Suffering from chronic diarrhea can greatly interfere with a person's enjoyment of life. For some people, a simple diet change or a prescription medication can quickly resolve the problem. For others, it may take a variety of approaches in combination before symptom relief is seen. If you fall into that category, read on for a comprehensive guide to strategies that may be helpful in combating the problem of chronic diarrhea.
What to Eat?
Food is always the first place that a person with digestive stress looks to as a solution to the problem. Most of the time, it is not a specific food, but just the act of eating a heavy or fatty meal that is the problem, due to the triggering of the body's natural gastrocolic reflex. However, some foods do have a reputation for being friendlier or more irritating to the GI system. These articles will help you to make healthy choices:
Medication Options
Although no medication has yet earned the distinction of curing diarrhea predominant irritable bowel syndrome (IBS-D), there are medications available that may bring about symptom relief:
Over-the-Counter Products
You don't always need a prescription to find a remedy for chronic diarrhea. In fact, for ongoing problems, sometimes a supplement is a safer alternative due to the lowered risk of side effects. However, all products pose some risk, so it is important to be an informed consumer. These articles will help you to see whether supplements might work for you:
Self-Care Strategies
Treatment doesn't always come in the form of a pill. There are things that you can do to actively calm your body and increase your physical health. Learning to quiet your body is essential when dealing with diarrhea due to the close connection between the GI system and the body's stress response. If pain accompanies your diarrhea, there are also things that you can do to self soothe. The following articles will show you what you can do to help your intestinal system to quiet down.
Managing Daily Life
Modern life is challenging even with a healthy body. Experiencing a disruptive symptom like diarrhea on a regular basis can make the option of staying home by the bathroom an attractive one. That, however, is no way to live. With a little planning, it is possible to manage the needs of your body and lead a full, interesting life. Here's how:
