Diarrhea

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DIARRHEA

Everybody has had diarrhea at least once-those loose, watery stools that have you on the toilet seat eight or ten more times a day. Diarrhea is the body's way of saying,"Out with the bad"-a quick fix that will put your digestion back in balance.

Taming loose bowels A.S.A.P.

Avoid milk

When you have diarrhea, you temporarily lose the ability to digest lactose, a milk sugar. So while you have the runs, dairy products won't be absorbed. In fact, they make diarrhea even more.

Eat lightly

The less food that your system has to process, the fewer symptoms of cramping and diarrhea you will experience. If you're hungry, eat bland, light foods such as toast, cooked rice or bananas.

Try the pink stuff

If you can't stay home and ride it out, over-the-counter antidiarrheal remedies such as Imodum.

Drink as much as you can

When you have diarrhea, your body loses water every time you use the toilet, so you can easily decome dehydrated very quickly. Try to drink at least ten glasses of clear liquid a day.

Try chicken bouillon

Fluids that contain salt and small amounts of sugar such as chicken bouillon or sports drinks like gatorade, are also good, because they help thebody replace not only fluids but also minerals lost during an episode of diarrhea.