10 remedios naturales para la diarrea + causas, síntomas y consejos de prevención

El norovirus, una de las causas de la diarrea infecciosa, es responsable de causar más de 200.000 muertes en los países en desarrollo (1). Una enfermedad que se puede prevenir fácilmente siguiendo unos hábitos básicos de higiene está cobrando muchas vidas.

Todos hemos experimentado episodios de diarrea en algún momento de nuestras vidas. Y probablemente sepa lo angustiantes que pueden ser los calambres de estómago y la hinchazón asociados con ellos. La diarrea es una condición médica que se caracteriza por deposiciones frecuentes con heces anormalmente blandas y acuosas.

Los casos leves de diarrea suelen durar solo un par de días. Sin embargo, en algunos casos, la diarrea también puede ser un indicio de una afección potencialmente mortal. Si está buscando formas naturales de detener la diarrea, consulte esta publicación. Hemos incluido algunos remedios caseros sencillos y consejos que pueden ayudar a prevenir la diarrea en el futuro. Sigue leyendo.

Nota: Si tiene episodios de diarrea de leves a moderados, estos remedios caseros pueden ayudar a aliviar los síntomas. Sin embargo, si la afección persiste más de una semana, consulte a su proveedor de atención médica.

Remedios caseros para tratar la diarrea

1. Agua de limón

La mezcla de jugo de limón, azúcar, sal y agua es un remedio popular utilizado por muchos para tratar los síntomas de la diarrea, como la deshidratación (2).

Necesitará

• ½ limón
• 1 vaso de agua
• Una pizca de sal
• 2 cucharaditas de azucar

Lo que tienes que hacer

1. Exprime el jugo de medio limón en un vaso de agua.
2. Agregue una pizca de sal y dos cucharaditas de azúcar.
3. Mezclar bien y beber.

¿Con qué frecuencia debe hacer esto?

Bebe esta mezcla cada pocos minutos.

2. Vinagre de sidra de manzana

El vinagre de sidra de manzana tiene propiedades antimicrobianas y antiinflamatorias (3), (4). Puede ayudar a combatir los microbios responsables de causar diarrea y calmar los intestinos inflamados.

Necesitará

• 2 cucharaditas de vinagre de manzana
• 1 vaso de agua
• Miel (opcional)

Lo que tienes que hacer

1. Agregue dos cucharaditas de vinagre de sidra de manzana a un vaso de agua.
2. Mezclar bien y agregarle un poco de miel.
3. Bebe la mezcla.

¿Con qué frecuencia debe hacer esto?

Puede beber esta mezcla 2-3 veces al día hasta que desaparezcan los síntomas.

3. Leche de almendras

Los adultos y los bebés que son intolerantes a la lactosa tienden a desarrollar diarrea al consumir productos lácteos (5). La leche de almendras es un sustituto saludable y seguro (6).

Necesitará

Leche de almendras (según sea necesario)

Lo que tienes que hacer

Reemplace la leche de vaca con leche de almendras en sus cereales, batidos y otros platos.

¿Con qué frecuencia debe hacer esto?

Puede convertirlo en un hábito diario si es intolerante a la lactosa.

4. Agua de coco

El agua de coco se puede utilizar como solución de rehidratación para personas con síntomas leves de diarrea. Sin embargo, debe usarse junto con la realimentación temprana (7).

Necesitará

1 vaso de agua fresca de coco joven

Lo que tienes que hacer

Beba un vaso de agua de coco joven al día.

¿Con qué frecuencia debe hacer esto?

Es preferible beber este brebaje después de cada episodio de diarrea.

Precaución: este remedio no debe usarse para tratar síntomas de deshidratación. Tampoco debe usarse para el cólera o la insuficiencia renal.

5. Aceite esencial de menta

El componente activo del aceite de menta es el mentol. El mentol puede ayudar a aliviar el dolor abdominal que acompaña a la diarrea y otros síntomas del SII. Dos estudios publicados en Digestive Diseases And Sciences y Mymensingh Medical Journal también confirmaron la misma liberación sostenida de aceite de menta encapsulado en el intestino delgado (8), (9).

Necesitará

• 1 gota de aceite de menta apto para alimentos
• 1 vaso de agua tibia

Lo que tienes que hacer

1. Agregue una gota de aceite de menta de grado alimenticio a un vaso de agua tibia.
2. Bebe la solución.

¿Con qué frecuencia debe hacer esto?

Puede beber esta mezcla 1-2 veces al día.

6. Jengibre

Según un estudio publicado en Yakugaku Zasshi, Journal of the Pharmaceutical Society of Japan, el extracto de acetona de jengibre puede ayudar a frenar la diarrea inducida por la serotonina (10).

Necesitará

• 1-2 pulgadas de jengibre en rodajas
• 1 taza de agua

Lo que tienes que hacer

1. Add an inch or two of sliced ginger to a cup of water.
2. Bring the mixture to a boil in a saucepan.
3. Simmer and strain.
4. Drink the warm ginger tea.

