Healthy Lifestyle to Prevent Diarrhea:

Most of the cases of diarrhea are spread from person-to-person and drinking contaminated water. Some of the precautions can help you prevent diarrhea.

1. Wash Hands:

Adults and children should be instructed to wash the hands very often and especially after using the washroom to remove any bacteria or virus on the hands.

2. Drink Plenty of Water:

It is advised to drink plenty of water and stay dehydrated all the time. If there is any bacterial infection in the intestines, this gets flushed out from the body.

3. Food Hygiene:

The foods should be cooked properly to a recommended temperature. Raw fruits and vegetables should be washed properly before consuming them. As far as possible, avoid raw meat and poultry. The utensils used for cooking and storing should be washed thoroughly with soap and water.

4. Milk Products:

Avoid using unpasteurized milk products, as these may contain bacteria that disturbs the intestines. Do not consume milk before heating.

5. Other Precautions:

Follow certain precautions when traveling, especially to foreign places. Avoid eating street foods and avoid drinking local tap waters.

Foods to Eat and Avoid During Diarrhea:

During diarrhea, all foods do not work well with the patient. Certain foods can be eaten and should be avoided to cope up with diarrhea.

Foods to Eat:

• As mentioned earlier BRAT diet is the best possible food to eat during diarrhea. This includes bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast.
• Light oatmeal can be eaten since it is fibrous food.
• Boiled and baked potatoes with the skin peeled should be eaten.
• Healthy soups such as a chicken soup can be consumed.

Foods to Avoid:

• High-fat foods should be avoided.
• Alcohol and smoking should be stopped.
• Certain vegetables like cabbage, cauliflower, leafy vegetables, broccoli, beans, prunes, and peas should be avoided.
• Coffee and tea should be restricted.
• Artificial sweeteners and carbonated drinks should be avoided.

When to See a Doctor?:

In most cases, diarrhea can be treated with some home remedies without consulting a doctor. But, if you suffer from chronic diarrhea, i.e., passing of stools for more than 10 times and if you suffer from diarrhea for two continuous days, then it is recommended to visit a doctor to avoid further complications. Also, if you experience diarrhea during sleep and stool incontinence, severe abdominal pain with fever, blood, and pus in stool, consult a doctor immediately.