What is Diarrhea?

The intestinal walls reabsorb the fluids in the digestive tract and so the fecal matter solidifies. But if something goes wrong in the process, too much fluid is passed along with stools in a bowel movement causing diarrhea.

Symptoms of Diarrhea

1. Excessive gas formation.
2. Cramp and abdominal pain.
3. Nausea.
4. Change in bowel habits, unfound, watery and/or frequent bowel movement.

Causes of Diarrhea

• Eating or drinking contaminated food and water can cause bacterial or viral infection leading to diarrhea.
• Eating of dairy products by people who are intolerant to lactose
• Excessive use of antacids are other factors.

Home based cures for Diarrhea

1. Due to dehydration water and electrolytes lost from the body should be replaced. Glucose or some other carbohydrate can be consumed. In adults with little or no dehydration, fruit juices, clear broth and other clear liquids can re-hydrate. Every hour you should drink at-least 16 ounces of fluid.
2. Dehydration is aggravated if you fail to eat. A diet containing bananas, rice, applesauce and toast is particularly helpful for nourishment.
3. Milk and dairy products, alcohol, caffeine, artificial sweeteners should be avoided.
4. Medicine containing lope amide, bismuth subsalicylate can be taken only after a few hours from the onset of the diarrhea. If there is blood/pus in the stool; or diarrhea is caused by an antibiotic or there is fever avoid taking medicines.
5. If diarrhea is caused by food poisoning leave it at that, so that all the irritant harmful bacteria is out of the system.
6. If the cause is a drug, speak to your doctor and stop taking laxatives and antacids.
7. If a child has diarrhea, or if you suffer from a severe attack of diarrhea make up your own oral rehydration solution. In a quart of water dissolve 4tsp sugar and ½ tsp salt.

Diarrhea Prevention

1. Prepare, cook and store food under healthy and hygienic conditions to avoid food poisoning.
2. Unpasteurized food and beverages should not be consumed.
3. Keep away from intolerant food and avoid taking large doses of Vitamin C as it can cause diarrhea.

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