Diarrhea is a strong signal of another problem in the system. Watery stools develop when mucus and fluids are released into the intestine and not enough water is absorbed into the body. Fever signals an inflammation of the mucous membranes. The propelling action of the intestines is faster than usual and, if it is severe, it causes cramping, abdominal pain and urging. Gurgling is usually heard from the abdomen. Intense thirst is normal with any form of diarrhea, since water and minerals are lost in the process. Diarrhea is often a symptom of gastroenteritis, a general term that means any inflammation of the intestinal tract, but often refers to the stomach flu. A flu is characterized by a sudden onset of diarrhea with urging, cramping, and often fever and vomiting. It usually resolves itself within a day or two. If accompanied by blood and mucus, dysentery is the cause.
Dehydration is always a concern in severe diarrhea, especially in infants, children and the elderly, or in those too weak to notice their need for thirst. Danger signs are excessively dry mouth and eyes, leg cramps, sunken eyes and a sharp-looking nose. A test for dehydration is to pull the skin between two fingers and let go. If water is lacking, the skin will not snap back. Dehydration can be serious and require immediate medical care.
Diarrhea is a natural reaction of the bowels to purge the body of toxins, irritations, infection and other unwanted substances. Diarrhea can be caused by unclean water, spicy food, eating too quickly, unripe fruit or undigested vegetables. Mixing too many foods, such as vegetable and fruit salads, pickles, drinks and other snacks, or eating too much heavy, creamy food, can cause the digestive tract to react adversely and expel the overload. Only persistent diarrhea is cause for concern. The acute symptoms of gastroenteritis are usually due to viruses, bacterial or parasitic infections, particularly in traveler's diarrhea or food poisoning. Parasites can cause long-term or repeated diarrhea.
Chronic cases of diarrhea are sometimes due to improper digestion, which is caused by allergies or food sensitivities. Chronic pancreatitis and alcohol abuse can also cause constant problems with diarrhea. Recurring attacks of diarrhea signal illnesses like Crohn's disease, irritable bowel syndrome or colitis. Children with persistent diarrhea who do not gain weight or grow well should be checked for celiac disease. Symptoms of alternating diarrhea and constipation indicate a candida infection or diverticulitis in some people. Medications can be the source of problems too. Taking large dosages of vitamin C can cause loose stools if the vitamin C is no longer being absorbed.
Acute diarrhea can be caused by contaminated foods or water. Eat foods freshly prepared whenever possible. Harmful bacteria, viruses, molds or parasites can quickly multiply to spoil food which has been left to stand at room temperature. Potato salad is a prime example of a prepared food which does not keep for more than a few hours even in the refrigerator, especially if it contains mayonnaise. Undigested matter with the diarrhea indicates the food was not completely broken down. Eat slowly and chew well.
The most important dietary concern when treating diarrhea is to prevent dehydration. Consume clear liquids such as broths, diluted juices and herbal teas freely. During the acute phase, it is best not to take any solid foods at all. The intestines need a chance to rest and recover. An old folk remedy for diarrhea is a drink made from equal parts of tomato and sauerkraut juices. It is high in electrolytes and the sauerkraut juice is reputed to heal intestinal lesions. Fresh carrot juice is an effective remedy for diarrhea and is easily digestible for those suffering from stomach and intestinal problems. To treat diarrhea with apple pectin, eat nothing but grated apples five times a day for two days, or make a delicious juice of apples and bananas, which have a constipating effect. Another juice remedy for diarrhea is black currant juice. Blueberry juice can be taken for diarrhea as well. It works like black currant juice with the effective combination of its dye and tannic acid. In addition, blueberries contain an antibacterial substance which kills E. coli bacteria, often the cause of diarrhea, within twenty-four hours. Press your own juice from fresh blueberries or chew on dried blueberries, which can be kept on hand throughout the year.
As you begin to feel better, slowly introduce easily digested foods such as soups, yogurt, cooked fruits, grated apples, crackers, toast, puréed rice or dry cereal. Avoid legumes, meat and fatty foods, which are difficult to digest. Milk and other unfermented dairy products should also be avoided during the recovery phase. Diarrhea can be caused by an intolerance to the lactase contained in fresh, unfermented dairy products. Lactic-acid fermented dairy products such as kefir and plain yogurt containing live, active culture help re-establish a friendly bacterial environment in the intestines.
If your baby is suffering from diarrhea, continue breast-feeding. Mother's milk and cooled, boiled water often cure a baby of diarrhea. Diarrhea is always a serious condition in a young infant since babies dehydrate very quickly.
Do not eat foods containing refined sugar while recovering from diarrhea. Bacteria, which often cause diarrhea, thrive on sugar.
