Diarrhea can usually be treated safely 'at home' and normally goes away by itself within a week. Treatment with antibiotics is therefore rarely needed, and may cause side effects, such as chronic diarrhea. Treating the cause of the diarrhea is better than simply trying to stop the diarrhea. Drugs, such as codeine, that merely control the symptoms can sometimes be dangerous. They tend to cause material that may be producing irritation or infection to be retained when it needs to be expelled.

Diarrhea in babies caused by weaning to solid food can be helped by the temporary use of formulas of low-lactose feeds. Fluid replacement mixtures are intended for babies over four months of age. Ask your GP or health visitor first.

In most cases, replacing lost fluid to prevent dehydration is the only treatment necessary.  Medicines that stop diarrhea may be helpful in some cases, but they are not recommended for people whose diarrhea is caused by a bacterial infection or parasite--stopping the diarrhea traps the organism in the intestines, prolonging the problem. Instead, doctors usually prescribe antibiotics. Viral causes are either treated with medication or left to run their course, depending on the severity and type of the virus.

Preventing Dehydration

Dehydration occurs when the body has lost too much fluid and electrolytes (the salts potassium and sodium). The fluid and electrolytes lost during diarrhea need to be replaced promptly -- the body cannot function properly without them. Dehydration is particularly dangerous for children, who can die from it within a matter of days.

Preventing dehydration is the main treatment in the initial stages of diarrhea. Drink small amounts of clear lightly sweetened fluid every hour. Ideal fluids include diluted lemonade and weak cordial. Alternatively, a drink mixture which replaces lost salts and sugar (oral rehydration solution) can be bought at a pharmacy. It is very important to make sure that sugary drinks are well diluted. Avoid tea, coffee or alcohol. Dehydration can cause serious problems, especially in babies, children, older adults and those with special health problems. See the doctor if you or someone you are caring for:

• is passing very little or no urine

• looks dry around the mouth and the skin on their hand does not bounce back into shape after being gently pinched between the thumb and forefinger

• looks listless and is difficult to wake up
• has sunken eyes.  

Remember the older or younger the person is with diarrhea, the more at risk they are from serious complications from dehydration. If the diarrhea does not start to slow within 12 hours, you should visit your doctor. The doctor may send a sample of your feces to the laboratory for analysis and will also perform a general health assessment. He or she will be looking for signs of dehydration or indicators that your diarrhea may be caused by something other than a bug. Antibiotics are prescribed only in cases of severe diarrhea and when the doctor knows what type of bacterium is to be treated.