How to Stop Diarrhea

To stop diarrhea, you are advised to first visit a doctor, your doctor will ask you about your family history, and the type of food and water you consume, to be able to determine the cause of your diarrhea. In addition to this, the following samples will be collected for possible tests.

• Blood: A full blood scan will go a long way to help detect the cause of diarrhea.
• Stool test: This will help to know if it’s a bacteria or parasite that is causing your diarrhea.

Fortunately, diarrhea is a short-lived condition, it doesn’t last more than a couple of days. However, if it takes more than days, see a doctor immediately

Symptoms of diarrhea

• Abdominal cramps
• Blood in the stool
• Urgent need to have a bowel movement
• Abdominal pain
• Mucus in the stool
• Bloating
• Fever
• Loose, watery stools

Causes Of Diarrhea

The following are possible causes of diarrhea, make a test on the one causing Diarrhea for you, before taking any medication or treatment.

• Virus: Virus can cause diarrhea, such viruses include cytomegalovirus and viral hepatitis, Norwalk virus. Rotavirus is the major cause of diarrhea in children. The virus responsible for the cause of COVID-19 (COVID-19) has also proven to be associated with gastrointestinal symptoms, including nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
• Bacteria and parasite: The major causes of diarrhea is bacteria and parasite. Contaminated foods or drinks are the major carriers of bacteria and parasites.
• Medication: Antibiotics and some drugs can lead to diarrhea. This is because antibiotics destroy both good bacteria in the body, thereby in your intestines.

Treatment of diarrhea

In most cases, diarrhea does get cured on its own, without using drugs or taking any treatment.

However, if you’ve tried, changed your lifestyle and your eating habits, and it still doesn’t get cured, try seeing your doctor. Your doctor might recommend some drugs or treatment for you.

Antibiotics

Antibiotics are efficient in treating your diarrhea if the cause is bacteria or parasites. But in the case of a virus being the cause of your diarrhea, antibiotics won’t be able to cure it.

Treatment To Replace Fluids

In most cases, a juicy drink is often the cause of diarrhea, your doctor might advise you to change the fluids you take.

Water will be a good replacement for these fluids, however, this won’t balance the level of salt and electrolyte within the body. Your doctor might as well recommend IV fluids.

If it’s a young child who is battling diarrhea, ask your doctor if it’s safe for the child to use an oral rehydration solution, like Pedialyte, to prevent the child’s body from running dry, and as well replace lost fluids.

Adjusting the Medication You Are Taking

If the result shows antibiotics are the cause of your diarrhea, your doctor will recommend other drugs for you, instead of the one causing diarrhea for you.

Treating Underlying Conditions

In some rare cases, diarrhea could be caused by a more serious condition such as inflammatory bowel disease. In such a condition, you are advised to visit a gastroenterologist, for proper advice.

Lifestyle And Home Remedies

In most normal cases, diarrhea should be cured without taking any special treatment. However, pending till the diarrhea gets cured completely, always try to do the following.

• Drink adequate clean water and fruit juices: However, avoid alcohol at this time.
• Avoid certain foods: Avoid certain foods that could trigger diarrhea, foods such as fatty foods, high-fiber foods, and highly seasoned foods.
• Use anti-diarrhea medications: Go to the nearest hospital or pharmacist near you and ask for anti-diarrhea medications such as loperamide and bismuth subsalicylate, this will lower the level of diarrhea. However, before using this drug, consult your doctor if it’s safe to do so.

In some cases where bacteria or parasites are the cause of diarrhea, such drugs will worsen the case. Please bear in mind that these drugs are not advisable to be used by children.

• Take Probiotics: Probiotics are available in both liquid and capsule form. This drug will help reduce the level of bacteria causing diarrhea within the body and replace them with healthy ones. However there is no clear indication that these micrograms are efficient in curing diarrhea.

Preparing For Your Appointment

If your diarrhea gets you worried, you should start by seeing a care practitioner in your environment. However, if it gets persistent, you will be referred to a medical doctor, who specializes in the digestive system (gastroenterologist)., for proper treatment.

The following information will help you get prepared for your appointment.

What To Expect From Your Doctor

Your doctor is likely to ask you the following questions, to be sure of where to begin your treatment from.

1. What, if anything, seems to improve your symptoms?
2. What, if anything, appears to worsen your symptoms?
3. Do you see blood, or are your bowel movements black in color?
4. Have you recently been around anyone who has diarrhea?
5. How severe are your symptoms?
6. When did your symptoms begin?
7. Does your diarrhea awaken you at night?
8. Have you recently stayed in a hospital or nursing home?
9. Have your symptoms been continuous or occasional?
10. Have you taken antibiotics recently?

What You Can Do

While you book an appointment with a specialist, ask if there are some steps you should take in advance, like fast or some certain test you should take. However, make a list of the following.

• Your Symptoms: Make a list of the symptoms you noticed, right from when diarrhea started.
• Key personal information: Talk to your doctor about personal information, such as family history, recent life, etc.
• Mediation: Talk to your doctor, about the kind of drugs you’ve been taking recently, if you are using antibiotics, state the type you’ve been using and for how long.

 However, endeavor to ask your doctor, all of the following questions.

1. What is likely causing my diarrhea?
2. What tests do I need?
3. I have other health conditions. How can I best manage them with diarrhea?
4. Should I see a specialist?
5. Could my diarrhea be caused by a medication I’m taking?
6. Are there restrictions I should follow?
7. What are the alternatives to the primary approach that you’re suggesting?
8. May I take medication such as loperamide to slow diarrhea down?
9. Is my diarrhea likely temporary or chronic?
10. What is the best course of action?

How To Stop Diarrhea

While you wait to have an appointment with your doctor, the following will help you ease diarrhea.

• Drink Enough fluids: Prevent your body from dehydration, by drinking enough fluids such as juice, broth, and water.
• Stay away from foods that can aggravate your condition: High fiber and fatty foods, will worsen your condition if you take them while battling diarrhea.