Diarrhea - How To Handle It Naturally?

Diarrhea is not usually a serious condition but can be very uncomfortable and embarrassing. This can be caused by a number of factors including bacterial or viral infections, food poisoning, contaminated water etc. Thankfully, it is easy to treat and does not require medication unless it is very severe. Let us take a look at some of the most effective ways to treat diarrhoea:

1. Drink Plenty of Water: Keeping your body hydrated when dealing with diarrhoea is very important. This is because your body loses a lot of water while passing stool. To hydrate your body, drink lots of water. You could also add oral rehydration salts to the water. Avoid drinking sodas, packaged juices and caffeinated drinks such as coffee as they can further dehydrate the body.
2. Probiotics: To function optimally, your digestion system requires good bacteria. Diarrhea is usually a sign that the bad bacteria levels have overtaken the good bacteria levels. Thus, you need to balance this equation. Probiotics are a source of good bacteria and are available in powder or pill form. It is also available naturally in foods like yoghurt, pickles and kimchi.
3. Eat the Right Food: When suffering from an upset stomach, eat food that is easy to digest. Food items such as bananas, rice, apples and dry toast are easy to digest and can help bulk up your stool. This is also known as the BRAT diet. You could also include a simple chicken soup, baked skinless chicken and oatmeal in your diet.
4. Drink a Little Tea: Tannins in black tea are good for the digestive system. They help calm inflammation in the intestines and help the body absorb fluids. Raspberry and blackberry leaf tea are ideal for diarrhoea. You could also try sipping caraway tea. Other tea such as chamomile tea help reduce spasms and calm the stomach. When looking for such teas, ensure that they are made from the leaf and not powdered. Also, do not drink any form of caffeinated tea.
5. Avoid Spicy Foods: Do not eat anything that is spicy or fried when you have an upset stomach. Also, avoid eating foods rich in fibre as they can make you feel bloated. Alcohol and milk are best left aside until your stomach has healed. Other foods you should avoid include chewing gums with artificial sweeteners, berries, beans, peas, prunes, peppers and ice cream.

If your diarrhoea does not improve, consult a doctor. If it lasts for more than 2 weeks, it could be a symptom of another underlying condition.