8 At-Home Remedies for Quick Diarrhea Relief

Key takeaways:

• No matter what home remedy route you choose to take when seeking quick diarrhea relief, make sure you are always focusing primarily on increasing your fluid intake and staying hydrated.
• There are several over-the-counter medications and dietary recommendations that have proven to be successful at relieving symptoms of acute diarrhea.
• If you are pregnant and experiencing diarrhea, speak with your healthcare provider before taking any over-the-counter medications for this symptom.

Diarrhea is a common condition that most people experience at some point in their life. It can be caused by a variety of factors such as infections, food intolerances, stress, and underlying medical conditions.

Unfortunately, it can be unpleasant to deal with. Fortunately, many cases of diarrhea can be managed effectively at home with simple remedies, diet changes, and over-the-counter medications. In this article, we will cover some options you can try at home before visiting your healthcare provider.

Natural at-home treatments or lifestyle adjustments for stopping diarrhea

If you are experiencing acute diarrhea, there are several things you can try at home to attempt to mitigate the symptoms.

Many of these at-home treatment options are extremely successful in slowing down and even completely stopping diarrhea. Below are some of the best at-home options to try if you are experiencing mild to moderate diarrhea.

Hydration

Severe cases of diarrhea can lead to significant fluid loss and dehydration. If left untreated, dehydration may lead to shock and ultimately death. Hydration is the single most important step when it comes to managing diarrhea.

If you are experiencing diarrhea, you should focus on increasing your fluid intake of both water and electrolyte-containing drinks. Taking small, frequent sips of fluids will lead to better tolerability of the increase in fluid intake.

Ginger and peppermint

Ginger and ginger extracts have been found to reduce intestinal inflammation and are traditionally used as an adjunct to treating diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome.

There is not as much research about the impact of peppermint and peppermint oil on stopping the actual symptom of diarrhea, but some studies show that peppermint can reduce the abdominal discomfort associated with bowel inflammation and diarrhea.

BRAT diet

The BRAT diet consists of bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast. In addition to easing diarrhea by promoting more formed and solid stools, the BRAT diet can also help with associated symptoms such as nausea and vomiting.

While the BRAT diet is useful as a temporary solution, it does lack vital nutrients and vitamins. If you are still experiencing significant diarrhea after consuming a BRAT diet for 48 hours, you should consider speaking with your healthcare provider.

Low fiber foods

Avoiding foods that are high in fiber can help solidify stools. Some examples of low-fiber foods include eggs, potatoes, white rice, poultry, and refined grains.

As with other dietary choices to help reduce diarrhea, a low-fiber diet plan is lacking in important nutrients and vitamins and should only be followed as a solution to temporary diarrhea symptoms. If you are consuming a low-fiber diet and do not notice an improvement in symptoms within 48 hours, you should speak with your healthcare provider.

Read our guide on what to eat and drink when experiencing diarrhea for more suggestions.

Over-the-counter medication for stopping diarrhea at home

Acute diarrhea does not always require the intervention of a healthcare provider or a prescription medication. There are several different over-the-counter options for you to try when it comes to managing your symptoms.

It is important to point out that if you are experiencing severe diarrhea classified as more than 10 bowel movements a day or diarrhea for more than 48 hours despite the use of these over-the-counter options, it is time to speak with your provider for further intervention and symptom management.

Probiotics

Probiotics can be used for both the prevention and treatment of diarrhea in adults and children. Probiotics can help regulate an imbalance of intestinal bacteria that may contribute to diarrhea and may also promote increased immunity and resistance against harmful viruses and bacteria that cause diarrhea.

Studies have shown that the use of probiotics may limit the duration of symptoms in individuals experiencing diarrhea due to an acute infection or due to antibiotic use. While there are an overwhelming amount of different probiotics that can be found on the shelves of pharmacies, research shows that Saccharomyces boulardii and Lactobacillus reuteri are the two most effective types at reducing diarrhea.

Loperamide (Imodium)

Loperamide, more commonly referred to by the brand name Imodium, is an over-the-counter medication that can be used to treat acute diarrhea. It is approved for the treatment of diarrhea due to acute infection, irritable bowel syndrome, and nonspecific causes of diarrhea in patients over the age of 2.

