Spicy food Dairy High-fiber foods like vegetables, cabbage, dried beans, and corn Fruits, juices, and beverages with caffeine High-fat foods like sweets, chips, and fatty meats Artificial sweeteners Nuts and nut butters
These diets typically involve avoiding all possible trigger foods completely for 2-4 weeks. After that time, you can start adding foods back one at a time, adding a new food every 3 days. If your symptoms return, you’ll be able to tell which food(s) caused the problem. When you start an elimination diet, your symptoms might briefly get worse before they get better. If foods are the problem, you should see a significant improvement after about a week. Let your doctor know if your symptoms persist or become worse.
An allergist might also be able to help you determine whether you have a condition that’s aggravated by food, like IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome), IBD (Inflammatory Bowel Disease), or celiac disease.
For instance, you might stick to the BRAT diet, which stands for bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast, until your symptoms subside. To replace nutrients lost due to diarrhea, add in foods containing sodium and potassium, like broth, sports drinks, and mashed potatoes as you can tolerate them. While it’s typically best to avoid dairy when you have diarrhea, eating low-sugar yogurt can help balance the bacteria in your digestive system. However, avoid yogurt containing a lot of sugar, as this can make your diarrhea symptoms worse. [5] X Trustworthy Source Cleveland Clinic Educational website from one of the world’s leading hospitals Go to source
Sometimes hot or cold beverages can worsen diarrhea, so it may help if your drink is about room temperature.
For instance, you might have a few sips of water with lunch, then wait about half an hour before having another beverage.
For instance, you might have a slice of toast and a banana for breakfast, yogurt for a mid-morning snack, broth with rice for lunch, applesauce for an afternoon snack, and a grilled chicken breast with mashed potatoes for dinner.
Even if you do have things to do right after eating, try to avoid any strenuous activity or exercise for half an hour to give your body time to digest your food.
If you’re a big coffee drinker, ease back on the amount you drink gradually to avoid headaches and other caffeine withdrawal symptoms. Some sweeteners can also cause diarrhea, so be careful of sweetening your coffee or tea with sugar substitutes such as sorbitol.
A standard serving for a drink is 12 fl oz (350 ml) of a beer with 5% alcohol, 5 fl oz (150 ml) of wine that’s around 12% alcohol, or 1. 5 fl oz (44 ml) of a distilled liquor that’s 40% alcohol. [12] X Research source If alcohol seems to trigger your symptoms or worsen them, avoid drinking it altogether. If you need help to quit drinking, talk to your doctor about treatment options like therapy or a support group. [13] X Trustworthy Source HelpGuide Nonprofit organization dedicated to providing free, evidence-based mental health and wellness resources. Go to source
Other techniques for managing stress include exercise, yoga, and mindfulness or meditation exercises. To help prevent new stress, learn to say no if you’re overloaded. Also, when you’re confronted with a stressful situation, focus on what you can control instead of what you can’t.
If you smoke, you may have an increased chance of developing Chron’s disease. Unfortunately, you might also experience digestive problems while you’re trying to quit smoking. Nicotine gum or medications like varenicline and bupropion may help with that. Also, keep in mind that these symptoms will be temporary, and the trade-off for your long-term health is much higher. [15] X Research source
A probiotic supplement might also be helpful for regulating the bacteria in your gut. If you prefer, however, you can add probiotic-rich foods to your diet rather than taking a supplement, including yogurt, miso, pickles, tempeh, kimchi, sauerkraut, kombucha, and sourdough bread. [17] X Trustworthy Source Harvard Medical School Harvard Medical School’s Educational Site for the Public Go to source Some supplements may worsen diarrhea, such as flaxseed oil, senna, activated charcoal, bee pollen, cayenne, and guarana.
Whole grains (such as oatmeal, whole grain breads and pastas, and bran cereals) Garlic Apples Bananas Prebiotic supplements, as recommended by your doctor or dietitian
Dark urine or small amounts of urine Rapid heart rate Headaches Dizziness Fatigue, irritability, or confusion Severe pain in your abdomen or rectum Tar-like or bloody stools
Irritable bowel syndrome Celiac disease Hyperthyroidism Pancreatic insufficiency Diabetes Side effects from certain medications, such as antibiotics
These medications typically come in tablet form, although you may be able to find a liquid form for faster-acting relief. Either way, follow the dosing instructions on the label carefully, and don’t take more than the recommended amount. If you’re pregnant, talk to your doctor before you take these or any other medications. Avoid anti-diarrheal medications if you believe your diarrhea is caused by an infection or a parasite. Your body needs to completely excrete the bacteria, virus, or parasite, and the medication can prevent that, prolonging your symptoms. [23] X Trustworthy Source Mayo Clinic Educational website from one of the world’s leading hospitals Go to source Before prescribing medications such as octreotide or corticosteroids, your doctor will likely wish to perform tests, such as a biopsy or colonoscopy, to confirm that these medications will be effective for you.
Antibiotics won’t be effective against viral infections that cause diarrhea, including norovirus and rotavirus. [25] X Trustworthy Source Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Main public health institute for the US, run by the Dept. of Health and Human Services Go to source
