Do's and don'ts for diarrhea

Diarrhea ordinarily clears up on its own. For a mild case of diarrhea, here's how to manage your discomfort at home:

x  Drink certain liquids

Try broth, diluted fruit juices (except prune juice) and beverages containing electrolytes, such as Gatorade. Drinks that have electrolytes help replace the fluids and body chemicals lost during diarrhea.

x  Drink enough liquids

Drink enough liquids daily so that you urinate about every four hours. If you have diarrhea and your urine is dark, you may be getting dehydrated. This is a clue to drink more fluids.

x  Eat low-fiber foods (only when you have diarrhea)

As your symptoms improve or your stools become formed, start to eat low-fiber foods, such as soda crackers, toast (white bread), eggs, rice or chicken. Don't consume greasy or fatty foods, milk, or highly seasoned foods for a few days.

x  Avoid medications

Short-term diarrhea doesn't require antibiotics. And for most cases, you don't need an over-the-counter anti-diarrheal product. These may slow the elimination of the infectious agent and actually prolong your diarrhea. Situations vary, though, so ask your doctor about your specific case.