What is Diarrhea?
Diarrhea is characterized by loose and watery stools and that may be acute or chronic. Acute diarrhea usually lasts one to two days and often disappears without any treatment. It may be caused due to viral or bacterial infection or other times, it could be due to food poisoning. Chronic diarrhea lasts for at least four weeks and usually results from an intestinal disease or disorder, such as celiac disease or Crohn’s disease.
What are the different types of Diarrhea?
There are several ways to classify diarrhea. These include:
- Acute diarrhea: It is the most common type of diarrhea in which there is loose watery diarrhea that lasts one to two days. It does not need treatment and usually goes away after a few days.
- Persistent diarrhea: It generally persists for several weeks i.e., up to two to four weeks.
- Chronic diarrhea: This type of diarrhea lasts for more than four weeks or comes and goes regularly over a long period.
What causes Diarrhea?
Diarrhea can be experienced as a result of several conditions or circumstances. Potential causes of diarrhea include:
- Food intolerance, such as lactose intolerance
- Food allergy
- Due to certain medications
- Viral or bacterial or parasitic infection
- Due to an intestinal disease
- Gallbladder or abdominal surgery
- Rotavirus is the commonest cause of diarrhea in children. Bacteria like salmonella or E. coli, among others, are also common.
Other causes of diarrhea include:
- Alcohol abuse
- Allergy due to certain foods
- Diabetes Mellitus
- Intestinal disorders such as Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis
- Eating foods that harm the digestive system
- Laxative abuse
- Overactive thyroid i.e., hyperthyroidism
- Radiation therapy
- Cancer
- Malabsorption of nutrients
What are the symptoms of Diarrhea?
Symptoms associated with diarrhea may include:
- Loose and watery stools
- Abdominal cramps
- Abdominal pain
- Fever
- Blood and mucus in the stool
- Abdominal bloating
- Nausea and vomiting
- The urgency to have a bowel movement
- Diarrhea may persist beyond a few days
- Dehydration
- Severe abdominal or rectal pain
- Blood in stool
- Black colored stool
- Fever above 102 degree F (39 degree C)
What are the Home Remedies for Diarrhea?
Chandigarh Ayurved Centre is providing you the best and wonderful home remedies that will treat diarrhea naturally. In the initial stage, the symptoms of diarrhea can be stopped with these remedies. It is important to know that home remedies for diarrhea to get rid of the acute as well as chronic consequences of diarrhea.
1. Lemon Juice:
Lemon juice is considered as a citric fruit and is a rich source of vitamin C. This wonderful mixture of lemon juice, salt, sugar, and water treats symptoms associated with diarrhea.
How to use:
- Squeeze the juice from the half lemon in a glass of water.
- Add 2 teaspoons of sugar and a pinch of salt in it.
- Mix this juice well and drink it several times in a day to prevent dehydration.
2. Apple cider vinegar:
Apple cider vinegar is a well-known remedy to treat diarrhea because of its anti-microbial properties that fight against the microbes which are responsible for causing diarrhea. It also has an anti-inflammatory nature that can soothe the inflamed intestines.
How to use:
- Add two teaspoons of apple cider vinegar in a glass of water.
- Then, add two teaspoons of sugar and mix it properly.
- Drink it daily to prevent dehydration.
3. Almond Milk:
Almond milk is a healthy and safe substitute for those adults and infants who are lactose-intolerant develop diarrhea when consume dairy products like milk. Replace cow’s milk with your almond milk in your cereals, smoothies, and other dishes. Drink this milk every day if you are lactose-intolerant.
4. Coconut water:
Coconut water is used as the best home remedy for people who are suffering from mild cases of diarrhea. It restores the electrolyte balance in the body and maintains the balance of minerals. This herbal water is low in sugar and calories. It manages the symptoms related to diarrhea such as general weakness, fatigue, loss of electrolytes, etc.
How to use:
- Drink a glass of green coconut water daily after every bout of diarrhea.
5. Peppermint oil:
Menthol is the active constituent of peppermint oil. It provides a cooling effect on the body and relieves abdominal pain that accompanies diarrhea and its associated symptoms. It is also considered as the best home remedy for diarrhea.
How to use:
- Add a drop of peppermint oil in a glass of warm water.
- Drink the solution for at least 1-2 times daily.
6. Ginger:
Ginger is one of the best herbs that show anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and antioxidant properties. Its extract helps to curb serotonin-induced diarrhea. It deals with the symptoms related to diarrhea and is a perfect home remedy for abdominal pain and cramps.
How to use:
- Add two sliced ginger to a cup of water.
- Boil this mixture properly
- Keep it on simmer and then strain.
- Drink this warm ginger tea 2-3 times daily.
7. Green Tea:
Green tea has many medicinal benefits in which one is its ability to treat diarrhea. Its anti-oxidant property can eliminate toxins from the body and get rid of diarrhea. It also treats stomach upset, nausea, vomiting, acidity, etc.
How to use:
- Add a teaspoon of green tea in a cup of hot water.
- Keep it for 5-7 minutes.
- Strain it and then drink the tea.
- You can drink it 1-2 times daily.
8. Rice water:
Rice water helps in reducing the frequency of loose stools without causing any adverse effects. It is especially used in infants that occur as a result of infantile gastroenteritis.
How to use:
- Strain the water from cooked rice and consume it.
- Drink half glass of rice water after every bout of diarrhea.
- You can drink it 2 to 3 times or more daily.
