Home Remedies For Loose Motion
- Author :
- TATA AIG Team
- ●
- Last Updated On :
- 25/05/2023
A bout of diarrhoea is never fun and can be incredibly uncomfortable. It can last a couple of hours to a day or more in more severe cases. It's most often a symptom of an underlying issue. Luckily, many options exist to soothe an upset stomach and improve digestion, which can help you find relief.
Nearly everyone's experienced diarrhoea or loose motion at some point in their lives. It's your body's way of dealing with disruptions to your gastrointestinal system. Often characterised by an increased bowel movement, frequent watery stool, abdominal pain or cramping and bloating.
Types Of Diarrhoea And Its Causes
Acute diarrhoea can last up to 2 weeks at the most. There are many causes for this, such as:
- A Viral Infection
- A Bacterial Infection
- Food Poisoning
- Overuse Of Antibiotics
- Drinking Contaminated Water
Infectious diarrhoea is caused by a viral infection and is most common among children. Meanwhile, travellers' diarrhoea can be caused when people travel to underdeveloped areas and drink contaminated water.
Food poisoning can be caused by bacteria contaminating food that was improperly cooked or stored. The bacteria that generally cause food poisoning are:
- Salmonella
- E. Coli
- Listeria Monocytogenes
- Clostridium Botulinum (Botulism)
Other causes of diarrhoea include:
- Artificial Sweeteners
- Food Allergy Or Sensitivity
- Certain Medication
- A Stomach Virus
If you have a chronic condition that causes diarrhoea or it's the symptom of more severe disease, then consider getting a medical insurance plan if you haven't already.
Popular Loose Motion Home Remedy
Most cases of diarrhoea or loose motion are manageable and can be treated at home. Here are some home remedies to stop loose motion.
Hydration
The first step when you have loose motion or diarrhoea is to remain hydrated constantly. Dehydration from diarrhoea can be fatal in young children and older adults in more severe cases. It is advised to continue breastfeeding or bottle-feeding infants when experiencing diarrhoea.
Over-the-counter paediatric solutions, or ones recommended for children with diarrhoea, should be given frequently in small amounts to prevent dehydration.
Sports drinks or over-the-counter solutions with electrolytes are equally effective loose motion treatments at home for adults. Additionally, adding cumin to water and drinking it can help you keep hydrated and reduce the frequency of loose stools. A prevalent homemade remedy for loose motion.
Drinks like alcohol, carbonated sodas, milk and other caffeinated drinks should be avoided as they worsen your symptoms.
**Probiotics **
Probiotics are a source of good bacteria. If your symptoms result from a bacterial infection, foods containing probiotics help foster good gut health. They are essentially live bacteria certain foods contain, like:
- Berries
- Broccoli
- Cabbage
- Cauliflower
- Beans
- Coffee
- Corn
- Ice Cream
- Green Leafy Vegetables
- Milk
- Peas
- Prunes
- Milk-Based Teas
Probiotics also come in powdered or capsule form. They'reSo they're an excellent over-the-counter treatment of loose motion at home.
The good bacteria in your intestinal tract are necessary for your gastrointestinal system to function correctly. In addition, they help protect against infection. So when unhealthy bacteria or viral infections have infected your system or if there's an overuse of antibiotics, you can get diarrhoea.
Follow A B.R.A.T Diet
Short for banana, rice, applesauce and toast - the best home remedy for loose motion. These foods are bland and easily digested, so they won't overload your sensitive digestive system. Sticking to low-fibre foods that won't further exacerbate your symptoms or cause nausea or vomiting is usually best during these situations.
Some other foods that are well tolerated and considered home remedies to cure loose motion are:
- Oatmeal/Oatbran.
- Boiled or baked potatoes (with skins peeled).
- Rice with yoghurt or dried mangoes.
- Baked chicken with the skin removed.
- Chicken Soup (Which also aids in rehydration).
- Pomegranate (Anti-Inflammatory).
Rice Water
Rice water is another fast and effective method to stop loose motion as a home remedy. After boiling the rice, strain the rice and reserve water when it cools.
This will replenish your fluids and reduce the duration of diarrhoea. In addition, rice water has a binding effect, resulting in firmer and bulkier stools.
Over-The-Counter Drugs
Several over-the-counter medications can help alleviate symptoms. Some popular ones are:
- Bismuth Subsalicylate (Pepto-Bismol)
- Loperamide
However, you should note that these will not address the underlying cause. These will only help alleviate the symptoms. So if you have chronic diarrhoea, you shouldn't frequently use these medications without your doctor's consent.
You must especially be careful if your child has diarrhoea. Dehydration can occur quickly in children and can be fatal or life-threatening. These over-the-counter medications are not recommended for children. Infants who have diarrhoea should always be taken to the doctor straight away.
Teas As Loose Motion Home Remedies
These brews are mainly used for diarrhoea or loose motion to stop and as home remedies.
- Apple, Ghee, Cardamom And Nutmeg
This combination can help stop loose stool. Apple, without its pulp boiled along with ghee, cardamom, and nutmeg, can help bring some relief when drunk and can help replenish the electrolytes and water you've lost. It's a popular way to stop loose motion and a home remedy.
- Black Tea, Lemon Juice And Cardamom Or Nutmeg
Another homemade remedy for loose motion. Black tea is a popular diuretic and can help retain fluids in your body. This, along with lemon juice, cardamom, or nutmeg, can help soothe your digestive tract and help improve digestion.
- Fennel and Ginger Powder
When drunk, this combination helps reduce inflammation and irritation in your stomach. They're popular for any form of digestive issues.
- Plain Ginger Tea
Ginger, sugar, and water, all brought to a boil and drunk after it cools, can help mitigate symptoms of diarrhoea.
- Chamomile Tea
Chamomile is another popular remedy for loose stool and diarrhoea. It also helps to treat symptoms like gas, indigestion and bloating.
Foods To Avoid
If you are suffering from loose motion, avoid fried, greasy or processed foods because these are hard to digest. You should also limit high-fibre foods that promote bowel movements as well. This includes fruits and vegetables that can increase bloating.
The foods you should generally avoid are:
- Beans
- Berries
- Broccoli
- Cabbage
- Cauliflower
- Chickpeas
- Coffee
- Corn
- Ice Cream
- Green Leafy Vegetables
- Milk
- Peas
- Peppers
- Prunes
- Milk-Based Teas
Avoiding alcohol and drinks containing artificial sweeteners can immensely help in controlling your bowel movement.
When To Consult A Doctor?
You should seek medical attention if your diarrhoea gets worse or if you have:
- A fever above 102°f (38.9°c) or if it lasts more than seven days
- Blood in your stool
- Severe nausea or vomiting
- Intense abdominal pain
Conclusion
Most of the time, diarrhoea lasts no longer than a day or two. So it can be easily treated with adequate rest, over-the-counter medication and some proven home remedies. Other times it can be the symptom of a more severe condition requiring immediate medical attention.
Appendicitis, for example, can initially present as acute diarrhoea, and people with this condition need immediate medical attention coupled with surgery. Medical emergencies like this come with no warning, and surgery can be costly if you don't have health insurance to cover the costs.
So, consider buying health insurance online at Tata AIG's online platform. If you're still on the fence about this, then going through the potential benefits of health insurance can help clear any doubts you may have.
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