Safe ways to reduce diarrhea
Diarrhea is characterized by uncontrollable changes in bowel movements, which are usually completely liquid. Practically all of us have been irritated by it at one point or the other in our lives. The onset of diarrhea brings a disruption to almost all work and personal activities, requires countless trips to the bathroom, and makes the affected person uncomfortable, distracted and irritated for days at a stretch. It is frequently also associated with other symptoms – painful stomach cramps ( some are so extreme that the affected can’t even get up from bed), vomiting, insufferable digestion problems, weakness, and most importantly, severe dehydration. Dehydration during prolonged periods of diarrhea can be fatal, especially for infants and the elderly. There are hundreds of thousands of child deaths a year because of dehydration caused from diarrhea, especially in developing countries.
Diarrhea may have a lot of causes, but the most frequent ones involve a bacterial, viral or a toxic infection that occurs due to the intake of improper/unhygienic food, eating meals at very irregular intervals, a diet consisting of unhealthy and unpredictable outside food etc. This is why travelers exposed to new food customs in other countries frequently get diarrhea. It can also be caused from several types of food poisoning, and can be accompanied with more serious diseases like dysentery and cholera. Diarrhea mostly involves improper digestion, and uncontrollable water secretion and absorption capacity of the bowels.
The treatment of diarrhea almost universally involves replacing the lost fluids, salts and other vitamins and minerals in the patient with salt preparations and an electrolyte, usually ORS (Oral Rehydration Solution). For patients with no access to ORS, even salt-and-sugar solutions can provide quick relief. Diarrhea usually takes a little time to disappear. If the diarrhea is prolonged (lasting several weeks), then immediate consultation of a doctor is needed.
People, especially traveling people and people constantly on the run can adopt many practices to be safe from diarrhea and dehydration. Drink a lot of liquids, because a diarrheic body can lose water very quickly. Liquids containing electrolyte salts are especially recommended – examples include salt-sugar solutions, lemon juice, amla juice mixed with water, fruit juices, etc. Avoid eating sets of food that are difficult to digest : these include any and all dairy products, spicy curries and preparations, oily Italian and Mexican food etc. Alcohol consumption should be kept to the minimum. Have a lot of soups like vegetable and noodle soup – they not only add safe food to your diet, but make the affected person feel better after sick bouts of diarrhea. Green tea and yoghurt are considered beneficial for loose bowels.
In addition to the above, herbs like Kutaja Satva (medically known as Holarrhena) can also be taken during phases of dehydration and loose motions. Holarrhena prevents indigestion, and also destroys parasitic and bacterial influences in digestion. Regular intake of Kutaja is very helpful for stronger bowel movements. Kutaja has been safely used by chronic sufferers of diarrhea for ages.
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