Treatment of Chronic Diarrhea and IBS-D

Dealing with chronic diarrhea can greatly interfere your ability to enjoy your life. For some people, a simple diet change or a prescription medication can quickly resolve the problem. For others, it may take a variety of approaches in combination before symptom relief is seen. Here you will find a comprehensive review of the various strategies that may be helpful in combating the problem of chronic diarrhea. Although some of these articles have been written about diarrhea predominant IBS (IBS-D), one cause of chronic diarrhea, much of the information will be applicable regardless of what is causing your condition.

Medication Options

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Although traditionally, medication options for chronic diarrhea and IBS-D have been limited. Fortunately, new medications have come onto the market and others are in the process of development. Here you will find information as to what options are currently available:

What to Eat?

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Food is often the first place that a person with digestive stress looks to as a solution to the problem. Most of the time, it is not a specific food, but just the act of eating a heavy or fatty meal that is the problem, due to the triggering of the body's natural gastrocolic reflex. However, some foods do have a reputation for being friendlier or more irritating to the GI system. These articles will help you to make healthy choices:

If you have been diagnosed with IBS, the following food-related articles will also be of help:

Did you know there is a food-based treatment for IBS that can be very effective in reducing symptoms of chronic diarrhea? Learn all about how the low-FODMAP diet can be of help:

Over-the-Counter Products

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You don't always need a prescription to find a remedy for chronic diarrhea. In fact, for ongoing problems, sometimes a supplement is a safer alternative due to the lowered risk of side effects. However, all products pose some risk, so it is important to be an informed consumer. These articles will help you to see whether supplements might work for you:

Self-Care Strategies

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Treatment doesn't always come in the form of a pill. There are things that you can do to actively calm your body and increase your physical health. Learning to quiet your body is essential when dealing with diarrhea due to the close connection between the GI system and the body's stress response. If pain accompanies your diarrhea, there are also things that you can do to self soothe. The following articles will show you what you can do to help your intestinal system to quiet down.

Managing Daily Life

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Modern life is challenging even with a healthy body. Experiencing a disruptive symptom like diarrhea on a regular basis can make the option of staying home by the bathroom an attractive one. That, however, is no way to live. With a little planning, it is possible to manage the needs of your body and lead a full, interesting life. Here's how:

The following articles are filled with tips for managing the various aspects of your life while also dealing with disruptive digestive symptoms:

Therapy Options

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Sometimes, you just need to call in a pro. Luckily, there are two forms of psychotherapy that have proven to be effective in treating IBS-D. Psychotherapy as a treatment option comes with the added bonus of no pesky side effects. Read these articles to find out if therapy would work for you: