Diarrhea is a serious knockout, as everyone who has experienced it knows. Diarrhea can leave you feeling weak, fatigued, and under the weather even after the symptoms have subsided. Following some basic guidelines, you can give your body the help it needs to recover energy and return back to normal.
What causes fatigue from diarrhea?
Recognizing the causes of diarrhea-induced fatigue is the first step toward alleviating the condition. After an episode of diarrhea, dehydration is usually the culprit for the resulting exhaustion. Dehydration is a common side effect of diarrhea because so many fluids and electrolytes are lost. Your heart has to work harder to pump the same amount of blood to your brain when you’re dehydrated. Because your heart has to work harder to pump blood around your body, even minor dehydration can make you feel sluggish and exhausted.
Not getting enough to eat is another potential cause of exhaustion following bouts of diarrhea. When seriously ill, many people lose their appetite, which can lead to dangerously low energy levels after just a day or two.
Finally, a bacterial imbalance in your intestines can be to blame for your exhaustion. There is some evidence that gut dysbiosis (an imbalance between the number of “good” bacteria and the number of “bad” bacteria) contributes to the symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome. Weakness following an episode of diarrhea may be due in part to an imbalanced microbiota in the digestive tract.
Diarrhea and fatigue: dietary recommendations
The following are examples of such things:
1- Remember to take in a lot of fluids
You should aim to drink at least one cup of liquid every time you have a loose bowel movement. There are several options to choose from, including water, Pedialyte, fruit juices, caffeine-free soda, and salty broths. Research shows that consuming both salt and sugar can help reduce fluid loss.
A few examples of great drinks are:
- Water
- Green teas and other herbal infusions
- Light broths
- Neutral carbonated drinks
- Liquids containing electrolytes, such as Dioralyte soy milk
2- Eat plenty of fiber-rich foods
Even while a high-fiber diet is generally healthier for us, it might aggravate diarrhea. If you’re experiencing diarrhea, you’ll need to violate the guidelines and consume foods that are low in fiber for a bit. Discuss how long you should do this with your diarrhea doctor or nurse.
High-fiber cereals like bran and whole-grain pieces of bread are good examples of foods that are high in fiber.
veggies like broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, and beans along with dried fruit and nuts
3- Use Probiotics
The types of gut bacteria that promote healthy digestion can be reinoculated with the help of probiotic foods and supplements, which can be very beneficial in facilitating recovery after a bout of diarrhea.
4- Getting out of the house and walking around
Diarrhea sufferers often feel better by going outside and taking in some fresh air. Your fight may have had you locked up inside, so a relaxing stroll around the block may do the trick. Do some deep breathing exercises while sitting outside for a while if a walk isn’t in the cards.
5- Get a Good Night’s Sleep and Relax
Your body will recover from diarrhea symptoms more quickly if you rest and sleep as much as possible. Try not to rush back into work (or play) after getting enough rest, and give yourself time to recharge. Don’t ignore your body’s signals, either. A need for extra shut-eye is indicated by persistent fatigue.
If you have diarrhea, following these tips will help you heal faster and get back to normal life.
6- Stay away from coffee, alcohol, and some sodas
The U.S. National Library of Medicine reports that caffeinated beverages and alcoholic beverages might aggravate diarrhea by irritating the digestive tract. When you already have an upset stomach, drinking sodas sweetened with high-fructose corn syrup isn’t a good idea. A study found that consuming a lot of fructose can make you fart a lot and get the runs.
7- Consume no gas-inducing fruits or vegetables
When you have diarrhea, it’s best to avoid eating anything that can cause gas in your stomach or intestines. Beans, cabbage, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, and leafy greens are all examples of this, as are sweets like cookies and cakes.
Is there a way to prevent diarrhea?
Diarrhea’s most common cause, gastroenteritis, is highly contagious and typically spreads through direct contact with an infected person or through the consumption of tainted food.
Taking any one of these steps can aid in containing the outbreak:
- Hand hygiene should be a priority, so it’s important to practice proper hand washing methods often.
- Always eat clean food
- A person with diarrhea should not cook for the rest of the family, and everyone should wash their hands frequently.
- Diarrhea sufferers shouldn’t go anywhere near pools, nursing homes, or the emergency room.
Conclusion
As soon as you feel up to it, you should start eating solid food again. Even if your infant has diarrhea and you’re breastfeeding or bottle-feeding, you should continue feeding as usual. If diarrhea persists or worsens, it’s best to make an appointment with a top gastroenterologist in Lahore. Diarrhea typically clears up in a week or less.
FAQs
1- What other health problems might diarrhea cause?
Dehydration is a possible side effect of diarrhea. Electrolytes are minerals essential to bodily function, and they are lost as a result of dehydration. Food passes swiftly through the digestive tract when you have diarrhea. Malnutrition might result from a lack of proper nutrition absorption if this problem persists.
2- After having diarrhea, what foods should you try to avoid?
Sugary and artificially sweetened foods should be avoided. Fruit juices, fruits high in natural sugar, candies, and sweet baked items are all sources of these sugars. Some artificial sweeteners have a laxative effect and should be avoided by those with diarrhea.
3- To what extent can one expect diarrhea to affect their daily life?
In youngsters, diarrhea typically resolves within 5–7 days and seldom lasts longer than 2 weeks. Though some infections can continue for a week or more, most cases of diarrhea in adults improve within 2 to 4 days.
