The BRAT Diet

You’re in the middle of a very important meeting and you suddenly find yourself feeling uncomfortable. You got clammy hands and your stomach seems to be sending “alert” signals to your brain. As of this point, there’s nothing more you want than to have the meeting finally end. You are most probably suffering from diarrhea, my friend.  It may be something you ate this morning or it could be caused by stress. Whatever the source may be, all you need now is to buy an anti-diarrheal medicine like Imodium AD.

Loperamide is a medicine orally taken for the faster treatment of diarrhea. Immodium is a very popular brand choice of loperamide because it restores the balance in the way your digestive system works and works even faster than other leading brands. Imodium a-d comes in a tablet, capsule, liquid, or chewable depending on your choice and need.  Imodium advanced caplet however, cannot be bought over the counter. You will need your doctor’s prescription for this.

For diarrhea control to be safe and effective, you need to determine the proper dosage modicum for you.  Ask your doctor beforehand so he can give you advice on how to take Imodium correctly. You should also provide all the information your doctor may need regarding any allergies or health problems you are suffering from, which could be worsened by taking in medications like Imodium advanced. In addition to taking medicines, it is very important that you increase your fluid intake to prevent dehydration caused by your condition. Following a proper diet will also be helpful.  Just like any other medicine, you may also experience side effects. Some Imodium side effects include dizziness and lightheadedness. Some may experience these effects more than others. If you notice anything which you think is not normal and has become quite bothersome, consult your doctor right away.

When you have diarrhea, your stomach digests food faster than normal without absorbing the nutrients in the process. This can be caused by various factors including food and tension. You need to check on your diet from now on. Imodium AD works by slowing down the pace of the digestive process so your stomach can have time to absorb the nutrients needed by your body and you will ultimately have lesser frequency of bowel movements. Whether you’ll be having a client meeting or a hot date, don’t forget to bring this anti-diarrheal medicine with you. Be prepared all the time.

The B.R.A.T. Diet is recommended by many health experts and is proven to be effective, but why does the BRAT Diet work exactly?

First, understanding diarrhea: If you were to ask your doctor, they would characterize diarrhea as a noticeable increase in the passing of stools, usually on terms of weight. Between those who suffer from it, the increase in stools is on the right lines, but we may wish to add the urgency of needing the toilet and that our stools are very loose and more liquid as opposed to solid.

If caused by the onset of other illnesses, going without treatment can lead to dehydration, which is more serious than it initially sounds. In poorer countries where the necessary medication is less available, diarrhea and dehydration could and does lead to premature deaths.

You might get an upset stomach and diarrhea from simply eating something that didn’t agree with you. Your suffering may last a couple of days or weeks but it is highly likely that you will recover from it. This type of short-term diarrhea is commonly referred to as ‘acute’ diarrhea. On the other hand ‘chronic’ diarrhea may be the sign of other illnesses or diseases within the body. If you notice that loose stools is becoming all too consistent, a trip to the doctors would be advised to determine the rudimentary problem.

There can be many causes to diarrhea, but the most likely of these causes are infections such as the virus ‘rotavirus’, bacterias including E. coli, salmonella and clostridium, not to forget several parasites. Some causes will be transferred from another infected person or even food and drinking supplies that have been in contact with any bacterias. Food poisoning can be brought on by consuming food that has been undercooked or contaminated, leading to the problem of diarrhea.

If its not an infection that has occurred, there are still other conditions that can bring on loose stools. Consider the following:

• An inability to digest some foods such as lactose products or an intolerance to wheat.
• If you have ’short-bowel syndrome’, a condition where a portion of your intestine had to be removed.
• If you have gone through surgery to take away the gallbladder.
• If you have any diseases linked to the hormonal system such as diabetes or adrenal disease.
• Inflammatory bowel disease or bowel cancer.
• Irritable bowel syndrome.
• Alcoholism.

So whats the science behind it all? We are aware of some of the causes, but what actually makes a watery stool a watery stool? It is quite natural for the bodies digestive system to break down food into a more liquidized form in order to pass it out of the stomach and into the intestines. However, on reaching the lower part of the small intestine and colon, our body will start to reabsorb some of the water, forming the stool we are most used to.

When our bodies recognize a toxin, they pump more water through the body to get rid of it as quickly as possible. The excessive amount of water within the stool cannot be completely reabsorbed by the body and that folks – is why we get diarrhea.

Dietary Considerations to Consider when Children have Diarrhea

Diarrhea is an unpleasant subject. It’s even more unpleasant when the condition happens to your child. Here’s what you gotta know about: the Brat Diet, diarrhea and your children.

At this time it is difficult to say who is having the most unsettling moments, adult or child? Parents have heard a variety of recommendations when it comes to treating their children for diarrhea. One of the most important factors to keep in mind is that if you go overboard with the treatments you can make matters worse.

When you were a child, chances are your parents tried a variety of treatments to help you when you had your own problems with diarrhea. Sometimes, perhaps they used old family remedies. Sometimes, perhaps they tried a remedy that was recommended because it once worked for a neighbor. Other parents may have chosen to follow the advice of everyone’s favorite kids’ physician, Dr. Spock.

Now, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends getting back to the basics. Although there are some differing treatments that are based on a child’s needs and age there is no need to confuse the situation. KISS, stands for keep it simple, stupid; and this sums up the fact that simple, natural solutions are often the best idea.

Bottom Line Brat Diet: Diarrhea:

In some cases, special fluids are called for if children have symptoms that indicate they have moderate diarrhea. Beverages such as Gatorade, Pedialyte or similar beverages that contain essential electrolytes can help fight dehydration if your child has been vomiting as well as having loose, watery stools. These kinds of fluids will help them regain the fluid lost through illness. As always you should first check with your child’s pediatrician to get his specific recommendations.

You should also have some knowledge about how to modify your the diet of your children when they are experiencing episodes of diarrhea. It may be possible for you to feed your child a regular diet as long as there is no active vomiting involved. Solid food will actually help control the loose stools and can more quickly restore bowel movements that are formed. The American Academy of Pediatrics does recommend feeding your child smaller amounts of food during this time. This will lessen the chance of the solid foods upsetting your child’s hypersensitive, digestive tract

Another suggestion for parents is to use a modified diet designed to help provide adequate nutrition and quick recovery from bouts of diarrhea. One easy mnemonic to remember is BRAT. This refers to a specific type of diet which can be very helpful in most instances involving diarrhea. BRAT is a soothing dietary regimen that only includes four simple, easily accessible and affordable ingredients; Bananas, Rice, Applesauce and Toast. (But the more common version is Bananas, Rice, Apples and Toast, applesauce is often substituted for those who might be finicky eaters , like children and the elderly who may have other dietary or dexterity issues).

The American Academy of Pediatrics provides a solid source of do’s and don’t when it comes to diarrhea interventions. Here are some important facts to remember.

• DO Keep track of how much fluid your child is drinking so you can make sure they are not becoming dehydrated.
• DO Only restrict food if there is active vomiting involved.
• Do NOT use homemade remedies or over the counter (OTC) preparations that claim to cure diarrhea.
• Consult your family pediatrician / doctor about the necessary treatment your child needs.
• Let your health care provider know that you will be feeding your child the BRAT diet and they will let you know if there are any more detailed instructions regarding the BRAT that you need to follow.