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Diarrhea is defined as bowel movements that are more frequent or more watery than usual. It is a common problem with many causes that usually clears up on its own in a few days. For more serious episodes, medical treatment is occasionally necessary.usually clears up on its own in a few days. For more serious episodes, medical treatment is occasionally necessary.

Call your doctor if you have any of the following:

Diarrhea

  • Severe pain
  • High fever or bloody stool
  • Symptoms of dehydration (dizziness, dry mouth and tongue, rapid pulse, dark urine)

 

Treatment for Diarrhea

The treatment of your diarrhea depends on its cause. Diarrhea caused by infection needs to be treated differently from diarrhea caused by other factors. Follow your doctor’s instructions.

 

To help make your recovery easier, you may want to try some of the following suggestions:

  • Drink or sip liquids to avoid dehydration. Clear liquids such as water or broth are the best choices.
  • Don’t drink beverages with a lot of sugar in them, such as juice and sodas. These can make diarrhea worse.
  • Don’t drink sports drinks (such as Gatorade), which don’t have the right mix of water, sugar and minerals, and can also make symptoms worse.
  • If the thought of drinking something makes you queasy, suck on ice chips.
  • As  your appetite  returns, you  can  resume  your  normal  diet.  Ask  your doctor whether there  are  any  foods  you should   avoid.
  • Take prescribed medications as instructed by your doctor.
  • Do not take any anti-­‐diarrhea medications without asking your doctor first. Anti-­‐diarrhea medications can prevent your body form ridding itself of harmful irritants.

Suburban Gastroenterology