Condition Care Guide

A number of safe, effective remedies exist for this common and distressing complaint. One of the best is Kaopectate, a suspension of an absorbent clay. The concentrated tablets, which are free of additives, are frequently recommended. This preparation is not a drug and works simply by absorbing and binding irritating material in the gut. Another possibility is Pepto-Bismol, a preparation of bismuth subsalicylate. It is effective but contains synthetic red dyes and saccharin, and salicylates can cause allergic reactions in sensitive individuals. A good natural remedy is carob powder, available at health-food stores. Start with one tablespoon, mixed with some applesauce and honey to make it palatable. Take it on an empty stomach with acidophilus. Carob is very soothing to irritated intestines. A good herbal remedy for diarrhea is blackberry root bark (Rubus macropetalus). It contains tannins, which have a desirable astringent action on the intestinal lining. Boil the root bark in water for twenty minutes, strain, and drink a cup every two to four hours till the diarrhea ends. You may be able to find tinctures of this useful plant in herb stores, or you can make your own if you live in an area where blackberries grow. Take a teaspoon of tincture in water every two to four hours. The drugs Lomotil, Donnatal, belladonna, or other derivatives of nightshade plants, often prescribed to quiet an overactive gut are toxic and have unpleasant effects on mind and body. Diarrhea can lead to dehydration unless you replace lost fluids. Drink plenty of clear liquids: noncaffeinated teas, broth, juice. Add frequent small, soft feedings as tolerated. Avoid milk and milk products, raw vegetables and fruits, bran, whole-grain cereals, sugary foods, spices, caffeine, and alcohol. Acute diarrhea with fever and blood or mucus in the stool may indicate infection with bacteria or parasites, especially if you are in an area of the world with poor sanitation. Have stool cultures and examinations to check on these possibilities and take appropriate medical drugs if specific organisms are identified. Chronic diarrhea has many causes. Two of the commonest are addiction to coffee (and other forms of caffeine) and emotional stress. Recurrent episodes of diarrhea along with intestinal gas, bloating, pain, and constipation often lead people into fruitless encounters with gastroenterologists who, after a great many diagnostic tests, call the problem "irritable bowel syndrome".