One of the most common gastrointestinal symptoms that you must have experienced is diarrhea, and it can cause you significant embarrassment or even concern that might cause you to seek medical care. Not all diarrhea needs medical treatment, and many home remedies can help you deal with this symptom. In this article we will discuss diarrhea, its causes, home remedies, and when you should seek medical care.

What is diarrhea?

Diarrhea is when you go to the bathroom and evacuate your bowels for more times than you are used to or when the consistency of your stools is watery or less solid than normal or both. Most of the water in our guts comes from water we consume either as fluids or food and then it is absorbed mainly in the colon to form stools. Diarrhea means that either your intestines do not absorb water or that they secrete more water into their lumen to be excreted.

Home remedies for diarrhea:

Several home remedies can help you deal with your diarrhea including:

1) Drinking water

Yes, water drinking is the simplest yet most important home remedy for diarrhea. You lose water in diarrhea and if it is severe enough, you are at risk of dehydration. Dehydration becomes a real risk in children and the elderly who are unlikely to feel or act upon their thirst. You can also use rehydration solutions that contain many minerals that are normally lost in diarrhea. Sports drinks can also be used as a replacement. One of the best rehydration solutions you can prepare at home is lemon water.

It is also important to make sure that your water source is clean, as it can be due to contaminated water that you have diarrhea in the first place. Change your filter if you use one and make sure that your tap water is potable before consuming it.