Most cases of acute diarrhoea resolve within a few days without treatment. However, it is important to prevent dehydration.
Some home remedies and management for diarrhoea include:
Drink plenty of liquids (water, broth, electrolyte balanced fluids); avoid caffeine and alcohol.
Avoid dairy products, high-fiber foods, and any food or drink
Treatment Options for Diarrhoea2-4
- Rehydration
- Oral rehydration solution or salts (ORS), which is water with the ideal amount of salt and glucose, may help prevent severe dehydration
- In the presence of severe dehydration, intravenous fluids may be necessary
- Antidiarrhoeal medications
- Intestinal adsorbents have the potential to adsorb toxins in the lumen of the intestine
- Antimotility drugs slow down the passage of stool and reduces the frequency of
watery bowel movements
- Antibiotics or anti-parasitics
- For diarrhoea caused by bacteria or parasites, antibiotics or anti-parasitics can help
- Supplements
- Zinc supplementation can decrease the duration and severity of diarrhoea in children
- Probiotics may help restore the healthy balance in the intestinal tract although further research is necessary to determine its role in the treatment of diarrhoea
- Treatment of underlying conditions
- If diarrhoea is due to an underlying medical condition, the focus of treatment would be on controlling or treating that condition
Speak to your doctor to find out which is/ are the appropriate treatment option(s) for you.
References
- Diarrhea. Accessed on 25 Jul 2022 at: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/4108-diarrhea.
- Diarrhea: Diagnosis & Treatment. Accessed on 25 Jul 2022 at: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/diarrhea/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20352246.
- Treatment for Diarrhea. Accessed on 28 Jul 2022 at: https://www.webmd.com/digestive-disorders/understanding-diarrhea-treatment
- What You Should Know About Diarrhea. Accessed on 28 Jul 2022 at: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/158634.