This blog explains homeopathy for diarrhea, its causes, symptoms, risk factors, management & best medicines for complete treatment.
Bowel movement and stools are a routine part of everyone’s life. sometimes there is an increase in urgency and frequency to pass stools.
When the stool causes symptoms like bloating, and abdominal cramps with loose stools then it is known as diarrhea.
Diarrhea is experiencing loose and watery stools.
It is common and not very serious usually.
This can be experienced by everyone a few times a year.
In most cases, the symptoms resolve on their own in three to four days.
Diarrhea can be caused by allergies, food poisoning, chronic diseases like irritable bowel syndrome, and infective organisms such as bacteria.
Diarrhea causes complications such as dehydration, and electrolyte imbalance, kidney failure. Dehydration is the most serious side effect of diarrhea.
Diarrhea Types
Diarrhea can be of various types. Let’s discuss the types in detail one by one.
Acute diarrhea:
Acute diarrhea lasts for less than two weeks.
Most cases of acute diarrhea are caused due to infection by bacteria or viruses.
Usually, acute diarrhea resolves on its own within two to three days.
Chronic diarrhea:
Chronic diarrhea lasts more than four weeks.
It is also known as persistent diarrhea.
Chronic diarrhea may be caused by some serious underlying disease.
Depending upon color and consistency, diarrhea can be classified into certain types.
Watery diarrhea:
The consistency of the stool is ninety percent liquid.
Bloody diarrhea:
When the watery stool is mixed with blood then it is known as bloody diarrhea.
It can be caused by serious health issues such as gastrointestinal bleeding.
A small amount of blood coming out with loose stools may be due to piles or rectal tissue injury.
Black diarrhea:
black diarrhea can be caused by bleeding from the upper part of the digestive tract.
Other causes may include taking iron supplements or eating black or blue food items.
Yellow diarrhea:
Yellow diarrhea is caused by liver and gallbladder issues.
Green diarrhea:
Eating leafy greens and artificially green-colored food items can cause green diarrhea.
This is a common and normal stool color in infants and toddlers.
Diarrhea Causes
Diarrhea is usually caused by a virus infecting the gut.
It is also known as “intestinal flu” or “stomach flu.
Viral infection of the bowel is also known as gastroenteritis.
The symptoms last for a few days and are also known as intestinal flu.
Some other causes of diarrhea:
Infection caused by bacteria.
Infection by other microorganisms.
Allergies and intolerance to certain food items.
Intestinal diseases such as ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease etc.
Abuse of laxatives.
Hypothyroidism.
Side effects of certain medications.
Radiation therapy.
Running.
Surgery on digestive organs.
Malabsorption.
Diarrhea Symptoms
Let’s take a look at the symptoms of diarrhea.
The severity of symptoms may vary depending upon the cause.
The main symptoms are loose and watery stool. Other symptoms that can be present are
Bloating and abdominal cramps.
Strong urge to pass stool.
Nausea.
Severe diarrhea causes symptoms such as
Fever
Dehydration
Weight loss
Severe pain
Vomiting
Blood or mucus in stool
Risk Factors for Diarrhea
There are various risk factors for diarrhea. Let’s discuss them one by one.
Poor hygiene:
Poor hygiene practices like not washing hands and eating without washing hands properly may favour the bacteria and viruses to enter the digestive tract.
Poor sanitation:
Not having access to hygienic sanitation is also a risk factor diarrhea.
Consuming contaminated food:
One of the major risk factors for diarrhea is consuming contaminated food.
It may lead to other infections and medical issues that can cause diarrhea.
Malnutrition:
Not including sufficient nutrition in the diet may lead to weak digestion and diarrhea.
Young age group:
Infants and toddlers are more likely to develop diarrhea.
Immune compromised people:
People with low immunity are at a higher risk of getting diarrhea.
Diagnosis of Diarrhea
Mostly the diarrhea cases resolve on their own.
In some cases, the symptoms get worse due to either an underlying medical issue or the weak immunity of the patient.
In serious cases, the doctor may advise some diagnostic tests to correctly identify the cause and thereby decide the treatment plan.
Medical history:
The doctor will ask for a detailed medical history of the symptoms.
He will also ask questions about the food or drink that the patient may have taken.
Physical examination:
The doctor will perform a physical examination to check the abdomen for pain, tenderness or cramps.
Stool test:
A stool test can be advised to identify bacterial or viral infection or other suspected causes.
Blood test:
A blood test may be required to identify underlying medical conditions such as thyroid disorder.
Endoscopy:
An endoscopic evaluation ( for example, colonoscopy) for the digestive tract to out other abnormalities.
Diarrhea Management
Mild cases can be managed at home with a few simple tips and tricks.
But the patient must not delay treatment and wait if the symptoms are not getting better.
Immediate medical supervision is required to prevent complications.
Hydrate:
Drink plenty of water and electrolyte-containing drinks to avoid dehydration.
An oral rehydration solution is very useful to combat dehydration during diarrhea.
