How to Prevent Diarrhea?

• Frequent hand washing can prevent diarrhea most of the time
• Intestinal gas can be caused by an intestinal infection
• There are many causes of diarrhea, and so there may be a number of ways to prevent diarrhea

Understanding how to prevent diarrhea and intestinal gas is important. Diarrhea can be caused by a number of different things, including intestinal diseases, viruses, parasites, bacteria, medications you are taking, allergies or intolerance to certain foods such as lactose, and bowel disorders that can affect the way your bowels function and operate. The cause of the diarrhea will determine treatment, but usually as long as the diarrhea goes away by itself and you ensure you stay hydrated and replace any electrolytes you lose no treatment may even be necessary.

For infections that are caused by microorganisms, such as viruses, bacteria, and parasites, you may need to treat the underlying infection. If it is a parasite that is causing the problem, your doctor my prescribe a medication to kill it off. For bacterial and viral infections, taking probiotics can help restore the natural order in your stomach and bowel, and prevent diarrhea and other problems, like stomach flatulence and stomach indigestion, as well as intestinal gas. This may be more effective than taking antibiotics, which can cause diarrhea as well. Probiotics are beneficial microorganisms which play an important part in your digestion.

Frequent hand washing will prevent diarrhea that is caused by infectious organisms. These germs can live on surfaces and be present on skin, and they can be extremely contagious. Washing your hands frequently can prevent these infections from being transmitted to you, and resulting in diarrhea. This is especially important after you go to the bathroom, and both before and after eating. Always wash all of your fresh fruits and vegetables completely before eating, especially if you are going to eat the skin. This will prevent you from eating any virus or bacteria which can cause intestinal and stomach problems.

Avoiding meats and eggs which are undercooked will help you to prevent diarrhea. Food contamination and poisoning is one of the most common causes of diarrhea around the world. Meats, poultry, seafood, and eggs which are not completely cooked can cause severe diarrhea and other digestive problems including stomach indigestion and stomach flatulence. Make sure that your food is completely cooked through, and that it is still warm. A common cause of food poisoning is eggs which have been left out too long, and many times mayonnaise gets the blame. Make sure to wipe down all of your counters thoroughly, especially after using raw meats and eggs, because this can be a common contamination source. Never use the same utensil for raw and cooked food, because germs can be transferred and make you sick.

Food intolerance can be a big cause of diarrhea, and if this is the case in your situation it is important to determine what foods cause your diarrhea. If you are lactose intolerant, drinking lactose free milk and using dairy products which are reduced lactose may help. There are also supplements you can take which help break down lactose in products so you do not experience diarrhea and intestinal gas. Other foods that may cause problems can usually be eliminated to prevent diarrhea.

Some functional bowel disorders, such as Crohn’s disease and irritable bowel syndrome, can cause diarrhea and many other stomach and intestinal problems. In these cases it may take medications to prevent diarrhea and the other problematic symptoms. Sometimes these diseases cause too much water to empty into the bowel, and at other times the lining of the bowel may become irritated or even ulcerated. All of these conditions can cause diarrhea and make life miserable for you. Talk to your doctor to see what other steps you can take to prevent diarrhea.

The information supplied in this article is not to be considered as medical advice and is for educational purposes only.