Probiotics are beneficial microorganisms that offer a wide variety of health benefits. Therefore, supplements and probiotic-rich foodsIt has become a natural remedy for digestive problems such as diarrhea.
In the article "Does probiotic cause diarrhea?" You can find the answers to the questions.
How Do Probiotics Treat and Prevent Diarrhea?
In addition to being found in supplements and some foods, probiotics are also naturally found in the gut. It has some important roles there, such as maintaining immune health and protecting the body from infection and disease.
In the intestines - collectively intestinal microbiota known as - bacteria; it is affected both negatively and positively by a variety of factors, including diet, stress, and medication use.
When the balance of gut bacteria is disturbed and the number of probiotics decreases, the risk of adverse digestive conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and diarrhea increases.
The World Health Organization defines diarrhea as "three or more watery stools in a 24-hour period". Acute diarrhea lasts less than 14 days, while chronic diarrhea lasts 14 days or longer.
Using probiotics is diarrhea and can help treat diarrhea by increasing the number of beneficial gut bacteria, preserving these bacteria, and correcting an imbalance.
Studies have also shown that probiotic supplements prevent and treat certain types of diarrhea in both children and adults.
What Types of Diarrhea Can Probiotics Treat?
There are a number of different causes of diarrhea, including bacterial or viral infections, certain medications, and exposure to different microorganisms from traveling.
Studies have shown that many diarrhea respond well to probiotic supplements. Request types of diarrhea that probiotics can treat;
Contagious diarrhea
Infectious diarrhea is diarrhea caused by an infectious agent such as bacteria or a parasite. Over 20 different bacteria, viruses and parasites are known to cause infectious diarrhea. Rotavirus , E. coli ve Salmonella as…
Contagious diarrhea is more common in developing countries and can lead to death if left untreated. Treatment aims to prevent dehydration, reduce the time a person is contagious, and shorten the duration of diarrhea.
A review of 8014 studies in 63 people concluded that probiotics safely reduce diarrhea and stool frequency in adults and children with infectious diarrhea.
Antibioticsare medicines used to treat a range of diseases caused by bacteria. Diarrhea is a common side effect of antibiotic therapy because these drugs disrupt the gut microbiota.
Taking probiotics can help prevent diarrhea associated with antibiotic use by increasing the number of beneficial bacteria in the gut.
Passenger diarrhea
Traveling causes exposure to many microorganisms that are not recognized by the body and can cause diarrhea.
Passenger diarrhea is defined as “three or more unformed stool passages a day” with at least one relevant symptom, such as cramps or abdominal pain in the passenger upon arrival. It affects 20 million people a year.
A review of 11 studies found that preventive treatment with probiotic supplements significantly reduced the occurrence of passenger diarrhea.
Diarrhea affecting children and babies
Antibiotic-associated diarrhea and diseases that cause diarrhea are common in infants and children.
Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is an intestinal disease that occurs almost exclusively in infants. This disease is inflammation of the gut that leads to an overgrowth of bacteria that seriously damage the cells of the gut.
NEC is a serious condition with a mortality rate of up to 50%. One of the symptoms of NEC is severe diarrhea. Antibiotics are often used to treat this disease and diarrhea is a side effect.
Studies have shown that probiotics can help reduce the risk of NEC and death in preterm babies.
A review of 37 studies involving more than 5.000 infants younger than 42 weeks showed that probiotic use reduced the frequency of NEC and probiotic therapy resulted in a reduction in overall infant mortality.
What Are Probiotics Good for Diarrhea?
There are hundreds of strains of probiotics, but research shows that supplements with some types are most helpful in combating diarrhea.
According to the latest scientific findings, the following types are the most effective probiotic strains for treating diarrhea:
Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG)
This probiotic is among the most widely supported strains. Studies show that LGG is one of the most effective probiotics for treating diarrhea in both adults and children.
Saccharomyces boulardi
S.boulardii, It is a useful yeast strain that is widely used in probiotic supplements. It has been reported to treat antibiotic-associated and contagious diarrhea.
Bifidobacterium lactis
This probiotic has immune-boosting and gut-protective properties and can significantly reduce the severity and frequency of diarrhea in children.
Lactobacillus casei
L. casei, Another probiotic that has been studied for its benefits against diarrhea strain. Some studies suggest that it treats antibiotic-associated and contagious diarrhea in children and adults.
While other types of probiotics also help treat diarrhea, the strains listed above have the most research supporting their use for this particular condition.
