Diarrhea:

Diarrhea or loose, runny stools is a symptom which may occur acutely and last only a day or two, or it may be chronic and effect the person every day. Acute diarrhea is often caused by a bacterial or viral infection, intolerance to a certain food (sorbitol, lactose, food allergy, etc.), stressful situation, excess intake of vitamin C or magnesium. It is important to remember that diarrhea can cause dehydration very rapidly and it is essential to make sure that the sufferer replenishes the body immediately with fluids and electrolytes to prevent a medical emergency. Chronic diarrhea requires some investigative work to find out why it is occurring. It is important to look at diet, history of antibiotic use, water supply, stress, endocrine disorders and motility disorders. Chronic diarrhea can be incapacitating to the sufferer, requiring them to schedule their lives around symptom free times. Dr. Metcalfe recommends that you have a complete blood panel done along with stool cultures to find the cause. Many laboratories do not do sensitive digestive analysis or broad spectrum stool testing, so Dr. Metcalfe recommends using Great Smokies Laboratory testing. See Lab Test section for more information. You should also keep a diary of what you eat and your bowel habits to see if you notice any patterns with certain foods or activities. Many people think that eating more fiber causes diarrhea, but in effect it is really beneficial and produces larger, fuller stools by absorbing excess water in the bowel. Food allergies or intoleranceís can arise at any time for a person, even if you have eaten that food many times in the past and have been symptom free. Caffeine causes loose stools, so always watch for hidden sources in chocolate and cola. Antibiotic use can cause chronic diarrhea which may continue long after the prescription is completed. A lack of healthy bacteria or a yeast overgrowth in the intestinal tract may also cause diarrhea. If you have a fever associated with the diarrhea, then it is more likely a bacterial infection, and you should seek medical help.

Signs and Symptoms:

Frequent, watery, loose stools.
Stools fall apart in the toilet.
Mucous in the stools.

Treatment:

Lifestyle Changes:

Decrease the stress in your life.
Stop smoking.
Avoid alcohol.
Have your water tested. Avoid drinking from streams or lakes, even in the highest elevations these sources are contaminated.

Dietary Changes:

Avoid fried foods and saturated fats in red meat and dairy products.
Drink 10 glasses of filtered water daily.
Increase fiber slowly in the diet to 30 grams daily.
Eat foods that are easy to digest: white rice, steamed vegetables, apples, applesauce, steamed chicken or fish, oatmeal, etc.
Eat more nuts and seeds as the essential fatty acids are healthy to the intestinal tract.
Black tea is very astringent and healing to the intestinal tract and may decrease diarrhea.

Natural Solutions for Diarrhea:

Acute diarrhea:

Fibroplex: 3 capsules three times daily with water.

Chronic Diarrhea: (Also see Irritable Bowel Syndrome or Inflammatory Bowel Disease)

Permeability Factors: 3 capsules twice daily between meals.
Similase: 2 capsules with every meal.
Enterogenic Concentrate: 1 tspn every morning with a full glass of water.

Other beneficial products:

If bacterial infection of intestines:

Berberine Complex: 2 capsules 3 times daily for 7-10 days. In children: 1 capsule twice daily for 7 days.
Fibroplex: 3 capsules 3 times daily for 7-10 days.