What is Diarrhea?
Diarrhea is a condition in which your bowel movements are loose and watery. They also occur more frequently than usual and in larger amounts. This issue may be acute, persistent or chronic. Everyone has experienced diarrhea at some point in their life, but it is actually one of the most common reasons for people to see a physician for medical advice.
How Long Does Diarrhea Last?
The virus or infection should only last a few days but it may take up to a week for your bowels to become regular again. If you have only suffered from diarrhea for a few days or so, there is usually no need for you to be alarmed as this can be quite normal. The only time you should be concerned is when your diarrhea has lasted for a couple of weeks.
What Causes Diarrhea?
Diarrhea can stem from something as minor as a virus or food poisoning, but it may also be caused by a more serious condition such as a digestive disorder or an autoimmune disease.
The most common cause of Diarrhea is usually some type of virus or infection in the gastrointestinal tract.
Diarrhea may also be caused by:
- Infection caused by bacteria (food poisoning)
- Infections from other organisms
- Eating foods that upset your digestive system
- The stomach flu
- Allergies
- Diseases of the intestines (Crohn’s and Ulcerative Colitis)
- Medications
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome
- Radiation treatment
- Allergies
- Malabsorption (when your body is unable to properly absorb nutrients)
- Diabetes
- Some cancers
- Digestive tract surgery
- Hyperthyroidism
- Laxative abuse
- Alcohol abuse
- Competitive running
Diet for Diarrhea
Improving Your Diet for Control Over Diarrhea
Many people with diarrhea are having trouble finding the right solution. Actually, the problem can easily go away by modifying your diet based on which foods cause the symptoms.
If you leave out the troublesome food and take the appropriate supplements, you can make a proper new diet for yourself.
- Fruits and veggies which have seeds
- Gluten
- Caffeinated beverages
- Carbonated beverages
- Legumes such as beans and cauliflower
- Foods with high amounts of sugar.
These foods and drinks are the most common sources of inflammation. Leave them out of your diet and diarrhea will be a thing of the past.
What Are The Symptoms?
- Loose, watery stools
- Urgency to use the restroom
- Inability to control your bowels
- Abdominal cramping
- Bloating
- Nausea
It is very important that you see a physician immediately if you have been experiencing diarrhea for more than a week and/or if you notice that your stools are black in color. Black stools are often a sign of internal bleeding in your digestive tract.
More serious symptoms of Diarrhea are:
- Bloody or black stools
- Mucus in stools
- Weight loss
- Fatigue
- Fever
- Dehydration
Avoid the following foods:
- Carbonated beverages and caffeine
- Raw and dried fruits, raisins and berries.
- Greasy, fried and processed foods
- Gas-producing foods (lentils, beans, legumes, cabbage, and broccoli)
- Spicy and/or highly seasoned foods
- Dairy Products
- Chocolate
- All nuts and seeds, as well as foods that may contain seeds (such as yogurt)
- Vegetables from the Cruciferous family
Foods that may be regularly eaten in any quantity:
- Ripened Bananas
- White rice
- Eggs
- Fish (broiled or baked-avoid shellfish)
- Chicken Soups (No Cream Soups)
- Fresh Chicken or Turkey
- Cooked vegetables
For more information on diet restrictions and suggestions for your Autoimmune Disease, call A.M.P. Floracel® at 954 637-7613 to speak to a specialist today!
Breakfast/Snack Options
- Bagels
- English muffin
- Plain Cereals, Cheerios, Cornflakes, Cream of Wheat, Rice Krispies
- Ripened Banana
- Eggs
- Fruit juices (except prune juice)
- Applesauce, apricots, banana (1/2), cantaloupe, canned fruit cocktail, grapes, honeydew melon, peaches, watermelon
Lunch/Dinner Options
- Enriched refined white bread or buns
- Alfalfa sprouts, beets, green/yellow beans, carrots, celery, cucumber, eggplant, lettuce, mushrooms, green/red peppers, potatoes (peeled), squash, zucchini
- Well-cooked, tender meat, fish and eggs
- Potatoes (no skin)
- Vegetable juices
- Arrowroot cookies, tea biscuits, soda crackers, plain melba toast
- White Rice
Everyone’s bodies are different, so certain foods may or may not trigger certain symptoms of diarrhea. However, it is usually best to eat very plain, simple foods, especially within the first 24 hours of symptoms. Eating foods with probiotics, such as yogurt, have been known to shorten the duration of diarrhea. Keeping a food journal may also be helpful in determining which foods are triggers for you. That way you will know which foods you need to avoid as much as possible.
The following is a general diet that you may follow. Please be advised that symptoms associated with food choices vary by person.
Lifestyle and Treatment Tips for Diarrhea:
Home treatment for minor diarrhea:
Take frequent, small sips of water or a drink like Pedialyte to help with dehydration.
Begin eating very plain, simple foods in small amounts at a time. This should be done as soon as possible to avoid making the diarrhea worse.
Over-the-counter medications for minor diarrhea:
If you are pregnant and/or nursing, please speak with your physician before taking any medicines for diarrhea.
Over-the-counter medications may be helpful in treating the symptoms of your diarrhea. Use over-the-counter antidiarrheal medication if your diarrhea has lasted for more than 6 hours. Make sure you read and follow all directions, dosages, and warnings on the label, which is normally located directly on the bottle or box.
It is not recommended to take over-the-counter antidiarrheal medication long-term. To avoid constipation, stop taking any antidiarrheal medications immediately as your stool begins to thicken.
Most cases of diarrhea will go away on its own within a few days. Antibiotics will only help treat diarrhea that is caused by bacteria or parasites. However, if your diarrhea is caused by a disease or serious condition, your physician will help you control it.
Avoid spicy foods, fruit, caffeine, and alcohol until all of your symptoms have subsided for a few days.
Avoid artificial sweeteners like mannitol and sorbitol. They are known to cause diarrhea in some individuals. It also best to avoid chewing gum, cough drops, candy and any other sugar-free products.
Avoid milk and dairy until your symptoms have subsided for a few days. However, yogurt is full of probiotics and is usually fine to eat..
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