relief from loose motion - #18552
I am in such a frustrating situation!! For the last few days, I’ve been dealing with this crazy bout of diarrhea. It all started after I ate some street food on Friday night. Super tasty at the time, but now? Ugh. I can’t seem to get any relief from loose motion. I’ve tried drinking more water and some electrolyte drinks, but it just keeps happening. There’s been cramping too, and I went to my doctor who suggested I take some over-the-counter medication, but it didn’t work at all!! I’m worried about my work, I have a huge presentation and I can’t seem to get off the toilet. I read somewhere that ginger tea might help with relief from loose motion, but how much should I drink? Or is there something else that would work faster? I mean I just want like some urgent relief from loose motion, you know? Also, I’m not sure if I should avoid foods or if I can have my usual meals? Like what should I be eating? I keep second-guessing myself. I’m kinda losing hope here cause it’s been four days already and I can't do this much longer! Any recommendations for quick relief from loose motion?
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Doctors' responses
Considering your symptoms began after eating street food, it’s possible that this is a case of foodborne illness or bacterial infection. Since your over-the-counter medication didn’t help, it could be worth trying a different approach. Keep staying hydrated; that’s crucial. Beyond water, continue using oral rehydration solutions or electrolyte drinks—aim for small, frequent sips to prevent dehydration. Ginger tea can potentially help with digestive upset due to its anti-inflammatory properties. A couple of cups per day is usually safe, but don’t overdo it, as too much ginger can sometimes cause issues like heartburn. As for food, stick to a bland diet. This means eating foods that are easy on your stomach like rice, bananas, applesauce, and toast—the so-called BRAT diet. Avoid dairy, caffeine, alcohol, spicy foods, and high-fiber foods until your symptoms improve. You may want to try an anti-diarrheal medication if you haven’t already, or a different one recommended by your doctor. Keep in mind that if fever, blood in stools, or severe dehydration occurs, you should seek medical attention promptly. Since this has lasted four days with no improvement, seeing your doctor again might be a good idea. They might consider a stool test to identify any specific infection needing targeted treatment like antibiotics. Rest and time are often needed, but given your work obligations, addressing it with your healthcare provider for a tailored approach might bring quicker relief.
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