Diarrhea is not a disease in itself. It is a disorder that may arise from many different causes. The most important cause of diarrhea is the contaminated food. One or two loose watery stools may not be significant. Large, loose stools may drain much of the essential water from the body. Such fluids must be replaced as soon as possible. Diarrhea in babies and small children can be dangerous. Infants are easily dehydrated, and they are not able to tell how they feel
Diarrhea is often seen in people who take excessive amounts of laxatives. Some people are allergic to certain substances or common foods. Some people have frequent loose stools for years without any other evidence of disease. Some people develop diarrhea when under severe emotional strain. Excess alcohol consumption; laxatives; caffeine are also known to cause diarrhea. Some medicines can cause diarrhea, such as antibiotics (tetracycline, clyndamycin, penicillin). Blood or mucus in the stool is a sign of infection or parasites.
Diarrhea is a means to excrete bacteria or viruses that might have ingested by eating bad food. Therefore, it is not good idea to stop diarrhea too quickly. However, diarrhea does not work sometimes and if goes on for several days, dehydration and loss of important nutrients may occur which can be dangerous especially in children.
Diarrhea is characterized by frequent, watery stools, often accompanied by stomach cramps, abdominal pain and gas. Diarrhea may be of various colors and contain mucous, blood or pus.
HOME REMEDIES FOR DIARRHEA
Increasing fluid intake is the first thing to be done to fight against the diarrhea. Fluids that contain salt and small amounts of sugar are particularly beneficial, as they help the body replace glucose and minerals lost during diarrhea. A good "rehydration fluid" can be easily made by adding 1 teaspoon of sugar and a pinch of salt to 1 quart of water. Foods containing large amounts of poorly absorbed carbohydrates can aggravate diarrhea. Therefore foods such as bread, pasta, and other wheat products; apples, pears, peaches, and prunes; corn, oats, potatoes, and processed bran should be avoided. Dairy products should also be avoided during a bout of diarrhea Black berry tea is good for mild diarrhea. Ginger tea can give relief to cramps and pain. This is very effective home remedy for diarrhea. Do not drink apple juice this will make diarrhea worse. Boil brown rice and water for 45 minutes eat the rice (it contains Vitamin B) and drink the water. Cook ½ cup of rice with 4 cups of water with ½ teaspoon of ginger paste and salt. Add ½ cup of pomegranate juice when the gruel is warm. This gruel rehydrates body and supply energy. This soothes inflamed walls of intestine and controls bowel movements. This is also very effective home remedy for diarrhea. Drink 3-4 times half a cup of water with a few drops of Pudin Hara Drink a mixture of 1 tsp mint juice, 1/2 tsp ginger juice, and 1 tsp honey. Make a paste of a lemon along with seeds. Add some salt. Take 1 tsp of this paste 2-3 times. Add 1/2 tsp of dry ginger (saunth powder in 1 cup buttermilk (chhachh). Drink it 3 - 4 times a day. For diarrhea treatment chew a few pieces of the inner lining of pomegranate with salt, and/or drink pomegranate juice. Prepare a mixture by adding 1 Tbsp poppy seeds, 1 tsp edible gum, 1 tsp cardamom powder, 1/2 tsp nutmeg (jaiphal) powder, and2 tbs sugar, and grind to a powder. Take this powder every 2 hours. Prepare a solution by adding 1/2 tsp lemon juice, 1/2 tsp ginger juice, and 1/4 tsp pepper powder and drink it. Prepare a mixture of 5-6 chopped basil (tulsi) leaves, 1/4 tsp sea salt, some black pepper in 3 Tbsp of curd, and eat it. Repeat this 4 times a day for one week for complete reconditioning of stomach. Roast 1/2 tsp cumin (jeera) seeds and 1/2 tsp fenugreek seeds (dana methi). Mix and powder it, add to 4 tsp of yogurt (curd). Take thrice a day. Grate one raw papaya. Add 3 cups water, boil for 10 mins, strain and finish the water in one day. Stew 1 apple with 2 pinches of nutmeg powder and 1 tsp sugar. Give your child to eat it. Grapefruit seed extract is an excellent remedy for traveler's diarrhea. Ripe bananas are recommended. Bananas are especially good as they are easily digested and have pectin and important nutrients such as potassium and magnesium. For diarrhea treatment add fiber to diet to absorb excess fluid in the intestines and help make firmer bowels. Try to manage the stress and anxiety that is causing your diarrhea. Yoga, meditation, hypnotism, biofeedback and other tension releasing techniques may be useful. Take 1 teaspoon of apple cider vinegar in a glass of water with each meal and at mid-morning, mid-afternoon, and at bedtime. Take bee pollen several times a day. It contains nearly all the minerals and trace elements needed in the diet. Boil water and cool. Add 3 teaspoons of black pepper and 11/2 teaspoon of kelp to 2 cups of water. Repeat as often as necessary. Boil carrots, and make a puree. Take 1 teaspoon every 15 minutes. Prepare a mixture by adding 4 tablespoons of honey with 8 ounces of water. This is a good remedy for bacteria-caused diarrhea. For diarrhea treatment make a solution by adding 1/2 cup of orange juice, 1 tablespoon sugar, 1/6 teaspoon salt, 11/3 cups of water. Give a child 1/2 oz. of this mixture every 2 hours. Potato soup is also very good remedy for diarrhea; eat several bowls during the day. Make a tea from the leaves of a pumpkin, squash or gourd. Boil two quarts of water; snip several double-handfuls of leaves into the water; cover and remove from heat; steep for 35 minutes; drink a cup every couple of hours. In a food blender mix a handful of chopped red radishes, 1 cup of cold milk, and 1/2 teaspoon of cornstarch. Drink slowly. This remedy should stop the diarrhea within an hour. Repeat again in 4 hours, if needed. Amaranth seeds and leaves are useful in stopping diarrhea. Make a tea by bringing three cups of water to a boil, adding two teaspoons of seeds, cover and simmer on low for about 5 minutes. Remove from heat and add 1 teaspoon of leaves (if available) or just let it steep for 30 minutes. Drink two cups daily. Make a paste of sesame seeds (1 teaspoon) and add a few tablespoons of goat's milk. It is also beneficial. The leaves and fruit of blueberries and bilberries will help to naturally stop diarrhea. During the course of diarrhea, babies should eat carrots, rice cereal, bananas, potatoes, and applesauce to help firm the stools. Fruit juices, peas, pears, peaches, plums, prunes and apricots should be avoided until the stools are back to normal. Adults and older children can also eat cheese, crackers, bread, rice and potatoes. During diarrhea outbreaks, it's best to avoid most dairy products, which tend to make diarrhea worse. This includes milk, butter, creams, and eggs. Yogurt is the exception; it will help to stop diarrhea.