How to stop loose motions instantly? - #12178
I am a bit freaking out here! I’ve been dealing with loose motions for like the last two days, and it’s driving me crazy. Tried to eat some bland rice and bananas but nothing seems to work. I was fine until I had this street vendor food, and boy, was that a mistake! The next morning, loose motions hit me out of the blue. I thought it was a bug, right? Had some stomach cramps too, so I even ran to the ER and they told me to stay hydrated and take Pepto Bismol, but it’s still not helping as fast as I need. I gotta get back to work, you know? My boss is not gonna buy my excuse forever! I’m worried about how to stop loose motions instantly because this is really becoming a problem. How crazy is it that I can’t keep anything, not even water, down? Are there any quick fixes, or should I try something else? I can't afford to be running to the bathroom every 10 minutes. I've heard about some herbal teas or maybe some kind of over-the-counter meds, like Loperamide? Is that a good option to help? Really need some advice here on how to stop loose motions instantly, please!
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Doctors’ responses
First, it’s important to understand that diarrhoea, or loose motions, is often your body’s way of clearing out unwanted pathogens or irritants. Given that your symptoms started after eating street vendor food, food poisoning or an infectious gastroenteritis could be the cause. While there aren’t many instant fixes, there are a few steps you can take that might help. Loperamide is a reasonable over-the-counter option in this situation—it can slow down the movement of your gut and reduce the frequency of bowel motions, but it shouldn’t be used if you suspect a severe infection, as it might prolong the presence of harmful bacteria. Additionally, you should continue with hydration, as that’s crucial—consider an oral rehydration solution, since these contain the right balance of salts and sugars to help your body absorb more fluid. Also, while you may have tried bland foods, continue with the BRAT diet—bananas, rice, applesauce, toast—which can sometimes be more effective when consumed consistently over a period of time. Ginger or peppermint tea might offer some relief with cramping but won’t necessarily stop the loose motions entirely. If after trying these measures, your symptoms persist or worsen (like if you develop a high fever, bloody stools, or severe abdominal pain), it’s critical to see a healthcare professional. Persistent dehydration can be serious and sometimes requires medical intervention such as IV fluids. Be careful not to delay seeking help if your condition doesn’t improve, as staying out of work for extended periods isn’t ideal, nor is jeopardizing your health.
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