What Can I Do?
Most acute (or temporary) diarrhea is mild and rarely requires antibiotics. You can effectively relieve diarrhea symptoms by restricting what you eat, drinking plenty of fluids, especially electrolyte replacement fluids, and by using an antidiarrheal medication such as IMODIUM®.
This is a checklist of things to do to help ward off dehydration and relieve your symptoms:
- Drink plenty of clear liquids or take an oral rehydration solution (ORS).
- Avoid smoking or drinking coffee or alcohol.
- Rest and give yourself time to recover.
- Try, at least in the beginning, to avoid high sugar products, alcohol and foods rich in fibre. They can increase the frequency of diarrhea.
- Start with a bland "white diet" comprised of things like rice and bread. This is also known as the BRAT diet - Bananas, Rice, Applesauce and Toast.
- Avoid milk and other dairy products, green vegetables and fatty or spicy foods for a few days.
In the initial stages (acute phase) of diarrhea, avoid high sugar products, alcohol, whole fruits, vegetables and high fibre foods - they can increase the frequency of diarrhea.
But the most important thing to do during this time is to drink plenty of clear liquids or, even better, use an oral rehydration solution (ORS). Take the ORS frequently in small amounts up to a total of at least 8 to 16 glasses per day (2 to 4 litres). An ORS contains a carbohydrate (glucose or rice syrup) and electrolytes (sodium, potassium, chloride, and citrate or bicarbonate). As your symptoms improve, it can be supplemented with other beverages, including water, unsweetened juices or clear soups. You can find ORS solutions at most pharmacies.
If you would like more information on Treatment Guidelines download a PDF.
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