Key Takeaways
- Fast Relief Tips: Drink fluids, follow a BRAT diet, and rest your digestive system.
- Manage Symptoms: Anti-diarrheal medicine can reduce urgency in adults; probiotics help restore gut balance.
- Hydration is Essential: Use oral rehydration solutions or clear broths to prevent dehydration.
- Know When to Seek Help: Persistent diarrhea causes or severe changes like green diarrhea or diarrhea for a week require medical attention at our Riverside emergency room.
- Prevent Future Episodes: Avoid trigger foods, manage stress, and include gut-friendly foods in your diet.
What is Diarrhea?
Diarrhea is the frequent passage of loose, watery stools and can range from mild discomfort to severe dehydration. Causes include infections, food intolerances, medications, or chronic digestive conditions. According to a U.S. NHANES-based NIH study, about 6.6% of adults report chronic diarrhea. Persistent diarrhea requires medical attention.
Understand Causes: Learn about common triggers and symptoms in Diarrhea Causes, Symptoms & Treatment.
Types of Diarrhea
- Acute Diarrhea: Sudden onset, usually lasting a few days, often caused by infections or foodborne illness.
- Chronic Diarrhea: Persists for more than 4 weeks, often linked to IBS or inflammatory bowel disease.
- Watery Diarrhea: Loose, frequent stools that can lead to dehydration.
- Green Diarrhea: Stools appear green due to rapid intestinal transit or certain foods.
- Diarrhea After Constipation: Occurs after a period of constipation, often due to irregular bowel habits.
How to Cure Diarrhea
Curing diarrhea focuses on addressing its underlying cause while managing symptoms. Key steps include staying hydrated, resting the digestive system, and avoiding foods that irritate the gut. In some cases, over-the-counter antidiarrheal medicines or prescription anti-diarrheal medicines can help reduce stool frequency and discomfort.
1. Stay Hydrated
Dehydration is a major risk with watery diarrhea. Drink oral rehydration solutions, broths, or electrolyte-rich drinks. Avoid caffeinated or sugary beverages, which can worsen symptoms. Monitor urine output to ensure adequate hydration, especially in children and older adults. Proper hydration also helps your body flush out toxins and supports faster recovery of the digestive system.
2. Eat a Bland Diet
The BRAT diet for diarrhea, bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast, helps firm stools and soothes the gut. Eat small, frequent meals, and avoid spicy, greasy, or processed foods until symptoms improve. Including easily digestible foods prevents further irritation and allows your intestines to rest and heal.
3. Take Anti-Diarrheal Medicine
Medications like loperamide slow intestinal movement and reduce stool frequency. They are useful for painful diarrhea or watery diarrhea in adults. Avoid using them if there is fever, blood in stool, or infection. Children generally should not use these medications. Consulting a healthcare provider ensures safe use and helps address the root cause effectively.
4. Avoid Dairy Products
Temporary lactose intolerance may occur during or after diarrhea. Milk, cheese, and other dairy can worsen painful diarrhea or green diarrhea. Switch to lactose-free alternatives or broths until digestion normalizes. Reintroducing dairy gradually helps prevent further digestive upset. Choosing easily digestible foods during recovery can support faster gut healing and comfort.
5. Incorporate Probiotics
Probiotics restore healthy gut bacteria disrupted during diarrhea. Foods like yogurt, kefir, and fermented vegetables may shorten the causes of persistent diarrhea. Supplements are available but should be chosen carefully based on strain and potency. Regular probiotic intake can help strengthen intestinal immunity and prevent future episodes.
6. Manage Stress
Stress can disrupt normal digestive function and trigger diarrhea by speeding up bowel movements and increasing gut sensitivity. When the body is under pressure, hormone fluctuations may interfere with digestion and worsen symptoms. Practicing relaxation techniques such as deep breathing, mindfulness, or light exercise can help calm the digestive system.
7. Rest Your Digestive System
Allow your gut to recover by eating easily digestible meals and avoiding overeating, high-fat, or spicy foods. Resting reduces fatigue and supports healing. Gentle activity like walking is fine, but avoid strenuous exercise until fully recovered. Giving your intestines time to rest helps restore normal bowel function more quickly.
8. Monitor Symptoms
Track your symptoms to identify what stops diarrhea and when to seek medical care. See a doctor if diarrhea lasts more than a week, contains blood, or presents as green diarrhea. Early intervention prevents dehydration and other complications. Keeping a record of symptoms can also help healthcare providers identify underlying causes efficiently.
Does Fiber Help With Diarrhea?
Yes, soluble fiber absorbs excess water in the intestines, helping reduce watery diarrhea. Insoluble fiber may worsen symptoms if consumed too early. Gradually reintroduce fiber as digestion improves. Including the right types of fiber can also support healthy bowel movements and restore normal stool consistency.
Fiber Foods Good For Diarrhea
- Oats
- Bananas
- Apples (without skin)
- Carrots
- Rice
How to Treat Children Who Have Diarrhea
Children are more prone to dehydration, so fluid replacement is crucial. Offer small, frequent sips of oral rehydration solutions and monitor for severe symptoms, as dehydration in kids can sometimes cause fever. Avoid giving adult over-the-counter antidiarrheal medicines to children without guidance.
Ways To Manage Diarrhea In Children
- Hydration: Oral rehydration solutions and clear fluids.
- Diet: Rice, bananas, applesauce, and toast.
- Probiotics: Pediatric probiotic supplements for gut support.
- Monitor Symptoms: Watch for fever, blood in stools, or diarrhea for a week.
Always seek professional pediatric care if symptoms persist, worsen, or if you notice signs of dehydration or severe illness.
When Is Diarrhea an Emergency?
While most diarrhea resolves on its own, certain signs indicate a need for urgent medical attention. Severe or persistent diarrhea can lead to dehydration, electrolyte imbalances, or signal a serious underlying condition. Prompt care at an emergency center can prevent complications and ensure proper treatment. Seek emergency care if you experience:
- Dehydration: Dry mouth, little or no urine, dizziness.
- Blood in stools: Possible infection or intestinal issue.
- High fever: Above 102°F or persistent.
- Persistent diarrhea: Lasting over a week.
- Severe pain or vomiting: Prevents fluid intake.
- At-risk groups: Infants, children, older adults, or chronically ill..
If any of these symptoms occur, contact the Austin Emergency Center immediately for fast, professional care.
Natural Diarrhea Remedies for Long-Term Relief
Long-term prevention relies on gut-friendly habits, hygiene, and a balanced diet. While hydration and a bland diet help during acute diarrhea, these strategies help avoid recurrence. Incorporating these natural remedies regularly can strengthen digestive health and reduce the risk of future episodes.
Natural Remedies To Prevent Diarrhea
- Probiotic foods: Yogurt, kefir, and fermented vegetables maintain healthy gut bacteria.
- Fiber-rich diet: Gradually add soluble fiber to support regular bowel movements.
- Avoid trigger foods: Limit greasy, spicy, or processed foods that irritate the gut.
- Stress management: Mindfulness, meditation, or light yoga reduces stress-induced digestive issues.
Austin Emergency Center: Care for Severe Diarrhea
At the Austin Emergency Center, we understand that severe or persistent diarrhea can be more than just uncomfortable; it can lead to dehydration and other serious complications. Our team provides fast, professional emergency care for urgent digestive issues, ensuring you receive prompt assessment, treatment, and guidance for safe recovery.
If you or a loved one is struggling with how to stop diarrhea fast or experiencing persistent diarrhea, dehydration, or severe symptoms, don’t wait; contact the Austin Emergency Center today for trusted, expert care and support.