Dos and Don'ts for Quick Diarrhea Treatment at Home

Diarrhea is not only unpleasant, but it can sometimes be dangerous if left untreated, potentially leading to dehydration and other problems.

Drinking enough liquids, watching what you eat, and certain lifestyle measures can help. Here are a few dos and don’ts.

Diarrhea can cause your body to excrete fluids more quickly than usual, so replenishing them is crucial to avoid dehydration, says Matthew Sullivan, DO, a gastroenterologist with Lehigh Valley Health Network, part of Jefferson Health, in Allentown, Pennsylvania. “However, not all beverages are created equal in this scenario,” he says.

Do

“Sports drinks (like Gatorade and Powerade), diluted fruit juices, and soup broth are also reasonable choices to consume along with water or a product like Pedialyte,” Sullivan says.

Just be sure to avoid juices high in high-fructose corn syrup, as this may worsen diarrhea, Shah says.

Don’t

“Everything you eat must go through your gut,” says Erin Lisemby Judge, RDN, a dietitian in the Nashville area who specializes in gut health. As a result, she says, nutrition can play an important role in managing diarrhea and related symptoms.

Do

Stick with bland foods. When you have diarrhea, it’s best to stick with foods that are easy for the body to digest. “You don’t want the digestive tract to be overstimulated,” Shah says

• Bananas
• Rice (white)
• Applesauce
• Toast

These foods are bland, low in fiber, and starchy, and they can help firm up your stools.

• Chicken or vegetable broth
• Crackers
• Eggs
• Oatmeal
• Creamy peanut butter
• Canned peaches
• Potatoes
• Cream of wheat

Eat when hunger strikes. Listen to your body and don’t force yourself to eat, which can worsen symptoms. Trust your body to tell you when — and how much — it can tolerate, notes Ganjhu.

Don’t

• Beans and lentils
• Bran
• Broccoli
• Cabbage
• Brussels sprouts
• Cauliflower
• Leafy greens
• Foods containing lactose
• Sorbitol, an artificial sweetener

Along with knowing what to eat and drink when you’re dealing with gastrointestinal woes, it’s also important to be mindful of other everyday habits to help you deal with diarrhea. Certain lifestyle measures may also offer some relief. “Simple daily habits can go a long way in preventing diarrhea and improving your overall health,” says Andrew Moore, MD, gastroenterologist at Endeavor Health Swedish Hospital in Chicago.

Do

Wash your hands. Diarrhea can sometimes be transmitted by person-to-person contact or from contaminated surfaces, says Catherine Ngo, MD, a gastroenterologist at Hoag, a health system in Aliso Viejo, California. “For this reason, it’s important to wash your hands after using the restroom, before sitting down to a meal, or after touching any common surfaces that may have been contaminated by an ill person,” she says.

• Wet your hands
• Apply soap
• Rub your hands together for at least 20 seconds, making sure to include the backs of your hands, between your fingers, and under your nails
• Rinse with clean, running water
• Dry thoroughly

Although you can get prebiotic and probiotic supplements, Shah says it’s best to get them from food. If you’re interested in a supplement, talk to your doctor first.

• Garlic
• Onions
• Bananas
• Jerusalem artichokes
• Soybeans

• Pickles
• Kimchi
• Kombucha
• Sauerkraut
• Yogurt

Don’t

Use antidiarrheals without talking to a doctor. Although loperamide (Imodium), another OTC antidiarrheal medication, is sometimes recommended, Ganjhu advises against it. This is an antimotility, meaning that it stops your gastrointestinal tract from moving. Although it can slow down diarrhea, it’s better for it to come out,” she says. “It’s your body’s way of ridding itself of any toxins.”

• Constipation
• Bloating
• Dizziness
• Drowsiness
• Allergic reaction
• Stomach pain
• Difficulty urinating

These medications may be appropriate, however, if diarrhea causes significant dehydration, Ngo says. Ask your doctor before trying them.

“The thing we worry about most is dehydration,” Ganjhu says.

• Thirst
• Dizziness
• Fatigue
• Dark-colored urine or less urine than normal
• Dry skin
• A decrease in skin turgor, the elasticity of the skin

If you think you’re dehydrated, Moore recommends seeing your doctor right away.

• Your diarrhea lasts more than two days
• You experience severe abdominal pain or pain in your rectum
• You’re dehydrated or exceptionally weak
• You have a fever of 102 degrees F or higher
• Your stools are bloody or black and tar-like

• Diarrhea usually resolves on its own after a day or two, but making a few changes in what you eat and drink may help you feel better in the meantime.
• Hydration may be the most crucial component of diarrhea treatment, so make sure you’re drinking plenty of fluids.
• See your doctor if your diarrhea is persistent or severe or you experience additional symptoms, such as bloody stool, fever, or intense abdominal pain.