People with diarrhea may find that eating bland and easily digestible foods could provide nutrition while settling the stomach and alleviating symptoms. One such diet is the BRAT diet, which stands for bananas , rice, applesauce, and toast. Other foods that a person can eat while experiencing stomach upset include:. Learn more about the BRAT diet here. Learn more about foods that can contribute to diarrhea here. Diarrhea can cause a person to lose fluids and essential electrolytes, which can lead to dehydration.
Treatments for persistent or chronic diarrhea depend on the underlying cause. Some possible causes and their treatment options are below. A doctor may prescribe a course of antibiotics to treat a lingering bacterial infection, or an antiparasitic medication to manage a parasitic infection. If a person suspects they have a food allergy or intolerance, their doctor may recommend keeping a food diary.
People can use their diary to record the foods they eat on a day-to-day basis, and the symptoms they experience. Over time, this will help them detect foods that may trigger their diarrhea. The treatment for a digestive issue depends on the type of condition. Depending on the cause, it may involve one or more of the following:.
The NIDDK recommend that people see a doctor if their diarrhea lasts more than 2 days, or if they pass six or more loose stools in 24 hours. Persistent diarrhea lasts for up to 4 weeks. This condition is typically the result of an infection or a side effect of medication.
Chronic diarrhea refers to diarrhea that lasts for 4 weeks or more. There are many potential triggers for this issue, including untreated infections, food allergies and intolerances, and underlying digestive conditions. Anyone who experiences diarrhea that persists for more than 2 days should visit their doctor for a diagnosis and appropriate medical treatment.
Diarrhea is a common digestive problem. It can be highly uncomfortable, but many people can treat it at home using simple home remedies. Learn about…. Several conditions can cause chronic diarrhea, including inflammatory bowel disease. Dietary habits and allergies can also be contributing factors…. If you have diarrhoea, you will experience an increase in the volume, wateriness or frequency of your bowel movements.
Diarrhoea episodes are often caused by a stomach bug gastroenteritis and clear up on their own in a few days. However, there are many other causes of diarrhoea. This article covers diarrhoea in adults and children over 12 years.
See diarrhoea in children for information about the symptom in young children. As well as the loose and watery stools of diarrhoea, you may sometimes have other symptoms, including:.
Diarrhoea happens when not enough water is removed from your stool, or too much fluid is secreted into the stool, making it loose. There are many different causes of diarrhoea. It can be caused by a short-term illness that clears up in a few days, or it may be a symptom of an ongoing problem or chronic condition. More information is available about specific causes of diarrhoea and their symptoms. Ongoing diarrhoea can lead to dehydration and an electrolyte imbalance, making it dangerous — especially to the very young or older people, who can be affected very quickly.
Diarrhoea can be diagnosed based on your symptoms and a medical history, taken by your doctor. If the diarrhoea goes away after a few days you may not find the cause. If you have ongoing diarrhoea, your doctor may refer you to a gastroenterologist or other specialist to work out the underlying cause.
Use the Question Builder for general tips on what to ask your GP or specialist. In the case of simple short-term episodes of diarrhoea, which usually clear up by themselves in healthy people, you will probably be able to manage your symptoms through home care.
These are available over the counter from your pharmacist. For older people and children, oral rehydration solutions are a better choice than plain water. They are made specifically to replace both fluids and electrolytes important minerals that your body needs to function in the right concentrations. Sports rehydration drinks are not recommended. Anti-diarrhoeal medicines should not be used to treat a diarrhoea attack in babies or children.
Your pharmacist or doctor will be able to advise you if you are thinking of taking over-the-counter anti-diarrhoeal medicines. They are not suitable for use in the case of diarrhoea caused by certain specific infections. Do not take them if you have a fever or have blood in your stool.
Anti-emetics may be prescribed by your doctor if you have gastroenteritis and are having problems due to vomiting. People who are not able to adequately rehydrate — for example, because they are vomiting — may need to be given intravenous fluids via a drip. Most sudden attacks of diarrhoea are caused by viruses and so antibiotics, which are only used to treat bacterial infections, are of no use. If your doctor determines — usually through testing a stool sample — that your diarrhoea is due to a bacterial or parasitic infection, then they may prescribe antibiotics.
If you are experiencing diarrhoea for dietary reasons or due to irritable bowel syndrome, an accredited practising dietitian APD should be able to suggest some dietary changes. Diarrhoea may cause dehydration. More fluids are lost from the body when you have diarrhoea than normally. Dehydration can lead to a loss of electrolytes — minerals your body needs to function properly.
This is why rehydration is so important. Diarrhoea causes food to move quickly through your body. Contact your health care provider if you have. If children have diarrhea, parents or caregivers should not hesitate to call a health care provider. Diarrhea can be especially dangerous in newborns and infants.
If you have chronic diarrhea, your health care provider may perform other tests to look for signs of disease. Diarrhea is treated by replacing lost fluids and electrolytes to prevent dehydration. Depending on the cause of the problem, you may need medicines to stop the diarrhea or treat an infection.
Adults with diarrhea should drink water, fruit juices, sports drinks, sodas without caffeine, and salty broths. As your symptoms improve, you can eat soft, bland food. Children with diarrhea should be given oral rehydration solutions to replace lost fluids and electrolytes.
Two types of diarrhea can be prevented - rotavirus diarrhea and traveler's diarrhea. There are vaccines for rotavirus. They are given to babies in two or three doses. You can help prevent traveler's diarrhea by being careful about what you eat and drink when you are in developing countries:.
The information on this site should not be used as a substitute for professional medical care or advice. Contact a health care provider if you have questions about your health. Diarrhea Also called: Dysentery, The runs, The trots. See, Play and Learn No links available. Research Clinical Trials Journal Articles. Resources Find an Expert. What is diarrhea? What causes diarrhea?
The most common causes of diarrhea include Bacteria from contaminated food or water Viruses such as the flu , norovirus , or rotavirus. Rotavirus is the most common cause of acute diarrhea in children.
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