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how to cure diarrhea
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Digestive Health
Question #12981
48 days ago
99

how to cure diarrhea - #12981

Ayaan

I am dealing with this really annoying problem — it started a few days ago. One minute I felt fine, and the next, BAM! Diarrhea just hit me like a truck! It was sudden, and I was totally unprepared. I’ve been kind of stressed lately too, maybe that’s a factor?? Anyway, first couple of days, I thought it might be something I ate, but then I realized it was more than just a bad taco. I didn’t really have any other symptoms like fever or cramps, just that constant urge. Really frustrating! I've tried drinking more water, eating bland foods, you know, the usual stuff you hear about when learning how to cure diarrhea. I even took some over-the-counter meds but they don’t seem to be helping much! I also read that probiotics might help, but who knows? Some things I found online seem contradictory — like, does eating yogurt make it worse or better? I’m just worried it might drag on longer! Any suggestions on how to cure diarrhea quickly? Anything I might not be doing that could actually help? Would love some solid advice here, thanks!

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Doctors’ responses

Your discomfort sounds frustrating, and I’d be happy to offer some advice on how to manage diarrhea effectively. Most often, diarrhea is due to viral infections, stress, or dietary choices, and it usually resolves within a few days. Given the absence of other symptoms like fever or severe pain, it seems more likely this isn’t a severe issue, but it’s important to watch for any emerging symptoms or if it persists beyond a a few days. To manage your symptoms effectively, keep up with hydration, as it remains the foremost priority. Water, oral rehydration solutions, or broths are better than sugary drinks or caffeine, which can sometimes worsen symptoms. You’ve mentioned bland foods - these are ideal. The BRAT diet (bananas, rice, applesauce, toast) can be particularly helpful in firming up stools over time. Continue the OTC antidiarrheal medications initially, but if they don’t show any improvement after a day or two, it might be worth holding off as they can sometimes prolong certain types of diarrhea. Probiotics can be useful for restoring a healthy balance to your gut flora — incorporating them through yogurt or supplements might ease symptoms, though responses can vary. As for yogurt, it’s likely to benefit you unless you’re lactose intolerant, in which case it might aggravate the issue. Meanwhile, try to reduce stress where possible, as anxiety can contribute to gastrointestinal symptoms. If diarrhea persists beyond a week, seek medical evaluation to rule out other causes, especially if you develop additional symptoms like blood in stools, dehydration signs, or significant abdominal pain. These could indicate a need for more urgent medical attention. Otherwise, with proper hydration and diet, many instances are self-limiting. Keep monitoring your condition closely, focus on supportive care, and don’t hesitate to consult a physician if your condition doesn’t steadily improve.

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