Here are 4 Ways to Overcome Diarrhea in Adults

Diarrhea in adults is often caused by a bacterial or viral infection, lactose intolerance, or drinking too much alcohol. Although it usually resolves within a few days, the increased frequency of loose stools during diarrhea can lead to dehydration.

Therefore, there are various ways to deal with diarrhea in adults that you can do if you suffer from this disease. Proper management of diarrhea can prevent serious complications, such as electrolyte imbalance, dehydration, or organ damage.

Various Ways to Overcome Diarrhea in Adults

In addition to an increased frequency of bowel movements and watery stools, diarrhea can also be accompanied by various other symptoms, such as cramps or abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, flatulence, fever, or even bloody stools.

So that diarrhea does not get worse, there are several ways to deal with diarrhea in adults that you can do, including:

1. Consume more fluids

Too frequent bowel movements during diarrhea can trigger dehydration because the body loses a lot of fluids and electrolytes. Therefore, you are advised to consume more fluids, especially water, broth, or fruit juices, about 8-12 glasses per day.

To replace lost body fluids, you can also make an oral rehydration solution by mixing water, salt, and sugar or buy ORS at the nearest pharmacy.

2. Pay attention to food and drink intake

Eating some low-fiber foods, such as bananas, rice, and toast, can be a way of dealing with diarrhea in adults. Low-fiber foods are known to help solidify loose stools.

You can also eat oatmeal, boiled or baked potatoes, chicken soup, and skinless roasted chicken when you have diarrhea.

However, avoid foods or drinks that are high in fiber because they can cause flatulence and make your diarrhea worse. Examples of these foods or drinks are cabbage, broccoli, corn, peas, berries, green leafy vegetables, coffee, alcoholic beverages, and milk.

3. Consuming probiotics

Foods or supplements containing probiotics can help relieve diarrhea symptoms. Probiotics are bacteria and fungi that are beneficial in maintaining a healthy digestive tract. Some examples of probiotics are Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium, and Saccharomyces boulardii.

As a way to treat diarrhea in adults, you can take advantage of probiotics by consuming kefir, yogurt, natto, miso, kombucha, sourdough bread, and tempeh.

4. Taking antidiarrheal drugs

To reduce the frequency of loose bowel movements, you can take over-the-counter antidiarrheal drugs, such as bismuth subsalicylate, and loperamide. This antidiarrheal drug works by fighting bacteria or parasites that cause diarrhea and normalizing your digestive function.

Although loperamide is classified as an over-the-counter drug, you should first consult with your doctor before you use this drug. This is because loperamide can cause inflammation or bloody diarrhea in some people.

Before taking antidiarrheal drugs, check the instructions for using the drug so that the dose you take is appropriate, so that the drug works more effectively in the body.

During diarrhea, the increased frequency of bowel movements can also cause anal itching, burning, or pain. To fix this, take a warm shower and then gently dry the body with a towel. You can also apply petroleum jelly to the rectal area to relieve any discomfort that appears.

Various ways to deal with diarrhea in adults above can be done until your condition improves. However, if diarrhea does not improve within 2 days and is accompanied by severe abdominal pain, bloody or black stools, and fever, you should consult a doctor for appropriate treatment.