Diarrhea and Upset Stomach

Diarrhea is a condition in which a person eliminates watery stools and the frequency of the stools is more than normal. Diarrhea is a result of indigestion or an "upset stomach" as most of us call it. Typical symptoms of diarrhea are loose stools, stomach pain resulting from indigestion, nausea, headaches, fever and sometimes blood in the stools. Diarrhea, upset stomach and all these symptoms can be treated by taking a combination of medicines and home treatments. Let us first of all try to know what causes an upset stomach and diarrhea, then we will move onto finding out how to treat the same.

Causes of Diarrhea and Upset Stomach
Below is a list of diseases and conditions which may lead to an upset stomach and diarrhea.

• A viral infection caused by viruses such as norwalk virus, herpes simplex, rotavirus and hepatitis can cause diarrhea, upset stomach.
• A bacterial infection caused by consuming contaminated food or water can cause diarrhea, upset stomach.
• Sensitivity to certain food items such as milk due to lactose intolerance in some people may lead to a bout of diarrhea after eating such foods.
• Certain medicines which the person might be consuming, may not suit him, such as antibiotics are known to cause stomach disorders in many people, leading to diarrhea.
• Diarrhea could also be due to the prevalence of some serious underlying diseases such as irritable bowel syndrome, AIDS, Crohn's disease, cholera, bowel cancer, appendicitis, etc.

Treatment for Diarrhea and Upset Stomach
Acute diarrhea i.e diarrhea which lasts for less than three weeks can be treated with the help of some home remedies and sometimes medication might also be used. Doctors may prescribe anti-motility medications, absorbents, and bismuth compounds to some patients. Various oral rehydration solutions are also recommended by doctors and if the condition is severe, intravenous fluids are given. Antibiotics are prescribed in some rare cases, such as if there is a bacterial infection or if the diarrhea is infectious in origin. However, constant diarrhea and upset stomach which is chronic i.e continuing for months all together, more than often is due to some serious medical condition and has to be properly diagnosed and treated accordingly. Doctors may prescribe antibiotics for chronic diarrhea. Read more on diarrhea symptoms, causes and treatments.

Home Remedies for Diarrhea and Upset Stomach
Diarrhea, upset stomach can be treated at home too. Here are some home remedies for treating diarrhea.

Fluids
For treating diarrhea and upset stomach, drink lots of water, at least 2-3 liters per day. Include sports drinks such as Gatorade as well as soups and broths in the diet. Increasing the fluid intake will ensure that the lost electrolytes and the fluids lost due to diarrhea are restored back in the body. One thing to remember though is, not to take fruit juices or soft drinks for overcoming dehydration, when suffering from diarrhea, as they can worsen the condition since they are not easy to digest foods.

Diet
The foods for diarrhea and upset stomach should be such that they are easily digestible and are very light on the stomach. Rice, potatoes, toast and bananas are examples of such foods. Properly cooked vegetables be it carrots or beans, can also be easily digested and hence are good when suffering from diarrhea. If you are allergic to certain foods, then it is better to discontinue such foods from your diet. Foods rich in fiber and sugar can make diarrhea worse so they should be avoided too along with fatty and spicy foods.

Here's hoping that now you have a fairly good idea of how to treat upset stomach and diarrhea. In the end, it would pay to note that diarrhea is a condition that should never be taken lightly. The first thing to do when you experience diarrhea is to contact a doctor immediately. This is because upset stomach and diarrhea cause frequent watery stools, sometimes six to seven times in a day, resulting in severe dehydration in the body. And if dehydration and diarrhea are accompanied by other symptoms such as vomiting and blood in stools, it can lead to many serious complications, especially if timely treatment is not taken.