Diarrhea occurs when you defecate (BAB) with a watery stool texture, up to more than 3 times a day.Diarrhea can cause a number of disturbing symptoms, such as heartburn, bloating and the urge 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 eating food that has been contaminated by germs, dirt, or toxins. Even so, diarrhea can also occur due to other things, such as drinking too much alcohol, side effects of drugs, or certain diseases.
Various Ways to Overcome Diarrhea
Most diarrhea will go away on its own in a few days, but it shouldn't be taken lightly. In addition to causing very uncomfortable symptoms, diarrhea can also cause dehydration.
To relieve symptoms while speeding up the healing process of diarrhea, you can take the following simple steps:
1. Increase fluid intake
The body loses a lot of fluids and minerals during diarrhea which can lead to dehydration. When you have diarrhea, you are advised to meet your fluid needs by drinking 2-3 liters of water (about 8-12 medium-sized glasses) per day. In addition to water, fluid intake can also be obtained from other foods and beverages, such as soups, broths, and fruit juices.
Meanwhile, to restore salt and minerals lost due to diarrhea, you can consume drinks with electrolyte content, such as ORS or energy drinks.sports drink). Consume this drink little by little if diarrhea is accompanied by nausea.
2. Eating the right foods
During diarrhea, you are advised to eat low-fiber foods that are minimally processed and without a lot of seasoning. Examples are rice, potatoes, bread, biscuits, bananas, and soup.
In addition, you are also recommended to eat foods with probiotic content, such as yogurt, which is good for gut health. Choose unflavored yogurt, as some artificial flavours, such as sorbitol, can actually make diarrhea worse.
3. Adjusting the diet
Eating too much at one time can force the digestive tract muscles to work more actively, thereby making diarrhea worse. Therefore, you are advised to eat in small portions but more often.
Divide the 3 main meals a day into smaller portions for 5-6 meals. This method can ease the workload of the intestines during diarrhea.
4. Avoid serving foods that can aggravate diarrhea
During diarrhea, avoid foods that can mimic or aggravate diarrhea. Examples are fried (greasy), fatty, spicy, or undercooked foods. In addition, certain types of fruit and vegetables that trigger gas, such as broccoli, corn, and cabbage, can also make diarrhea worse.
You are also advised to avoid caffeinated drinks (coffee, tea, soda), alcoholic, and high in sugar content. These drinks can trigger the production of urine, thus 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 described above. And remember, you should avoid using antidiarrheal drugs unless advised by a doctor.
If diarrhea does not improve within 48 hours, is accompanied by a high fever, or bloody stools, you should consult a doctor for proper treatment.