Of all the ailments you can contract, diarrhea is one of the most uncomfortable; not to mention embarrassing.
Diarrhea is a condition that causes the stools to become extremely watery and loose. You have an increased need to evacuate your bowel movements, which leads you to constantly run back and forth to the bathroom. As such, you are either left confined to your home or at the very least, you have to make sure that you are in close proximity to a toilet.
Diarrhea is extremely common. In fact, most people get it about once or twice each year, and it usually lasts for about 3 days. Typically, it isn’t a serious condition; however, there is no denying that it is unpleasant. It’s associated with stomach cramps, which could become painful, increased gas, and of course, frequent trips to the restroom. It could also lead to dehydration and the development of hemorrhoids, another unpleasant condition. In some cases, diarrhea can also be accompanied by nausea and vomiting.
There are several factors that can contribute to the development of diarrhea. Most often, it is caused by a virus that infects the gut. Other causes include food poisoning, allergic reactions, alcohol abuse, excessive use of laxatives, reactions to certain medications, hyperthyroidism, malabsorption, and intestinal diseases.
If you are suffering from frequent bouts of diarrhea that last for more than 3 days, or you develop other symptoms, it’s important to see your doctor. However, you can find some relief with one of these 20 home remedies.
1. Eat more bananas
If you have developed diarrhea, stock up on bananas. This fruit is one of the four foods that make up the BRAT diet – Bananas, Rice, Applesauce, and Toast – a fiber-rich and highly nutritional diet that is said to ease the symptoms of diarrhea. The reason why bananas are a part of this diet is that, of course, because they contain soluble fiber, which absorbs excess fluids in the intestines, thereby firming up the loose stool. Additionally, bananas are loaded with potassium, an electrolyte that your body loses when you have diarrhea.
