Is There Any Food That Can Stop Diarrhea?
There is no food that can stop
diarrhea; however, there is food that you should avoid when you have diarrhea. This includes:
- Milk and milk products, such as ice cream or cheese
- High-fat or greasy foods, such as fried foods
- Very sweet foods, such as cakes and cookies
- Foods that have a lot of fiber, such as citrus fruits.
It is best to avoid milk and other dairy products for 7 to 10 days after the diarrhea improves; a mild case of
lactose intolerance often follows cases of diarrhea.
As you recover from diarrhea, the best foods to start eating are easily digested, high-carbohydrate foods such as boiled potatoes, plain rice, crackers, and toast.
For children, the pediatrician may recommend what is sometimes referred to as the BRAT diet, which consists of:
- Bananas
- Rice
- Applesauce
- Toast.
What Happens If the Diarrhea Does Not Stop?
If the diarrhea does not stop after three days, call your healthcare provider. Call your healthcare provider sooner if you have:
- Severe pain in the abdomen or rectum
- A fever of 102 degrees Fahrenheit or higher
- Blood in the stool
- Signs of dehydration.
If your child has diarrhea for more than 24 hours, call your child's healthcare provider. You should also call your child's healthcare provider if your child has any of the following:
- Stools containing blood or pus (or black stools)
- A temperature above 101.4 degrees Fahrenheit
- Signs of dehydration, such as:
- Dry mouth and tongue
- No tears when crying
- No wet diapers for three hours or more
- Sunken abdomen, eyes, or cheeks
- High fever
- Listlessness or irritability
- Skin that does not flatten when pinched and released.
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