How can I prevent diarrhea?

Diarrhea can be prevented by taking the following steps:

• Patients should properly wash all produce thoroughly before eating to reduce the risk of developing gastrointestinal infections.
• Individuals who are in areas of the world that have poor sanitation should only drink bottled water to reduce the risk of gastrointestinal infections. If this is not possible, individuals should boil their water before drinking it. This kills any disease-causing bacteria or parasites that may be living in the water.
• People who are traveling to parts of the world that have poor sanitation can carry anti-diarrheal medications with them, such as bismuth subsalicylate (Pepto-bismol®, Bismatrol®, or Kaopectate®) or loperamide hydrochloride (Imodium®).
• Doctors may prescribe antibiotics (such as rifamaxin) as a way to prevent traveler's diarrhea in people with certain medical conditions, such as immune deficiencies, that put them at high risk for experiencing severe complications of diarrhea.
• Patients should only consume dairy products that have been pasteurized. Pasteurization involves heating liquids in order to kill viruses, bacteria, molds, yeast, protozoa, and other harmful organisms. This reduces the risk of developing a gastrointestinal infection that may cause diarrhea.
• Individuals should avoid or limit their intake of the artificial sweeteners sorbitol and mannitol because they may cause diarrhea. These artificial sweeteners are commonly found in sugar-free products and chewing gum.
• People with infectious diarrhea should regularly wash their hands with warm water and soap, especially after going to the bathroom. They should also cover their mouths and noses when they cough or sneeze. This helps reduce the risk of passing the infection on to someone else.
• Individuals with diarrhea should drink plenty of water to prevent dehydration. Patients may also benefit from drinks that contain electrolytes, including Pediatric Electrolyte®, Pedialyte®, or Enfalyte®.

You should read product labels, and discuss all therapies with a qualified healthcare provider. Natural Standard information does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

Preventing diarrhea is largely a matter of luck and common sense. If certain foods give your intestinal tract a hard time, stay away from them. Many cases of diarrhea are caused by intestinal bugs, but if yours seems to be functional and not connected with bacterial infection, try to assess what conditions seem to trigger it and, in particular, whether stressful situations seem connected. Take steps to reduce stressful situations and ask your doctor about medications that might treat functional diarrhea.

General rules for avoiding diarrhea caused by bacterial infections include washing all fruits and vegetables well and making sure they're ripe when you eat them. If you are traveling in an area where the water purity is questionable, drink and brush your teeth only with bottled water, and don't eat any uncooked fruit or vegetables. At home, rinse chicken before you cook it, and cook chicken and other meats thoroughly. Clean all food preparation areas such as countertops and cutting boards with soap and warm water. Wash your hands thoroughly before and after handling food.

Be careful about eating foods left outside for long periods of time -- at barbecues or picnics, for example. Bacteria can grow easily in the warm air. And don't take leftovers home from these events. Even inside, leftovers should be refrigerated quickly after the meal has been served.