Probiotics, showing the number of beneficial bacteria concentrated in each dose By Colony Forming Units (CFU) measured. Most probiotic supplements contain 1 to 10 billion CFUs per dose. However, some probiotic supplements are more than 100 billion CFUs per dose.
Choosing a high CFU probiotic supplement is important, but the strains included in the supplement and product quality are equally important.
Given that the quality and CFU of probiotic supplements can vary greatly, it is best to consult a doctor to choose the most effective probiotic supplement and dosage.
Possible Side Effects Related to Probiotic Use
While probiotics are generally considered safe for both children and adults, and serious side effects are rare in healthy people, in some people, potential adverse effects can occur.
People who are susceptible to infections, including those who have had surgery, critically ill infants, and those with indwelling catheters or chronically ill, are at risk of experiencing adverse reactions after taking probiotics.
For example, probiotics can cause severe systemic infections, diarrhea, overstimulation of the immune system, abdominal cramping and nausea in immunocompromised people.
Less serious side effects associated with taking probiotics can sometimes include bloating, gas, hiccups, skin rashes and constipation It can also occur in healthy people such as.
While probiotics are generally considered safe for most people, always consult a doctor before you and your child use them.
Food and Drinks to Avoid in Diarrhea
Milk
The lactose in dairy products such as cottage cheese, cream cheese, ice cream and sour cream, and other soft dairy products is something the gut who is weak in diarrhea cannot cope with.
Consuming too much lactose makes the condition in the large intestine worse.
Hot pepper
Another food that can aggravate diarrhea is hot pepper. The compound capsaicin in pepper is known to trigger diarrhea.
During digestion, it irritates the stomach lining, which causes gas, bloating and a burning sensation in the stomach as well as diarrhea. Both the seeds and the shell of the hot pepper are challenging for your poor digestive system.
Coffee
In case of diarrhea, one should not drink coffee.Found in coffee kafeincontributes to loosening of stool. Also, caffeine has a diuretic effect that can worsen the dehydration caused by diarrhea.
Ginger tea Drinking herbal teas such as herbal teas are alternative beverages to calm bowel movements.
You should not drink any caffeinated beverages, not just coffee, until your stomach is healed, otherwise it will irritate the digestive system and accelerate the loss of fluid and electrolytes.
Alcohol
Diarrhea Do not drink alcoholic beverages when you are suffering from or other stomach problems.Alcohol is toxic to the stomach lining and also alters liver metabolism. Drinking too much can cause indigestion, which can worsen the situation while fighting diarrhea.
On top of that, alcohol sometimes interferes with medications taken to treat diarrhea, Crohn's disease, or colitis.
Pulses
Legumes are also on the list of foods to avoid when you have diarrhea. Legumes pass into the small intestine and enter the large intestine without being digested.
Undigested legumes are one of the main causes of bloating as well as diarrhea. Legumes are also a class of proteins that cause increased inflammation in the intestines. lectin in terms of high.
Artificial sweeteners
Artificial sweeteners such as sorbitol, mannitol, and xylitol found in sugar-free chewing gum, candy, and medicines can also cause diarrhea.
These sweeteners are absorbed much more slowly than table sugar. It reaches the large intestine without being absorbed, causing diarrhea. In addition, bacteria in the stomach eat these sugars and produce more gas.
Nuts
Nuts and dried fruits are rich in insoluble fiber that can make diarrhea symptoms worse.
Nuts are difficult to digest and can irritate the lining of the intestines, especially if you suffer from stomach upset. These types of foods can also cause too much bloating.
Red meat
Although red meat is a good source of food, it takes time to digest. Eating red meat also increases levels of C-reactive protein and ferritin, both of which are inflammatory chemicals. Inflammation of the digestive system can make diarrhea worse.
Cruciferous Vegetables
In case of diarrhea, do not eat cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage. These vegetables contain complex carbohydrates that are difficult to digest. It also has insoluble fiber content that worsens diarrhea and gas in the gastrointestinal tract.
In addition to these cruciferous vegetables, avoid vegetables such as artichokes, Brussels sprouts, onions, leeks and asparagus.
As a result;
According to recent research, some probiotics may help treat and prevent different types of diarrhea, including antibiotic-associated, contagious, and passenger diarrhea.
Although there are hundreds of probiotic strains available in supplement form, Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG , Saccharomyces boulardii, Bifidobacterium lactis ve Lactobacillus casei The efficacy of strains for treating diarrhea has been proven.
If you want to use probiotics to treat or prevent diarrhea, you can get the best advice from your doctor.