Diet:
Include light and non-spicy food in the diet.
Fruits like bananas can help to relieve the symptoms.
Avoid spicy and packaged food:
Avoid packaged fruits and beverages.
This will provide rest to the digestive tract and help it to recover fast.
Avoid Caffeine:
Caffeine-containing products should be completely avoided.
Avoid triggers:
The patient must avoid the food and beverages that are intolerant and allergic to him such as some people have lactose intolerance.
They should avoid dairy products.
Practice good hygiene:
Good hygiene is a must for treating diarrhea.
Include regularly washing hands, eating clean and fresh food items, and washing utensils properly.
Avoid consuming food items that are stored for a long period.
Maintain proper sanitation:
Maintain proper hygiene and sanitation to avoid infections that may cause diarrhea.
These steps can help the patient to treat milder cases at home.
And in severe cases, following these useful tips with medical treatment will help in fast recovery.
Homeopathy for Diarrhea – Best Medicines
Homeopathy offers a very safe and gentle cure for diarrhea patients.
There are so many beneficial remedies in homeopathy that are capable of relieving the symptoms quickly and restoring health.
It can be given to patients of any sex. It has no side effects and homeopathy is a safe alternative for diarrhea patients.
Serious diarrhea cases should be treated only under medical supervision.
Let’s take a look at the most useful and popular remedies for the treatment of diarrhea.
1. PODOPHYLLUM: For profuse and painless diarrhea
Symptoms:
Podophyllum is one of the leading remedies in homeopathy for the treatment of diarrhea symptoms.
It helps to treat diarrhea where cholera-like symptoms are present.
The patient complains of profuse watery and painless loose stools.
Loose stools of long-standing can be treated with this remedy.
Podophyllum is a helpful remedy for children who suffer from diarrhea during teething.
The child’s face becomes hot when washed.
eating acidic fruits in hot weather may lead to diarrhea like symptoms.
The stools are green, watery, fetid, gushing and profuse.
There is a prolapse of the rectum while passing stool or after passing the stool.
The patient complains of constipation alternating with diarrhea.
Potency and dosage:
Podophyllum 1M can be taken as four pills or drops once a week till improvement occurs. Podophyllum 200CH can be taken as four pills or drops once daily till improvement occurs.
Podophyllum in 30CH can be taken as four pills or drops twice daily till improvement occurs.
2. ALOE SOCOTRINA: For diarrhea with mucus and pain after stool
Symptoms:
Aloe Socotrina is a wonderful remedy for the treatment of diarrhea.
The rectum becomes sore and hot due to continuous loose stools.
The patient complains of a feeling of insecurity and weakness in the anus.
When passing flatus, there is a sense of insecurity in the rectum.
The patient is uncertain whether stool or gas will come out.
The stool passes without effort, almost unnoticed. The stool is lumpy, watery and jelly-like.
The stool is mixed with a lot of mucus with pain in the rectum after stool.
Consuming beer leads to diarrhea. When these symptoms are present, Aloe is the best choice.
Potency and dosage:
Aloe Socotrina 1M can be taken as four pills or drops once a week till improvement occurs. Aloe Sococtrina 200CH can be taken as four pills or drops once daily till improvement occurs.
Aloe Socotrina in 30CH can be taken as four pills or drops twice daily till improvement occurs.
3. CROTON TIG: For diarrhea with gurgling in the abdomen
Symptoms:
The patient feels much urging with copious watery stools.
The stool is forcibly shot out with gurgling in the intestines.
The symptoms become worse on drinking even a small quantity or on eating.
There is a constant urging to pass stool with sudden evacuation.
There is a swashing sensation in the abdomen.
Potency and dosage:
Croton Tig 1M can be taken as four pills or drops once a week till improvement occurs. Croton Tig 200CH can be taken as four pills or drops once daily till improvement occurs.
Croton Tig in 30CH can be taken as four pills or drops twice daily till improvement occurs.
4. ARGENTUM NITRICUM: For diarrhea immediately after eating and drinking
Symptoms:
Argentum Nitricum is a very useful remedy for anxious patients who suffer from diarrhea.
The stool is watery, noisy and flatulent, green like chopped spinach.
The stool is very offensive and mixed with mucus.
The patient feels enormous distension of the abdomen.
There is loose stool immediately after eating and drinking.
Sweet food items cause diarrhea. The patient experiences itching of the anus after stool.
Potency and dosage:
Argentum Nitricum 1M can be taken as four pills or drops once a week till improvement occurs. Argentum Nitricum 200CH can be taken as four pills or drops once daily till improvement occurs.
Argentum Nitricum in 30CH can be taken as four pills or drops twice daily till improvement occurs.
5. COLOCYNTHIS: For diarrhea with jelly-like stools and cramps in the abdomen
Symptoms:
Colocynthis is an infallible remedy for patients with diarrhea who are experiencing cramps in the abdomen.
The abdominal pain causes the patient to bend over.
