Diarrhea the natural treatment

Ask any vegan  how they treat diarrhea and they will offer a difficult response. When your whole life is high fiber plant based diet treating diarrhea and stomach issues is always a dilemma .

Traditionally we have and continue to treat diarrhea as naturally as possible but with low fiber starchy foods and electrolytes. Pediatricians refrain from using any medications particularly those over the counter medications which treat the symptoms and not the condition. Diarrhea is one of the few maladies where we are more patient than not and for the most part let your body heal itself. The symptom of  diarrhea generally speaking is a natural tool to rid the body of toxins from pathogens such as viruses and even bacterial intestinal infections . We try to accomplish this while insuring that the child and adult do not become dehydrated or toxically ill from the infection .Our major emphasis is on fluid replacement with high electrolyte solutions and low sugar foods including a bland carbohydrate diet while eliminating foods that irritate the bowel.

Below is the basic natural approach:

                                         Medical supervision

Medical supervision to insure the diarrhea source is not infectious, doesn’t need a culture, you do not have parasites , or require any medical treatment – always consult your physician before beginning any self treatment of diarrhea.

                                           Hydration

Adequate hydration is the key to making sure you or your child do not get dehydrated and require iv fluids

Electrolyte solutions are our main source of hydration for diarrhea by containing the electrolytes you are losing in watery stool – pedialyte, coconut water, watered down and low sugar gatorade/powerade are the mainstays of re-hydration therapy and should replace other fluids.

                                          Elimination diet

Elimination of foods and drinks that increase intestinal movement . Eliminate fibrous fruits and  vegetables, oily fried foods, dairy ( including formula and milk but do not stop breast feeding), and spices should all be eliminated in the effort to control the diarrhea.

                                                   Tea

Healing Tea for diarrhea- in a cup of peppermint tea mix a teaspoon of ginger and turmeric to help settle bowel inflammation

                                            Binding foods

Foods for control of diarrhea and resting your intestinal system particularly carbs. Binding foods should be low in oil . Breads crackers, low in fiber and low in whole grains. Particularly saltines and cuban crackers, with minimal ingredients, including bagels, plain rice, plain pasta, ( all the low fiber foods not recommended on a regular diet). Applesauce, bananas, mashed carrots. Try adding tumeric or ginger to your bland food to reduce inflammation.

                                            Healthy healing

Healthy healing foods-pumpkin meat, coconut, carob powder, teaspoon of apple cider vinegar 2 -3 x a day.

Nutritional yeast and brewer’s yeast ( live yeast should not be used in crohn’s or patients with immune problems ). These have essential amino acids and protein, especially important for vegans who generally get their protein from high fiber sources like beans.

Probiotics for diarrhea symptoms: below are the most common bacteria reviewed to help restore bowel flora from diarrhea. No one recommended probiotic has everything. May use more than one. For instance start with culturelle, and can add florastar and another type listed below to come close to the full panel of helpful bacteria needed to replace the flora lost during bouts of diarrhea.

Certain bacteria you want for illness associated diarrhea include Lactobacillus GG, L. Acidophilus, bifid lactis, L. reuteri, and saccharomyces boulardii

Children- florastar for antibiotic associated problems, culturelle for general gastro problems,trunature, and natures way are all recommended . Can combine 2 of these once consulting with your physician. culturelle was not reviewed by consumerlab; one of my sources for safety.reviews

Adults- culturelle, nature’s way, align has one strain good for IBS, phillips, garden of life has many of the bacteria you would want.

Yogurt with pre and probiotics can be helpful such as Activa, but always be cautious with the dairy and not for vegans.

Medication for diarrhea should be very limited, and rarely for children. It can cause more problems than you started with. Natural food modified treatment is recommended more than any other condition . We do not use medicine in children it can cause bloating, abdominal pain, and blockage of the intestine. Check with your physician before using any meditation for diarrhea.     

Warren Krantz MD, FAAP

HealfhfulMD.com