Chronic diarrhea is an uncomfortable, unhealthy and potentially life-threatening medical condition. Diarrhea lasting more than two days can cause dehydration, according to the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse. Bacterial infections, viruses, drugs and medicines, cancer and cancer treatments, irritable bowel syndrome and other diseases can cause chronic diarrhea. Consuming certain foods may cause diarrhea and other foods relieve symptoms or provide extra nutrition the body may lack due to dehydration. Fluid and nutrition replacement are vital to a person with chronic diarrhea.
Fluids
MayoClinic.com defines chronic diarrhea as an episode of loose stools lasting longer than four weeks. The body can lose substantial fluids in this amount of time and become dehydrated. Dehydration may cause an electrolyte imbalance which could result in heart problems. A person with chronic diarrhea should drink plenty of liquids. Avoid drinking beverages with caffeine, as these tend to aggravate diarrhea. Decaffeinated herbal teas are soothing to the stomach. Chamomile tea acts as an anti-spasmodic and may reduce intestinal spasms leading to diarrhea.
Fruit
Some fruit reduces diarrhea. Bananas contain potassium which may be lost through diarrhea. Bananas contain pectin which draws water out of the intestine, resulting in less watery stool. Apples also contain pectin but raw apples may be hard to digest. Choose applesauce or baked apples over raw apples. Reduce diarrhea by eating blueberries.
Dairy
Avoid most dairy products while suffering bouts of chronic diarrhea, especially if you are lactose intolerant. Whole milk products may aggravate your system more than their low-fat counterparts. Yogurt is the exception to this rule as yogurt has live cultures that promote a balance of healthy bacteria in your digestive tract. Look for yogurt that contains lactobacillus acidophilus and bifidobacterium bifidum.
Meat
Steamed white chicken is an easily digestible form of protein. Do not fry or sauté chicken as butter and shortening are high in fat and difficult to digest. Avoid spicy or especially fatty meats. Bake or grill meat if steaming is not possible.
Grains
A healthy person should eat plenty of whole grains and fiber to prevent diarrhea resulting from constipation. A person with chronic diarrhea may not tolerate whole grains and food high in fiber. Insoluble fiber, like that found in whole grain bread, normally slow food down in the intestines, allowing the body to absorb more nutrition from food. These high fiber foods may actually irritate the colon of a person with chronic diarrhea. This person should eat refined, white bread which is low in fiber.
