Diarrhea Treatments

Diarrhea is a condition that leads to frequent, loose or watery stools. Those with it don't absorb nutrients or water properly. If it lasts too long, diarrhea sufferers can get dehydrated or have electrolyte problems. Specific causes of diarrhea have specific treatments. Use these general treatment steps when the cause of diarrhea isn't known or can't be treated itself.

Here's how to treat Diarrhea:  

1. Rest

Have the person rest as needed and avoid strenuous exercise. Keep a sick child home from school or day care.

2. Avoid Dehydration

Drink lots of clear fluid -- no alcohol or caffeine. Milk will usually prolong diarrhea, but it might help provide nutrients for folks with very mild cases. For moderate to severe cases, use an electrolyte solution like Gatorade or Pedialyte.

3. Eat Yogurt

These active cultures can ease the symptoms of some types of diarrhea and shorten their duration.

4. Ease Into Eating

For an infant or child, feed the BRAT diet (bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast) as soon as they can tolerate it. For an adult, add semisolid and low-fiber foods gradually as diarrhea stops. Avoid spicy, greasy, or fatty foods.

Follow-Up

Seek medical attention if:

• Diarrhea in an adult worsens or doesn’t clear up after 2 or 3 days
• An infant or child doesn’t feel better after 24 hours

Reference :

http://firstaid.about.com/od/abdominaldisorders/ht/08_StopDiarrhea.htm

http://firstaid.webmd.com/diarrhea-treatment