Diarrhea Treatments: Over-the-Counter and Prescription Options

We all know how awful diarrhea can make us feel. The urgency to frequently go to the loo, not just to pee but to take a dump, can be extremely tiring and painful. Especially when the stool is watery and loose, accompanied by extreme stomach cramps.  There is no doubt that Diarrhea exhausts you; knowing there would be a rush for you to run a marathon to the washroom can be mentally tiring. Trust us, that's exactly what a person with diarrhea goes through.  A simple walk to the restroom can feel like miles you need to run. Anyway, diarrhea can be a pretty severe and disturbing ailment. It results in dehydration and loss of appetite. Your body loses all its energy, and you feel like a dead person. In the section below, we will discuss the Diarrhea treatments.

Let’s get started.

Symptoms of Diarrhea

• Loose, watery stools 3-4 times a day or maybe more.
• Black Bowel movements
• An uncontrollable urge to go to the loo every minute.
• Dehydration
• Cramps and bloating in the stomach.
• Nausea. 
• A constant headache and loss of appetite.

Causes of Diarrhea

There can be multiple causes of diarrhea. Sometimes, it can be a food allergy, and a few other times, it can be because of a severe infection in the stomach. Let's look at a few of the major causes of a diarrhea-

Traveler's diarrhea

It is the most common cause of diarrhea. It mainly happens to travelers traveling to some hot/humid locations. It can also be caused by the consumption of contaminated food or water. A traveler should be cautious while traveling abroad, whether it's a leisure trip or a work trip.

Food allergies

Many people have specific food intolerances or food allergies that they're unaware of. The most common ones are related to dairy, eggs, seafood, non-veg food, etc.

Lactose intolerance 

People with lactose intolerance often suffer from diarrhea when consuming lactose-induced food. They suffer from lousy diarrhea preceding that, which can lead to discomfort.

Side effects of medication

Drugs can usually cause a specific reaction in some people. This reaction can sometimes be diarrhea. It is a primary reason why not all drugs are suitable for everyone. A drug suiting you might not be ideal for someone in your family. Certain diabetes meds, antacids, or cancer-treating medications can cause diarrhea. To overcome this problem, you should consult your healthcare provider; he will provide you with an alternative.

Digestive disorders

You might be suffering from a severe gut disease you're unaware of; this might cause your grave diarrhea. The most common of these disorders can be

1. Irritable Bowel Syndrome
2. Celtic disease
3. Cohn's disease, aka Ulcerative Colitis

Diarrhea can even indicate certain bacterial growth in the small intestine. Therefore, you should always be careful of the timeline of diarrhea.

Tests For Diarrhea

Diarrhea usually clears up in about four days; thus, many people do not receive any official diagnosis. Yet, many people who experience symptoms lasting more than a few days should seek medical attention. These tests may involve-

• Taking blood samples;
• Taking stool samples;
• An endoscopy- Involves a tiny camera put into the stomach and upper intestine to get a clear vision of what's happening inside;
• Allergy test for lactose intolerance

Prevention is Better Than Cure

Diarrhea may as well be a sign of a severe underlying condition. Nevertheless, there are ways to prevent it from happening to you. Hence, a few things to keep diarrhea at bay include-

• Washing hands frequently.

• Always drink clean and fresh water. Especially in places, you know that the water might be contaminated with pathogens.

• Drink bottled water and avoid tap water. Make sure that the bottle you use is sealed.

• Avoid eating raw vegetables and fruits. Eat well-cooked food.

• Be extra careful when eating out. Be wary of the surroundings and avoid foods that do not suit you. To satisfy your taste buds, do not overindulge.

• As soon as you notice symptoms, start oral rehydration therapy. It will indeed make you feel better.

• If you're someone with diarrhea, avoid going out and stay home. This will reduce the chances of you passing it on to someone else.

• Restrain yourself from smoking altogether. Not only is it injurious to your health, but it will worsen your diarrhea even if you're a regular/chain smoker.

• Avoid caffeinated drinks, sugary drinks, and anything having to do with alcohol. It upsets the gut even more and makes you feel sicker.

A Guideline to Treating Diarrhea

Treatments for diarrhea include various home remedies. Additionally, it even includes Over-the-counter medications. First, let's look at the different home remedies.

Home Remedies

• Eat a bland diet- A diet devoid of spices will help you recover faster;

• Avoid fried foods, raw vegetables/fruits, and eat well-cooked food;

• Avoid any drinks containing coffee and alcohol. It will only make your diarrhea worse;

• Rehydrate. In addition to water, you must include oral rehydration therapy to replenish those electrolytes. You can drink ORS, juices, and sports drinks to ease the symptoms. Also, check the sugar content of these drinks, as sugar will worsen your diarrhea;

• Try drinking homemade tea that includes chamomile, honey, and ginger

In addition to this, you can even use over-the-counter medications to help treat your diarrhea. Undoubtedly, these medicines will bring you instant relief and comfort. So, stock your first aid with these medications to prepare for tough times.

Few Over-The-Counter Medications

Pepto Bismol Liquid

Mainly for people who don't like to swallow pills. It is in liquid form and provides instant relief from nausea, heartburn, stomach ache, and diarrhea. Also, it's readily available at most pharmaceuticals.

Imodium

This medicine is for you if you've been running to the restroom frequently. Imodium will help solve your problem. Also, you can pop a pill before a big day to avoid hassles. 

DiaResQ Vanilla Diarrhea Relief for Adults

These powdered packets provide much-needed nutrients and keep you energized all day long. It will restore your intestinal function quickly and is easy to use—Open-add to water-mix-drink.

Kaopectate

Kaopectate is similar to Pepto-Bismol. However, it comes in liquid and capsule form and offers more flavors than Pepto-Bismol, such as Vanilla and Peppermint.

Antibiotics

Besides this, if bacteria causes diarrhea, the doctor will prescribe you antibiotics.

Note: Antibiotics do not help in viral infections.

Fact: People with comorbidities need to be careful before taking any medications. For instance, someone with diabetes or on dialysis should consult their doctor before taking these medicines. It is so because these medications can meddle with the ongoing prescription of the patient.

Complications Related to Diarrhea

If your diarrhea results from any underlying condition, you must definitely check with the doctor. The doctor would be able to help you better in this case. So, whatsoever make sure to visit your doctor. You must be cautious when going through diarrhea as it involves many complications. Firstly, it is advisable to keep your symptoms in check. As a result, you will know about the seriousness of the disease. Secondly, when diarrhea strikes, in a few cases, it may be life-threatening. Because dehydration is an immediate effect of diarrhea, it can be dangerous. Low levels of fluids in the body can make you feel dizzy, drowsy, fatigued, and even unconscious.

Note: In babies, check for symptoms like a high-grade fever and any unusual restroom timings.

Lastly, if you see a black, tarry stool containing blood or pus, rush to the doctor immediately before it worsens.

Conclusion

The third leading cause of child mortality in our country is diarrhea. Children under the age of 5 are under a crucial threat from diarrhea. Similarly, among adults, diarrhea affects most of the population at least once in their lifetime. Therefore, diarrhea is fatal to everyone, irrespective of age group. Although, children are a tad bit more susceptible and vulnerable to this disease. Additionally, it has a lot to do with immunity as well. It is paramount that diarrhea is prevented and, if not prevented, then at least be diagnosed and treated correctly and on time. See a doctor immediately if you think it's getting out of control. You must emphasize the timeline of your diarrhea. You need to know precisely how prolonged your diarrhea has been persistent. It will help in giving the doctor a clear picture of your situation. In conclusion, you must maintain personal hygiene and beware of the places you go.