The patient experiences loose watery stools each time after he drinks or eats something.
There is a feeling of distension in the abdomen. The stool is having a musty odour.
The patient experiences jelly-like stool with cramps and pain in the abdomen.
The symptoms become worse in anger.
Colocynthis is a good remedy for people who suffer from diarrhea and cramps after anger.
Potency and dosage:
Colocynthis 1M can be taken as four pills or drops once a week till improvement occurs. Colocynthis 200CH can be taken as four pills or drops once daily till improvement occurs.
Colocynthis in 30CH can be taken as four pills or drops twice daily till improvement occurs.
6. CHINA OFFICINALIS: For diarrhea with undigested stool and extreme weakness
Symptoms:
China is a very helpful remedy for weak and anaemic patients who suffer from diarrhea.
The stool contains undigested food particles. The stool is frothy, yellow and painless.
The symptoms become worse at the night, after meals and during hot weather.
The food items like fruits, milk and beer cause loose watery stools.
The patient complains of weakness and flatulence.
Even soft stool passes with difficulty.
The abdomen is painful and sensitive to touch.
Potency and dosage:
China Officinalis 1M can be taken as four pills or drops once a week till improvement occurs. China Officinalis 200CH can be taken as four pills or drops once daily till improvement occurs.
China Officinalis in 30CH can be taken as four pills or drops twice daily till improvement occurs.
7. COLCHICUM AUTUMNALE: For painful diarrhea with mucus in stool
Symptoms:
Colchicum Autumnale is another useful remedy for the treatment of diarrhea in homeopathy.
The stools are painful and scanty mixed with jelly-like mucus.
The anus is painful as if torn. There is prolapse of the rectum with loose and watery stools.
The stool contains shreddy particles in large quantities.
The patient complains of an inability to expel stools.
There is a sense of fullness in the rectum but he cannot expel them.
There is a feeling of distension in the abdomen with the constant rumbling of the abdomen.
Potency and dosage:
Colchicum Autumnale 1M can be taken as four pills or drops once a week till improvement occurs. Colchicum Autumnale 200CH can be taken as four pills or drops once daily till improvement occurs.
Colchicum Autumnale in 30CH can be taken as four pills or drops twice daily till improvement occurs.
8. ARSENIC ALBUM: For diarrhea caused by food poisoning
Symptoms:
Arsenic Album is a great remedy for the treatment of diarrhea caused by food poisoning.
There is a loose watery stool with much prostration and weakness.
The stool is small, dark and offensive. The symptoms get worse at night after eating and drinking.
Consuming spoiled meat may lead to diarrhea.
It is a useful remedy for people who are alcohol abusers and suffer from diarrhea.
The stool may contain blood. The patient complains of intense anxiousness and a burning thirst.
The skin around the anus burns and feels excoriated.
The patient complains of burning pain and pressure in the rectum.
The patient feels a painful and spasmodic protrusion of the rectum.
Potency and dosage:
Arsenic Album 1M can be taken as four pills or drops once a week till improvement occurs. Arsenic Album 200CH can be taken as four pills or drops once daily till improvement occurs.
Arsenic Album in 30CH can be taken as four pills or drops twice daily till improvement occurs.
9. CHAMOMILLA: For diarrhea in children during teething
Symptoms:
Chamomilla is a great remedy to treat diarrhea in children during teething.
The stool is hot, green, fetid and slimy with colic in the abdomen.
The stool looks like chopped white and yellow mucus like chopped eggs and spinach.
The patient complains of soreness in the anus.
The abdomen is painful and distended.
When these symptoms match, Chamomilla is the most suitable remedy.
Potency and dosage:
Chamomilla 1M can be taken as four pills or drops once a week till improvement occurs. Chamomilla 200CH can be taken as four pills or drops once daily till improvement occurs.
Chamomilla in 30CH can be taken as four pills or drops twice daily till improvement occurs.
10. NATRUM CARB: For diarrhea caused by milk
Symptoms:
Natrum Carb is a beneficial homeopathic remedy for the treatment of diarrhea due to milk.
The patient feels a sudden call to stool. The stool passes with hasty and noise.
The stool looks like a yellow substance like pulp of orange in discharge.
The patient complains of a distended and painful abdomen with very weak digestion. When these symptoms match, Natrum Carb is the best choice of remedy.
Potency and dosage:
Natrum Carb 1M can be taken as four pills or drops once a week till improvement occurs. Natrum Carb 200CH can be taken as four pills or drops once daily till improvement occurs.
Natrum Carb in 30CH can be taken as four pills or drops twice daily till improvement occurs.
Remember that homeopathic remedies should be prescribed based on individual symptoms and characteristics. It’s crucial to consult with a qualified homeopath for proper evaluation and personalized treatment. Homeopathy focuses on treating the whole person, so a detailed case study is necessary to select the most appropriate remedy for this condition.
Homeopathic medicines should be taken only when prescribed by a homeopathic physician. Self-medication may aggravate the original conditions.