will help in restoring normal intestinal
Eat berries
Berries contain antioxidants essential compounds in getting rid of harmful bacteria that aggravates the problem.
And finally if nothing helps … Take a prescription
If the natural ways of how to get rid of diarrhea do not work on the first day then seeking doctor’s prescription is the best alternative. The doctor will be able to analyze the situation and conduct examinations for other related diseases.
