Directions for Taking the Right Diarrhea Medication

Diarrhea is a condition of increased frequency of bowel movements characterized by watery stools, stomach cramps, nausea and fever. Although diarrhea generally can heal by itself after a few days, sometimes diarrhea medicine is needed to overcome this condition. Noteworthy is to avoid consuming diarrhea medication without a doctor's recommendation. Because, there are certain drugs that can actually cause diarrhea to get worse. Because it is important to know what causes diarrhea, in order to handle diarrhea based on the underlying cause. It is always a good idea to consult a doctor to get recommendations for the right diarrhea medication.

Various Diarrhea Medications

Diarrhea can cause dehydration. This condition can be fatal for both children and adults. That is why it is important to maintain adequate body fluids when diarrhea. When body fluids are lost through diarrhea, you are advised to replace lost fluids by consuming electrolyte or oralit drinks to help prevent dehydration. ORS is a liquid medicine consisting of a mixture of water, sugar, and salt that functions to replace lost fluids and electrolytes. ORS can be consumed by all ages with a dose that is adjusted by the doctor. There is also another diarrhea drug, zinc supplement, which is one of the important micronutrients in the body. This supplement has been proven to reduce the duration and severity of diarrhea, reduce the frequency of bowel movements, and reduce the volume of stool in children. There is also a medicine for diarrhea, namely probiotics, which are good bacteria found in food or drinks. Probiotics can treat diarrhea by fighting the bad bacteria that causes diarrhea so that diarrhea can be stopped. But those who have a weak immune system need to be careful before taking probiotics. In addition, you can also take antidiarrheal drugs that can reduce symptoms of diarrhea, such as loperamide and kaolin-pectin. However, what needs to be considered from antidiarrheal drugs is that it should not be consumed by children and when conditions are high. Then what about antibiotics for diarrhea? Actually acute diarrhea does not always require antibiotics. Diarrhea that is generally caused by a virus will improve on its own within a few days, and the use of antibiotic drugs is only effective for diarrhea caused by bacterial infections. The use of antibiotics for diarrhea can also be done in a number of conditions such as the following:

• Have severe and persistent diarrhea.
• There are more serious bacterial infections, such as Shigella or difficile.
• Patients have diseases that weaken the immune system, such as heart failure, lung disease, or HIV / AIDS.

However, to determine which medication is suitable for your condition, you should consult with your doctor first. Because, every drug has a different function and way of working.

How to Prevent Diarrhea Effectively

The most important thing in preventing diarrhea is a clean and healthy lifestyle. One habit you should do is wash your hands with soap. Make it a habit to wash your hands especially after defecation, after playing, when preparing food and before eating. Provision of clean water is also important considering there are several waterborne diseases, such as dysentery, diarrhea, hepatitis, and cholera. Therefore, keep water clean, both at home and in the environment. In addition, some other effective diarrhea prevention are:

• Avoid oily foods, as well as foods with artificial sweeteners such as gum and sugar substitutes.
• Avoid drinking tap water or ice made from tap water.
• Don't eat raw meat.
• Expand to eat cooked fruits or vegetables.

You also should not litter, manage waste properly and collect it in one container for disposal every day in a special place. That is because garbage is a source of disease and can pollute the environment. A clean and healthy lifestyle and environment can help prevent diarrhea. If you have diarrhea, do not hesitate to consult a doctor to get diarrhea medicine and the right treatment.