Ask the Doc: What's the best treatment at home for diarrhoea?
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What's the best treatment at home for diarrhoea?
Diarrhoea is passing looser or more frequent stools than is normal for you.
It affects most people from time to time and is usually nothing to worry about. Most cases of diarrhoea clear up after a few days without treatment, and you may not need to see your GP.
However, diarrhoea can lead to dehydration if it is very frequent, so you should drink plenty of fluids – small, frequent sips of water – until it passes. It's very important that babies and small children in particular do not become dehydrated. Your pharmacist may suggest you use an oral rehydration solution (ORS) if you or your child are particularly at risk of dehydration. If you are concerned about dehydration in any of your family or yourself then seek medical advice.
You should eat solid food as soon as you feel able to. If you're breastfeeding or bottle feeding your baby and they have diarrhoea, you should try to feed them as normal.
Stay at home until at least 48 hours after the last episode of diarrhoea to prevent spreading any infection to others. Medications to reduce diarrhoea, such as loperamide, are available. However, these are not usually necessary, and most types should not be given to children. Some medications e.g. those for managing blood pressure should be stopped when there is a chance of dehydration for any reason, including diarrhoea .Seek advice from your GP about how to take your medications you when you have diarrhoea.
It's important to see your GP at any time if the diarrhoea is particularly frequent or severe, or associated with other symptoms, such as:
blood in your or your child's stool
persistent vomiting
a severe or continuous stomach ache
weight loss
signs of dehydration – including drowsiness, passing urine infrequently, and feeling lightheaded or dizzy
your stool is dark or black – this may be a sign of bleeding inside your stomach
You should also contact your GP early if your or your child's diarrhoea is particularly frequent, as this may be a sign of a more serious problem.
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