Diarrhea Home Remedies

In common parlance, diarrhea is defined as a medical condition which is characterized by frequent and watery bowel movements. Factors which bring about this condition include viruses, bacteria, parasites and even medications. It may also be a result of lactose (a sugar comprising one glucose molecule linked to a galactose molecule; occurs only in milk), fructose (a simple sugar found in honey and in many ripe fruits) and certain artificial sweeteners. Diarrhea may also occur in some people post surgery related to the abdomen or gallbladder. Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, celiac disease and irritable bowel syndrome are some medical conditions which may have diarrhea as one of its symptoms. In diarrhea, apart from frequent occurrence of loose and watery stools, the affected person may suffer from symptoms such as abdominal cramps, abdominal pain, fever, bloating and blood in the stool.

Easy Home Remedies to Manage Diarrhea

The most ill effect that diarrhea may have on the affected person is loss of a significant amount of water and salts from the body, which this can be fatal. So it is important to drink plenty of clear fluids including water, broths and juices every day. However, juices from apple and pear must be avoided as instead of doing good, they might worsen the condition. Coffee and alcohol must be completely avoided until the person has fully recovered.

Applesauce is one effective remedy to reduce diarrhea. Applesauce is rich in pectin (any of various water-soluble colloidal carbohydrates that occur in ripe fruit and vegetables; used in making fruit jellies and jams) and this substance aids in firming soft or liquid bowel movements.

Another home remedy for diarrhea is brown rice. The high dietary fiber content of rice is helpful in lessening the frequency of diarrhea. Apart from brown rice, taking whole wheat toast also provides a great deal of relief from the symptoms of diarrhea.

Among all natural remedies for diarrhea, banana is one fruit that has always been effective and beneficial, especially when taken in slightly raw form. The severe loss of electrolytes from the body can be made up by taking bananas which are rich in potassium. Bananas are also rich in pectin which is, as mentioned already, beneficial for the treatment of diarrhea.

Other home remedies for diarrhea includes the use of herbs such as agrimony, bilberry, cayenne, fenugreek, marshmallow root, psyllium seed and pau d'arco. Agrimony when taken in tea form, provides great relief from the symptoms of diarrhea, especially for children. Bilberries or bilberry tea is beneficial in reducing inflammation of the intestines and thus is effective in treating diarrhea. Watery stools can be taken care of by taking cayenne capsules once or twice a day. Fenugreek tea and marshmallow root help in soothing the stomach and intestines. Psyllium seeds have the property to absorb water from stool and so is one of the effective diarrhea home remedies. Pau d' arco is one of the best known herbs in the Amazon rain forest, which when taken as a tea or mashed with ripe banana, helps in treating diarrhea.

Apart from what have been mentioned above, foods which are permissible during bouts of diarrhea include soup, gelatin, noodles, potatoes, pretzels, cooked carrots, apricots, soda crackers, smooth peanut butter, fried eggs, mild white fish, lean beef, low-fat cottage cheese, skinless white-meat chicken and canned vegetables.

Apart from being aware about the different types of foods to be taken for the treatment of diarrhea, it is equally essential that you must also know about the foods to avoid. Diarrhea may get worsened by greasy, deep-fried, fatty foods, rich sauces, sugary and very spicy foods. Sugar alcohols contribute to the occurrence of diarrhea and thus, sugar-free gums and candies must be completely refrained from eating. Foods that might cause the onset of gas, pose high risks of causing diarrhea or aggravate its symptoms. Such foods to avoid include onions, beans, cabbage, peas, broccoli, cauliflower, whole grain breads and cereals, nuts and popcorn.