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What Foods Help Stop Diarrhea?

Easy-to-digest foods that are binding can help stop diarrhea, including pasta, rice, potatoes, crackers, oatmeal, and bananas.
Easy-to-digest foods that are binding can help stop diarrhea, including pasta, rice, potatoes, crackers, oatmeal, and bananas.

Diarrhea is defined as loose stools that occur three or more times in a day. Chronic diarrhea is diarrhea that is persistent or lasts from two to four weeks. 

How to Stop Diarrhea

Diet changes can often help stop diarrhea. Foods that help stop diarrhea are those that are easy-to-digest and binding, such as:

  • Pasta
  • Rice
  • Potatoes
  • Crackers
  • Oatmeal
  • Bananas

Other home remedies for diarrhea include:

  • Drink plenty of fluids
    • Good choices include liquids with sugar and salt, such as juice and broth
  • Eat salty foods to help prevent dehydration
  • Soups
  • Avoid food and drinks that are triggers such as milk
  • Increase fiber intake
  • Take over-the-counter (OTC) anti-diarrheal medicines
  • Take probiotics

Treatment for diarrhea depends on the cause. Diet changes and home remedies are often sufficient and diarrhea will go away on its own with rest, hydration, and a bland diet. When treatment is needed it may include: 

  • Intravenous (IV) fluids to treat and prevent dehydration
  • Anti-diarrheal medications
    • Loperamide (Imodium)
    • Diphenoxylate-atropine (Lomotil)
    • Bismuth subsalicylate (Pepto-Bismol, Kaopectate)
  • Antibiotics, if diarrhea is caused by certain bacterial infections
  • Stopping or changing medications (do not stop or change any medications without first talking to your doctor)
  • Treating any underlying medical condition 

What Are Symptoms of Diarrhea?

Diarrhea itself is a symptom of many different conditions. Symptoms that may accompany diarrhea include: 

What Is the Cause of Diarrhea?

Causes of diarrhea may include:

  • Eating certain foods 
  • Laxative use
  • Viruses
  • Medications
  • Digestive problems
  • Digestive diseases
  • Bacteria 
  • Caffeine intake
  • Parasites
  • Allergies
  • Complications from past surgeries
  • Alcohol use

How Is Diarrhea Diagnosed?

Diarrhea is diagnosed with a patient history that includes questions about how diarrhea occurs, when symptoms began, what you’ve eaten recently, the consistency of the stool, and whether there is blood in the stool. 

A physical exam may be performed, and a stool sample may be taken to help determine the cause of the diarrhea. 

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References
Image Source: iStock Images

https://iffgd.org/lower-gi-disorders/diarrhea/common-causes.htm

https://www.uptodate.com/contents/diarrhea-in-adolescents-and-adults-the-basics?search=diarrhea&source=search_result&selectedTitle=4~150&usage_type=default&display_rank=4

https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/diarrhea.html