Diarrhoea means loose, watery bowel movements. You will have diarrhoea if you have loose stools three times or more in one day. People can have either acute or chronic diarrhoea.
Acute diarrhoea
When diarrhoea persists for 1–2 days, it is considered acute. In this case, diarrhoea may be brought on by a viral or bacterial infection you received through food or drink.
Chronic diarrhoea
The condition is said to be chronic when you have diarrhoea most days of the week for more than three to four weeks. Chronic diarrhoea has several frequent causes, including:
- Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
- Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) and
- Conditions like Celiac disease that impair food absorption
Diarrhoea is linked to various digestive issues beyond loose or runny stools, such as
- Abdominal pain,
- Bloating
- Cramps
- Bubbling sensation in the intestines
- An intense urge to urinate
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Fever
If a person has diarrhoea, their diet is quite essential. While certain meals may worsen diarrhoea symptoms, others may help relieve them.
What should you eat when you have diarrhoea?
A person suffering from diarrhoea should consume bland, simple foods that are simple to digest and assist absorb some water from the stool while recovering.
1. Bland food
Spicy foods might irritate the bowels. Therefore, people who have diarrhoea should avoid eating those things. You can either eat things like
- Idli/Idiyappam
- Curd rice
- Bananas
- Coconut water
- Ginger tea
- Rice porridge or Kanji
- Buttermilk
These foods may be particularly beneficial on the first day of treating diarrhoea. Instead of eating a few large meals throughout the day, spread your meals into several smaller ones to avoid overworking your digestive system.
2. Probiotics
Some patients may benefit from probiotic foods like yoghurt and kefir. By balancing the ratio of good and bad bacteria in the gut, probiotics help digestion.
Dairy products, however, are difficult to digest, which might irritate the digestive tract further. Hence, a person may want to consider non-dairy sources of probiotics, such as fermented soy milk, fruits, and vegetables.
Talk to your doctor before you decide to take probiotics.
3. Low-fiber cereals and starches
While fibre is an essential component that helps keep your bowel movements regular and adds bulk to your stool, a low-fibre diet is advised when you have diarrhoea. This is because it helps with digestion and lessens bowel frequency. Doctors advise eating boiled rice, wheat, or oats if you have watery stools.
4. Crackers and soup
Soup and crackers are a great option when suffering from diarrhoea. Soup can help replenish nutrient and hydration levels, while crackers help with nausea because of their salt content.
Eating salty meals can help replenish electrolytes since diarrhoea can cause significant fluid and electrolyte loss. Electrolytes are minerals like sodium and potassium.
5. Boiled vegetables
When you have diarrhoea, boiled vegetables may be easier on your digestive system as raw vegetables can be more challenging to digest and might produce discomfort in the form of gas and bloating.
6. Lean turkey or chicken
Choose low-fat meat alternatives like skinless chicken or turkey over greasy dishes with a high-fat content to prevent your diarrhoea from worsening. Since flavours and spices can make you sick, try eating unseasoned meats.
To flavour the meat, you can try using dried or fresh herbs such as basil, parsley, thyme, rosemary, oregano, or cilantro.
7. Eggs
When you have diarrhoea, you can safely eat cooked eggs. Choose meals that do not include a lot of butter, cheese, or seasonings, like salt-seasoned scrambled eggs.
If you have nausea or vomiting in addition to diarrhoea, it is recommended that you stick to a liquid diet. Drinking liquids makes digestion easier and may lessen the likelihood of intestinal discomfort.
What should you drink when you have diarrhoea?
Dehydration is one of the main issues with diarrhoea because you lose a lot of water and electrolytes, which can be dangerous, especially in small children. The list of beverages that help rehydrate or replace electrolytes is provided below.
1. Drink plenty of water
Rehydrating starts with drinking water. You can make an oral rehydration solution by combining 1 litre of water with six teaspoons of sugar and half a teaspoon of salt.
Consuming sugar and salt with water improves the efficiency of fluid absorption in the intestines. After a bout of diarrhoea, this remedy rehydrates the body more effectively than water by itself.
2. Ginger tea
Many diseases are treated with ginger. It has several health benefits and works well as a home remedy for diarrhoea. It strengthens the stomach and enhances digestion while lowering food stagnation. As a result, ginger is regarded as a miraculous spice.
How to prepare:
- Prepare by chopping up a piece of ginger an inch in length and adding it to a cup of boiling water.
- Give it a few minutes to simmer.
- Drink this drink two to three times a day.
3. Coriander and lemon water
Lemon is an effective natural cure for controlling diarrhoea because it has anti-inflammatory properties. It is also helpful to consume cilantro or coriander leaves to treat indigestion-related illnesses.
The essential oils in coriander leaves, borneol and linalool, will soothe the stomach and support healthy liver function.
How to prepare:
- You can make this drink by grinding four to five coriander leaves and making a paste.
- To a glass of water, add this coriander paste.
- Add a teaspoon or two of lemon juice, then thoroughly combine.
- Have this drink twice or thrice a day.
