Taking probiotics, drinking lots of fluids, and avoiding certain foods and drinks are other natural ways to manage diarrhea and help you feel better faster. Keep in mind that diarrhea caused by a virus or bacteria usually goes away on its own in two to three days.
This article goes over how to get rid of diarrhea naturally without turning to medicine.
What Can Naturally Stop Diarrhea?
In some cases, taking an over-the-counter antidiarrheal drug will replace watery stools with constipation. Both are unpleasant. Try these helpful home remedies to stop a mild episode of diarrhea and cramps naturally.
What Drinks Help Diarrhea?
One of the biggest problems with diarrhea is dehydration. This is what leads many people to the emergency room.
Diarrhea causes the body to lose a lot of water and electrolytes it needs to function normally. Electrolytes are minerals such as sodium, potassium, calcium, and magnesium that are needed for various bodily processes.
It’s important to treat dehydration properly. Otherwise, it can become dangerous, especially in young children.
To manage a mild bout of diarrhea, you need to replace the fluids and electrolytes you lost.
Adults should drink plenty of water, clear juices, clear broths, or an electrolyte-rich sports drink.
Children and toddlers with mild diarrhea who aren’t vomiting can continue drinking what they normally do such as breast milk, cow’s milk, or formula. Young children may drink pediatric rehydration drinks if they have mild diarrhea and are also vomiting. These are marketed under certain brand names, like:
PedialyteEnfalyteGastrolyte
Breastfed babies should continue to breastfeed.
Some people want to avoid the artificial colorings or flavorings in some rehydration drinks. You can make a homemade rehydration drink with only salt, sugar, and water.
You can also buy oral rehydration salts over the counter at most drugstores. Follow the preparation instructions and don’t use too much salt. Do not prepare these for children, as they can be harmful.
What Foods Stop Diarrhea?
The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases doesn’t recommend following a restrictive diet to treat diarrhea. But, that doesn’t mean all foods are the same. There are some foods you should avoid, as well as foods that may help you get rid of diarrhea faster.
Adults may try the BRAT diet to help stop diarrhea naturally.
The diet is made up of four bland, low-fiber foods:
BananasRiceApplesauceToast
Bananas are especially useful. They help restore any potassium your body lost through diarrhea.
Adults can add other bland, easy-to-digest foods as diarrhea symptoms start to get better. This includes:
Baked, skinless chicken breastsPlain cerealBaked potatoesChicken soup with saltines
Don’t eat or drink foods or beverages that cause gas, such as:
Carbonated drinks, like sodas or seltzerBeansLegumesCruciferous vegetables, like cabbage, broccoli, and cauliflower
Children with mild diarrhea who aren’t vomiting can continue eating their normal diet. If your child begins vomiting and their diarrhea becomes more severe, it’s best to reach out to their healthcare provider.
Using Probiotics to Get Rid of Diarrhea
Taking probiotics in food or or as supplements might help naturally shorten a mild bout of diarrhea. Probiotics are live bacteria and yeast that are beneficial to your digestive system.
Diarrhea can cause you to lose a lot of the healthy bacteria in your stomach and intestines.
Probiotics can quickly replace these protective microorganisms and help restore normal bowel function. Some helpful probiotics include:
Lactobacillus bacteriaBifidobacterium bacteriaSaccharomyces boulardii (S. boulardii) yeast
In particular, S. boulardii has powerful antidiarrheal effects.
It may be best to avoid some dairy products during diarrhea, but not all. Certain dairy foods, like yogurt or kefir with live probiotic bacteria, are extremely beneficial.
Other natural probiotic sources are fermented foods like:
MisoKombuchaSauerkrautAged soft cheesesCottage cheeseGreen olivesSourdough breadTempeh
Kimchi is another popular fermented food. Some people even call it a “super-probiotic.” But kimchi has hot spices that might make your diarrhea worse.
When to Seek Medical Help
You should never ignore diarrhea. If you have tried the above-listed home remedies and still have loose stools, call your doctor or your pharmacist. They might recommend over-the-counter medicine that can help.
On the other hand, you should see a doctor right away if you or your child have persistent or severe diarrhea or show signs of dehydration, such as:
Babies under 3 months old with diarrhea should be taken to a doctor or emergency room right away. Don’t wait or try to treat the condition at home.
Summary
You might be able to treat diarrhea naturally without taking medication. Try changing your diet temporarily, taking probiotics, and drinking lots of liquids. Talk to your healthcare provider if the diarrhea doesn’t go away.
Practice proper hygiene. Washing your hands regularly throughout the day can reduce the spread of viruses that cause diarrhea. Get a vaccination for rotavirus, a gastrointestinal infection that can cause diarrhea and dehydration. Avoid eating spoiled food, keep food at recommended temperatures, and cook food to recommended temperatures. If you travel to other countries, avoid drinking tap water unless you know the water is safe.
