Diarrhea is an increase in the frequency of bowel movements or a decrease in the form of stool (greater looseness of stool). Although changes in frequency of bowel movements and looseness of stools can vary independently of each other, changes often occur in both. Diarrhea needs to be distinguished from four other conditions. Although these conditions may accompany diarrhea, they often have different causes and different treatments than diarrhea.

Home Remedies for Diarrhea
When diarrhea occurs, it is important to consume plenty of clear liquids such as water, apple juice, and tea to avoid dehydration. A common recommendation is 6 to 8 ounces of water every 2 hours when suffering from diarrhea. Since diarrhea depletes potassium and sodium, sports drinks such as Gatorade are also highly recommended. However, it is important to avoid non-clear drinks such as orange juice or tomato juice, and stay clear of alcoholic beverages.

APPLE CIDER VINEGER
Apple Cider Vinegar is a great natural remedy for diarrhea. The vinegar acts an effective agent against many of the major bacteria that lead to diarrhea, and the high pectin concentration in the vinegar soothes the irritated lining of the colon. A suggested dosage is to mix 2 tablespoons of Apple Cider Vinegar into an 8 oz glass of water, and drink this 3 times a day.

AVOID FIBER
It is best to avoid stressing your digestive system when you are experiencing diarrhea. Therefore, it is best to stay away from high-fiber and complex carbohydate foods such as whole grain breads, oats, pasta, corn, and most fruits such as apples, pears, and prunes. Instead, light foods such as white bread, steamed carrots, and applesauce are recommended. Bananas are also highly recommended since they are high in potassium (which is often depleted as a result of diarrhea).

DRINKING CLEAR FLUIDS
When diarrhea occurs, it is important to consume plenty of clear liquids such as water, apple juice, and tea to avoid dehydration. A common recommendation is 6 to 8 ounces of water every 2 hours when suffering from diarrhea. Since diarrhea depletes potassium and sodium, sports drinks such as Gatorade are also highly recommended. However, it is important to avoid non-clear drinks such as orange juice or tomato juice, and stay clear of alcoholic beverages.

YOGURT
If diarrhea is caused by stress or food poisoning (such as traveler's diarrhea), then a great home remedy is to consume yogurt. The active "good" bacterial cultures in yogurt help to balance the effect of the "bad" bacteria that triggered the diarrhea in the first place.