Diarrhea is the occurrence of loose, watery stools, and the symptom is caused by a variety of factors. According to the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse, diarrhea occurs when a person passes three or more loose stools in a day. A person may pass as much as a quart of stool in a 24-hour period.
Acute diarrhea lasts between one and two days. The average adult generally suffers from acute diarrhea four times a year. Diarrhea lasting longer than two days may be signs of a more serious condition, and medical attention is recommended.
Step 1
Increase fluid intake. Drink water and sports drinks to replace lost water and balance electrolytes. Juice and chicken broth also aid in fluid replacement as well as add potassium and sodium back into your body.
Step 2
Avoid foods that aggravate diarrhea, including coffee, greasy foods, dairy products or extremely sweet treats. As your condition improves gradually, add bland foods to your diet, such as bananas, potatoes, rice or cooked, skinless chicken.
Step 3
Take over-the-counter medications to stop diarrhea only if the condition is caused by a viral infection. Consuming these medications in the presence of a bacterial or parasitic infection may prolong the condition, or cause it to grow worse. OTC medications include loperamide and bismuth subsalicylate. MayoClinic.com advises you to discuss taking, or giving to children, any medications with your medical doctor to avoid further medical complications.
Step 4
Consult with a medical professional if home treatment remains unsuccessful. Take antibiotics to fight diarrhea caused by bacteria or parasites, according to MayoClinic.com. Visit a medical profession, such as a gastroenterologist, who specializes in treating chronic diarrhea and associated diseases. The underlying condition must be initially treated to stop the diarrhea.
Tips and Warnings
- Bacterial, viral or parasitic infections cause acute diarrhea. Functional disorders, such as irritable bowel syndrome or Crohn’s disease, often cause chronic diarrhea lasting longer than two days. Traveler’s diarrhea occurs when a person visits a developing foreign country and consumes contaminated food or water. According to the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse, the cause of most diarrhea conditions cannot be determined.
- Consult a doctor when diarrhea lasts for more than three days, occurs with severe abdominal or rectal pain, is accompanied by a fever of 102 degrees or higher or occurs along with stool that is tarry black or has visible blood. Medical treatment is also required if signs of dehydration are present, such a decreased sweating and urination or crying without tears.
Things You'll Need
- Water
- Sports drinks
- Juice
- Chicken broth
- Bananas
- Potatoes
- Rice
- Chicken
- Loperamide
- Bismuth subsalicylate
- Antibiotics
