Introduction
Diarrhea usually starts suddenly and can be accompanied by other complaints such as abdominal cramps and nausea. In the case of diarrhoea, the stool in the intestine cannot be sufficiently thickened. This in turn can have various causes: For example, stress can increase the movement of the intestinal wall, so that less water can be removed from the stool.
But diarrhoea can also be caused by an infection with viruses and bacteria. Here, diarrhoea is often also a mechanism to promote these pathogens from the body and should therefore not be prevented. To treat diarrhoea, one should therefore consider the cause of the symptoms. The following article describes the possibilities for treating diarrhea.
These drugs can help
For the treatment of diarrhea, both medication and home remedies can be used. Many of the drugs are available without prescription in pharmacies. One of the best known diarrhea medications is certainly Imodium (active ingredient Loperamide), which is described in more detail in the following.
This preparation acts directly on the stool, which is thickened thereby. In addition, powders can be purchased in pharmacies, which, mixed with water, produce a drinking solution that is intended to compensate for the loss of electrolytes. This can be particularly helpful in cases of diarrhoea that lasts for several days or in case of additional headaches.
If a bacterial infection is the cause of the intestinal problems, the use of antibiotics can be considered. Since even diarrhea caused by an infection usually heals by itself, these preparations are used in difficult cases, for example in the case of a complicated course of disease or concomitant diseases. After the diarrhoea, probiotic preparations from the pharmacy can also contribute to the reconstruction and regeneration of a healthy intestinal flora.
The preparation Imodium contains the active substance loperamide. This acts only locally on the intestine and temporarily slows down the movement of the intestinal wall. Loperamide or Imodium numbs the nerve plexus that regulates these movements.
This prolongs the time the stool mass spends in the intestine. The intestinal mucosa in turn has more time to absorb water from the stool and thus thicken the stool. However, taking Loperamide or Imodium can also cause unintentional constipation.
Even if it is available without a prescription from a pharmacy, the initial intake should therefore be discussed with the treating specialist or family doctor. Likewise, persons who have been diagnosed with a chronic inflammatory bowel disease should not take this preparation during an episode of illness. In addition, as will be explained in more detail below, diarrhea should not be treated with loperamide (Imodium) that has an infectious cause: In this situation, diarrhea is a useful mechanism of the body to flush the pathogens out of the intestine and should not be prevented.
