Diarrhea can zap your energy and strength and make you feel miserable. For some populations, like infants and the elderly, severe diarrhea can even be deadly. It is important to remember to stay hydrated when battling a bout of diarrhea. You should also eat small meals consisting of bland foods and stay away from high fat, greasy foods that you may normally eat. If loose stools continue for more than a few days, it is best to get yourself checked out by a doctor.
Causes of Diarrhea
Diarrhea is loose and watery stool that can sometimes be explosive and hard to control. There are many different reasons that you can have diarrhea. According to the University of Maryland, bacteria, parasites and viruses are prime suspects, but chronic conditions such as ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease can also cause diarrhea. Medications, milk and some artificial sweeteners round out the list of causative agents for this uncomfortable condition.
Foods to Eat
When you have diarrhea, you may not feel like eating, but it is necessary to eat something to help control your symptoms. Saint Louis University recommends the BRAT diet. BRAT is an acronym for bananas, rice, applesauce and toast. This diet is a good starting point for things to eat. You can also try crackers, pretzels, canned vegetables, mashed potatoes and cream of wheat. You want to try bland foods for your stomach. Poultry without the skin, eggs that are not fried and low-fat cottage cheese are also good choices. Eat small meals throughout the day to keep a stable flow of calories in your system.
Things to Drink
Drinking fluids is your top priority when you have diarrhea because you are losing a large amount of water when you have prolonged loose stools. Saint Louis University recommends sports drinks to replenish your fluids and electrolytes, but cautions against carbonated drinks or alcohol. These drinks may make your diarrhea worse. You should try to drink at least one cup of fluid for every loose bowel movement you have. If you are having many loose stools, continually sipping on a sports drink or water is also recommended.
Other Helpful Hints
There are products on the market that you can use to treat diarrhea. Loperamide is just one example of an antidiarrheal medication you can purchase over the counter. You may also want to try probiotics, which are the active bacteria found in yogurt. Probiotics can help restore the "good" bacteria in your intestine and help your diarrhea go away. Psyllium is a type of fiber you can take that can absorb water and bulk up your stools. According to the University of Maryland, you can also try rice or barley water to help restore the electrolyte balance in your body in place of sports drinks.
