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Digestive Health
Question #16439
2 days ago
15

cure for diarrhoea - #16439

Zoya

I am kinda freaking out because this diarrhoea thing just won’t go away. It started a few days ago after I tried this new street food. At first, I thought it was just my stomach reacting, but now it’s like a whole saga! I feel like I'm constantly running to the bathroom and it's really uncomfortable. I went to the doctor yesterday and they said it might just be a virus, which is what I thought too, but isn't there a cure for diarrhoea? Like, I’ve heard about some over-the-counter stuff, but nothing seems to be working. I tried some rehydration solutions and even ginger tea, but nothing seems to help much. I stay home most of the time, but yesterday I had to go to work and it was so awkward. What if this keeps going on for weeks? I just don’t know what else to do. Is there a definitive cure for diarrhoea that actually works? Or maybe something natural? I’m open to any suggestions! Help!

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Doctors’ responses

Addressing persistent diarrhea involves understanding the underlying cause, and it sounds like you’ve linked yours to that street food. Most of the time, acute diarrhea is caused by infections that are viral or bacterial in nature. Since your doctor mentioned a viral cause, it typically resolves on its own within a week without needing antibiotics. However, to manage symptoms and shorten duration, ensuring proper hydration is crucial. Oral rehydration solutions greatly help in replenishing lost fluids and electrolytes, more so than plain water. You’ve mentioned trying them; sticking to regular small sips throughout the day is important. Over-the-counter remedies like loperamide (Imodium) can also be considered to reduce frequency, but it’s worth noting that these are more about symptom management than eliminating the root cause. Avoid these if you notice blood in the diarrhea or high fever, as these symptoms suggest a more serious illness that requires medical attention. Make sure you’re consuming easy-to-digest foods like bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast (the BRAT diet), which can help settle your stomach. Avoid dairy, caffeine, alcohol, and fatty foods, all of which can aggravate diarrhea. Lastly, considering there’s no improvement, monitoring your symptoms is important, and if it continues beyond a week or you experience severe dehydration signs—such as dizziness, sunken eyes, or rapid heartbeat—seeking further medical evaluation is recommended. Chronic diarrhea can signify conditions like IBS or infections needing specific treatment. In such cases, stool cultures or other tests might be required. If interested in natural remedies, some find psysillium husks helpful for regulating bowel movements, though this should be approached cautiously and with medical advice. Always consult before trying natural options especially if you’re managing other health conditions.

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