Most cases of acute diarrhea resolve on their own within two days to two weeks without any specific treatment. But you can speed recovery and feel better faster by focusing on three things: replacing lost fluids, eating the right foods, and using over-the-counter medications when appropriate.
Fluids First: Preventing Dehydration
Diarrhea pulls water and electrolytes out of your body quickly, and dehydration is the main risk, not the diarrhea itself. The priority is replacing what you’re losing. Water alone isn’t ideal because it doesn’t contain the salts and sugars your intestines need to absorb fluid efficiently. Drinks with electrolytes, like broths, sports drinks, or oral rehydration solutions (available at any pharmacy without a prescription), work significantly better. These solutions contain a precise balance of sodium, glucose, and potassium that helps your gut pull water back into your bloodstream.
For young children, pediatric rehydration solutions like Pedialyte are the best option. Plain water, juice, and soda don’t have the right electrolyte balance for small bodies that are losing fluid fast.
Drinks That Make Diarrhea Worse
Some beverages actively worsen diarrhea by drawing more water into your intestines. Anything high in sugar, particularly fructose or sugar alcohols like sorbitol, can have this effect. Apple juice, pear juice, and many “sugar-free” drinks sweetened with sorbitol are common culprits. Some people experience symptoms from as little as 5 to 10 grams of sorbitol, an amount easily found in a few pieces of sugar-free candy or gum. Caffeine and alcohol also stimulate the gut and increase fluid loss, so skip coffee, energy drinks, and beer until you’re feeling better.
What to Eat (and What to Skip)
You may have heard of the BRAT diet: bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast. While these foods are gentle on the stomach, a strict BRAT diet is no longer recommended. It lacks calcium, protein, vitamin B12, and fiber, and the American Academy of Pediatrics says following it for more than 24 hours in children may actually slow recovery.
The current advice is simpler: eat as tolerated. Start with soft, bland foods when you feel ready, but move back toward a normal diet as soon as you can. Your body needs nutrients to recover. Foods high in soluble fiber are particularly helpful because soluble fiber absorbs water and adds bulk to loose stools. Good sources include oats, bananas, applesauce, carrots, and white rice. Avoid greasy, spicy, or heavily seasoned foods until your gut calms down, as these can irritate an already sensitive digestive tract.
Over-the-Counter Medications
Two types of OTC medications can help. Loperamide (sold as Imodium) works by slowing down intestinal movement, giving your gut more time to absorb water. The standard approach for adults is two caplets after the first loose stool, then one caplet after each subsequent loose stool, up to a daily maximum that varies by formulation (check the label). It’s effective for garden-variety diarrhea from food, travel, or stress.
Bismuth subsalicylate (Pepto-Bismol, Kaopectate) takes a different approach, coating the lining of your stomach and intestines to reduce irritation. It’s generally safe for teenagers and adults but not typically recommended for children.
One important caution: if you suspect a bacterial infection (bloody stools, high fever), hold off on loperamide. Slowing your gut down when your body is trying to flush out a pathogen can make things worse. Bismuth subsalicylate also should not be used if you have a suspected bacterial infection like C. difficile.
Probiotics for Antibiotic-Related Diarrhea
If your diarrhea started after beginning antibiotics, you’re dealing with a disrupted gut microbiome. Roughly one in four people on antibiotics develops loose stools. Probiotics can help here. Two strains have the strongest evidence: Saccharomyces boulardii (a beneficial yeast) and Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (a bacterial strain). A 2024 multicenter trial found that a high-dose probiotic mix containing both strains reduced the rate of antibiotic-associated diarrhea from 25% to 9%, and those who did develop diarrhea recovered about a day faster. Nearly 70% of people taking the probiotic had symptoms lasting two days or less, compared to only 33% on placebo.
Start probiotics early in your antibiotic course for the best effect, and continue for about two weeks after you finish the antibiotics. Look for products that specifically list the strains on the label, not just the genus. If you have a weakened immune system, talk to your doctor before starting probiotic supplements.
Zinc for Children
For children with diarrhea, zinc supplementation is a well-supported intervention. The World Health Organization recommends 20 mg of zinc per day for 10 to 14 days (10 mg per day for infants under six months). Zinc has been shown to reduce both the duration and severity of diarrhea episodes in children and helps prevent recurrence in the weeks that follow. This recommendation applies primarily to children in settings where zinc deficiency is common, but it’s worth knowing about if your child has frequent bouts.
Signs That Need Medical Attention
Most diarrhea is a nuisance, not a danger. But certain signs mean something more serious is going on:
- Duration: Diarrhea that doesn’t improve after two days in adults, or 24 hours in children
- Fever: Above 101°F (38°C) in adults or children
- Bloody or black stools
- Severe abdominal pain
- Signs of dehydration: dark urine, dizziness, excessive thirst, dry mouth, little or no urination, or weakness
In infants, watch for no wet diaper in three or more hours, crying without tears, a sunken soft spot on the head, or unusual drowsiness. These all signal dehydration that needs prompt treatment.