How To Stop Liquid Diarrhoea

Overview

Diarrhoea is a common digestive disorder that can cause loose, watery stools and frequent bowel movements. While diarrhoea is usually not serious and can resolve independently within a few days,¹ it can be uncomfortable and disruptive to your daily routine. If you're experiencing liquid diarrhoea, there are several things you can do to stop it and find relief. This article shares helpful tips on how to stop liquid diarrhoea, home remedies, and medical treatments. Read on to learn more.

What typically causes diarrhoea?

An infection or irritation of the digestive system typically causes diarrhoea. Bacteria, viruses, or parasites can cause infections. These infections can be transmitted through contaminated food or water or contact with infected individuals. Occasionally, liquid diarrhoea can also be caused by:

• Medications: such as antibiotics
• Allergic reactions: including a wide range of food intolerances
• Digestive Conditions: such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), lactose intolerance, or coeliac Disease
• Anxiety and stress: Anxiety and stressful situations or conditions can cause bouts of diarrhoea.
• Strenuous exercise: for example, excessive exercise can induce nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea
• Bacterial infections: including food poisoning or colon infections (colitis), are common causes of diarrhoea
• Viral infections: such as norovirus or rotavirus, can also cause diarrhoea. These viruses are highly contagious and can be transmitted through close contact with infected individuals or through contaminated surfaces
• Parasitic infections: such as giardiasis or amebiasis (dysentery), can also cause diarrhoea. These infections are usually transmitted through contaminated food or water and can be more common in areas with poor sanitation

How long does diarrhoea last?

The duration of diarrhoea can vary depending on the underlying cause. In most cases, diarrhoea resolves on its own within a few days. However, if an infection causes diarrhoea, it can last up to a week, or sometimes longer.

If your diarrhoea persists for more than a few days or is accompanied by other symptoms, such as fever, abdominal pain, or blood in your stool, it's important to see a doctor as soon as you can. These symptoms can signify a more serious condition that may require medical attention.¹

What to do about fluids when you have diarrhoea?

When you have diarrhoea, it's important to drink plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration. Dehydration can occur when your body loses more fluids than it is taking in. It can be prevalent with diarrhoea, as the condition causes your body to lose fluids and electrolytes rapidly. ²

To prevent dehydration, it's important to drink plenty of fluids, especially water. You can also try electrolyte solutions, such as sports drinks or oral rehydration solutions, to help replace lost electrolytes.

It's also important to avoid fluids that can further dehydrate your body, such as caffeine and alcohol. Caffeine and alcohol can increase the frequency of bowel movements and lead to further fluid loss.

If you cannot drink fluids or have severe diarrhoea, you may need to receive fluids intravenously (through an IV). This is usually done in a hospital setting and can help prevent or treat dehydration.

What to do about nutrition when you have diarrhoea?

When you have diarrhoea, it's important to focus on eating easy-to-digest foods that can help replenish lost fluids and nutrients. Here are some tips for maintaining good nutrition when you have diarrhoea:²

• Drink plenty of fluids: You can also try electrolyte solutions, such as sports drinks or oral rehydration solutions, to help replace lost electrolytes
• Eat a bland diet: Avoid spicy, fatty, or high-fibre foods, as these can irritate your digestive system and make diarrhoea worse. Instead, focus on eating bland, easy-to-digest foods, such as cooked cereals, rice, noodles, crackers, and boiled potatoes. You can also try eating small, frequent meals rather than large meals
• Include protein: While focusing on easy-to-digest foods is essential, it's also important to include some protein in your diet. Good sources of protein include cooked poultry, fish, and tofu. You can also try protein supplements, such as protein shakes or protein bars if you cannot eat solid foods
• Avoid dairy products: If you're lactose intolerant or have a bacterial infection, it's important to avoid dairy products, as they can worsen diarrhoea
• Gradually introduce other foods: Once your diarrhoea improves, you can gradually introduce other foods into your diet. Start with easy-to-digest foods such as bananas and gradually add in more fibre and other nutrients

Lifestyle do’s and don’ts when you have diarrhoea

Home remedies

There are several home remedies that you can try to help stop liquid diarrhoea and find relief. These remedies may not work for everyone and should not be used in place of medical treatment if your diarrhoea persists or is accompanied by other symptoms. Some home remedies that may be helpful for liquid diarrhoea are:⁴

