Causes and Remedies For Diarrhea

0 Comments | Rating: 0 | |

Diarrhea is a condition where stools are frequently eliminated, quite often loose and watery. The ailment is very common and can sometimes be accompanied by other symptoms. A person usually passes stool more than three times in a day. If diarrhea is chronic or persists for more than two to three days it is recommended to see a physician especially due to dehydration.

Diarrhea can have many causes. It can be due to any of the following as well as combinations of these conditions.

Poor food absorption
Bacteria in food or water
Gastroenteritis, caused by a virus
Lack of Fiber
Intestinal parasites
Food poisoning
Reaction to rancid or unripe food
Colitis
Enzyme and chronic vitamin A deficiency
Lactose and gluten intolerance
Reaction to chemicals in food
Extreme fatigue
Stress or anxiety
Excessive consumption of alcohol and caffeine
Large amounts of sugar substitutes
Overuse of laxatives

In addition, diarrhea can be due to some specific health conditions. If you know or suspect that you suffer from one of these conditions you should talk to your doctor for help treating the symptoms.

Celiac disease
Irritable bowel syndrome
bowel cancer
ulcerative colitis
hyperactive thyroid
Crohn's disease
Celiac disease

Symptoms of diarrhea can include several of the following:

Increased thirst: dehydration
Bloating
Abdominal cramps
Intestinal grumbling
Loss of appetite
Sometime vomiting and fever
Fatigue

Remedies

When you have diarrhea it is highly recommended to replace fluids that are lost to prevent dehydration. Medicines can be taken but they are not always helpful. There are many remedies that can help restore healthy bowel function.

Acidophilus
Yogurt
High fiber foods like brown rice and green leafy salads
Plenty of liquids
Apple cider vinegar
Ginger
Papaya
Peppermint or chamomile tea for the stomach
Lemon that can help kill off pathogens
Clears soups and broth

Things to Avoid

To prevent diarrhea while traveling outside of the United States there are thing you should avoid. Often there you can bring your own bottled water and possibly fruit and vegetables.

Public tap water (including brushing your teeth)
Ice made from tap water.
Do not drink unpasteurized milk or dairy products
Avoid raw fruits and vegetables such as pre made green salads and fruit salads, unless you can peel them yourself
Raw or rare meat and fish
Shellfish that is not cooked completely
Food at vendors

It is usually recommended to wait at least 2 days before calling a doctor unless you have severe symptoms. You also want to make sure children and elderly get quite a bit of liquids to avoid dehydration as much as possible.

There are also herbs that might be helpful. Please consult a reputable herbalist or doctor before administering herbs.

Herbal diarrhea remedies
Ginger
Aloe Vera
Green tea
Slippery Elm
Bayberry
Rassberry
White Oak bark
Elderberry
Catnip
Bee pollen