Diarrhea occurs when you defecate with a runny stool texture, up to more than 3 times a day. Diarrhea can cause a number of annoying symptoms, such as heartburn, bloating and want to defecate continuously. Therefore, it is important for you to know how to deal with diarrhea as soon as possible.
Diarrhea generally occurs due to consuming food that has been contaminated by germs, dirt, and toxins. Even so, diarrhea can also occur due to other things, such as drinking too much alcoholic drinks, side effects of drugs, or certain diseases.
Various Ways to Overcome Diarrhea
Most diarrhea actually can heal by itself in a few days, but still should not be taken lightly. Besides causing very uncomfortable symptoms, diarrhea can also cause dehydration.
To relieve symptoms while speeding up the process of healing diarrhea, the following simple steps you can take:
1. Increase fluid intake
The body loses a lot of fluids and minerals during diarrhea which can cause dehydration. When you have diarrhea, you are advised to meet your fluid needs by drinking 2-3 liters of water (about 8-12 medium glasses) per day. Besides water, fluid intake can also be obtained from other foods and drinks, such as soups, broth, and fruit juices.
Meanwhile, to restore salt and minerals lost due to diarrhea, you can consume drinks containing electrolytes, such as ORS or sports drinks. Eat this drink little by little when diarrhea is accompanied by nausea.
2. Eat the right foods
During diarrhea, you are advised to eat low-fiber foods that are minimally processed and without much seasoning. Examples are rice, potatoes, bread, biscuits, bananas, and soup.
In addition, you are also encouraged to consume foods containing probiotics, such as yogurt, which are good for intestinal health. Choose yogurt that does not contain flavorings, because some artificial flavorings, such as sorbitol, can actually aggravate diarrhea.
3. Adjust your diet
Too much eating at one time can force the gastrointestinal muscles to work more actively, thus aggravating diarrhea. Therefore, you are advised to eat small portions but more often.
Divide 3 servings of main meals a day into smaller portions for 5-6 meals. This method can ease the intestinal workload during diarrhea.
4. Avoid foods that can worsen diarrhea
During diarrhea, avoid foods that can trigger or aggravate diarrhea. Examples are foods that are fried (oily), fatty, spicy, or not fully cooked. In addition, some types of fruits and vegetables that trigger gas, such as broccoli, corn, and cabbage, can also worsen diarrhea.
You are also advised to avoid caffeinated beverages (coffee, tea, soda), alcoholic, and high sugar content. This drink can trigger urine production, making you more easily dehydrated. In people with lactose intolerance, milk consumption should also be limited because it will aggravate diarrhea.
You can treat diarrhea at home with the simple steps outlined above. And remember, it's best to avoid using antidiarrheal drugs unless it's recommended by a doctor.
If diarrhea does not improve within 48 hours, accompanied by high fever, or bloody bowel movements, you should consult a doctor to get the right treatment.
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