• Drink plenty of fluids: You can also try electrolyte solutions, such as sports drinks or oral rehydration solutions, to help replace lost electrolytes
• Take over-the-counter medications: Several over-the-counter medications can help stop diarrhoea. If your diarrhoea persists for more than two days or is accompanied by other symptoms, such as fever, blood in your stool, or severe abdominal pain, you should see a doctor
• Try natural remedies: Some people find relief from liquid diarrhoea by using natural remedies, such as peppermint and chamomile tea, or probiotics
• Get plenty of rest: It's important to get plenty of rest when you have diarrhoea, as your body needs time to heal and recover
• Stress relief: Mild to moderate exercise can help relieve stress and prevent attacks of diarrhoea from occurring. Yoga is a calming exercise, whilst jogging, swimming or walking may help you to disconnect from what is troubling you

Medical treatments

Some medical treatments that may be used for liquid diarrhoea are:²

• Antibiotics: If a bacterial infection causes diarrhoea, your doctor may prescribe antibiotics to help clear the infection. It's important to take the full course of antibiotics as prescribed and not stop taking them early, even if your symptoms improve
• Antidiarrhoeal medications: Your doctor may prescribe antidiarrhoeal medications, such as loperamide (Imodium) or bismuth sub-salicylate (Pepto-Bismol), to help stop diarrhoea. These medications work by slowing down the movement of your intestines and can help reduce stool motility
• Intravenous fluids: If you're unable to drink or have severe diarrhoea, you may need to receive fluids intravenously (through an IV drip)
• Other medications: Your doctor may prescribe other medications, such as pain relievers or anti-inflammatory medications, to help manage your symptoms

Complications

While diarrhoea is usually not serious and can resolve on its own within a few days, it can be uncomfortable and disruptive to your daily routine. In some cases, diarrhoea can lead to complications, such as:¹

• Dehydration: Diarrhoea can rapidly cause your body to lose fluids and electrolytes, leading to dehydration. Symptoms of dehydration include thirst, dry mouth, fatigue, and dizziness. If left untreated, dehydration can lead to serious complications, such as kidney failure, seizures, and coma
• Malnutrition: If you have diarrhoea for an extended period, you may lose weight and become malnourished. This can occur if you're unable to eat enough food or if your body is unable to absorb nutrients properly. Malnutrition can weaken your immune system and make you more susceptible to infections
• Electrolyte imbalances: Diarrhoea can cause electrolyte imbalances, such as low potassium levels (hypokalaemia). Electrolyte imbalances can cause symptoms such as muscle weakness, irregular heartbeat, and confusion

Prevention

There are several steps you can take to help prevent liquid diarrhoea and reduce your risk of infection:⁴

• Wash your hands: Proper hand hygiene is one of the most effective ways to prevent spreading infections, including those that can cause diarrhoea. Make sure to wash your hands with soap and water before handling food, using the bathroom, and meeting anyone sick
• Drink safe water: Avoid drinking tap water in areas where the water supply may be contaminated. Instead, drink bottled water or water that has been boiled and cooled
• Practice safe food handling: Make sure to properly store and prepare food to help reduce the risk of foodborne illness. This includes washing your hands before handling food, thoroughly cooking meats, and storing foods at appropriate temperatures
• Avoid close contact with sick individuals: If someone in your household or workplace is sick with diarrhoea, try to avoid close contact with them to reduce your risk of infection
• Get vaccinated: Some infections that can cause diarrhoea, such as rotavirus, can be prevented with vaccines. Talk to your doctor about which vaccines may be recommended for you
• Take regular exercise: Taking 20 minutes a day of mild-moderate exercise can help to relieve stress and prevent attacks of diarrhoea
• Limit strenuous exercise: Overexcising can cause nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea⁵

When to see a doctor

Signs that suggest you should see a doctor: 

• Persistent diarrhoea: If it persists for more than a few days, it's important to see a doctor. Persistent diarrhoea can signify a more serious underlying chronic health condition, such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), celiac disease, or lactose intolerance, which may require long-term management
• Other symptoms: If you have diarrhoea and are experiencing other symptoms, such as fever, blood in your stool, severe abdominal pain, or dehydration, it's important to see a doctor. These symptoms may be a sign of a more serious condition that requires medical treatment
• Risk factors: If you have certain risk factors, such as a weakened immune system, a history of chronic diarrhoea, or are pregnant it’s important to see a doctor

Summary

In summary, liquid diarrhoea is a common condition caused by several factors, which can include allergies, infections, and certain medications. To help prevent diarrhoea, it's important to practice good hand hygiene, drink safe water, handle safe food, avoid close contact with sick individuals, and get vaccinated. It’s important to see a doctor for further evaluation and treatment.

To reduce the effects of liquid diarrhoea, it's important to drink plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration and eat a bland, or mild, diet (non-processed, non-spicy) which may settle your stomach. Chamomile and peppermint teas are natural remedies, whilst over-the-counter medications, such as loperamide (Imodium) or bismuth salicylate (Pepto-Bismol) are available at most supermarkets and pharmacies.