Diarrhea is a common problem -- nearly everyone has had to camp out on the toilet at some point in his or her life.
The problem starts when the body moves stool through the intestine before water can be reabsorbed from it. Often, the body is attempting to clear away viruses or bacteria that may be irritating the intestine -- this is the most common cause of diarrhea.
Stress and
anxiety,
medications such as antibiotics,
medical conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome, or
certain foods that just don’t agree with you could also be culprits.
Take Care of Yourself
If you’re battling a bout of diarrhea, you don’t have to just wait it out -- whatever the cause. There are lots of things you could do -- and
should do -- to help get yourself out of the bathroom and back to feeling normal again.
First, be sure you’re getting
plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration. When you have diarrhea, your body is not reabsorbing fluids as well as it should. A clear-liquid diet may be best the first day.
Learn more about the signs of dehydration.
Second, check your diet, and avoid foods and beverages that may aggravate your condition, such as sodas or spicy foods.
Learn more about diarrhea trigger foods.
Finally, after the first 6 hours, you have the option of several
over-the-counter medications that may help alleviate your symptoms.
If you find you have frequent bouts of diarrhea, or if your symptoms don’t clear up after a few days of self-care, see your doctor.
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