Diarrhea
Definition:
To most individuals, diarrhea means an increased frequency or decreased consistency of bowel movements; however, the medical definition is more exact than this. In many developed countries, the average number of bowel movements is three per day. However, researchers have found that diarrhea best correlates with an increase in stool weight; stool weights above 10oz (300 gs) per day generally indicates diarrhea. This is mainly due to excess water, which normally makes up 60-85% of fecal matter. In this way, true diarrhea is distinguished from diseases that cause only an increase in the number of bowel movements (hyperdefecation) or incontinence (involuntary loss of bowel contents).
Diarrhea is also classified by physicians into acute, which lasts one or two weeks, and chronic, which continues for longer than 2 or 3 weeks. Viral and bacterial infections are the most common causes of acute diarrhea.
Signs & Symptoms:
Diarrhea can be accompanied by symptoms like abdominal pain, bloating, nausea and may cause complications like dehydration.
It usually takes two to four days for diarrhea and its accompanying symptoms to disappear completely, depending upon the intensity of the problem.
You can combat diarrhea with a variety of natural, home remedies to fight the infection as well as provide relief from the symptoms.
Signs and symptoms associated with diarrhea may include:
Loose, watery stools
Abdominal cramps
Abdominal pain
Fever
Blood in the stool
Bloating
Nausea
Urgent need to have a bowel movement
Cause:
The main causes of diarrhea are viral infections, bacterial infections, consumption of contaminated food and water, anxiety, food intolerances, and intestinal diseases such as irritable bowel syndrome, Crohns disease and ulcerative colitis.
How To Cure:
- Yogurt
Yogurt, especially the one with live bacterial cultures such as lactobacillus acidophilus and bifidobacterium is a great home remedy for diarrhea.
These live cultures help restore the good bacteria in your intestine and destroy the bad bacteria causing the diarrhea.
In a 2009 study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, researchers found that probiotics can help reduce antibiotic-associated diarrhea
Just two bowls of yogurt a day can produce noticeable relief. Add or eat a banana with your yogurt for added benefits.
- Ginger
Ginger is used in the treatment of food poisoning and can also help get rid of cramps and abdominal pain.
Grate a small piece of ginger and add one teaspoon of honey. Eat the mixture to promote the release of gastric juices and improve digestion. Avoid drinking water immediately after eating it.
You can also drink ginger tea two to three times a day to cure diarrhea. Slice one small piece of ginger and add them to one cup of water. Boil the water for a few minutes, strain it and add some honey before drinking it. If fresh ginger is not available, you can use powdered ginger from your spice rack.
- Bananas
When dealing with diarrhea, it is recommended to eat ripe bananas because of their high pectin content.
Pectin is a water-soluble fiber that helps reduce diarrhea. Bananas are also high in potassium, an electrolyte that supports a number of vital functions in the body.
Eat a few ripe bananas a day until your diarrhea subsides.
