how to stop the loose motion - #17385
I am really worried about this issue I've been having. For the past three days, I’ve been dealing with loose motion and it's really affecting my daily life. It started suddenly after I had some street food that didn’t smell great but I thought it was okay. Now I'm rushing to the bathroom multiple times a day and it's super uncomfortable. I tried drinking a lot of water and eating bland foods like rice and bananas, but it doesn’t seem to help much. I read online a bit about how to stop loose motion and saw some suggestions for medications, but honestly, I’m hesitant to just start taking something without knowing if it’s right for me. I went to a doc yesterday and he told me to keep my fluids up but didn’t really give me any clear answers on how to stop the loose motion. I’ve also been feeling really tired and kinda weak, which makes me worry a bit. Has anyone else dealt with this? How did you manage to stop the loose motion? Any tips from personal experience would be super helpful! Also, should I be concerned about this lasting longer?
100% Anonymously
No sign-up needed.

Doctors' responses
Based on the situation you’ve described, it seems likely you’re dealing with acute gastroenteritis, often brought on by consuming contaminated food or water. Street food can sometimes harbor harmful bacteria or viruses that might cause these symptoms. The key here is to stay hydrated because loose motion can lead to dehydration, explaining the fatigue and weakness you’re feeling. Continue taking oral rehydration solutions (ORS) or electrolyte drinks; these are more effective at replacing lost minerals than water alone. Since you mentioned bland foods, you’re on the right track, but do include yogurt or probiotic-rich foods - they can help restore balance to your gut flora. As for the medication, without seeing clear signs of bacterial infection, such as high-grade fever or blood in stools, starting antibiotics may not be necessary. Often the body will clear the virus naturally if it’s viral gastroenteritis. Over-the-counter options like loperamide could be used to reduce urgency but be cautious— if symptoms persist or worsen, it’s always wise to get more personalized input from a healthcare provider. Avoid dairy (except possibly yogurt) and fatty foods as they can exacerbate symptoms. If symptoms continue beyond a week, or if you notice severe abdominal pain, blood in stools, or high fever, seeking further medical evaluation would be sensible. These could indicate a more serious condition needing specific treatment. Given your current discomfort’s persistence, monitoring your symptoms and improvement closely over the next few days would be prudent.
100% Anonymously
Get expert answers anytime, completely confidential. No sign-up needed.
About our doctors
Only qualified doctors who have confirmed the availability of medical education and other certificates of medical practice consult on our service. You can check the qualification confirmation in the doctor's profile.