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.