Lactobacillus acidophilus and bifidus cultures are often essential in the treatment of diarrhea, by re-introducing the natural bacterial flora which exists to fend off germs and fungi.
Charcoal tablets absorb toxins and help stop the diarrhea. Healing clay mixed in water will work similarly. Both are recommended for food poisoning. If the charcoal does not have any effect, a virus is likely causing the problem.
Garlic is particularly helpful if germs are to blame. Citrus seed extract is also effective, and is often used to prevent and treat traveler's diarrhea due to bacteria, parasites or viruses. Both garlic and citrus seed extract can be taken over longer time periods in the course of prevention or treatment, without ill effects.
In more severe chronic cases of diarrhea, minerals need to be replaced. Green food supplements such as wheatgrass or barley grass help to replace many of the lost minerals. Be sure to drink plenty of water.
Daily dosages:
Most Important
Lactobacillus acidophilus complex, 3 capsules or 1 tsp.
Charcoal tablets, as recommended on the label or 1 tsp. in one glass of water two to three times daily
Helpful
Green foods supplement, 1 tsp. daily
Healing clay, 1 tsp. in a glass of water
Garlic, 3 capsules three times daily
Citrus seed extract, 2 capsules three times daily
Vitamin C, with bioflavonoids,
1,000 mg three times daily
To relieve cramps, heal the intestinal tract and arrest diarrhea, take herbal teas and juices.
Prepare hot teas of camomile, peppermint or black tea to stop the diarrhea. Peppermint tea also helps relieve spasms.
Tormentil has astringent and anti-inflammatory properties. It is healing to the intestinal tract inflammation and very suitable for children. Make a tea using 1 tsp. of herb in 1 cup of boiling water and sip slowly throughout the day.
Silverweed and yarrow juice relieve intestinal cramping.
Sage juice has astringent properties which help remedy diarrhea.
Sudden acute cases of diarrhea should be treated with a few doses of a well-selected remedy, using the 6c strength. Place 2 tablets under the tongue and allow to dissolve. Repeat four times daily until there is marked improvement, or for ten days as needed. If the symptoms are more severe, repeat the remedy every thirty minutes for several doses, then four times daily.
Arsenicum album is often used in cases of gastroenteritis. The symptoms are quite violent and worse at night, with vomiting and diarrhea accompanied by weakness, anxiety and great restlessness. The pains are burning in character. The person is chilly and thirsty.
Veratrum album should be used in similarly violent cases, where the stools look like rice water, are expelled quickly and are accompanied by a cold sweat. There is often simultaneous vomiting and the person is weak, chilly and very thirsty.
Ipecacuanha is particularly helpful when nausea is constant and relentless. Vomiting continues even after the stomach is empty. The vomiting sometimes does not relieve the nausea. The stools are usually watery green and frothy.
Colocynthis is useful for abdominal cramps that make the person double up with pain, and when warmth and hard pressure on the abdomen provide some relief.
If there is heartburn and a generally disordered stomach, with continuous urging due to an overindulgence in food, particularly spicy food, and too much alcohol and coffee, Nux vomica is recommended.
Take 4 tablets under the tongue four times daily for the course of the diarrhea.
Ferr phos is the tissue salt helpful in the beginning stages of an inflammation or a flu. It should be used for diarrhea that comes on suddenly, especially in children. The food is undigested, and the diarrhea is often brought on by getting cold.
If children are teething or the stool smells sour and looks green, use Nat phos. This tissue salt is useful for summer's diarrhea, due to eating overacidic, unripe fruit.
Kali mur will remedy cases where rich, fatty foods have caused the problem and the stools look slimy, shiny or pale.
Nat sulph helps chronic cases of diarrhea, where stools are dark, and worse in the morning and in cold, wet weather.
Use Nat mur if diarrhea alternates with constipation.
Relax and rest until the problem has cleared up.
A hot pack is especially recommended for diarrhea accompanied by colic.
Acupressure
To relieve diarrhea, apply deep pressure on points, as illustrated.
Nutritional Supplements
Silicea Gel (Anton Huebner)
Udo's Choice Probiotics: Super Five Chewable tablets (Flora)
Bentonite Clay, Hydrated (Inno-Vite)
DDS Acidophilus (Inno-Vite)
Acidophilus & Bifidus (Natural Factors)
E 400 IU Mixed Tocopherol 100% Natural
(Natural Factors)
Mega Acidophilus Powder (Natural Factors)
Megazyme (Natural Factors)
Herbal Remedies
Eucarbon (Flora)
Barley Grass (Nature's Herbs)
Diar-Ease (Nature's Herbs)
Garlic, Odorless (Nature's Herbs)
Homeopathy
Nux Vomica (Nelsons Homeopathy)