Diarrhea is the discharge of watery stools, usually several times daily.  Cramping and intermittent gas-like pains are not unusual.  Diarrhea is caused when the intestines become over stimulated and push stools through before water is reabsorbed.  Causes of diarrhea include infection, food poisoning, parasites and anxiety.  Diarrhea is often brought on by nervousness, tension or emotional upset.  Your body may be telling you to calm down.

Tips to reduce diarrhea

• Drink small but frequent amounts of clear liquids for at least 24 hours to replace lost fluids.  Clear liquids include: 7-Up®, Ginger Ale, weak herbal teas, Kool Aid®, Gatorade®, broth (no creamed soups), apple juice, applesauce, Jell-O®, Popsicles® and water.  After 24 hours, you may try to eat a bland diet.  If diarrhea worsens, return to a clear liquid diet

• Avoid alcohol (including beer), spicy or highly seasoned foods (such as pizza, pepper, chili, tacos, onions, lasagna), greasy fried foods, hot dogs, lunch meats, raw fruits and vegetables.  Also avoid caffeine, chocolate and ice cold liquids

• Relax and reduce activities to help slow down your bowel

Diarrhea Recovery Diet

You may eat:

• well-cooked soft cereals
• mashed potatoes
• plain toast or bread, crackers, soup (no cream soups)
• plain spaghetti
• rice
• very ripe bananas
• apples without peels
• canned fruit (except pineapple)
• plain meats (chicken, lean beef, turkey, fish – not fried)
• cooked vegetables (avoid gas-formers like cabbage, beans and broccoli)

• chocolate
• peppermint
• pickles
• pastries
• lettuce
• candies (or other concentrated sweets)
• mustard
• hot dogs
• hamburgers
• fried/fatty foods
• lunch meat
• pizza
• potato chips (and similar foods)
• nuts
• spicy or highly seasoned foods (i.e. pepper, paprika, chili, tacos, garlic, onions)

See a Campus Health Service provider if:

• Diarrhea becomes black or bloody
• Is accompanied by vomiting and/or severe cramping.  It is very important to replace the fluids you lose with diarrhea, vomiting and fever to prevent dehydration.  Symptoms of dehydration may come on very quickly and include decreased urinary output, dry mouth/eyes, dizziness, extreme weakness and thirst
• Your vomitus is black or bloody
• You have a temperature over 101°
• You have persistent pain in your abdomen (especially the lower right side)
• It does not improve after 24 hours of clear liquids
• You have more than eight stools per day after you have followed the tips above