Although many people see diarrhea as a simple discomfort, it is actually an important reaction of their body to the outside world. For example, when harmful bacteria or viruses enter the body, the immune system reacts quickly and the digestive system tries to quickly expel these attackers. This is a result of the accelerated digestive process that causes diarrhea.
What is diarrhea?
Diarrhea is the condition of loose and watery stools and going to the toilet more frequently than usual. Diarrhea in adults usually lasts 2-3 days and goes away on its own. However, in some cases, diarrhea may last longer or be more severe and may require medical treatment. For the answer to the question of what causes diarrhea:
- viruses
- bacteria
- parasites
- food poisoning
- Stress
- Side effects of some medications
It is important to see a doctor if your diarrhea lasts more than 2 days or if you are experiencing other symptoms such as fever, bloody stools, or severe abdominal pain. Symptoms of dangerous diarrhea include:
- If it takes more than 2 weeks
- If it lasts longer than 3 days in babies and children
- If you have bloody diarrhea
- If you have oily stools
- If you have black or tarry stools
- If your fever is above 38 degrees
- Vomiting, severe abdominal pain
- If you have unexplained weight loss in a short time
What causes watery diarrhea?
Watery diarrhea can be caused by:
- Viruses such as rotavirus, noravirus
- Salmonella and e. bacteria such as coli
- parasites
- Consuming contaminated food
- Side effects of some medications
- Side effects of some diseases
What is good for diarrhea?
There are a few simple steps to relieve diarrhea, but for these steps to be effective, it is important to correctly identify the cause of the diarrhea. We can give the following suggestions for the question of how to cure diarrhea:
- Drink plenty of fluids.
- You can consume probiotic-containing foods such as rice porridge, bananas, boiled potatoes, yoghurt, and simple carbohydrates such as white bread.
- To stop diarrhea quickly, you can consume it by squeezing half a lemon into a teaspoon of dry Turkish coffee and mixing it.
- Washing your hands frequently with soap and water helps prevent the spread of diarrhea.
- Rice water may help relieve diarrhea. Boil one cup of white rice with 2-3 cups of water. When the rice becomes soft and the color of the water turns white, strain the water and let it cool. Then, drink this rice water in small sips.
- You can grate a piece of fresh ginger and add it to boiling water to make ginger tea and drink it.
- You can make mint tea and drink it by adding a handful of mint leaves to boiling water.
- Sesame oil may help improve digestion and soothe the intestines. Take a teaspoon of sesame oil and swallow directly or consume with food.
- You can drink fresh coconut water directly or add some lemon juice.
Foods that are good for diarrhea are as follows:
- Banana
- Rice
- applesauce
- Yogurt
- Boiled potato
- chicken broth soup
- Toast
- Pretzel
Your top priority when it comes to what is good for diarrhea, like water, is to maintain fluid and electrolyte balance. Dehydration can be especially dangerous for babies and the elderly. To maintain this balance, make sure to drink at least 2 liters of water a day. Soups, such as chicken broth, provide both fluids and electrolytes. Banana is also a fruit rich in potassium and helps maintain electrolyte balance.
What causes diarrhea in adults?
Treatment of diarrhea in adults depends on the cause and severity of diarrhea. What you need to do to stop mild diarrhea is to drink plenty of water. Diarrhea can cause loss of fluid and electrolytes from the body. Therefore, drinking plenty of fluids is very important in treating diarrhea. It is important to consume easy-to-digest foods during diarrhea. Foods such as rice, boiled potatoes, bananas, applesauce, yoghurt and toast can be preferred. Probiotics can help restore beneficial bacteria in the intestines and shorten the duration of diarrhea. Probiotic supplements can also be used. In more severe diarrhea, diarrhea medication prescribed by your doctor is used. In rare cases, the patient may need to be hospitalized.
This information is for informational purposes only. If you have a medical problem, please consult your doctor.