How Often You Should Do This

You can drink this mixture 2-3 times daily.

7. Green Tea

Among the many benefits of green tea, one is its ability to treat diarrhea in the affected individuals (11).

You Will Need

• 1 teaspoon of green tea
• 1 cup of hot water

What You Have To Do

1. Steep a teaspoon of green tea in a cup of hot water for 5-7 minutes.
2. Strain and drink the tea.

How Often You Should Do This

You can drink green tea 1-2 times daily.

8. Electrolyte Drinks (ORS)

Consumption of electrolyte drinks, such as sports drinks, as well as the ever-popular oral rehydration solution (ORS), may help alleviate the symptoms of dehydration that often accompany diarrhea (12).

You Will Need

• 6 teaspoons of sugar
• 1 teaspoon of salt
• 1 liter of boiled water

What You Have To Do

1. Add six teaspoons of sugar to a liter of water. Mix well until it dissolves.
2. Add a teaspoon of salt to the solution and mix well.
3. Drink a cup of the solution.

How Often You Should Do This

You may do this after every watery bowel movement you have.

9. Vitamin A

Vitamin A deficiency is often associated with an increased risk of diarrhea. Hence, restoring this deficiency can reduce the severity of the symptoms (13).

You Will Need

Vitamin A-rich foods or supplements

What You Have To Do

1. Increase your intake of vitamin A-rich foods, like carrots, sweet potatoes, apricots, winter squash, cantaloupe, and spinach.
2. You can also take additional supplements for this vitamin after talking to your doctor about the required dosage for you.

How Often You Should Do This

You can include small amounts of vitamin A-rich foods in your daily diet.

10. Rice Water

Rice water can cut down the number of stools without having any adverse effects on your health. It is especially great for treating diarrhea in infants that occurs as a result of infantile gastroenteritis in developing countries (14).

You Will Need

½ glass of rice water

What You Have To Do

1. Strain the water from cooked rice.
2. Consume half a glass of rice water after every bout of diarrhea.
3. This remedy can also be used for children.

How Often You Should Do This

You can do this 2-3 times or more daily.

While these remedies work their magic, you can also make some changes to your diet for a speedy recovery.

What Foods Help Stop Diarrhea?

Diarrhea can be quite uncomfortable. Hence, you must be a little careful about what you eat. This is where the BRAT diet comes into play.

BRAT is “bananas, rice, apple, and toast.” These bland foods will be quite easy on your stomach and will not aggravate your condition any further (1).

It is also necessary that you drink lots of fluids to keep yourself well-hydrated.

Foods To Eat

The foods that can help ease symptoms of diarrhea include:

• Clear broths
• Bananas
• Apples
• Toast
• White rice
• Mashed potatoes
• Yogurt

Foods To Avoid

Avoid these foods if you have diarrhea:

• Dairy products
• Fried or greasy foods
• Spices
• Raw vegetables
• Caffeine
• Citrus fruits
• Raw vegetables
• Pork
• Processed foods
• Alcohol
• Artificial sweeteners

These foods may either be too heavy for your recovering tummy or may further aggravate your condition if they are already contaminated, like in the case of raw vegetables. Hence, exercise caution.

Here are a few additional tips to prevent the recurrence of diarrhea.

How To Prevent Diarrhea

• Always wash your hands every time after using the washroom and also before you eat.

• Wash your hands if you come in contact with any contaminants or pets/animals.

• If you can’t get hold of water to wash your hands, use a sanitizer.

• Be careful when you are traveling to a new place. Do not eat or drink until you are sure the food and drinks are safe to be consumed.

• Wash your vegetables and fruits thoroughly before cooking them.

• Cook all meats well.

• Avoid eating uncooked or undercooked eggs.

• Avoid using dairy that is not pasteurized. If you are lactose-intolerant, avoid dairy altogether.

• Avoid handling food if you have diarrhea.

• Limit caffeine, alcohol, and other foods that have laxative potential.

What causes diarrhea? Who is at risk of contracting this disease? Find out in the next section.

Causes And Risk Factors

Most cases of diarrhea are triggered by an infection in your gastrointestinal tract. Some common microbes that could be held responsible for triggering diarrhea are:

• Viruses like Norwalk virus, cytomegalovirus, hepatitis, and rotavirus.

• Bacteria like Salmonella, Campylobacter, Shigella, and Escherichia coli.

• Other parasitic organisms like Cryptosporidium, Giardia lamblia, and Entamoeba histolytica.

In some cases, especially in chronic diarrhea, a clear cause may not be found. Such cases of chronic diarrhea are referred to as “functional.”

Other factors that can increase your risk of developing chronic diarrhea include:

• Intestinal disorders like Crohn’s disease, Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), microscopic colitis, or Celiac disease

• Sensitivity to dairy products and/or artificial sweeteners

• Stomach or gallbladder surgery

• Hereditary or genetic conditions, like cystic fibrosis or enzyme deficiencies

• Diseases of the pancreas or thyroid

• Radiation therapy treatment of the abdominal or pelvic region

• Consumption of uncooked meats

• Swallowing water or swimming in contaminated water bodies

• Traveling to countries with poor hygiene

• Eating contaminated or unrefrigerated food

• Close contact with an individual with gastroenteritis

• Medications like laxatives and certain antibiotics can also trigger diarrhea.

There are mainly three types of clinical diarrhea.

Types Of Diarrhea

• Acute Watery Diarrhea – It can last for several hours or even days. This type can also be caused due to cholera infection.

• Acute Bloody Diarrhea – Blood is also noticed in the watery stool. This type is also referred to as dysentery.

• Persistent Diarrhea – It lasts for 14 days or more.

Other than the characteristic watery stool, diarrhea may be accompanied by the following symptoms.

Signs And Symptoms

The common signs and symptoms associated with diarrhea include:

• Stomach ache
• Bloating
• Abdominal cramps
• Weight loss
• Increased thirst
• Fever

Other symptoms may include:

• Presence of blood in the stool
• Pus in the stool
• Dehydration
• Persistent vomiting

When To See A Doctor

If your infant has had 6 bouts of watery bowel movements and 3 or more bouts of vomiting in 24 hours, do not waste any time in consulting a doctor. Children above 1 year should also be taken to a doctor if they have experienced 6 or more bouts of diarrhea in 24 hours.

You must also see a doctor immediately if you notice certain symptoms like:

• Continuous vomiting
• Persistent diarrhea
• Significant loss of weight
• Pus or blood in stool that may also turn the stool black
• Dehydration

Once you visit a doctor, they may do the following to diagnose diarrhea.

Diagnosis

Most often, doctors can diagnose diarrhea without having to carry out any additional tests as two or more watery stools a day indicates the condition without the need for any further diagnosis (1).

But, in severe cases, your doctor may suggest you take a stool test. This is done especially if the patient is very young or old.

For chronic and persistent cases of diarrhea, your doctor may ask you to take any of the following tests depending on the suspected cause:

• Full blood count – a low or raised blood count may indicate inflammation.

• Liver function test to test your albumin levels.

• Malabsorption tests to check the absorption of vitamin B12, calcium, and folate. Your iron status and thyroid functions may also be assessed.

• Testing for antibodies – as it can indicate Celiac disease.

• Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and C-reactive protein levels – Raised levels are usually an indication of inflammatory bowel disease.

If an underlying cause is responsible for causing diarrhea, the doctor may suggest further treatments accordingly.

Diarrhea is a condition that is rather easy to manage by paying a little bit of attention to your day-to-day hygiene habits. However, if there is an underlying cause of your symptoms, it is best to seek medical intervention.

Expert’s Answers For Readers’ Questions

Why do I get diarrhea after eating?

Experiencing symptoms of diarrhea every time after you eat something is known as postprandial diarrhea. The underlying causes of this kind of diarrhea may include infection, food poisoning, IBS, lactose intolerance, or certain medications.

What is the best thing to drink when you have diarrhea?

You should drink 8 glasses of fluids like fruit juices without pulp, broth, soda (without caffeine), and sports drinks to alleviate dehydration that often results from diarrhea.

How long does diarrhea usually last?

Diarrhea caused by an infection often lasts for no more than 3-5 days. If your symptoms last for more than 4-6 weeks, you most probably have an underlying gastrointestinal condition.

How do you know if your baby has diarrhea?

If your baby has 6 or more bouts of watery bowel movements in 24 hours, he/she has diarrhea and must be taken to a doctor immediately to prevent further health complications.

Can you have diarrhea in early pregnancy?

The shifting hormones, diet changes, and stress are all factors that contribute to many changes in your body during pregnancy, including diarrhea and constipation.

How to prevent traveler’s diarrhea?

Here are some tips that can help prevent traveler’s diarrhea:

• Drink only bottled water.

• Use bottled water even for brushing your teeth.

• Avoid consuming ice that may be made with tap water.

• Eat vegetables that are cooked. Avoid eating them raw.

• Make sure that all foods that you eat, including dairy, seafood, and meat, are properly boiled and/or cooked.

• If the area you are traveling to has had a recent outbreak of hepatitis, take the vaccination for the same before commencing your trip.

14 sources

Stylecraze tiene pautas de abastecimiento estrictas y se basa en estudios revisados ​​por pares, instituciones de investigación académica y asociaciones médicas. Evitamos el uso de referencias terciarias. Puede obtener más información sobre cómo nos aseguramos de que nuestro contenido sea preciso y actualizado leyendo nuestra política editorial.

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