Alleviating symptoms - managing diarrhoea
Shirley Webber - Research Dietitian, 26 July 2016
Diarrhoea management
By Shirley Webber
Carrying on in our series about alleviating IBS symptoms, this week we will discuss diarrhoea
management.
Fortunately, many people achieve relief from diarrhoea on a low FODMAP diet, but if you have
eaten the wrong thing, or have a bout of diarrhoea due to gastroenteritis or another cause, you may
find the following tips helpful.
- If your diarrhoea is excessive, you should consult your doctor. They may advise you to try some over the counter diarrhoea stop medications (eg. Immodium). They may also recommend rehydration with an electrolyte replacement solution.
- Drink lots of water to replace lost fluids.
- Soluble fibre absorbs water and slows transit time through the digestive tract. Including small quantities of foods rich in soluble fibre (such as oats, green peas, sweet potato, turnip, carrots or psyllium) may improve stool consistency, however avoid large quantities that may exacerbate symptoms.
- If your diarrhoea has left you feeling cold and drained, rug up and reach for a comforting heat pack.