4. Mint and lemon water
The stomach can be soothed by lemon and mint. Mint has antiviral, antifungal, and antibacterial properties, and it eases stomach lining irritation and promotes the flow of digestive juices. As a result, this drink will help relieve pain, cramps, and stomachaches.
How to prepare:
- About 20 mint leaves should be ground into a paste to extract the juice.
- Add one teaspoon of mint extract and one teaspoon of lemon juice to a glass of water.
- You can have this drink three to four times each day.
5. Pomegranate juice
Pomegranate juice is an excellent treatment for diarrhoea because it delivers results quickly. The plant leaves are just as good as the fruit and its juice.
How to prepare:
- Use a blender to extract the juice from the pomegranate seeds
- Enjoy a glass of juice to feel better quickly
You can also use pomegranate leaves and make tea by boiling them in hot water. Take the pot off the heat, put it aside for ten minutes, stir it, and then serve the water.
What should you avoid eating when you have diarrhoea?
Knowing which foods to avoid when you have diarrhoea is just as important as knowing what to eat. Certain meals can cause digestive issues and make your diarrhoea worse.
For relief from diarrhoea, avoid the following:
1. High-fat foods
Foods with high-fat content can aggravate diarrhoea, leading to additional bathroom visits and greasy and unpleasant stools. This can occur because your body's capacity to absorb fat might be momentarily hampered by diarrhoea.
In general, fat slows down the passage of food through your system because it takes longer to digest; however, if your body cannot break down fat, food may travel through your system much more quickly.
2. Dairy products
Dairy products may not be digested appropriately when you have diarrhoea, perhaps even weeks or months after your illness. Milk, cheese, cream, and butter are dairy items to avoid, but yoghurt is an exemption as it contains a probiotic that can help alleviate diarrhoea.
Since the extra sugars in flavoured yoghurt are hard on the digestive system during a bout of diarrhoea, you are advised to have plain yoghurt.
3. Spicy foods
Avoid spicy foods and seasonings while you have diarrhoea since they can aggravate your digestive system and make you feel worse. Do yourself a favour and season your food with salt or herbs since this can help you rehydrate and replenish your electrolyte levels.
4. Sugar-rich foods
Because sugar makes the intestines release a lot of water, your diarrhoea may become worse. When you have diarrhoea, avoid sugary foods and beverages, including those containing artificial sweeteners like stevia and aspartame, such as soda, candy, and baked goods.
5. Gas-inducing foods
When you have diarrhoea, you should avoid some foods that tend to induce gas since they might make your discomfort greater and make your diarrhoea worse. Among these foods are:
- Beans and legumes, such as green beans and chickpeas
- Vegetables like brussels sprouts, cauliflower, cabbage, and green beans
- Avoid chewing gum since it can cause gas by causing you to swallow a lot of air
- Soda and other aerated beverages since they contain a lot of gas and are carbonated
6. Possibly spoiled food
Avoid eating anything that has been handled poorly, such as food that has been improperly stored or left out of the refrigerator for an extended period. It might also be harmful to eat raw fish or meat. The classic adage "When in doubt, throw it out" can help you avoid stomach problems.
Other foods to stay away from when having diarrhoea include:
- Processed food, particularly that which contains additives
- Raw vegetables
- Sardines
- Pork and veal
- All citrus fruits, figs, grapes, pineapples, cherries, seeded berries, and currants.
- Alcohol
What should you avoid drinking when you have diarrhoea?
1. Alcohol and soda
When you have diarrhoea, you should avoid foods and drinks that cause you to lose fluids. Alcohol can act as a diuretic, which means it dehydrates. High-fructose corn syrup sodas can also be bad if you have diarrhoea.
A study featured in the June 2017 issue of Healthcare found that eating a lot of fructose can upset your stomach and cause gas, bloating, or diarrhoea.
2. Caffeine
Coffee, tea, and soda all contain caffeine, which may overstimulate the digestive system and aggravate the symptoms.
3. Sugary drinks
Sugary drinks may contain artificial sweeteners, such as sorbitol. Artificial sweeteners can have a laxative effect on some people's digestive systems. It's advisable to avoid sugarless candies, gum, diet sodas, and sugar replacements if you have diarrhoea.
The Harvard Health newsletter of Harvard Medical School claims that eating sugars, even artificial ones, stimulate the production of water and electrolytes in the intestines, which can cause diarrhoea and loose bowel movements.
Conclusion
Many instances of diarrhoea are short-lived and can be treated at home. You can quickly relieve symptoms by following a simple diet, drinking more fluids, and taking OTC drugs as required.
After a few days, if the body is still not responding to these treatments, a person should consult a doctor for a diagnosis and course of treatment.
FAQ's
What gives you diarrhoea out of nowhere?
1·A bacterial infection.
2·A virus
3·Digestive issues with certain foods (food intolerance)
4·Food intolerance (such as celiac disease, gluten allergy)
5·Parasites that enter through water or food.
6·A response to medication.
7·A disease of the intestines, such as inflammatory bowel disease
How long does diarrhoea last?
When is diarrhoea fatal?
Dehydration is especially dangerous for young kids, the elderly, and people with compromised immune systems.
