Diarrhea

AT HOME REMEDIES

·Drink plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration and to replenish water loss.

·Avoid milk, alcohol, spicy, greasy or fatty foods.

·Avoid intense exercise: Intense exercise can increase the risk of dehydration.

·Avoid salt tablets.

OVER-THE-COUNTER PRODUCTS

·   Oral rehydration solution

--Oral rehydration solutions contain minerals and electrolytes. It is useful in restoring fluid into your body. It can come in either powder form or as a liquid.

Examples of oral rehydration solution include: WHO-ORS, Enfalyte Solution, Pedialyte.

·   Loperamide

--Loperamide reduces diarrhea by slowing down your intestines. It is generally well tolerated by most patients. However, some common side effects include: dry mouth, dizziness, drowsiness, stomach pain, constipation, and fatigue.

·   Bismuth Subsalicylate (BSS)

--Bismuth subsalicylates may work by killing off the bacteria that causes diarrhea and slowing down the emptying of the intestines.

--Common side effects include constipation and dark colored stools.

--Examples of bismuth subsalicylates include: Bismatrol; Bismatrol Extra Strength; Bismed; PMS-Bismuth Subsalicylate; Pepto-Bismol; Pepto-Bismol Easy-to-Swallow Caplets; Pepto-Bismol Maximum Strength.

·   Lactase

--Lactase is a protein that is naturally found in your small intestine. It helps break down lactose, a sugar found in milk and other dairy products, into smaller sugar units that can be easily absorbed into your bloodstream and therefore used as a source of energy for your body. If you are lactose intolerant, you have very low levels of lactase. As a result, you may experience common symptoms including diarrhea.

--Lactase can help alleviate the symptoms associated with lactose intolerance. Taking lactase before a lactose-containing meal can decrease your chances of getting diarrhea.