If diarrhea persists beyond 48 hours of using loperamide, you should speak with your healthcare provider and alternative medication options should be considered. Loperamide is not a totally benign medication and has the potential for abuse due to its ability to produce opioid-like symptoms when taken in large doses.

Bismuth Subsalicylate (Pepto-bismol)

Bismuth subsalicylate, more commonly referred to by the brand name Pepto-Bismol, is another over-the-counter medication that can be used to treat a whole host of gastrointestinal complaints including diarrhea.

It is most effective in treating mild to moderate cases of diarrhea, with less success when it comes to treating more severe cases. This medication should not be given to pediatric patients under the age of 12 or to pregnant women unless a healthcare provider is consulted first.

Oral rehydration solutions

If left untreated, diarrhea can lead to severe dehydration which can have a detrimental impact on the body.

Oral rehydration therapy is the gold standard for treating fluid loss due to diarrhea, and luckily, many of these solutions can be found over the counter. Most oral rehydration solutions contain electrolytes, glucose, and citrate to help restore hydration and correct any metabolic and electrolyte imbalances caused by excessive fluid loss.

Read our full guide on treating diarrhea for more.

When to see a doctor about diarrhea

While many cases of diarrhea are mild and resolve on their own, it is important to recognize when to see a healthcare provider.

You should see a doctor if:

• Diarrhea lasts more than 24 hours in pediatric patients, or more than 48 hours in adult patients with no signs of improvement.
• You experience associated abdominal or rectal pain.
• You notice signs of mild dehydration, such as excessive thirst, dry mouth, or decreased urine output.

You should go to the emergency room if:

• You experience severe diarrhea defined as more than 10 bowel movements a day
• You have an associated fever
• You notice dark or tarry black stools or a significant amount of blood in the stool

Questions to ask your doctor about diarrhea

• Am I considered contagious? And if so, for how long?
• What could be causing my diarrhea?
• Is there a specific diet plan I should follow to help reduce my symptoms?
• If I opt for over-the-counter anti-diarrheal medications, how many days should I take them before considering them ineffective?

Frequently asked questions: home remedies for diarrhea

Diarrhea is not only a common symptom but also a common reason for people to seek medical attention. Many people do not know that home remedies can be tried first to manage this symptom. Here are some of the most common questions asked in regard to home remedies for diarrhea.

Are there any at-home treatments that can help stop liquid diarrhea?

Several at-home treatments can be effective for managing liquid diarrhea. Staying hydrated is the most critical step when experiencing diarrhea, so drinking clear fluids like water, broth, or oral rehydration solutions can help replace lost fluids and electrolytes and prevent dehydration.

Following the BRAT diet (consisting of bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast), or even just a bland diet consisting of easily digestible foods can also help firm up stools. Trialing probiotics and over-the-counter antidiarrheal medications is also an option. It is important to point out that if you see no improvement in symptoms over the course of 48 hours despite trying these home remedies, you should consult your healthcare provider for evaluation.

What at-home treatments help a pregnant person get relief from diarrhea?

If you are pregnant and experiencing diarrhea, focus on increasing your fluid intake to reduce the risk of dehydration. Water, electrolyte drinks, over-the-counter oral rehydration solutions, clear broths such as chicken and vegetable broth, and ginger tea are all safe and effective fluid options for pregnant individuals. You should avoid taking any over-the-counter medications without speaking to your OBGYN first.

As a rule of thumb, Pepto-Bismol and Imodium are generally not recommended for use in pregnant individuals and you should weigh the risk/benefit of taking these medications. Following the BRAT diet and advancing the diet as tolerated is also recommended. Pregnant individuals experiencing diarrhea should be quicker to consult their healthcare provider than the general population due to the serious implications of dehydration.

Conclusion

Diarrhea is both uncomfortable and inconvenient but the majority of cases will resolve on their own if you know what to do to get through it. Staying hydrated, adjusting your diet, and using over-the-counter treatments can all help speed up symptom resolution and greatly reduce the risk of dehydration. Remember that while home remedies are great options, they do not have a 100% success rate. If you are experiencing severe diarrhea or diarrhea for more than 48 hours despite the use of home remedies, it’s time to see your doctor.

General Medicine follows a strict editorial process, including using real experts to write our articles, vetted primary sources, fact-checking, a secondary medical review, and updates as necessary. This article was medically reviewed and fact checked by Dr. Lane Thaut, DO.

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