Diarrhea

Also indexed as:

Stools (Loose)

What you need to know

While persistent or severe cases may need special care, for common diarrhea discomfort relief just takes time and a few well-chosen remedies. According to research or other evidence, the following self-care steps may be helpful:

• Refuel and rehydrate
• Replace lost fluids and replenish electrolytes by drinking sports drinks or other rehydration formulas, or eating vegetable soup

• Forego offending foods and supplements
• Limit your intake of fruit juice, fructose, sorbitol, lactose, and coffee, and avoid large amounts of vitamin C and magnesium supplements to prevent diarrhea that may be caused by poor absorption of these substances

• Go with probiotics
• Try "beneficial bacteria" supplementation to help with recovery and prevent recurrences; take 500 mg of Saccharomyces boulardii one to four times a day, or 3 billion colony-forming units of probiotic bacteria one to three times a day

• Rely on lactase
• If you think you may suffer from lactose intolerance, try a digestive enzyme-containing lactase when drinking or eating milk products

• Make time for a checkup
• See your healthcare provider if diarrhea continues for more than a few days or if you experience other abdominal symptoms

These recommendations are not comprehensive and are not intended to replace the advice of your doctor or pharmacist. Continue reading the full diarrhea article for more in-depth, fully-referenced information on medicines, vitamins, herbs, and dietary and lifestyle changes that may be helpful.

About diarrhea

Diarrhea is any attack of frequent, watery stools.

Diarrhea can be triggered by many different conditions. Acute diarrhea is often caused by an infection and may require medical management. The primary role of nutrition in acute diarrhea is to prevent depletion of fluid, sodium, potassium, and calories. Replenishment of all four has been achieved with "rehydration solutions" and with a variety of foods, from salted carrot soup to peeled scraped apple torice gruel. However, diarrhea severe enough to necessitate the use of rehydration solutions requires direct medical supervision. Therefore, nutritional approaches to overcoming depletion of fluid, sodium, potassium, and calories are not discussed here, but rather should be discussed with a doctor. Diarrhea-induced low blood sugar, dehydration, or electrolyte imbalance can be serious or even life-threatening, particularly if prolonged in children.

A healthcare provider should be consulted if diarrhea continues for more than a few days, as it may indicate a more serious health condition. Diarrhea alternating with constipation may be a sign of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).