Effective Home Remedies For Diarrhea Relief

Although the symptoms can be quite uncomfortable, diarrhea is usually not something serious enough to warrant a trip to the doctor or even the drugstore.

There are many over-the-counter medications for diarrhea, but they only stop your body’s defensive impulse to dispel a foreign invader. Why not support your body’s internal mechanisms and let things, ahem, flow naturally.

When your body encounters a foreign and potentially dangerous intruder such as a virus or bacteria, it has all kinds of defensive tactics at its disposal to eradicate the invasion. Sometimes this happens undetected and sometimes it is a powerful force that can stop you in your tracks. Over-the-counter medications work to stop the frequency of elimination to relieve the symptoms of diarrhea. It seems counter-intuitive to stop your body from trying to fight invasion by suppressing the natural urges of the body. So why not try a few natural approaches to treating diarrhea and let your body work it out.

There are many things you can do at home to let your body heal itself and give yourself a little more comfort in the process. When you have diarrhea, the loss of water, nutrients and electrolyte balance that your body suffers in order to wipe out a dangerous pathogen can leave you dehydrated and exhausted. Replenish yourself with plenty of fluids, easy to digest foods and lots of rest, and your body will be able to heal faster.

Stay Hydrated

When your body loses abnormal amounts of water, it is vital to replace them. Rehydrate with room temperature or lukewarm beverages and sip slowly over the course of the day. The effects of dehydration can be much more severe than diarrhea, so make it your job to drink water when you’re sick.

* Weak herbal teas such as chamomile or peppermint are soothing to the tummy and help calm the digestive tract. Add a tiny bit of honey if you like.

* Vegetable broth helps balance electrolytes and is a nice alternative to tea.

* Make some fruit flavored gelatin but do not refrigerate. Sip the gelatin liquid slowly over the course of the day to ease stomach cramps.

Restore Nutrients

Even though food might be the last thing on your mind, it is necessary to replenish the nutrients it has lost while fighting off disease. Eat small portions throughout the day, and chew slowly and completely. Your body needs to restore its own defenses in the gut and be strong enough to heal itself, so nourishing yourself properly is vital to recovery.

* Plain yogurt or kefir is excellent for replenishing beneficial bacteria in your stomach that are necessary for digestion, especially if you have taken antibiotics recently.

* Brown rice or saltine crackers are easy to digest and seem to have a calming effect on the digestive system.

* Cooked root veggies are full of nutrients and provide the insoluble fiber needed to combat diarrhea.

Pages: 1 2