Diarrhea is a medical condition in which an individual passes watery stools three or more times a day. According to the National Institutes of Health, or NIH, diarrhea may be caused by bacterial or viral infections, parasites, diseases such as Crohn's or celiac disease or a reaction to food or medications. Diarrhea may be allowed to run its course if the severity does not cause dehydration. It may be necessary to treat diarrhea if it becomes difficult to maintain hydration, or if the diarrhea is severe enough to limit normal daily activities.
Step 1
Take probiotics to restore the natural beneficial bacteria to your intestines. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, or UMMC, probiotics that contain lactobacillus, acidophilus or bifidobacteria can help resolve imbalance in the digestive tract. Probiotics may also prevent diarrhea from occurring.
Step 2
Determine the cause of diarrhea if possible, and work to eliminate the cause. For many people, diarrhea occurs after eating dairy products such as milk, cheese and ice cream. If lactose intolerance is causing diarrhea, eliminate the offending foods from your diet or consult your doctor regarding supplemental lactase enzymes to help digest dairy products.
Step 3
Take nutritional supplements glutamine and zinc to help restore digestive function and decrease irritation to the intestines. Glutamine supplements may be taken in a dose of 3,000 mg three times daily, and zinc may be taken in a dose of 10 to 20mg per day, says UMMC.
Step 4
Eat a diet of bland foods that will not irritate the stomach. Spicy flavors and fried foods should be avoided until diarrhea is resolved, as they will worsen the diarrhea.
Step 5
Drink herbal teas made with blackberry leaf, carob powder or extract of bilberry. These teas can help decrease the amount of water in the bowels. Other herbal teas such as chamomile and slippery elm can help calm the stomach and intestines.
