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
Mailbag: Natural Fixes for Stubborn Toenail Fungus
“Is there an actual cure for toenail fungus?” —Feeling Frustrated If you are frustrated because you’ve been battling toenail fungus, I’m not surprised. Toenail fungus is incredibly difficult to treat. But don’t give up. With a combination of natural treatments and patience, relief is possible. Here’s what’s worked for my patients in the past… Tea...
Science Reveals Late-Night Anxiety is REAL (Here’s the Fix)
Ever notice how your problems seem WORSE at 3 AM? It turns out those middle-of-the-night anxiety-filled thoughts aren’t just in your head. Research reveals that your brain actually functions differently after midnight. In fact, what goes on during those dark hours could be sabotage your sleep and your decisions. But before you reach for a...
Normal Blood Pressure In 4 Weeks WITHOUT Drugs
High blood pressure affects millions of us. And these hypertension (high blood pressure) medications work, but they often come with unwanted side effects. However, we might have another option. A new study confirms that an often-overlooked root vegetable can help normalize blood pressure FAST… Research conducted by scientists at Queen Mary University of London revealed...
Spice Slashes Age-Related Vision Loss Risk
As you get older, the more likely you are to develop age-related macular degeneration (AMD). In fact, one in seven people over 50 already have some evidence of this vision-robbing disease. That works out to about 1.5 million people. But you don’t have to be one of them. A small change you make starting today...
Four Medicine Cabinet Culprits Making You Fat
Picture this. You’re doing everything “right.” You’re trying to manage your weight by watching portion sizes, exercising regularly, and getting enough sleep. But the numbers on the scale won’t go down. Even worse, you realize they’ve been slowly CLIMBING. If this sounds familiar, the culprit could be hiding in your medicine cabinet. Keep reading to...
Why Age STEALS Your Sleep—And How to Take It Back
As we journey through life, we may find ourselves becoming unwilling members of the “tossing and turning” club. If you’ve noticed that restful nights are slipping further away with each passing year, you’re not alone. But why does this happen? Let’s shed some light on the causes of age-related sleep changes and explore how you...
Dodge Dementia with this Two Step Back-to-Basics Plan
You know the saying, “Everything old is new again,” right? Well, it turns out for dementia prevention, it’s spot on. In fact, new research supports two “old-school” solutions for protecting brain health. If you thought shielding yourself against dementia would be complicated, let me show you how simple it can be… When I counsel my...
Mailbag: Naturally Target Cholesterol
“I’m being treated for breast cancer. However, I was also recently diagnosed with atherosclerosis. My cholesterol is 249, and I was prescribed Lipitor. I’m on a plant-based diet and sometimes eat wild-caught salmon two to three times a week. What are the best natural ways to lower cholesterol?” -Naturally Cutting Cholesterol Hi Naturally, Your proactive...
Surprising Link Between Balance and Weight REVEALED
Think balance exercises are just for preventing falls? If so, think again. This often-overlooked aspect of fitness could also be the missing piece in your weight loss puzzle—especially as you age. Recent research suggests that improving your balance could be a game-changer for maintaining a healthy weight AND staying steady on your feet. And these...
These Common Kitchen Tools Could Triple Your Cancer Risk
Could you do me a favor? Take a look in your kitchen drawers. Do you spot any black plastic spatulas or spoons? If so, please keep reading… Because researchers have just discovered something about these common kitchen tools, you can’t afford to miss. They could literally be making you sick. Here’s why… A shocking study...