Most cases of acute diarrhea resolve on their own within a few days, but you can speed things along with the right combination of fluids, food choices, and over-the-counter treatments. The fastest single intervention is loperamide (sold as Imodium), which can slow gut contractions within an hour. Beyond medication, what you eat and drink in the first 24 to 48 hours makes a real difference in how quickly your stools firm up.
Over-the-Counter Medications
Loperamide is the most widely used anti-diarrheal drug. It works by slowing down the muscular contractions of your intestines, giving your body more time to absorb water from digested food. That means firmer stools and fewer trips to the bathroom. The standard approach is to take 4 mg at first, then 2 mg after each loose stool, up to a maximum of 8 mg per day when using it without a prescription.
Bismuth subsalicylate (the active ingredient in Pepto-Bismol) takes a different approach. It has antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and antisecretory properties, meaning it fights the bacteria that can cause diarrhea while also reducing the amount of fluid your intestines release. It’s a good option for traveler’s diarrhea or mild stomach bugs. Because it contains a compound related to aspirin, it’s not appropriate for children under 12 or anyone who shouldn’t take aspirin.
Neither medication should be used if you have a high fever or bloody stools, since those signs suggest an infection your body may need to fight off rather than slow down.
What to Eat and Drink
Dehydration is the main risk with diarrhea, not the diarrhea itself. Replacing lost fluids and electrolytes is the single most important thing you can do. Water alone isn’t enough if you’re losing a lot of fluid. Oral rehydration solutions, broth, and diluted fruit juice all help replace the sodium and potassium your body is losing. Sip steadily rather than gulping large amounts, which can trigger more cramping.
You’ve probably heard of the BRAT diet (bananas, rice, applesauce, toast). It’s not harmful, but most experts no longer recommend restricting yourself to just those four foods. The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases says that once you feel like eating again, you can return to your normal diet. Children should continue eating their usual age-appropriate foods, and infants should keep breastfeeding or drinking formula.
That said, certain foods do help more than others. Soluble fiber slows the rate food moves through your digestive tract and absorbs excess water, which firms up loose stools. Good sources include oatmeal, bananas, applesauce, and plain potatoes. Meanwhile, you’ll want to avoid foods that speed things up or irritate your gut: coffee, alcohol, fatty or greasy meals, dairy (if you’re lactose-sensitive), and sugar-free candies or gum containing artificial sweeteners like sorbitol.
Probiotics
Probiotics are live bacteria and yeasts that can help restore the balance of your gut microbiome during and after a bout of diarrhea. A large Cochrane review found that probiotics reduced the average duration of diarrhea by about 30 hours and lowered the risk of diarrhea lasting beyond three days by roughly 34%.
Not all probiotics are the same. The strain matters. Lactobacillus GG (also called Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG) has the strongest evidence, particularly for diarrhea caused by rotavirus in children, where it shortened illness duration by about 38 hours compared to placebo. Saccharomyces boulardii, a beneficial yeast, is another well-studied option. You’ll find both in supplement form at most pharmacies. Look for products that list specific strain names on the label, since benefits observed with one strain don’t necessarily apply to others.
Probiotics work best when started early in the course of diarrhea. They’re not a replacement for rehydration or medication, but they’re a useful addition.
Ginger and Other Home Remedies
Ginger has documented anti-inflammatory properties and can reduce intestinal cramping, bloating, and flatulence. However, clinical trials have actually shown that ginger increases gastrointestinal motility and speeds up gastric emptying, which means it could theoretically make diarrhea worse rather than better. It’s more useful for nausea and vomiting than for loose stools. If your diarrhea comes with significant nausea, ginger tea may help with that symptom specifically.
Chamomile tea is a gentler option. It has mild anti-inflammatory effects and can soothe an irritated digestive tract. It won’t stop diarrhea on its own, but staying hydrated with warm chamomile tea is a reasonable comfort measure. Plain peppermint tea can also ease cramping for some people.
Zinc for Children
For children with diarrhea, zinc supplementation is a WHO-recommended treatment that most parents in developed countries don’t know about. The recommended dose is 20 mg per day for 10 to 14 days (10 mg per day for infants under six months). Zinc helps reduce both the duration and severity of diarrheal episodes and can also lower the risk of recurrence in the following two to three months. It’s particularly important in settings where childhood malnutrition is common, but it’s safe and beneficial for children generally.
Signs That Need Medical Attention
Most diarrhea passes in a day or two. But certain symptoms mean something more serious is going on. For adults, see a doctor if diarrhea lasts more than two days without improvement, if you develop signs of dehydration (excessive thirst, very dark urine, dizziness, little or no urination), if you have severe abdominal or rectal pain, if your stools are bloody or black, or if your fever climbs above 102°F.
For children, the timeline is shorter. Seek care if diarrhea doesn’t improve within 24 hours, if there are no wet diapers for three or more hours, or if the child develops a fever over 102°F, bloody or black stools, or unusual sleepiness. Physical signs of dehydration in children include a sunken appearance around the eyes, cheeks, or abdomen, and skin that stays pinched when you gently pull it up rather than flattening back down right away. Diarrhea exceeding 10 bowel movements per day, or fluid losses clearly outpacing what someone can drink, is a medical emergency at any age.