Diarrhea: Causes and Natural Remedies

Diarrhea is a change in the bowel movements that causes much softer feces than normal. The feces are the remains from the digestive system after the nutrients and liquids from ingested foods has been absorbed. These remains leave the body through the rectum, and if there are liquids that were not absorbed, or if the digestive system produced excessive liquids, the bowel movement would then contain a lot of water, causing diarrhea.

It is much healthier for a person to have softer, rather than hard, bowel movements. Normal is considered when someone has soft feces, and has a bowel movement at least two or three times a day. A lot of times, however, diarrhea causes more than 2 or 3 bowel movements a day, and when this happens and is accompanied by the following symptoms, then the diarrhea must be treated as soon as possible.

Symptoms of diarrhea:

Abdominal cramps, from the chest to the height of the hips.
Abdominal inflammation
Burning, itching, or malaise around the anus
Urgent need to have a bowel movement
Liquid feces during bowel movements
Inability to control the intestines (fecal incontinence)
Fever
Chills or cold sweats

Diarrhea and dehydration

If diarrhea is not treated immediately, it could lead to dehydration. It is necessary to prevent this, especially in small children, as this can provoke several consequences. Dehydration provokes the following symptoms:

Excessive thirst
Dry skin
Anemia
Urinating less than normal
Dark color or concentrated smell to urine
Tiredness
Faintness
Affects normal kidney functioning
Signs of dehydration in children: dry diaper for more than 3 or 4 hours, dry mouth, crying without tears, fever, upset crying, irritability, sleeping a lot, inflexible skin.

Natural remedies for treating diarrhea and preventing dehydration

Rice water: this water is especially beneficial for helping the stomach and intestines recover normal functioning. This water should be prepared in the following manner: Ingredients: half a cup of rice for half a liter of fresh water. Boil water and then add rice. Allow to boil for 15 minutes, and remove from heat. Sweeten the water with rice molasses, or drink as is. Drink 1 liter of this water throughout the day.
Lemon serum with salt: the serum will help recover liquid loss in the body and will prevent dehydration. To make this serum, you must juice 2 lemons and one pinch of sea salt. Dissolve this in half a glass of mineral water and add a bit of cane sugar. Drink 3 or 4 glasses throughout the day, or as required.
Apple salad: apples are excellent for regulating intestinal function. To prepare this salad, all you need to do is peel 1 or 2 apples, place them in a bowel and dress with salt and lemon. This is a very good remedy for children, they’ll love it!
Apple juice and lemon: if you have a small child, make them fresh apple juice and add a few drops of lemon with a bit of sea salt. Sweeten with rice molasses and offer it to your child throughout the day.
Chamomile tea with lemon drops: tea is great at stomach reconstruction, it helps prevent stomach aches and to recuperate from possible infections.

Diarrhea causes:

Stomach or intestine infections
Having eaten bad or rotten foods
Drinking contaminated water.
When we experience moments of intense or prolonged tension or anxiety, or when we are experience important life changes that require new adaptations and for us to assimilate to a different way of life.