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Diarrhea Cure
Is there a cure for diarrhea? The answer to this question depends on the specific cause of diarrhea. When the ailment is caused by an infection with a virus, the cure is usually time; over 1 to 10 days, most such cases of diarrhea improve, often without treatment. There is no cure for cases caused by conditions such as Crohn's disease; however, certain treatments may help manage it.
Is There a Diarrhea Cure?
To answer this question, healthcare providers must first know the cause of diarrhea. There are many possible causes of diarrhea, and they are not all treated in the same way. The cause of the ailment and treatment options available will determine if there is a cure for diarrhea in a particular person's situation. For example, people with diarrhea caused by a condition like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) or Crohn's disease may have intermittent diarrhea throughout their lifetime. In these situations, there is no cure; however, medicines or lifestyle changes can be helpful in managing diarrhea.
Fortunately, for most people, diarrhea is caused by an infection with a virus (known as viral gastroenteritis or the stomach flu) or bacteria. In a number of these cases, the cure is time. This is because people with healthy immune systems are able to effectively fight on an infection. Over 1 to 10 days, most of these bouts of diarrhea improve. Furthermore, most do not require any medical treatment, except for staying well hydrated.
(You can read more about diarrhea treatment options by visiting the eMedTV article Stop Diarrhea.)
Written by/reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD