Diarrhea
An increase in the frequency of stools or the passage of loose, watery
stools is called diarrhea. It is not a disease itself, but a symptom of a
variety of disorders-most benign, some serious. Diarrhea represents a
disruption in the normal passage of food and waste through the large
intestine. Ordinarily, water is absorbed through the intestinal walls as
food passes through the large intestine, and fecal matter leaves the body
as a solid mass. If something speeds up or otherwise interferes with this
process, the fluid will be expelled from the body with fecal matter.
Diarrhea is the inflammation or irritation of the intestine. It usually is the
result of a bacterial or viral infection caused by eating or drinking
contaminated food or water. Most people traveling to less developed areas of the
world are aware of the risk of food or water contamination and take steps
to avoid "traveler's diarrhea." At home, however, they may not be so
careful. And often the diarrhea they chalk up to a 24-hour flu bug is more
likely a consequence of food poisoning.
There are several other causes of diarrhea. Eating more fruits or
vegetables than your digestive tract is accustomed to handling sometimes
leads to diarrhea; citrus fruits and beans are typically the culprits. When
consumed in large amounts, the low-calorie sweetener sorbitol may also
trigger diarrhea. In addition, diarrhea may develop from taking
therapeutic doses of vitamin C or
magnesium (if this side effect
occurs, reduce the dose). People with lactose intolerance-an
inability to digest the sugar in dairy products (lactose)-often suffer
from gas, bloating, and diarrhea after having milk, cheese, or ice cream.
Antibiotics can bring on diarrhea because they destroy the intestine's
"friendly" bacteria. In some people, stress triggers diarrhea. It can also
be a symptom of a gastrointestinal disorder, such as
irritable bowel
syndrome, colitis, Crohn's disease, pancreatic disease, or colon
cancer.
Supplements and herbs
To combat diarrhea, try drinking agrimony, blackberry leaf, or
raspberry
leaf tea. These teas contain tannins, chemicals that have a binding effect
on the mucous membranes in the intestine and help the body absorb
fluids. The teas also replenish lost fluids, which is important in preventing
the dehydration that may result from a prolonged bout with diarrhea.
If none of the teas provides relief, consider psyllium. Though this
soluble fiber is more familiar as a constipation treatment, it absorbs
excess fluid in the intestine and adds bulk to the stool.
Acidophilus
works to restore adequate levels of healthy bacteria to the intestine and
is especially important if diarrhea is related to antibiotic use. All these
remedies can be substituted for over-the-counter (OTC) diarrheal aids
(except acidophilus, which can be used with OTC preparations, though
not taken at the same time of day).
If food poisoning is to blame, wait a few hours before trying to treat
the problem so that your body has enough time to get rid of the
offending organism. Otherwise, start using the remedies immediately.
Homeopathy
For acute diarrhea, take a dose after each stool or every hour. If not
improved after 3 doses, reassess. For chronic symptoms, use a
30c once
or twice daily, depending on symptom severity.
- Aloe
Gurgling, rumbling precedes a watery, gassy stool. Sudden urge in a.m.
Jelly-like lumps, offensive, even bloody stool. Bleeding hemorrhoids.
Stool escapes if passing gas or urination. Burning anus. Irritable and weak.
Much gas with full, heavy dragging in abdomen. Like a plug in the pelvis.
Worse: early a.m., heat, damp, food or drink. Better: cool air, after stool.
- Arsenicum album
Burning in anus, abdomen. Much urging, but painless diarrhea.
Nausea.
Foul watery stool, odorless gas. Stool of dark mucus. Exhaustion, chills.
Emaciation. Burning thirst for small sips. Anxiety, fear of death, restlessness.
Worse: midnight, a.m., damp, motion, eating, cold food or drink, cheese,
ice cream, fruit, bad meat, alcohol, in the aged. Better: warmth, milk.
- China
Yellow, watery, undigested stool soon after eating, only at night or first
thing in a.m. Desires sour fruits. Pale face with dark circles under eyes.
Colic before stool (afternoons). Diarrhea from fruits or after an illness.
Great weakness, trembling from loss of fluids. Thirst for small amounts.
Worse: alternate days, touch, jar. Better: pressure, fasting, loose clothes.
- Podophyllum
Rumbling allover abdomen followed by painless, profuse diarrhea.
Usually yellow, pasty and putrid stools or could be profuse, gushing,
painless, watery, slimy. Weak, empty, sick feeling after stool. Sore liver.
Raw, sore, prolapsed rectum. Worse: early a.m., eating or drinking, hot
weather, motion. Better: lying on stomach, rubbing abdomen.
- Sulphur
Violent, urgent diarrhea at 5 a.m. Weak bowels and anal sphincter.
Constant urging, colic. Itching, burning, crawling, raw anus. Prolapse.
Changeable, undigested, mushy, frothy stool. Smell of rotten eggs.
Bad body odor. Hot with diarrhea. Emptiness, sudden hunger at 10 a.m.
Worse: eating or drinking, milk, damp, night, suppressed skin diseases.
- Veratrum album
Diarrhea, with cutting colic, vomiting, cold
sweats, collapse, weakness.
Watery, green or blackish with flakes ("rice water stool"). Odorless.
Large stools with straining, followed by diarrhea. Weak, faint after stool.
Worse: cold fluids, motion, menses, hot weather, night, fruit. Better:
hot drinks, walking. Craves cold drinks, acid fruits. Averse to warm food.
What else you can do
- Drink plenty of water and clear liquids to prevent dehydration.
- Avoid milk, citrus fruits, alcohol, and high-fiber foods for a day or two
after having diarrhea; eat bland foods, such as bananas and white rice.
- When traveling to suspect areas, eat only cooked foods. Avoid ice
cubes and use bottled water, even for brushing your teeth.
How much to take
-
- Agrimony
- As a tea 1 cup up to 6 times a day.
Use 1 tbsp leaves per cup of hot
water; let steep 15 minutes, strain. Drink as needed. Should not be used with anticoagulants.
- Blackberry / Raspberry leaf
- As a tea 1 cup up to 6 times a day.
Use 1 tbsp of leaves per cup of hot water; let it steep
for 15 minutes and strain. Drink throughout the day as needed.
- Psyllium
- 1-3 tbsp powder dissolved in water or juice a day.
Be sure to drink extra water throughout the day.
- Acidophilus
- 2 pills 3 times a day on an empty stomach.
Get 1-2 billion live (viable)
organisms per pill.
For kids
- Powdered slippery elm bark is healing and comforting to intestines in distress.
Slippery elm has little taste. Make the powder into a paste by mixing it with a
little bit of water, apple juice, or applesauce. Give a child between the ages of three
and six 1 teaspoon, once daily; a child between the ages of seven and twelve should
be given 1 teaspoon, two to three times daily.
- Goldenseal helps to control diarrhea that is caused by a bacterial infection. Give a
child between the ages of three and six 3 drops, three times daily, for two days. Give a
child between the ages of seven and twelve 10 drops, three times daily, for two days.
- Curing Pills, a Chinese herbal formula, help to resolve a wide variety of
digestive problems, including diarrhea. A child between the ages of three and
six should take 1/4 tube, or 1/2 dropperful, three times daily. A child between seven
and twelve should take 1/3 tube, or 1 dropperful, three times daily.
- A cream made from kuzu root and umeboshi (salt) plum paste is helpful for
easing intestinal upset.
|