How to Stop Diarrhea

Sarah Charton, MBA, RD, a dietitian with Keck Medicine of USC, explains how to get rid of diarrhea.

Diarrhea can stem from various causes. A Keck Medicine of USC dietitian explains potential causes and what you can do to relieve diarrhea symptoms.

What causes diarrhea?

Causes of diarrhea can be food-related, including food poisoning, food allergies or food intolerances. A bacterial infection can also lead to diarrhea.

Sometimes the cause of diarrhea is a digestive disorder like inflammatory bowel disease, or it can be caused by irritable bowel syndrome, a chronic condition that affects the stomach and intestines.

Other times, diarrhea can stem from combined factors or an unidentified cause.

How to get rid of diarrhea

Whether you have diarrhea on and off, or one instance of diarrhea, adjusting your diet can help control your diarrhea symptoms.

One common solution is a diet known as the “BRAT diet”: consuming bananas, rice, applesauce and toast from white bread. These foods are all low in fiber and bland, so they will not typically upset your stomach. Other foods that are bland and low in fiber include cooked cereals such as cream of wheat, crackers made from white flour and baked potatoes.

Once you start to feel better, you can begin incorporating lean proteins, such as plain chicken or scrambled eggs, and cooked vegetables.

Stay hydrated

It is important to replenish electrolytes when you have diarrhea symptoms. Electrolytes lost in diarrhea include sodium, potassium, chloride and magnesium. If you are unable to sufficiently replenish electrolytes after multiple episodes of diarrhea, you may experience fatigue, muscle cramping and dehydration.

To help with hydration, drink water, clear broth containing salt, electrolyte-enhanced water, electrolyte packets and non-caffeinated mint teas.

What not to eat if you have diarrhea

Several foods can worsen diarrhea symptoms when you are recovering. Foods to avoid while recovering from diarrhea include:

• Caffeinated beverages (such as coffee and soda)
• Artificial sweeteners (such as mannitol, xylitol, erythritol or sorbitol)
• Raw vegetables (including onion)
• Higher-fat processed foods (such as butter, margarine, cream cheese, hot dogs and pizza)
• Spicy foods
• Any food that is greasy or fried
• Citrus fruits

If your diarrhea is related to food allergies or intolerances, it would be helpful to avoid those foods.

If diarrhea symptoms do not improve or are prolonged, seek medical care. Speak with your doctor and dietitian for more individualized treatment.

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