Mailbag: Diarrhea Remedies That Really Work
By
Dr. Scott Olson, ND
Posted October 22, 2024
“I have had diarrhea for 6 months. I’m going crazy and don’t know how to stop it! Please help!”
– Can’t Stop Running
Dear Can’t Stop,
Few things disrupt life like battling a bout of diarrhea.
Diarrhea is typically defined as having three or more loose, watery stools daily. If you experience this for over four weeks, it’s considered chronic diarrhea and can quickly transform from frustrating into potentially harmful to your health.
When my patients come to me complaining of diarrhea, I typically recommend several different approaches that might help:
- Probiotics: An out-of-balance microbiome can be behind loose stools. Probiotics are beneficial bacteria that can help restore gut balance. A high-quality supplement or eating more fermented foods like yogurt, kefir, or sauerkraut could help.
- Herbal soothers: Chamomile tea, peppermint, and ginger can help soothe an angry digestive tract. Slippery elm bark is an effective anti-inflammatory that can help calm an upset gut.
- Fiber adjustment: While fiber is generally good for digestion, during bouts of diarrhea, reducing insoluble fiber and focusing on more soluble fiber sources like bananas, rice, and oatmeal can be helpful.
- Hydration and electrolytes: Diarrhea can quickly dehydrate you. So, replacing those fluids is critical. Coconut water, herbal teas, plain broth, and plain water are an excellent place to start. There are also simple homemade oral rehydration solution recipes online as well as commercial versions, such as Pedialyte, that can replace lost fluids and minerals.
- Eliminate triggers: Common diarrhea culprits include dairy, gluten, eggs, soy, corn, and artificial sweeteners. An elimination diet (removing one food or category at a time for a week) can help identify specific trigger foods.
- Stress management: Chronic stress wreaks havoc on your gut. Meditation, yoga, or other relaxation techniques are a fantastic way to blow off stress.
- Bone broth: Bone broth is rich in minerals and amino acids that can help heal the gut lining.
- Zinc: Some studies suggest zinc can help reduce the duration of diarrhea.
Any combination of these tips could be the key to ending a brief battle with diarrhea.
However, I also always warn my own patients that chronic diarrhea is a serious condition that can lead to severe dehydration, malnutrition, and other health complications.
In fact, if left untreated prolonged diarrhea can even be life-threatening, so it’s vital to seek medical attention promptly if you develop diarrhea and it doesn’t clear up soon.
P.S. Is your bathroom hiding a dirty secret?
Written By Dr. Scott Olson, ND
Nearly 25 years ago, failed mainstream medical treatments left Dr. Olson in constant pain – and his health in ruins. And that’s when he did something REVOLUTIONARY. He began his career in medicine – and dedicated his life to uncovering the true, underlying causes of disease.
Through his innovative medical practices in Tennessee and Colorado, Dr. Olson has helped cure countless seniors from across America of arthritis… heart disease… diabetes… and even cancer. All without risky prescription drugs or painful surgeries.
View More Free Articles
Why Your Muscles Are Your Brain's Best Defense
Forget expensive brain scans and head-scratching cognitive tests that make you feel like you’re back in school. Japanese researchers have stumbled onto something that could change how we screen for memory problems—and it’s so simple, you’ll wonder why nobody thought of it sooner. A quick, painless measurement you can get during a routine checkup might...
Four Carbs that Could Add YEARS to Your Life
You’ve likely been avoiding carbs like the plague. Health gurus, fitness influencers, and diet books have convinced you that carbs are the enemy—that they spike your blood sugar, pack on pounds, and fast-track you to diabetes. So you’ve eliminated bread, sworn off pasta, and feel guilty just touching a piece of fruit. But what if...
Upgrade from Bananas and Apples to These Powerhouse Fruits
I’m often asked which fruits are the best. So, let’s talk about it. I’ll cut right to the chase: berries win this contest hands down. If you’re limiting your options to apples and bananas, you’re missing out on a universe of superior antioxidant power. Those everyday fruits are like bringing a knife to a gunfight...
The REAL Reason Americans are Getting “Fatter”
You’ve heard it a thousand times: “Americans are getting fatter because we’re lazy.” We sit at desks all day. We binge-watch Netflix instead of hitting the gym. We’ve traded physical labor for sedentary lifestyles. It’s a tidy explanation for why obesity has skyrocketed in developed countries. There’s just one problem—it’s completely wrong… A groundbreaking Duke...
Mailbag: Room Won't Stop Spinning? Do THIS First
“I’m dealing with vertigo issues, lightheadedness, and dizziness. As recently as this last Saturday I had multiple occurrences throughout the day. Is there anything I can do for this? I’m 69 and in good health. I work out 4 to 5 times a week.” —Spinning Hi Spinning, When patients approach me with similar complaints, I...
Hidden Number Secretly Sabotages Male Performance
Guys (and gals that love them), we should talk. You know how we’ve always been told that bedroom troubles are just part of getting older—that we just need to live with them? Well, it turns out that’s not true. Scientists recently wrapped up a six-year study that followed over 100 healthy men, and the findings...
Shocking Study Links Kids' Snacks to Dangerous Early Puberty
Kids are growing up in a world vastly different from the one we knew. Back in our day, if a child wanted something sweet, it was a piece of candy or a homemade cookie. Today’s kids are surrounded by products filled with artificial sweeteners that didn’t even exist when we were raising our own children....
Outdated Vitamin Guidelines Put Your Brain at Risk
If you’re like most people, you probably don’t think twice about vitamin B12—until your doctor mentions it during a routine blood test. But new research published in the Annals of Neurology suggests we need to pay closer attention to this crucial nutrient—especially as we age. Turns out, current guidelines for this essential nutrient might be...
The TRUTH About Supplement "Liver Dangers" REVEALED
There’s been a lot of buzz lately about liver damage from supplements—so, let’s talk about it. Reports of supplement-induced liver injuries have some folks wondering, “Could my natural remedy actually be harming me?” But before you toss all your supplements in the trash, let’s separate fact from fear—and talk about how to use supplements safely....
The 10,000 Steps LIE That's Ruining Your Health
I’ll be honest—I’m a little sick of the 10,000-steps theory. You know, the one that insists you need to take at least that many steps daily to stay healthy? You won’t believe where that claim originally came from. The 10,000-steps theory wasn’t handed down from the fitness gods on stone tablets. It originated from a...