There are several ways to deal with diarrhea in adults that you can do, from consuming lots of fluids and probiotics to using anti-diarrhea drugs. Diarrhea must be treated immediately so as not to cause complications, such as dehydration.
Diarrhea in adults is often caused by a bacterial or viral infection, lactose intolerance , or consuming too many alcoholic beverages. Although it generally heals within a few days, the frequency of liquid bowel movements that increases during diarrhea can cause dehydration.
Therefore, there are various ways to deal with diarrhea in adults that you can do if you have this disease. Proper handling of diarrhea can prevent serious complications, such as electrolyte imbalance, dehydration, or organ damage.
Various Ways to Overcome Diarrhea in Adults
Apart from increased frequency of bowel movements and watery bowel movements, diarrhea can also be accompanied by various other symptoms, such as cramps or abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, flatulence, fever, or even bloody bowel movements.
So that diarrhea doesn’t 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 when diarrhea can trigger dehydration because the body loses a lot of fluids and electrolytes. Therefore, it is recommended to consume more fluids, especially water, broth or fruit juice, around 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 buying 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 to deal 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 grilled skinless chicken when you have diarrhea.
However, avoid foods or drinks that contain high 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. Take probiotics
Foods or supplements that contain probiotics can help relieve symptoms of diarrhea. Probotics are bacteria and fungi that are beneficial in maintaining the health of the digestive tract. Some examples of probiotics are Lactobacillus , Bifidobacterium , and Saccharomyces boulardii .
As a way to deal with diarrhea in adults, you can take advantage of probiotics by consuming kefir, yogurt, natto , miso, kombucha, plain bread and tempeh.
4. Take anti-diarrhea medicine
To reduce the frequency of liquid bowel movements, you can take over-the-counter anti-diarrhea drugs, such as bismuth subsalicylate and loperamide . This anti-diarrhea drug works by fighting bacteria or parasites that cause diarrhea and normalizing your digestive function.
Even though loperamide is classified as an over-the-counter drug, you should first consult your doctor before using this drug. This is because loperamide can cause inflammation or bloody diarrhea in some people.
Before taking anti-diarrhea medication, check the instructions for using the drug so that the dosage you are taking is appropriate, so that the drug works more effectively in the body.
When diarrhea, increased frequency of bowel movements can also cause anal itching, burning, or pain. To fix this, take a shower with warm water then dry your body with a soft towel. You can also apply petroleum jelly to the anal area to relieve the discomfort that appears.
The various ways to deal with diarrhea in adults above can be done until your condition improves. However, if the 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 to get the appropriate treatment.
