Montezuma’s revenge, the runs, dysentery, gastroenteritis, food poisoning, a stomach bug. What do they all have in common? Diarrhea. This inconvenient, unpleasant, and sometimes painful experience, is an important aspect of the body’s innate immune system which initiates the process of eliminating the intestines of pathogens. Acute diarrhea is a protective response of the body to purge toxins and prevent pathogens from becoming a deadly danger to life. Acute diarrhea is a sign that the body is doing exactly what it was created to do. Acute diarrhea is not the cause of illness, but rather the effect of an internal disturbance in the microbiome. The uncomfortable symptoms of diarrhea are signals that the whole body is engaged in an attempt to maintain equilibrium.
The word diarrhea comes from the Ancient Greek word “flowing through.” Hippocrates is credited with first coining the word and identified its relationship with cholera, dysentery, jaundice, improper food handling, and intestinal parasites. Diarrhea is defined as loose, watery stools that occur three or more times a day. It can be an acute or chronic condition. The most common cases of acute diarrhea are the result of pathogens or the ingestion of contaminated or under cooked food. Symptoms of acute diarrhea include: thin, loose, or watery stools, abdominal bloating, painful cramping, nausea and vomiting, and an urgency to have a bowel movement.
There are two different mechanisms that the body uses to produce diarrhea – osmotic or secretory.
Osmotic diarrhea occurs when the body can’t absorb food components. Excess water is drawn into the intestine and causes loose stools. This can occur after the ingestion of fruit juices, artificial sweeteners, and lactose, which is found in dairy products. It can also be a short term side effect of medications, including laxatives and antibiotics, and medical treatments such as chemo and radiation therapy. Osmotic diarrhea will often resolve when the offending food is no longer consumed or the treatment is stopped.
Secretory diarrhea occurs when the body secretes an abundance of electrolytes into the intestine, which increases the amount of water and helps flush pathogens, such as viruses, bacteria, parasites, protozoa, and other toxins from the body. Secretory diarrhea will not resolve after a 2 to 3 day fast. Cholera is a secretory diarrhea which has claimed millions of lives due to severe dehydration from loss of fluids.
Chronic diarrhea which lasts longer than four weeks can be the result of a food intolerance or food allergy, prolonged reactions to medications or medical treatments, alcohol abuse, stomach or gall bladder surgery, and chronic inflammatory dysfunction of the intestines, such as in Crohn’s disease, Celiac disease, Ulcerative Colitis, Diabetes, and Irritable Bowel Syndrome, or from Cancer. These chronic conditions may respond to medical or homeopathic treatment.
Homeopathic remedies are chosen based on the specific symptoms of the individual with diarrhea, rather than the name given from a medical diagnosis. The correct homeopathic remedy will support the body as is does the work of restoring balance to the intestines. For acute diarrhea, take a dose of the indicated remedy every hour or after every stool until there is improvement. If after 3 doses there is no change, consider another remedy. Activated charcoal capsules can attract, bind, and expel toxins from the intestinal tract.
Remedies for Acute Diarrhea:
- Arsenicum album – is a top remedy for the diarrhea of food poisoning. Often there will be great chilliness, weakness, anxious restlessness, and exhaustion. There is a desire for small amounts of a warm drink, which may be vomited immediately. There can be burning pains in the abdomen and anus, but the diarrhea is painless. The diarrhea is worse from midnight to 2 am.
- Veratrum album – is for when there is violent purging with simultaneous vomiting and odorless diarrhea. There will be chills, cold sweats, and cutting colic, followed by weakness and collapse. The watery “rice water” stool can be green or black. There may be an intense thirst for cold water.
- Aloe – is indicated for diarrhea with much gas, when there is gurgling and rumbling in the abdomen followed by watery, sputtering, offensive stool. There may be jelly-like lumps, or bloody stool due to hemorrhoids. Stool involuntarily escapes when passing gas or urinating. A pulsating sensation in the rectum can occur. Diarrhea is worse in the early morning hours.
- Podophyllum – is a general diarrhea remedy that is characterized by gurgling and rumbling in the abdomen followed by profuse, gushing, explosive, painless watery stool. There can be dry heaves and gagging or there can be cramping in the feet, calves, or thighs. Diarrhea is worse at night, between 4 and 5 am, and in hot weather.
- China or cinchona – is indicated for diarrhea that is foul and contains undigested food. There will be bloating and distention of the abdomen, gas or burping, and body sweats. Painless stools will follow painful afternoon colic. Diarrhea may begin after an illness or after eating fruit. Symptoms are worse at night, after eating, or every other day. This remedy is helpful when there is a lingering weakness due to a loss of body fluids.
- Nux vomica – is for diarrhea that comes on after an overindulgence of alcohol, rich food, drugs and stimulants. There will be chills, cramping pains or colic, nausea or vomiting, and anger or extreme irritability. Diarrhea may alternate with constipation. There can be a constant urging for stool, but with only temporary relief after a small amount is passed.
Most cases of acute diarrhea will clear within 48 hours regardless of treatment. If the diarrhea lasts longer than a few days and there is fever, blood or pus in the stool, signs of dehydration, or severe weight loss, then contact a health care provider.
Information contained on this site is for educational purposes only and should not be used to prescribe, diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease or illness. Any information provided is not intended to replace medical advice offered by a physician. If you desire or need such advice, you should consult a professional healthcare provider.