Diarrhoea, or diarrhea, is the condition wherein your bowel movements become loose or watery. It is also characterised by frequent loose bowel movements of at least three times a day. The condition can be uncomfortable but temporary as it usually lasts for just 2 to 3 days.
Common Causes
bacterial infection
parasitic infection
viral infection
lactose intolerance
food intolerance
laxatives
change in diet
excessive intake of alcohol
a side effect of taking antibiotics
other underlying medical conditions like Chron's disease or irritable bowel syndrome
Symptoms
The first sign of diarrhoea is loose and watery stools that are more frequent than usual. You may also feel the need to pass stools right away. It may be accompanied by bloating and abdominal cramps.
In some cases, a person with diarrhea may suffer from nausea and fever. The stools may appear greasy and may also contain blood or mucus.
Treatment
Diarrhea is usually treatable at home. In fact, mild cases go away even without treatment. However, recovery can be expedited by taking over-the-counter diarrhea medication.
To ease diarrhea, you may take loperamide capsules and oral rehydration fluids. You may purchase these from St Heliers Pharmacy in Auckland. For proper dosage, make sure to follow what is on the label or ask our trained pharmacists for instructions.
Complications
The most common complications of diarrhea are dehydration and loss of electrolytes like sodium and potassium.
Chronic diarrhea, or when the illness persists for weeks, may result in malabsorption of food nutrients. This may also be a sign of a more serious medical disorder.
What to Eat and What to Avoid When You Have Diarrhea
What foods should you eat to stop diarrhoea? Are bananas bad for you if you have a loose bowel movement? Let us find out.
What to eat
Here is a list of foods good for diarrhea.
Bland foods like white rice, bread, apple, and cereals. These are easy to digest.
Potassium-rich foods like bananas and potatoes without the skin.
Skinless chicken or turkey
Chicken broth and other foods with high sodium content.
Probiotics. Yogurt is particularly good for diarrhea.
You must drink plenty of fluids, especially water, to avoid dehydration. In addition, try eating smaller meals to aid digestion.
What to avoid
Aside from taking note of what foods to eat to stop diarrhea, it is equally important to avoid certain food groups that may worsen the condition.
A good diet for diarrhea must NOT include the food groups listed below.
Dairy. In some cases, diarrhea is a result of lactose intolerance. Aside from milk products, do not consume cheese, butter, and ice cream.
Fatty foods. These can worsen your diarrhea. Do not eat fried and greasy foods temporarily.
Beans, broccoli, and cabbage. These vegetables may increase gas in the stomach, which may aggravate the condition.
Spicy foods. An upset stomach may not be able to tolerate spicy foods.
Alcohol. It can cause dehydration, especially if taken in large amounts, so it should be avoided.
Caffeine. This may speed up the bowel movements. Limit your caffeine intake or stop drinking coffee and caffeinated tea temporarily.
Sodas and beverages with high sugar content. Sodas contain caffeine. Moreover, foods and drinks with high fructose may just trigger a laxative effect on your stomach.
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